Tilea's Worries

[TL notes: again long chapter... splitting....]

Currently, I’m taking care of Casey-chan. Although Or is the master of the house, I can’t rely on him anymore. He just keeps causing trouble.

A few days ago, Casey-chan and her friends got fed up with their community service and ended up fighting with the perverts before running away. When I heard that Casey-chan got hurt by one of the perverts, I immediately mobilized the entire Demon God Army for a massive search.

In the end, it was Timu who found her and brought her back. Timu also healed Casey-chan's injuries with recovery magic. I'm really glad it didn’t turn into a bigger issue.

As for the other kids besides Casey-chan, it seems they went back home. The soldiers claimed they had been sacrificed and vanished from this world, but I’m not going to dig into that.

Anyway, now that Casey-chan is back, I’m determined to help her reform. Casey-chan has been as quiet as a borrowed cat. I was worried she might run away again after being forcibly brought back, but that was just my imagination. 

It must be because Timu scolded her so thoroughly that it really hit home.

Also, since Casey-chan will be staying in the capital for a while, I tried to contact her parents. When I asked Casey-chan for their contact information, she told me, “I don’t have any parents.”

I felt bad for asking such a painful question, but when I pressed for details, she said they died fifty years ago.

Wait, how old are you then? About eighty?

A kid telling such a blatant lie is just begging for a scolding, but then it hit me: why would Casey-chan lie like this?

After some thought, I came to a conclusion.

...It’s probably neglect.

Her parents must be the typical neglectful kind who think giving money is enough. They must have been too busy with work to pay attention to her when she needed it. That’s why she says she has no parents.

It makes sense now. She’s craving attention and love, which is why she’s acting out and stealing despite being wealthy.

This happens in any world.

Alright, I understand. 

If that’s the case, I’ll be her substitute parent.

Determined, I started keeping Casey-chan by my side as much as possible, engaging in conversation.

We bonded over meals and shopping trips, and she watched me cook with great interest. I want her to understand the joy of working.

Even now, she’s watching me cook intently.

Casey-chan, working like this is tough. But seeing people enjoy the food you make is wonderful, isn’t it?

I glanced at her expression.

Oh, she seems really interested. If she’s that curious, I’ll show her some professional skills.

I spun the knife and chopped the cabbage at lightning speed.

As expected, Casey-chan looked amazed.

Feeling encouraged, I showed off more cooking techniques until—

“Tilea-sama, please make me your subordinate!”

Casey-chan pleaded with her head pressed to the ground in a perfect dogeza.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I want to change myself, and I believe you can help me do that.”

It seems Casey-chan was deeply impressed by my sincere approach to work.

Yes, as a rich girl, she needs some work experience.

“Casey-chan, I’m impressed. Alright, I’ll let you work a bit.”

“Thank you! I’ll work with all my might.”

“Great, you’re very enthusiastic. I expect good things from you.”

“Thank you... Also, if I may be so bold...”

“What is it?”

“Well, I’d like to become your apprentice, Tilea-sama...”

“An apprentice, huh...”

“Yes, I’m in awe of your godlike skills. Please, teach me your divine techniques.”

Godlike techniques... I might have shown off too much with my fast chopping and flipping omelets.

Casey-chan pleaded with sparkling eyes.

“Hmm, working in the shop is fine, but I can’t decide on the apprenticeship right away.”

Becoming an apprentice means learning my secret recipes. It takes more than enthusiasm; you need talent for cooking.

Like I have!

I’m not against apprenticeships out of pure bloodline favoritism. Belm’s shop isn’t a one-child policy. My father didn’t spoil me just because I was his daughter. After years of training, he finally recognized my passion and talent and taught me his recipes.

“Is it impossible then...?”

“It’s not just about enthusiasm. You need some talent too. Teaching from scratch is tough.”

“I have some professional experience. I’m confident in my skills.”

“Really? You seem like an amateur.”

“Yes, I embarrassed myself in front of you, Tilea-sama. But I was one of the top talents in my clan.”

Hmm, honestly, she doesn’t seem experienced in cooking. From her unruly behavior, it doesn’t look like she’s worked much either.

However, she is a girl and might have learned cooking as part of bridal training.

“Alright, show me what you can do.”

“I won’t embarrass myself again. I’ll show you my true skills.”

Casey-chan looked determined, like a seasoned assassin ready for action.

Maybe she could be my successor?

“Make some fried rice then.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Casey-chan responded with a confused look. She didn’t seem to hear me.

Are you okay? The test has already started. Focus.

“I said, make some fried rice.”

I repeated myself clearly.

But she still looked confused.

Do you not know what fried rice is? That’s a basic dish for any cook.

“You know what fried rice is, right? Just make that.”

“Yes. It’s not a stir-fry dish, right... Oh, I see! You mean to create a puppet regime under the Mongoli tribe’s king, Cha-Haan?”

[TL notes: dunno original [「は、はい。料理に出てくる炒め物、なわけないですから……そうか！　チャ・ハーンというモンゴリ族の王を傀儡にして邪神政権を作れという意味ですね？」] only thing i find is omelet images maybe i dont get a joke.]

She seems to know what fried rice is.

But... Is she joking? There’s no way you got that from what I said!

“Are you joking? I mean the dish, fried rice. If you’re not serious, we’re ending this.”

“I-I’m sorry. But why fried rice?”

Sigh, you’ve shown your true colors. Fried rice is a basic dish. It’s perfect for assessing your stir-frying skills. If you can’t make decent fried rice, you’re not cut out to be a cook. Anyone with a bit of cooking experience should know that.

“Casey-chan, let me guess what you’re thinking.”

“Yes?”

“You’re wondering why fried rice is the test dish, right?”

“You’re right. If it’s a test, I’d like to show you my lifetime’s worth of special techniques. I think they’d impress you, Tilea-sama.”

“Your little tricks don’t matter. If you can’t make decent fried rice, it shows you lack the basics. I need to see your fundamentals first.”

“But... I don’t think you can judge my skills based on fried rice alone.”

“Stop. Just from talking to you, I can tell you’re an amateur.”

“What!? R-Really?”

“Really. A professional can tell just by hearing how you talk. You’re failing already.”

Casey-chan was stunned by my words.

After some contemplation, she seemed to understand.

“Alright. So, I need to make fried rice to show my skills?”

“Yes, that’s right. Do you understand now?”

“Yes, I understand the purpose of the test. I’ve heard from Camilla-sama and Nielsen-sama that they trained by helping in the shop. So, you’re testing my skills through shop work.”

“Exactly. Don’t overthink it. I just want to see your level.”

“Understood. I’ll make the fried rice.”

“Good, start whenever you’re ready.”

“Yes. First, I’ll suppress my magic. Haaah!”

Casey-chan stood with her arms crossed and shouted with determination.

I understand middle school syndrome, but this is a cooking test. I’ll be strict as a professional chef.

“Stop that. You don’t need to shout or strike a pose to cook.”

“I’m sorry. This is the best I can do right now. I hope to do it naturally someday.”

Yes, cooking should be natural. Deep breathing is enough to calm down.

This exaggerated behavior is probably Casey-chan’s way of relaxing. It’s a test, so I understand the nervousness. I also understand that middle school syndrome doesn’t go away easily.

Fine. I’ll deduct points but let it slide.

“Alright, I’d normally stop the test here, but I’ll give you a chance. Show me your so-called professional skills.”

“Yes. Please watch.”

“Remember, you called yourself a pro in front of a pro. I’ll be strict.”

“Yes. It’s presumptuous to call myself a pro before you, Tilea-sama... I’ll do my best.”

She muttered the last part.

That’s right. It’s embarrassing for an amateur to declare themselves a pro in front of a real one.

I predict Casey-chan’s cooking experience is at best home-cooked meals for family and friends. That’s just home cooking.

With a tense expression, Casey-chan started cooking.

First, I’ll observe her handling.

Casey-chan took out the ingredients from the refrigerator. Fried rice needs rice, eggs, bacon, green onions, salt, soy sauce, and oil. She gathered the ingredients efficiently. She passed the first test. Not knowing the ingredients for fried rice would be a big problem for a cook.

Next, she took a knife from the shelf and started chopping the ingredients. A professional cook can judge the level by how someone handles a knife.

Casey-chan handled the knife well. She wasn’t

 afraid of the blade and knew how to use force.

“Casey-chan, you seem quite skilled with a knife. Have you used it often?”

“Yes. I’m familiar with most weapons. Especially knives, which I’ve used since I was young. I can apply that here.”

I see. Setting aside the weapon familiarity, she seems capable.

However, her chopping is amateurish. She doesn’t know how to cut for the best flavor. She’s just chopping finely. That’s not enough for a cook.

Next, she put the chopped ingredients into a large pot to fry. This is crucial for making fried rice. To get the rice fluffy, you need to toss the pot properly to evaporate excess oil.

Casey-chan’s pot tossing was average. She was just stirring. Not bad, but not beyond amateur level.

Her knife handling was passable, but seasoning and cooking revealed her amateurishness.

What should I do? There’s no need to taste it. 

Should I stop the test now?

Hmm, but seeing Casey-chan’s serious face makes it hard to stop. I’ll let her finish.

And then...

“Tilea-sama, it’s done. How is it?”

I looked at the fried rice on the table.

It’s... well, ordinary.

Not bad, but not up to my apprentice standards. Not something I’d serve to customers.

“Sigh, I don’t need to taste it. You know it yourself, don’t you?”

“N-No, I don’t... Is it that I can’t be your apprentice?”

Casey-chan looked on the verge of tears.

It’s hard to say no. This delinquent girl is trying to work earnestly for the first time. As her elder, I want to support her new beginning.

Instead of rejecting her, I’ll have her train first and retest her later.

Should I have her work under the pervert?

The pervert has been handling tasks well lately. Maybe it’s time for him to take on a new role: mentoring. It could be a good experience.

“Casey-chan, wait a moment.”

I called the pervert from the Underground Empire.

He dashed in, kneeled, and bowed his head.

“Neil, I’m assigning this girl as your subordinate. Take good care of her.”

“Yes, Tilea-sama’s command. I will train Casey into a first-rate warrior.”

His middle school syndrome hasn’t improved. I need to emphasize my point.

“I know how you are, but listen carefully. Make sure Casey-chan can handle her tasks. Your job now includes mentoring as well.”

“Yes. I will devote myself to this task.”

“Good. Casey-chan, I’ll hire you for a three-month trial period. Train under Neil. If you improve, I’ll retest you. If you pass, I’ll take you as my apprentice.”

“Really?”

“What a lucky girl!”

Casey-chan cheered, and the pervert shouted in envy.

They sure love a commotion.

Seeing them together, I feel they might make a good pair.

I hope I’m right. I’m afraid I’ve created a rather odd duo.