◉ Event: Breakfast with the Bewitching Archmage
[Loading Event Data…]
[Objective: Cook Breakfast for Merlin Arclight]
[Bonus Objective: Get her affection level up to 20%]
[Reward: ???]
[Location: Merlin's Cottage — Morning]
･･･
Nero stood at the kitchen counter.
His sleeves were rolled up, spatula in hand, and anxiety levels at maximum.
"Okay… okay… eggs, bread, and a little butter. How hard can this be?"
He cracked the egg.
Half the shell fell in.
[Cooking Progress: 3%]
[Affection Bonus: +1% if food quality exceeds 70%]
"Crap…"
He shook his head frustratedly.
『Focus. You're in a dating sim, not a cooking sim. Don't screw this up!』
He quickly scooped the shell out with the spoon and wiped his hands on his apron — which, by the way, had pink frills and a tiny embroidered heart on it.
He didn't choose this.
The system did.
[Wearing «Cute Apron of Hospitality» gives +10% Affection Bonus if the target is female.]
It sounded pretty dumb to him, but then he recalled what he read on the back of the cover.
This game once did a collab with another VR dating sim that was all about magical girls. The apron was actually one of the special skins from that event.
『Well, not like it matters now…』
He sprinkled salt, flipped the bread on the pan, and hummed awkwardly to himself.
It was quiet. Uncomfortably quiet.
『Wait. Where's Merlin—』
Suddenly, he heard footsteps.
They were soft, lazy and oddly angelic.
Then—
"Hmm~ what's this smell~?"
It was that familiar silky voice he was starting to love.
Nero froze.
『Oh no. Oh no. OH NO.』
He turned around and instantly wished he hadn't.
Merlin stood there, still half-naked again.
This time, she was only wearing her bra and panties.
Both were made of elegant midnight-blue lace that perfectly matched her eyes. Her long, dark hair was still a little damp from her shower, styled in a low maintenance "just got out of bed" kind of look.
She leaned against the doorway and smirked.
If you squint hard enough she looked like a smug cat.
"My, my… I don't believe my eyes. You're really cooking breakfast for your teacher?"
"Sure, act like you don't know."
Nero chuckled as he shook his head.
"But it's much fun that way, hm?"
She stepped closer, barefoot on the wooden floor.
Each tap sounded louder in his skull.
『Don't look. Don't look. Don't—』
He looked.
『Damn it!』
Merlin peeked over his shoulder.
"Ooh~ that actually smells good."
"Really? I mean— uh— thanks."
She leaned in closer and her bare arm brushed his as she bent slightly forward to peek at the pan.
The warmth of her skin sent static down his spine.
It felt so soft and right.
『She's touching me—! My heart's gonna explode!』
Other than Susan, he'd never been this close to a woman before.
Merlin's chin nearly rested on his shoulder.
"Mmm… it's charming watching you try to cook like this. You've got such focus~"
Nero's face turned a little red.
"C-, Can you not lean so close?!"
"Why not? I'm just watching."
"You're— you're in your underwear, for crying out loud!"
She blinked innocently. "Oh? And?"
He whipped his head around to glare at her.
"And that's not something you wear in front of a man!"
Merlin held her stomach and laughed painfully hard.
"Oh, man… that's rich! I didn't realize you thought of yourself as a man~"
She laughed even harder.
"Sure, you have a body built like a gladiator… but I could nibble on your ear and squeeze your butt a little and you'd pop a boner on me."
She let out a relieved sigh and wiped some tears off.
Nero's brain lagged.
『Did she just— DID SHE JUST SAY THAT!?』
He was starting to hate this dating sim little by little.
"I— I am a man!"
"Hmm~ could've fooled me. You blush like a virgin knight seeing a pair of knees."
She giggled, then casually walked over and sat on the counter as she crossed one leg over the other.
That teasing grin didn't leave her beautiful face.
[Ding! Merlin finds your flustered reaction amusing.]
[Her affection level has risen to 6%]
『You've gotta be kidding me. She's enjoying this?』
Trying to refocus, Nero stirred the pan.
The sizzle of butter popped in the air.
"Anyway… I'm almost done."
"Oh? What are you making, chef?"
"Uh, simple stuff. Toast, fried eggs, some herbs."
Merlin tilted her head. "Hmm~ no magic beast meat?"
He blinked. "Magic what now?"
"You know…"
She spoke casually, stretching her limbs like a cat that had just woken up from a long nap.
"Yawn~ just a bit of Rift Boar or Aether Elk. Their meat improves mana circulation — especially when cooked with moon herbs. It'd make my mana flow smoother for a few days."
"Oh. That actually sounds pretty useful."
"Mhm."
She smiled wistfully.
"But don't worry about it, dear. I wouldn't trouble you for something so dumb. You're already really sweet for doing this much."
Merlin gave him a dinky side-eye and a warm smile.
Nero smiled inwardly.
『Sweet… she just called me sweet…!』
[Merlin's affection level has risen to 9%]
He almost burned the eggs.
『FUCK—!』
He went back to stirring the pan.
Merlin yawned lightly and stretched her arms some more.
"Think I'll grab a drink. You want something?"
"Alcohol? No thanks."
She walked off toward the small cabinet at the back of the room and hummed softly as she reached for a bottle of sparkling elven liquor.
Nero nodded thoughtfully.
『I have zero women interaction skills… I suck…』
He stared at the pan with disappointment.
『I'm supposed to be the protagonist of this stupid dating sim, yet I get flustered at every little thing a woman who isn't even real says. Imagine someone having to play as this pathetic loser. They'd be completely disgusted. The whole point of this game was probably to let me experience a life different from the miserable one I actually have. If none of this is real, then shouldn't I just act like the kind of protagonist Nero is supposed to be?』
He took a deep breath and pushed the thought away.
『Magic beast meat, huh… I wish there was a way I could get it for her.』
A soft bell rang in his head.
[Ding!]
[Side Quest Available: Breakfast of the Archmage]
[Objective: Obtain «Aether Elk Meat» for Merlin]
[Location: Northern edge of the Demon Forest]
[Threat Level: C+]
‣ Rewards:
- Merlin's Affection +10%
- Unlock Hidden Event: "Evening at the Tower"
- Unique Skill: Elken Might (Rank D+)
- Gold x200
- Cooking Skill EXP +150
‣ Accept this Quest?
[YES] [NO]
Nero's eyes widened.
He was surprised there was even a quest like that.
『Whoa… that's a lot. A special event too?』
He glanced at Merlin who sat on the counter and lazily sipped her mug of beer.
"Hrmm… I should invite Vivi soon."
It was obvious she was bored.
From the lazy way her legs swung back and forth to the half-lidded look in her eyes.
Nero gave her a warm smile.
『She really deserves it…』
He clenched his fist.
"Alright. I'll do it."
He pressed [YES].
[Ding! Quest Accepted!]
[Aether Elk Hunt — Quest Active!]
[New Map Unlocked: Demon Forest Border Path]
[Quest Item Added: «Simple Adventurer's Map»]
A glowing minimap unfurled before his eyes.
"Woah… that's awesome…"
It boldly marked a crimson path through the forested area near Elaris.
『That's not too far… I can do this.』
He turned toward the door.
Merlin glanced up and blinked owlishly.
"Hmm? Where are you off to?" (゜-゜)
"I… just realized we're missing an ingredient."
"Oh? I always have Lancelot go to the market and stock up on everything so that doesn't make sense."
"Erm, I'll just borrow from the neighbor then."
"Dressed like that?" („¬ᴗ¬„)
Merlin chuckled impishly.
Nero looked down and realized he was still wearing the frilly pink apron.
『DAMN IT.』
He quickly tore it off and rushed toward the wardrobe.
"I'll be back soon!"
"Whatev—BURP!"
A loud belch of alcohol interrupted her.
He grinned faintly as he pulled on his mage attire.
A long purple robe with gold trims.
[You've equipped «Purple Lightning Cloak» Lv. 15!]
He confidently slicked his hair back.
"Don't worry, teach…"
He spoke over his broad shoulder.
"I'll bring back something special."
Merlin smiled as she watched him leave as she took a greedy chug of her beer.
"Hmm… interesting boy."
The relaxed look on her face momentarily vanished.
"Wait, wasn't that my «Great Lightning Staff» eh?"
She quietly slurped beer from her mug.