"Do you need my help?"
"It's fine. Go see if Yu and Haruna are awake yet. If not, wake them up."
Kurumi watched Sera turn and head upstairs, feeling a lingering fear. Although their relationship had progressed quite a bit after last night's little ambiguity, who would dare let this expert—who could turn cooking into concentrated sulfuric acid—cook for them? That was practically no different from seeking death. Don't let Sera's virtuous appearance fool you; cooking really requires a certain talent, and Sera's cooking would surely be some concoction mixed with other things that could rival concentrated sulfuric acid.
"Why haven't you left after coming here so early in the morning and getting your stuff? Aren't you busy with hundreds of millions of students?"
Looking at Ellie El, who was sitting at the table waiting for a meal, Kurumi said helplessly. This Great Teacher had arrived at the door early in the morning, bringing some fruit. When Kurumi brought her the tofu she wanted, she looked at Kurumi preparing breakfast. Who knows what possessed her, but she insisted on staying to taste Kurumi's cooking.
"It's fine. That group of kids is very strong; they can solve any problems that arise on their own. If they really can't, there are other counselors around."
Ellie El replied to Kurumi's question with a leisurely expression. What an irresponsible teacher, Kurumi thought to herself while quickly serving the porridge.
Next, after Haruna finished washing up and came out, she was very surprised to see Ellie El. She didn't expect that her 'busy with a thousand things' Great Teacher would actually have time to personally come and see her. This made Haruna feel honored, to the point where she didn't even dare to be careless while eating. If Kurumi knew what Haruna was thinking, she would definitely roll her eyes at her. Child, you're overthinking it. Your teacher doesn't care about you; she only cares about her tofu. Don't be so conceited, child.
"This is truly excellent cooking. Haruna, you are really happy to be able to eat such great food every day!"
Ellie El said, looking at Kurumi in surprise. She hadn't expected Kurumi's culinary skills to be so outstanding. It seemed she could often find excuses to come over for free meals in the future.
"Actually, I am quite confident in my cooking, but don't praise me too much, or I'll get cocky."
Kurumi said modestly. After all, she had spent several years as a cook (Empress) in the imperial palace; Artoria and her Knights of the Round Table had been completely conquered by her cooking.
"Indeed, Lady Kurumi's cooking is the most delicious and rich meal I have ever eaten in my life. But why does it feel different from Japanese cuisine?"
"That's because this isn't Japanese cuisine in the first place, but Chinese cuisine. It's just that seeing as you're used to Japanese food, I modified it slightly to be a bit lighter. I'm glad you like it."
Sera couldn't stop praising the xiaolongbao on her plate, and Kurumi responded with a smile.
"Kurumi, I want more."
"Sure! Here you go, Yu."
"Arigato."
"You're welcome."
After Kurumi added another bowl of porridge for Yu, she looked at the three people who had suddenly stopped eating, a black-bellied smile on her lips. She hadn't revealed the fact that Yu could speak at all, just for this moment. Watching the surprised expressions of others was just too satisfying.
"Oh my! Everyone, what's wrong?"
Kurumi said to the three of them with an innocent face, but internally, she had already entered 'pleasure mode'.
"The Necromancer actually spoke, but her voice is very nice."
"Her Highness Hellscythe can actually speak? This is really unimaginable. Am I dreaming?"
"It seems this matter has something to do with Kurumi-chan!"
Haruna's line of thought was indeed unusual; she was only slightly surprised before shifting her focus elsewhere. Sera was undoubtedly the one who reacted the most, as she knew the power of the Spirit Words, while Ellie El was the most rational one, guessing the source in an instant.
"About that! Yes, I did it. Let's talk after breakfast."
Watching the three who were waiting for Kurumi to reveal the answer, Kurumi said, dangling their appetites. As a result, after that breakfast, besides Kurumi, Yuu, and Haruna, who ate very contentedly, Sera and Ellie El felt like their minds were a ball of yarn being played with by a kitten, completely unable to settle down and without the mood to eat.
After breakfast ended and the leftovers were cleared, Kurumi dared not tease them any longer and briefly explained.
"I see. It seems Kurumi's strength is beyond my imagination."
Ellie El looked at Kurumi with excitement. Her magic level hadn't increased in a long time. If she could learn from Kurumi, who was no less skilled than herself, and her magical experience, she believed she still had a great chance to increase her power.
Sera was very conflicted at this moment, wondering whether she should report this information to the village. She was somewhat lost now.
"How amazing!"
This was the carefree Haruna, expressing her opinion.
Afterward, they had a calm tea, and then Ellie El left. She still needed to investigate Kyoko, who had suddenly lost contact. Although she really wanted to stay, Kyoko was still her student. She could always come back later to freeload on meals... oh no! To exchange magic.
Following that, Sera also told Kurumi her thoughts. Kurumi understood Sera's difficulties, so she agreed to her plan to report it. Sera nodded gratefully and went to report the matter to her leader.
So, with only three of them left, Kurumi, to prevent Yuu from becoming too engrossed in games, took the two out shopping. They played until five in the afternoon, ate dinner, and then returned, only to see this.
"Please, please help me."
Ayumi, with one arm torn off, was being pinned to the ground by a dog-headed man wearing a Zhongshan suit. If you ignored the blood and severed limb, it was a vivid picture of a human-beast battle.
"You are, Lord Hellsing."
The dog-headed man suddenly saw Yuu holding pudding next to Kurumi and said in surprise.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was you who did it, Lord. If you had said so earlier, this wouldn't have happened."
After some tidying up and treatment, the dog-headed man sat obediently on a cushion, looking at Ayumi with a mournful expression. Seeing this, Kurumi's eye twitched. This dog head wasn't a husky's head! Its expressions were too rich, making her miss her own husky (Husky: Ever since my owner left, I haven't eaten or dressed well, it's like I've been poi'd, hey! Aren't I poi?).
"Hmm! It was my mistake for not notifying you."
"Eh!? Lord Hellsing, you can speak now, that's wonderful!"
"Thanks to this close friend of mine, by my side, I can speak."
"Thank you so much, Lord. Please accept my bow."
Hearing such good news, the dog-headed man looked at Kurumi with tears in his eyes, then knelt and kowtowed to Kurumi.
"There's no need for such a grand gesture. I also helped because I like Yuu."
"But no matter what, you helped us. Thank you for your kindness; we will never forget it."
It was clear that this dog head was genuinely happy. Kurumi smiled and accepted its gratitude. After all, this person (dog?) was very good. At the moment of death, it wasn't thinking of itself, but first saving Yuu's familiar, Ayumi. In its final moments, it even asked Ayumi to take good care of Yuu. Its character was very sincere and loyal.
"What are you doing out this time?"
Yuu asked curiously. After all, hellhounds are guardians of the underworld, and their appearance in the human world is very rare. She didn't expect it to appear in the human world; something very important must have happened.
"Yes! Lord Hellsing, something very terrible has been happening recently: lost souls."
"They completely vanish without a trace, just evaporate."
"I am currently looking for the cause, and coincidentally, a murder is happening in this area."
Hearing the dog head's explanation, Yuu's face turned grim, but the most agitated was Ayumi. It seemed this person might be the murderer who killed her.
"I want to go too, to find the culprit."
"..."
The dog head didn't reply, looked at Yuu, and only agreed after seeing Yuu nod.
"Please take this amulet with you to protect yourselves."
Watching the two about to leave, Kurumi handed them (the dog) two amulets that granted immunity to one magic attack. After they (the dog) left, she sent a clone to follow them. How could she not save such a loyal dog-star person?
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