Home/The Peaceful Academy Life of a Magic Potion Professor/ch19

Chapter 19

On the appointed day, Lamiya prepared to go out with a slight flutter of excitement. A restaurant serving the most delicious food in the capital... ordinarily, she wouldn't have even dreamed of such a thing. She wasn't particularly interested in fashion nor did she own many clothes, but she knew enough to dress neatly when meeting someone. So she changed into one of the relatively newer outfits she'd bought upon arriving in the capital.

"The square... fountain?"

Garyu had sent a letter the day before with the time and location. Lamiya left the Academy early to ensure she wouldn't be late. Since it was the monthly Going-Out Day, hardly any students remained in the buildings—only the fourth-years preparing for graduation exams were wandering the campus.

The Academy was fairly close to the square, so Lamiya decided to walk at a leisurely pace. She'd heard that nobles usually took carriages, but the distance was more than walkable for her.

As she walked slowly, she reached a bustling street filled with people. Lamiya had come to the square once before while staying at the inn, to buy supplies for the hiring exam and her new job. The capital still felt unfamiliar, but now she had more leisure to look around than before. She attributed it to having a stable job. She continued walking toward the fountain in the square.

"He stands out."

She didn't need to look around—Garyu was visible at a glance. Though he'd concealed his striking appearance under a plain brown robe, his broad shoulders and tall stature stood out even in the crowded street. Lamiya wasn't short for a woman, but she wasn't nearly as conspicuous as he was.

"Hello."

Lamiya approached Garyu and greeted him. He looked down at her and, instead of returning her greeting, seemed slightly surprised.

"Your glasses..."

Lamiya knew what he meant and answered.

"Ah, I wear them during class, but since it's a day off, I came without them."

Lamiya usually wore round glasses when teaching, which softened her sharp features somewhat. She'd prepared them to appear more approachable to the students—though it hadn't seemed to make much difference. Still, she'd grown accustomed to wearing them frequently.

"I see."

Garyu nodded. When she wore glasses, she'd seemed somewhat vacant or dull—a blurred, indistinct impression. But now he saw that wasn't the case at all. Her sharp, mysterious violet eyes stood out, somehow captivating.

Uncommon eyes.

Garyu thought as he looked at her. Snapping back to attention, he stopped lingering in the crowded square and guided her to the restaurant.

"I hope it meets your expectations. Let's go."

He took the lead, and Lamiya followed closely behind. She wasn't good at navigating, and if she got lost, the eagerly anticipated outing would be ruined. Fortunately, despite his height, Garyu adjusted his pace to match hers.

Before long, they arrived at a splendid, clean three-story building. An elegant sign reading "Blanche" hung simply above the entrance. It was clear at a glance that this place screamed "exorbitantly expensive."

"Let's go in."

Garyu entered without hesitation, and a staff member in a stylish uniform welcomed them. The staff member, recognizing Garyu's face, bowed politely and led them straight to the third floor. Lamiya glanced around and thought the other patrons looked extraordinarily wealthy. The difference was apparent even in their appearances. As they slowly climbed to the third floor, snippets of conversation reached her ears.

"How many tries did it take you to get in?"

"Me? I made the reservation about three months ago, I think?"

"You're lucky. I waited six months."

"Oh my, they're going up to the third floor."

"I wonder who they are? They must have a fortune. I heard that floor isn't even available to just anyone."

Hearing the chatter only heightened Lamiya's expectations. Just how delicious and expensive was it that people would wait so long? At the same time, she felt a bit daunted—wasn't this too extravagant?

All I did was make a potion that took a few days' research—is this really worth such treatment...

Lamiya thought, unaware that Garyu would have fainted if he'd heard her. She took a seat by the window on the third floor. The space was spacious and separated from the other tables—a private room of sorts. Suitable for confidential conversation, one might say.

"Here is the menu. Please take your time ordering."

Lamiya carefully examined the menu the staff member handed her. But she didn't recognize a single item. The prices weren't even listed. Lamiya wasn't ashamed of her ignorance, however—she believed in asking and learning.

"I don't recognize any of these. Lord Blanchard, please order something delicious for me. Ah, should I call you High Priest?"

Garyu, who had become a priest against his will, disliked being addressed that way.

"No, just call me as you do now. It's more comfortable."

He selected several items with a serious expression and placed the order. The staff member confirmed it once, bowed courteously, and left the table.

"I'm not sure if this is truly the most delicious restaurant in the capital... but it seems quite popular, so I chose it. It turned out to be a harder wish than I expected."

He removed the robe that had been bothering him. Unexpectedly, beneath it he wore not priestly vestments but a simple shirt and black trousers.

"Priest robes are too conspicuous."

Though he'd worn the robe, it seemed to have been on his mind. But Lamiya thought he was conspicuous either way. The clothes were simple and plain, but his flowing platinum-blond hair and blue eyes created a striking, free-spirited aura that combined beauty and strength. Still, she didn't point it out.

"I see."

"...?"

"..."

An awkward silence hung between them for a while. It was only natural—they'd met only twice for business, and now they were suddenly dining alone together. Neither was particularly talkative or sociable. Oddly enough, though, Garyu was making a great effort—out of gratitude toward his "savior" of sorts.

"Your order is served."

After what felt like an hour for every minute, the staff finally brought the food. Since Garyu had ordered all the restaurant's signature dishes so Lamiya could sample a variety, the table was soon full.

Lamiya's eyes widened. The aroma was enticing, and she'd never seen such appetizing, beautifully presented food.

"Eat."

Ignoring noble etiquette, Garyu began cutting into the food with his fork and knife, unconcerned about the proper order of appetizer and main course. Seeing him, Lamiya also picked up her utensils. Everything looked so delicious she didn't know where to start. She began with the soup, lightly scooping it with her spoon and bringing it to her lips.

"!"

Lamiya's eyes grew even wider than before. How could it be this smooth? She could only marvel. The soup only whetted her appetite further. Next, she tackled the steak. The meat, so tender it yielded easily to the knife, melted in her mouth the moment it entered.

"...Oh no..."

"What's wrong? ...Does it not suit your taste?"

Garyu looked troubled at her serious expression. To fail at providing even a single satisfying meal!

"It's... so delicious."

"...Huh?"

"...I've never tasted anything this good before."

The quiet stream of praise, the unexpected reaction, caught Garyu off guard for a moment. But soon he smiled in relief.

"Phew, what a relief. Eat as much as you like."

"Thank you."

Lamiya smiled faintly. Then she began slowly savoring each dish in turn. He'd thought her expressionless, but that wasn't true when she ate. She had more expressions than anyone—her eyes, which he'd thought dull, sparkled brightly, and the corners of her mouth lifted. When trying unfamiliar dishes, she observed them with curious eyes before cautiously bringing them to her lips.

Seeing this new side of Lamiya, who hadn't even flinched at cockroaches, Garyu found himself forgetting to eat and simply watching her. Though he'd known her only briefly, given her usual demeanor, he'd never imagined she could look like this.

"Whenever you want to eat, you can come here."

After the meal, Garyu sipped tea and spoke. Lamiya appreciated the offer but felt burdened. She'd heard the other patrons talking as they'd climbed to the third floor. Her friend had told her that accepting excessive gifts wasn't wise—there was always something behind it.

"That's all right. I heard earlier that reservations take months, so you don't have to go that far. I've eaten well today. Thank you."

"No, really—"

But even after several attempts, Lamiya firmly declined. In the end, Garyu mentioned something he hadn't wanted to bring up.

"To be honest, this restaurant is owned by the House of Blanchard."

"Pardon?"

Lamiya recalled Garyu's surname. She knew he was a noble, but not that he was from a marquess's house.

"So don't worry about money—come whenever you like and eat as much as you want. No, I'd appreciate it if you did. You can bring friends too. I'll speak to the manager, so come freely. Professor Lamiya, what you did is worth far more than this."

Even this fell short, Garyu thought, but he resolved to repay her gradually.

At first Lamiya felt burdened, but hearing his words, she thought it might be all right to accept. It would be enjoyable to try each unfamiliar menu item one by one. So she stopped declining and accepted his gift.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

After the dreamlike lunch, Lamiya parted ways with Garyu, promising to meet again at her laboratory. She felt elated at receiving an unexpected gift. It seemed that good things kept happening since coming to the capital. Since she was already out in the city, she decided to look around and buy whatever she needed before heading back. Her first pay had come in not long ago.

"I need another notebook and a quill..."

Shopping was more fun when she had money to spend. Lamiya bustled about, buying things, and before she knew it, she found herself in a small, dark alley.

"Where... am I?"

She'd been browsing a small shop selling unusual potion ingredients and had wandered deeper in, straying far from the main street. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to walk on and ask someone if she saw them—or just find her way out.

At that moment—

"Kyaaaaaaa!"

A terrible scream rang out. Lamiya followed the sound immediately. The screams continued as she ran. The source wasn't far away. Without a word, Lamiya opened the door—no, kicked it open with force. And, looking at the scene inside, she said quietly.

"I believe I told you to go home, not to a zoo."

The cheerfulness from the pleasant shopping and wonderful meal had vanished without a trace.

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