I had intended to refuse, but Kotone's eyes had already changed into the gaze of a student looking at her respected master.
"Master. As for the monthly tuition fee, how much should I pay?"
"Monthly tuition? You mean payment for the advice?"
I almost immediately said "I don't need any," but then I reconsidered.
"Then in return, can you get along with Monaka?"
Kotone tilted her head cutely.
"Monaka-sama...? Do you mean the representative of Class 1-2?"
"Yeah. She's from a prestigious Saintess family, so her classmates seem to hold back and keep their distance out of consideration.
Since you're both young ladies from similar backgrounds, I think you could talk to her without any awkwardness. I'd like you to be friends with her."
Kotone let out a deep, emotional sigh.
"You are the first person who has ever said something like that to me, Master...
Monaka-sama and I are connected through the relationship of Saintess and Miko.
Our classmates only ever compared our families of exorcists and encouraged rivalry between us..."
"I don't really understand the details, but if you're both from families of exorcists, you should get along.
Of course I won't force you, but if you feel like it, could you try talking to Monaka sometime?"
"Understood. If it is your command, Master."
"No, it's not really a command..."
"Kotone-samaaaaaa!!!"
A sudden war cry interrupted us.
A large female student burst through the bushes with enough force to break them and charged straight toward us.
From her appearance, she looked every bit the warrior, and she glared at me with wild boar-like eyes.
"You scoundrel! Forcing Kotone-sama to prostrate herself—what is the meaning of this!?
Stand there! I will cut you down right now...!"
She was undoubtedly Kotone's attendant.
She did not look like the type who would listen to reason, so I decided to make a quick exit.
"Kotone, with your skill and that bow, you should be able to hunt as many birds as you want.
I don't have any more advice for now, so I'll be going."
"Yes, take care, Master."
Without looking back, I slipped away into the forest as fast as I could.
I was heading back home when, along the way, I discovered a patch where a certain plant was growing thickly.
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**Green Onion**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 2 (Material Level 2)
Wild green onions.
They have a strong aroma and spiciness and are used not only as food but also medicinally.
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Green onions originated in the eastern countries.
After meeting Kotone, the eastern beauty, they felt like the perfect ingredient.
I quickly picked some and carried them back home.
At the cooking station in the yard, I began preparing them right away.
I cut the Meeenbird thigh meat and green onions into bite-sized pieces and skewered them alternately on Hiroeda branches.
After making the skewers, I lightly sprinkled them with the salt I had received from Akemi and placed them over the Forest Stone Stove.
As they grilled, the fat sizzled and an irresistible aroma spread through the air.
Once they had a nice char, I took them off the stove...
"Done! 'Negima' is complete!"
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**Meeenbird Negima**
**Quantity:** 8
**Quality Level:** 10 (Material Level 5 + Dexterity Bonus 3 + Cooking Bonus 2)
A type of skewer called "yakitori" made with Meeenbird thigh meat and green onions.
In addition to being edible, it is also effective against colds.
Eating it with beer provides a synergistic effect.
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I once helped out at a tavern.
The head chef there was from the eastern countries and had taught me several eastern dishes.
Most of them were meant to go with alcohol, and this "negima" was especially so.
I immediately bit into the meat. After a firm, juicy texture, rich meat juices burst out.
Then came the green onion, adding a crisp, satisfying crunch and a mellow sweetness that filled my mouth.
"Mmm... So goooooood!!!"
The flavor was so good I couldn't help but look up at the sky.
"Green onions are spicy when raw, but when grilled they become sweet. It's amazing!
I could eat as many of these as I want! I have to thank the chef who taught me this!"
Suddenly, memories of the chef came back to me.
Once, when I was about to throw away the roots of the green onions I had finished chopping, the chef stopped me.
"Wait, kid. Those roots still have a use."
He stuck the green onion roots into a cup of water.
"Do this and the stems will grow back."
I had been skeptical at first, but a week later, fresh green stems had sprouted vigorously.
I stopped reminiscing and looked at the green onion roots sitting on the edge of the cooking station.
"Shall I give it a try? If it works, I'll have an unlimited supply of green onions!"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
"Kotone-sama, are you all right!? That man earlier...!?"
"Tomo-e-san, please calm down. What on earth is the matter?"
"What do you mean 'what is the matter'!? The moment I took my eyes off you, you went into the forest!"
"I was hunting birds to provide some strength for everyone who is pioneering.
I only managed to get one bird, but I obtained many other things."
"Now that you mention it, your expression looks much brighter. You have seemed down lately..."
"Tomo-e-san, today I have found a precious master for the first time in my life."
"What!? That is wonderful! Your father will surely be delighted!
If it is Weiss-sama, who is currently leading the pioneering efforts, he would be a perfect match for you...!"
"No, that is not it."
"Eh? Not Weiss-sama? Then perhaps the Hero from Class 1-11?
Exactly which noble young master is it?"
"No, it is...
My Master, who is jobless...!"