Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Kurt’s Magic and Training Preparation

We safely saw off Count Fernande, the frontier count, and his daughter, Farne, and began our journey back.

They had their servants pull the carriage back to the main village where my father and brother were.

Count Fernande kindly invited me to join them for a meal in the main village, but I politely declined.

It’s about maintaining my dignity. I won’t see my father or brother until after the Selection Ceremony.

Plus, time is of the essence. I need to acquire skills in the remaining short time.

I returned home and earnestly contemplated and prepared for the training starting tomorrow.

◇

In the morning, Tina and I headed to the settlement.

There’s something we need to inform the villagers.

As we arrived at the settlement, the villagers greeted us one by one. While returning their greetings, I asked them to gather around.

“Everyone, I apologize for the interruption. There’s something important I need to tell you.”

My words stirred a buzz of anticipation among them.

“Some of you may already know, but in five days, I will duel my brother, Jorg, in the Selection Ceremony. If I win, I’ll become the lord of the Arnoldt family, and even if I lose, I’ll stay in this village as the headman, as per our agreement.”

The villagers seemed relieved. They must have been reassured knowing that even if I lose, I won’t leave this village.

“However… that agreement has been overturned. If I lose, I will return to the main village, and this village will come under the rule of my brother, Jorg.”

Instantly, the faces of the villagers clouded over.

“That good-for-nothing wastrel!”

“Yeah, nothing but bad rumors about him. Even the relatives lament him as the family’s fool.”

“I’ve heard whispers about the leftovers of your elder brother’s talent.”

Murmurs started to spread.

The villagers here originally hailed from another village, so they’ve heard rumors about Jorg. His reputation is tarnished due to abusing his parental authority.

“I don’t want to entrust this village to him. I want to spare you all from misery, and personally, I have an attachment to this village. Therefore, I ask that you allow me to focus on preparations until the Selection Ceremony. I want to dedicate the remaining time to rigorous training for the duel.”

I bowed my head.

“If there are any issues that arise in my absence or if someone gets injured, of course, I’ll handle it. But for a while, I won’t be able to participate in settlement work. I apologize for burdening you all. I’m determined to win no matter what.”

I continued.

The surroundings fell silent.

Then, one of the villagers spoke up.

“Please lift your head, young master. We’re fine, no doubt about it.”

“Yeah, we’ve been relying on you too much, young master.”

“It’s only a week. We’ll manage somehow.”

“Besides, if you don’t win against Master Kurt, we’ll suffer more than just a week, probably for a lifetime.”

“No doubt about that.”

The villagers laughed together.

“Master Kurt, don’t worry about us. We’ve been with you all along. We’ve learned many things from you. We can manage even without you. So, give it your all in your training or whatever else you need to do. Just make sure you win.”

One of them said earnestly.

A surge of warmth filled my chest.

“I’m sorry. Thank you.”

I replied briefly, almost choked up.

“Just so you know, Master Kurt. If you become the lord, leaving this village is out of the question.”

Another villager asserted.

“One of the villagers joked, and laughter echoed around.”

“Of course. I’m going to make this village an even better place.”

I replied confidently.

And with that, I left the scene. I couldn’t bear to stay any longer; I felt like I might embarrass myself further.

For my own sake and for theirs, I absolutely had to win.

◇

Back at home, I stood in the kitchen.

“Master Kurt, what kind of training are you going to do?”

Tina asked.

“Cooking.”

I replied.

“Huh?”

Tina looked at me in bewilderment.

Well, I suppose that reaction is understandable.

“I’ll become stronger by cooking. It’s a method that only I can do. There’s a special training that requires overwhelming talent and advanced culinary skills.”

I explained.

“Talent and culinary skills?”

“I gained magic. With that power, I learned about the world’s mechanisms. Thanks to that, I realized the most effective training method.”

My all-seeing eye revealed even the mechanics of proficiency levels. Exploiting the gaps in that system led to an efficient way of leveling up: cooking.

Tina’s eyes sparkled with fascination as soon as she heard about magic.

“Amazing! Magic, huh? What kind of magic is it?”

She asked, understandably impressed.

After all, only about one in a thousand people can use magic, and only one in a hundred of those can wield it as their innate power. In other words, one in a hundred thousand. Getting magic was lucky… but also frightening.

“Let me make it clear upfront, never speak of this to anyone else. I’m telling you because you’re Tina.”

“Just me… just to me…”

I took Tina’s hand, which was rough and calloused from the many chores she did. It was the hand of a hard worker.

“Tina, does your hand hurt?”

“Well, it’s actually a bit painful. But I can bear it, so please don’t worry about it.”

“Let me heal it. That’s something I can do. It’s my power, healing, Heal.”

I increased my magical power and cast Heal.

In that moment, Tina’s entire body flashed in my mind.

Could it be?

“Amazing, my hand feels so smooth! I’m so happy! It was really bothering me.”

Tina exclaimed with joy as she looked at her newly smooth hand.

It seemed that she was more pleased about her hand returning to its pristine state than about the pain disappearing, typical of a girl.

“Tina, do you notice any other changes?”

“Changes? Now that you mention it, there’s something… It feels like a warm sensation is overflowing inside my body. What is this? I’ve never felt anything like it before.”

Tina hugged herself, looking puzzled.

I understood everything. Tina had awakened her magical power.

I realized it when I healed Tina with Heal.

The common knowledge that only one in a thousand people can use magic was wrong.

In reality, everyone can wield magic. It’s just that only one in a thousand are born with the organ that produces magical energy functioning properly.

In other words, as someone who can use Heal, I can heal the organ that generates magical power in anyone and quickly bring them to a state where they can use magic.

I swallowed nervously.

People who can use magic are valuable. They can do the work of several soldiers alone. The ability to create as many soldiers as you want with just one person? That’s too dangerous.

But that’s not all. My Heal can heal any injury or illness as long as the person is alive. If I wanted to, I could even “heal” aging.

I could create the strongest army and make people immortal. That’s my Heal. If something like this were to become known to people, it would be a disaster.

“No, something… feels like it’s overflowing.”

Tina was struggling with her newly awakened magical power.

Gently, I placed my hand on her back to calm her magical power.

Next, I had to teach her how to use her power.

“Tina, listen calmly. That power is magic. You’ve awakened to magical power.”

“I have… magical power?”

“Yes, focus on the warmth of the hand I’m placing on your back.”

“It’s strange… I feel like your warmth is flowing into my body.”

“Yeah, it feels good. Focus on the warmth inside you that comes from me.”

“Yes, I can feel your warmth inside me, Kurt-sama.”

“Then, follow my power within yourself, just like you’re following my warmth.”

“Chasing after your warmth, Kurt-sama… this feels nice.”

The circulation of magical power began within Tina.

Tina was mastering the control of magical power. I let go of her hand. She should be fine now.

“Tina, congratulations. You’re controlling your magical power properly.”

“Is it thanks to your magic that I can easily obtain and use magical power like this?”

Tina asked, looking at her hands with curiosity.

“Yeah, that’s right. It was just a coincidence, though. Originally, everyone has the ability to produce magical power. But for most people, the function that generates magical power is broken. When I healed you with Heal, I accidentally fixed it along with your hand.”

I explained.

“I see… But I’m happy. With this, I can be even more useful to you, Kurt-sama! I can lift heavy things and protect you, Kurt-sama!”

Tina clenched her fist tightly, her fox ears standing up.

“While that itself is something to be happy about, if it’s revealed that anyone can use magical power, I could be imprisoned at best, or killed at worst. That’s why it’s our secret, just between the two of us.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely keep it a secret.”

Tina nodded firmly.

I was glad that Tina was the first person I used Heal on. With someone else, things could have turned out much worse. Most likely, we could keep this a secret.

It’s common for people to awaken to magical power later in life. It’s unlikely that anyone would suspect that I was behind Tina awakening to magical power.

“Now then, let’s get started, albeit with a little detour. Let’s begin my training.”

I said, with determination, holding a cabbage and a knife on the cutting board.