A Fateful Encounter

Chapter 3: A Fateful Encounter
As the sun set and the city lights began to flicker to life, Morris entered a small, cozy tavern. His goal was simple – to rest after a long day. The room was quiet, filled only with the warm aroma of food and the soft sounds of cooking.
In a distant corner sat Lawrence, a member of the Magical Council. His sharp eyes noticed Morris’s unusual presence. There was something different about the way this young man moved and carried himself. Lawrence hid his suspicions and continued to observe silently.
Morris sat down and asked the waiter for a menu. Though he seemed familiar with the place, a faint hint of unease flickered across his face. Lawrence kept watching from afar.
The next day at the marketplace, Morris passed by a small stall where a girl named Aurora was selling grilled skewers. A casual conversation started.
— “Are these skewers tasty?” Morris asked with curiosity.— “Yes, they are. Just freshly made,” Aurora replied with a smile.— “Perfect. I’ll try one,” Morris said as he handed over some coins.
As Aurora handed him a skewer, she added:— “You seem new around here. Haven’t seen you before.”— “Yes, I’m traveling,” Morris replied briefly.
After taking a bite, Morris said:— “This is really good. But I have a suggestion for you. Have you ever thought about making sweet foods too?”— “Sweet foods?” Aurora echoed in surprise.
Morris gave a faint smile.— “Yes. I can teach you two special things: chocolate and coffee. People love them.”— “Chocolate? Coffee? What are those?”— “Let me explain. Chocolate is a sweet, wonderful dessert. Coffee is slightly bitter but energizing. Interested?”
Aurora’s eyes sparkled with excitement.— “Of course! But how do you make them?”
Morris bought the necessary ingredients at the market and headed to Aurora’s small house. There they began experimenting together.
— “Let’s start with chocolate,” Morris said.— “This smell… it’s amazing!” Aurora gasped as she watched cocoa beans melting in the pot.
— “Now for the coffee,” Morris continued as he roasted the beans, filling the room with a rich aroma.— “Do people really feel more awake after drinking this?”— “Yes, exactly. You’ll see for yourself,” Morris replied.
Aurora took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee.— “Oh! This is incredible! Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?”— “Because science is forbidden here,” Morris said with a soft sigh.
Aurora fell silent, her eyes filled with wonder. Morris felt a spark of hope – maybe she could help him awaken science in this world.