Baron Batchelor rolled his neck and straightened his tie.
Once he was sure the knot sat perfectly in the center, he smiled at the other two again.
He seemed to have returned to his gentlemanly self from the beginning.
"So, who's next?"
Baron Batchelor asked in a gentle, even tone, as if nothing had happened.
"I'll go."
Dekan raised his hand without hesitation.
"Excellent."
Baron Batchelor was a little surprised to see the students become even more eager for another round of the dangerous game.
Usually, once the first round was over, the remaining students grew terrified.
But these two were not only calm; they were confident, too.
Still, the more they acted like that, the more amusing Baron Batchelor found them.
He laughed again.
Unexpected twists were often the best seasoning.
To a hunter, the stranger the prey, the more worthwhile it was to catch.
Baron Batchelor picked up another covered plate and walked courteously around the edge of the long table, stopping beside Dekan.
He raised a hand gently and lifted the silver cover from Dekan's plate.
This dish was completely different from the previous one. It gave off an enticing aroma and was golden brown, with a clearly visible crispy crust.
A layer of flaky crust coated the outside of the roasted meat, glimmering faintly in the lamplight.
The plate cover seemed to have an enchantment on it. Even after sitting for a while, it still kept the food fresh.
Dekan resisted the urge to pick up the cover and examine its magic, and focused on the food instead.
Sitting up straight, he picked up his knife and fork and cut into the dish without hurry.
Each bite he brought to his mouth was small, and he chewed it gently.
Mm. The crust was crisp and flaky, the roasted meat inside tender and juicy, and the cheese added a sweet richness.
What a perfect late-night snack.
The whole process took five minutes.
He set down his knife and fork, then gently wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Not bad."
Dekan leaned back in his chair again and gave his verdict.
He even felt like taking out his wallet and giving Baron Batchelor a small tip.
But he held back.
Dekan's attitude left Baron Batchelor astounded.
He had never seen a student act so relaxed in the Cooking Classroom.
There wasn't a hint of fear. Instead, Dekan was like a distinguished guest judging the chef's work.
Am I here to serve him dinner?
Is he a real gourmet, or is there something wrong with his head?
"Heh heh heh."
Baron Batchelor couldn't help laughing aloud.
Despite his surprise, he felt a little excited.
This was an exceptionally novel Prey.
He couldn't wait to see the composed student's face turn despairing, then watch him beg for mercy.
He wanted to bite that calm expression to pieces.
"So, what's your answer?" Baron Batchelor asked, smiling as he glanced sideways at Dekan.
"My answer is—"
"Can, poison, eat, move."
Dekan leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and spoke.
"Is that your answer?"
Baron Batchelor furrowed his brow, as if he thought he'd misheard.
"That's right."
Dekan answered without expression.
For a moment, Baron Batchelor was stunned.
What did "Can, poison, eat, move" even mean?
Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with the correct answer!
And you're acting this cocky with an answer like that?
Are you making fun of me?
You don't know the answer at all, do you?
You're about to die, and you've decided to enjoy the food while you can?
Baron Batchelor stared at Dekan. Even now, the man still looked utterly unruffled.
He felt as if he'd been made a fool of.
Where was the fear? The despair?
Those were the perfect seasoning I was owed!
With that look on your face, like you've enjoyed your meal and would like a drink, do you really think this is a restaurant?
"Heh heh heh heh. You're the first student like this I've ever met."
Baron Batchelor was furious, yet he laughed in exasperation.
"I've decided. I'm going to chew you to pieces! That's your punishment for failing to satisfy me!"
As Baron Batchelor spoke in irritation, his neck stretched out again, and his head and neck transformed back into their monstrous form.
But this time, he had no interest in savoring the sight of his Prey. He opened his maw and lunged straight at Dekan!
Just then, Cornelia suddenly sprang into action. A hammer appeared in her hand. She stepped onto the table, leaped forward, and swung hard at Baron Batchelor's elongated neck.
Boom!
The metallic crash rang out especially clearly in the otherwise quiet classroom.
Sparks flew where Cornelia's warhammer struck Baron Batchelor's scales, and the air filled with a faint, smoky smell like a foundry.
Cornelia's blow bent Baron Batchelor's neck at a bizarre angle, sending his whole body flying backward.
The force rebounded against Cornelia, too. She stomped twice to stop herself, but her eyes shone with excitement she had been holding back for a long time.
At last, she could let loose and fight.
Only she could understand what Dekan had said just now.
It meant, "Cornelia, I poisoned him. When he tries to eat me, attack him by surprise."
At the same time, black mist billowed through the room.
Dekan had already retreated behind Cornelia and summoned the Ruined Poet.
With an angry expression, Baron Batchelor tried to push himself up.
He had been at his most vulnerable when Cornelia caught him by surprise.
Along with the lingering pain seared into his neck, he felt a cramping pain in his stomach, growing stronger and stronger for no apparent reason.
But before he had a chance to figure out what was happening, or to organize a counterattack against Cornelia and Dekan, the pain inside Baron Batchelor's body suddenly intensified tenfold as the black mist filled the classroom.
He was forced to drop to his knees and vomited a mouthful of foul blood.
The carpet splattered with blood began smoking gray as if it were being Corroded.
He coughed several more times, as though he were trying to cough up his internal organs, and spat out several small, oddly shaped spikes.
"Ahhhhh!"
"What—what did you do?!"
Furious and shocked, Baron Batchelor twisted his neck and screamed in agony.
The pain was beyond anything he could describe from experience; it was an unrelenting torment that surpassed all limits.
He writhed wildly on the floor, as though something inside him were tearing him apart from within.
"Stay still."
Cornelia jumped down from the table and stepped on Baron Batchelor's back, pinning his head with her hammer.
It seemed to make him a little "calmer."
"Heh heh."
With a chuckle, Dekan pulled a chair out from beside the long table.
He set it down in front of Baron Batchelor, sat, and clasped his hands beneath his chin.
"You're in no position to ask questions. Now it's my turn to interrogate you."
With a hint of mockery in his expression, Dekan looked at Baron Batchelor, who was pinned to the floor.
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