ARIFURETA: Cooking to be the Strongest?

Shin decided it was finally time to begin their skill mastery training. For him, it was relatively straightforward; he already possessed a solid foundation in swordplay, and his cooking skills were fully developed.

"Alright, Hajime," Shin began, his gaze steady. "We're done with the basics. Time to get serious with your Transmutation."

Hajime nodded, a slight tension in his shoulders. "Right. But it's… finicky. The more complex I try to transmute something, the more mana it drains and the harder it is to control."

He demonstrated, chanting a short aria. A faint magic circle shimmered on the ground before a small, rough stone spike slowly protruded, looking more like a lumpy molehill than anything useful.

Shin observed closely, then tapped his chin. "Hmm. So it's about efficiency and complexity. We need to streamline that chant, for one. And what are the most practical applications for your class in combat?"

Hajime looked thoughtful. "Well, for a Synergist, it's usually crafting tools or weapons, I guess."

"Exactly," Shin confirmed. "But in a pinch, in combat, what can you do now? I see two immediate possibilities. First: terrain manipulation. Your range might be small, but a sudden spike or pit could surprise an enemy, buy us time, or even trap them."

He gestured to the meager spike Hajime had just created. "We'll work on making that faster and more potent."

Hajime's eyes widened slightly. "Terrain manipulation… I hadn't thought of it like that. It's so small right now, though."

"It's a start," Shin insisted. "The second, more conventional option, is weapon crafting. Obviously, better gear improves us individually." He paused, then added, "But for now, terrain manipulation takes priority. We'll get to the weapons later, after we lay some groundwork with your control."

Aside from the required daily basic combat training, Shin and Hajime did only what was necessary before retiring early to focus on their specialized regimen.

The early days of skill training primarily focused on Hajime's repeated use of his Transmutation skill until he grew accustomed to it. Shin, meanwhile, grabbed some training daggers, testing and sharpening his Knife Manipulation skill. A constant byproduct of Shin's dagger work was Hajime's additional training in rebuilding the dummies Shin frequently smashed.

Though this unconventional training continued for a few days, its content became increasingly ridiculous. One particular day, as Hajime was snacking on one of Shin's special ration cookies, Shin suddenly blurted out, "Hajime, can you cast using just your thoughts?"

Hajime nearly choked on his cookie. "My thoughts? What are you talking about, Shin? How would that even work?"

"Just try it," Shin urged, a glint in his eye. "Focus on the image, the effect, and try to make it happen without speaking the aria."

At first, Hajime tried it, but failed; it seemed the aria required a vocal chant.

"See? I told you it needs the chant," Hajime sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Don't give up so easily," Shin countered. He paused, then his eyes lit up. "Alright, new idea. Can you cast magic using your feet?"

Hajime stared at Shin, a strange mix of bewilderment and exasperation on his face. "My feet? Shin, are you feeling alright? First thoughts, now my feet? What kind of crazy idea is that?" Shin's curiosity was understandable—he couldn't use magic himself—but his eccentric way of thinking was certainly peculiar.

Shin just smiled, completely unperturbed. "Most good dishes are usually products of trial and error, Hajime. As long as there's a possibility, resources, passion, and dedication, you can achieve it. Think of your foot as another hand, another point of contact with the ground."

Through persistent trial and error, Hajime managed to do it, though it was much harder and more awkward than casting with his hands. With this breakthrough, his next training would involve casting Transmutation on the ground using both his feet and hands.

____

A few more days passed. The two were already associated with being lazy Apostles or heroes, since they were only seen doing the bare minimum in their daily combat training, completely ignorant of the duo's secret regimen. Shin and Hajime could often be seen in a very corner of the training field, doing peculiar things, but being non-combatant classes, most of the assigned instructors paid them no mind.

Shizuku and Kaori would sometimes approach them, asking what they were doing or if they were alright. Shin just said they were fine, holding out a bag of his ration cookies as a bribe to his two friends not to worry about them. Since Shin and Hajime didn't seem to be in a depressed state, they let it go and proceeded to train with the others.

With rigorous training, Hajime managed to shorten his aria to just a single word: "Transmute." Shin, through his own rigorous efforts, could now pinpoint throw daggers at dummy targets with startling accuracy. He also optimized his swordplay, reducing unnecessary steps in drawing his blade, though he still had a few blockers to address later. The important thing now was to test their improved skills.

It seemed they finally needed to step up their game in training.

"Hajime," Shin called out.

"Shin?" Hajime, utterly exhausted, lay sprawled like a starfish on the ground, barely managing to respond.

"Get rested, and get ready later. We'll be starting combat training soon," Shin declared.

"Eh?" Hajime stared at Shin, his eyes wide in disbelief at the sudden pronouncement.

Later, at a secluded training ground, far from the rest of the class, Hajime and Shin stood facing each other. Hajime, having only received simple combat instruction in the initial days, had never used his newfound skills in a practical spar.

"Shin, better not break any bones, okay?!" Hajime shouted from his side of the clearing, a nervous tremor in his voice.

"Don't worry!," Shin called back, a wide smile spreading across his face. "You shouldn't pull any punches, and I certainly won't either!"

Hajime blinked, a slow realization dawning on him. Shin's response wasn't an affirmation of keeping him safe, but rather an unambiguous command to go all out, as Shin intended to do the same.

The combat practice commenced without ceremony. Shin didn't give Hajime time to ready himself, closing the distance with shocking speed.

Hajime, startled by Shin's rapid approach, instinctively cast Transmutation using his foot.

Before Shin could reach him, the ground beneath the attacker suddenly warped, creating a shallow depression. Shin, anticipating such a move, sidestepped fluidly.

But from out of nowhere, he saw Hajime crouch, then shout "Transmute!" A tall, earthy wall suddenly erupted, surrounding and encasing Shin.

Hajime didn't let up. He immediately cast Transmutation again, and the earthen walls began to violently enclose, trying to squeeze Shin within their confines.

Shin, on the other hand, remained calm. He settled into a sword-drawing stance. Then, with a lightning-fast motion, he drew his practice sword.

"Did I get him?" Hajime murmured to himself, slightly winded.

Suddenly, a metallic shing reverberated, followed by a violent tremor. The massive earthen enclosure shook, then shattered, sending debris and dust scattering. Hajime covered his eyes, and when he opened them, Shin stood before him, the tip of his now broken training sword pointed casually at Hajime.

Hajime slumped down, laughing dryly at Shin's bewildered display. "I told you I wouldn't hold back, and I told you not to hold back either."

"H-haha, well, at least you didn't break any of my bones," Hajime said, still a bit dazed.

"I heard you," Shin replied, a genuine smile on his face. "And why would I break the bones of a friend during combat practice?"

"You should have replied on my earlier question!" Hajime groaned, shaking his head.

The two ended their friendly bickering, Shin offering his hand to Hajime to help him stand up.

"Well, get up and be ready again," Shin said calmly to Hajime.

"Eh?" Hajime stiffened, surprised, thinking they were already wrapping up.

"What?" Shin tilted his head. "We do as always: training until we drop dead."

"Haha… ha…" Hajime laughed dryly at Shin's relentless proclamation.

The two resumed their combat practice, so focused that they paid no attention to the commotion and the sound of shattering earth they were making. This eventually drew the attention of others, especially Meld and his Vice Commander, who simply couldn't believe their eyes. The two students, who had non-combatant classes and always retired early from daily training, were putting on a spectacle of combat that defied the norms of their very professions.

"Commander Meld, are those really non-combatants?" the Vice Commander asked, utter disbelief coloring his voice.

"Ah, I checked last time," Meld, equally bewildered, answered his Vice Commander. "That silver-haired one was called Shin, he has the Cook class, and the other one was Hajime, with Synergist."

While the two commanders discussed Shin and Hajime, the only sounds that could be heard were periodic shouts of "Transmute!" and the metallic clang of metal meeting hard earth. Before long, the commotion also attracted other summoned students who were still at the training ground.

A gasp rippled through the assembled students. Many who had previously mocked Hajime now stared in stunned disbelief. This was no clumsy Synergist; this was someone capable of manipulating the very ground beneath their feet in a fight. Whispers of "Is that really Nagumo?" and "He's a Synergist, how can he do that?" spread through the crowd.

Among them, the Hero Party watched with various expressions. Kouki furrowed his brow, a mix of respect and renewed frustration evident in his gaze. Shizuku observed with keen interest, her sharp eyes picking up on the fluid efficiency of Shin's movements and the surprisingly clever applications of Hajime's skills. Kaori stood beside them, her initial concern for Hajime's safety slowly giving way to awe at his newfound abilities.

But among the most volatile reactions was Hiyama's. His face, already prone to cruel grins, now contorted into a mask of pure rage and disbelief. He had secretly mocked Shin's Cook class and his supposed slow stats growth, gloated over Hajime's Synergist profession, and now they were putting on a display that openly defied his expectations and their supposed inferiority.

"What is this?! They're cheating! That's not what a Cook with zero magic power and a Synergist does!" Hiyama suddenly bellowed, his voice laced with venom. His previously found confidence in outgrowing Shin was shattered, and the earlier fear of Shin crept back to him. Seeing Kaori's eyes shining with admiration for Hajime's display deepened his jealousy and hate for a person he had labeled inferior. His pride, wounded by Shin's earlier kick, now felt utterly shattered by this blatant display of unexpected power. He took an angry step forward, as if to storm into the training area himself.

Meld, realizing the situation was about to devolve, quickly stepped forward. "Alright, that's enough for now!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the rising clamor. His eyes, though stern, held a clear glint of impressed curiosity as he looked towards Shin and Hajime.