On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 223

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 223

 

In Search of the Best Chef (1)

 

Entering the Youth Division!

 

Everyone was a bit worried about that bold declaration.

 

“Teacher Ziel, even though you always make such surprising statements, entering the Youth Division is a different matter.”

 

“Does it not meet the regulations?”

 

“It’s not that, but the level of the Youth Division is exceptional. If it were just battles between students, there might be a possibility, but placing in the top 10 in a tournament where even official Knight Order members participate…”

 

“I know that too. Winning is impossible. But if we devise strategies tailored to our opponents, we can make it into the top 10.”

 

Ziel answered calmly as usual, but others thought differently.

 

“Still, isn’t that pushing it a bit too much?”

 

“Winning the Junior Division is important, but what’s more important is gaining experience from battles with strong opponents.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

If that was the intention, there was nothing more to say.

 

“Then let’s do this. We’ll accept volunteers from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years to also enter the Youth Division.”

 

Idel and Merhen were surprised by those words, but the three supervising professors immediately nodded.

 

“Good. It’ll be perfect for the 1st years to grasp their own level. Frustration is what makes children grow.”

 

“Mm. I agree, Professor Allix. It’ll be good for improving the 3rd years’ skills. I agree with Teacher Ziel a hundred times. You have to meet strong opponents to grow.”

 

Somehow the lower-grade supervising professors were full of enthusiasm, while the 4th and 5th year professors were the complete opposite.

 

Only Professor Isabella stood back and watched this entire situation with interest.

 

6th years were exempt from all school events.

 

Because employment was at stake.

 

Of course, they do participate in the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament.

 

Getting good results there could earn bonus points in the Knight Order admission process.

 

‘There’s no hope until the current lower-grade students move up to higher grades.’

 

Berhal sighed at the sight of the two professors who lacked motivation and passion, while nodding at the enthusiasm of the lower-grade supervising professors who foresaw a bright future.

 

“Good. It will be a great opportunity for the students, so let’s do that. And for this exchange match and practical training… the exchange match will be the same as before, but we’re considering candidate locations for the practical training.”

 

“Where would that be?”

 

“An island.”

 

“An island…”

 

The professors’ expressions became distant at the mention of an island.

 

Islands are too far.

 

This place is the capital of the Empire.

 

Just getting to the sea would take an enormous amount of time.

 

“More precisely, it’s an island in the middle of a lake.”

 

“Ah. You’re talking about Edil Lake, aren’t you, Department Head?”

 

“Yes. There’s an island in the middle managed by the Imperial Palace. They suggested that place this time.”

 

“We’re thinking of conducting survival training there.”

 

“…!”

 

Survival elements had been included before too.

 

But back then there was an objective.

 

Enter the cave and retrieve the markers.

 

“How about around two weeks?”

 

“Two weeks… will the students be able to endure it?”

 

“It would be interesting to watch the processes of change over two weeks. And because of the Ruinbark incident, the Imperial Palace wants us to go somewhere completely free of magical beasts this time.”

 

The Ruinbark appearance incident.

 

The Ruinbark that should have gone to the upper-grade area ended up going to the lower-grade students instead.

 

Thanks to Ziel, it was resolved without incident and they even made armor from the Ruinbark’s shell, but when you think about it, it was an enormous accident.

 

The fact that it turned out to be Siren’s doing was also a point worth noting.

 

“I suppose changing the direction of the practical training can’t be helped.”

 

“That’s right. The Imperial Palace doesn’t want to bear any burden.”

 

Swordsmanship tournament.

 

Exchange match.

 

Practical training.

 

This semester’s events were confirmed.

 

One week until the start of classes.

 

“Now that this semester’s plans are set, please prepare your classes well, everyone. Please observe the deadlines and submit your syllabi properly.”

 

Ziel had already submitted his.

 

This semester was also going to be very intensive classes.

 

“I’ll conclude the meeting.”

 

So now there was one thing to do.

 

“Um, Teacher Ziel. If you have time, could we talk for a moment? I have many things I’d like to ask you.”

 

When the new 1st year supervising professor, Allix, approached and asked, Ziel shook his head.

 

“I can’t.”

 

“…!”

 

Allix was hurt by that rejecting attitude, but only briefly.

 

“I have something important to do, so I need to go.”

 

“Something important, you say…”

 

“I need to find a chef.”

 

“…?”

 

Allix was a bit flustered.

 

‘Why would Teacher Ziel need a chef?’

 

“Because I want to eat delicious food.”

 

“Then couldn’t you just go to a restaurant?”

 

“I want to eat it every day.”

 

Allix, who couldn’t understand what he was talking about at all, could only tilt his head in confusion and watch Ziel leave.

 

“Professor Allix.”

 

“Ah, Professor Elcanto.”

 

“Shall we go? There isn’t much left of the semester, so I thought it would be good to show you around various places and teach you this and that.”

 

“Let’s do that. But I heard Teacher Ziel is looking for a chef…”

 

“A chef? What for. Is he planning to cook for his students or something…”

 

He had heard news that Ziel had filled a cart with snacks and given them as gifts to his students last time.

 

‘Has he scaled it up?’

 

If so, I can’t lose.

 

“Hmm. We should also call in a guest chef for our third years.”

 

“Do you treat the students that well?”

 

“Well, it’s good to treat them well. But to call a chef to cook for 100 people, the money…”

 

Still, he wanted to try it.

 

Why?

 

Because Ziel was doing it.

 

‘There must be some good effect.’

 

Allix also fell into contemplation.

 

‘They’re new and I’m new too… this would be a good method.’

 

Two professors who suddenly decided to call catering chefs after seeing Ziel’s actions!

 

Meanwhile.

 

Ziel went outside the Academy with Gilbert.

 

“In the end, we have no choice but to visit every restaurant.”

 

“That seems best. Let’s make a deal with the restaurant that has the best food.”

 

Originally, he had targeted the chefs from the families he had visited at home.

 

But it fell through due to Gilbert’s opposition.

 

“Is the Becker Family chef really not possible?”

 

“No, Boss.”

 

“That’s unfortunate.”

 

The dishes he had tasted there were satisfying enough to come to mind often.

 

“Taking family chefs is also work, and they won’t want to come easily. If they’re eating well and living well there, and if they’re head chefs, the treatment would be good too, so why would they come to a place like this?”

 

“It’s under renovation. It will get better.”

 

“Those people probably live in magnificent houses, right? If they’re head chefs of such families, they’d have multiple rooms too.”

 

“That’s not efficient. Rooms are easier to manage when there’s only one.”

 

“Anyway, that’s why the probability of them coming is too low.”

 

“I understand. We’ll have to look for them in restaurants.”

 

And so began Ziel’s period of frustration.

 

“The head chef?”

 

“I want to meet the person who made this food and make a scouting offer.”

 

“What nonsense are you…”

 

When he looked for the head chef at the first restaurant he liked, he was only cursed at and kicked out.

 

“Why are they refusing?”

 

“Well, if the head chef disappears, this place would be ruined…”

 

It was the same at the second and third restaurants.

 

“Scouting the head chef? You should say something that makes sense.”

 

“Are you from some noble house?”

 

Ziel felt frustration for the first time in a while.

 

“So this is what frustration feels like.”

 

“Doesn’t it say that frustration makes a man grow! It’s from the classics.”

 

“Hmm. According to that saying, I’m currently growing.”

 

Even restaurant head chefs had strong pride all the same.

 

They were grateful for compliments about their delicious food, but scouting offers were a different matter.

 

And so the fifth, sixth times.

 

“Evening is passing now too, Boss.”

 

Thanks to eating six meals together, Gilbert was dying.

 

Though his appetite had increased thanks to Ziel, this was now his limit.

 

‘Please, let it work this time.’

 

“Hmm. This restaurant is… the place I planned to go to next time.”

 

“Huh? With whom?”

 

“The place I planned to go with Professor Elcanto Paredes.”

 

“Wow. That professor must be rich.”

 

“It seemed that way.”

 

Under a misunderstanding that would have made Elcanto very sad if he had heard it, the two entered Leganes.

 

A place that boasts prices, service, and taste that are among the finest of the restaurants in the capital!

 

“Excuse me, guest. May I ask if you have a reservation?”

 

“I don’t have a reservation.”

 

“I’m sorry, but then dining will be difficult.”

 

“I see.”

 

It seemed like today would be a wasted trip.

 

“Let’s go, Boss.”

 

“We’re going back.”

 

It was just as they turned to leave in disappointment.

 

“Are you Teacher Ziel Steelheart?”

 

Ziel’s head turned at the voice coming from behind.

 

It wasn’t the employee who had been guiding at the entrance, but another employee dressed much more elegantly who recognized Ziel.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“I apologize. You haven’t made a reservation, but we have an available seat today. If it’s alright, we’d like to escort you there.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Uh…”

 

“This employee just told us we can’t eat without a reservation.”

 

Ziel asked out of pure curiosity, not to argue.

 

“Teacher Ziel Steelheart is famous throughout this Empire, and you’re known as a true teacher who cares for students.”

 

Gilbert felt proud on his behalf.

 

‘Boss’s reputation is really rising now!’

 

First rumors spread among the nobles, then he became famous in the Western Region, and now through the fashion show, he’s become famous throughout the entire capital!

 

“Please, it would be wonderful if you could give us the good opportunity to serve you both.”

 

“Understood.”

 

There was no reason to refuse when they were offering to let him eat.

 

Ziel’s mood improved.

 

“Please follow me this way.”

 

And so the meal began.

 

“Oh, this is incredible.”

 

“Mm. The flavors are very diverse.”

 

Ziel, with his sensitive taste perception, was very satisfied from the first dish.

 

“We’ve prepared an appetizer for you. Finely ground pork with pastry, and we’ve placed diced meat on top so you can feel the texture…”

 

The course that began with the appetizer was extremely satisfying.

 

“I thought I was full, but apparently I wasn’t.”

 

“Eat plenty, Gilbert.”

 

“Yes, Boss!”

 

While they were eating enthusiastically, a dish that caught their attention was served.

 

“This is tartare.”

 

Tartare?

 

“Is this perhaps uncooked?”

 

“That’s correct. We transported fresh meat with magical tools, immediately minced it, mixed it with sauce, shaped it, and served it with side ingredients.”

 

Eating uncooked meat was an idea he had never even considered.

 

‘How can you eat something uncooked…’

 

Gilbert was from Crow, but he had never been in extreme situations where he had to eat raw meat.

 

He had even less experience with it as fine dining.

 

He had the preconception that meat should naturally be cooked before eating.

 

But Ziel was different.

 

“This looks delicious.”

 

Ziel scooped up a generous portion without hesitation and brought it to his mouth.

 

And Ziel’s eyes wavered.

 

“This is…”

 

Another bite.

 

Yet another bite.

 

And after one more bite, it had disappeared.

 

“…”

 

Ziel seemed a bit shocked.

 

‘To think it could be this delicious.’

 

A texture, flavor, and harmony with the fantastic sauce that was completely different from cooked meat.

 

Especially the way the meat’s aroma was conveyed intact felt very good, and even the sauce was sweet, perfectly matching Ziel’s taste.

 

Ziel asked the server without hesitation.

 

“Who made this dish?”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“I want to scout them.”

 

“…”

 

The server was flustered but answered calmly, befitting a server at one of the Empire’s finest restaurants.

 

“I’ll go inquire with the kitchen.”

 

As the server headed toward the kitchen, Gilbert whispered quietly.

 

“Something seems different about their response this time?”

 

“I hope so.”

 

But this was Leganes.

 

One of the Empire’s most renowned restaurants.

 

There was no way the head chef of such a place would be scouted…

 

“You must be Teacher Ziel Steelheart. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Rohan Leganes, head chef of Leganes.”

 

“I’m Ziel Steelheart. Head Chef Rohan Leganes. This is Teaching Assistant Gilbert.”

 

After the pleasantries, Rohan asked.

 

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to confirm what our server conveyed. You said you want to scout the person who made the ‘beef tartare’ you just had, is that correct?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Rohan pondered at those words before asking.

 

“Excuse me, but may I ask the reason?”

 

“Because it was delicious.”

 

There was no better reason than that.

 

Saying food is delicious is the highest praise.

 

‘But for what purpose?’

 

“Do you happen to run another restaurant?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then where are you planning to scout them to?”

 

“The kitchen of Edelwein Academy’s faculty dormitory.”

 

“…”

 

Rohan was left speechless.

 

‘Faculty dormitory kitchen…?’

 

“I plan to provide proper treatment. I promise salary, accommodation, and unlimited supply of ingredients.”

 

What on earth was this?

 

A noble’s hobby?

 

Or perhaps a role to feed all the dormitory residents?

 

Whatever it was, Rohan nodded for now.

 

“I’ll bring the person in question.”

 

A moment later.

 

“Go ahead and introduce yourself.”

 

Before Ziel and Gilbert appeared a young-looking man with an extremely nervous expression.

 

“…”

 

Gilbert was somewhat taken aback.

 

With cooking of this caliber, he had expected someone with tremendous experience…

 

“H-hello! Teacher Ziel Steelheart, Teaching Assistant Gilbert! My name is Theo!”

 

He was young.

 

Just like the disciples he taught.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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