Invitation

(Elysia PoV)

The clinking of metal echoed throughout the classroom. The long rows of tables were filled with practice equipment. From jars containing ingredients, scales, pans, to various other tools.

But Elysia's eyes were fixed on a clear glass beside her. Her fingertips touched it gently. Cold, brittle, and smooth. That was what she felt.

She lifted the glass carefully. That product was a luxury only a few possessed; not even all nobles owned one. Using such an expensive product as practice equipment was proof enough that the academy had no financial worries.

As she lifted it, the corner of her eye accidentally caught a small bubble still trapped inside.

So that's it... its quality is still far inferior to the drinking glasses from my previous world.

For a fleeting moment, a vague memory of her past life surfaced. A memory of a dining table laden with dishes. A glass of water in a tumbler accompanying her dinner with someone who was always by her side.

She let out a long sigh. Such beautiful times.

Meanwhile, beside her, Celina seemed to be sparkling as she continuously stroked the surface of the glass with her fingers.

"First time seeing one?"

Celina nodded. "Father never liked glass because he found it too fragile. He's an old-fashioned man who prefers silver or ceramic mugs. By the way, don't you think this is cool? Have you ever drunk from a glass like this, Ely?"

Elysia replied with a slight nod.

"Incrível! Your family must love trying new things!"

Once again, Elysia nodded. "They like innovat—I mean, new products that might be useful in the future."

All the students fell silent as the sound of a snapping finger cut through the classroom's chatter. They sat on their benches with straight backs and hands folded on the tables.

Still standing before them since earlier, a man in his green robe. All his hair had turned white, his skin wrinkled. Age had clearly consumed his vigor. But in its place, his smile felt utterly sincere, like a grandfather looking at his grandchild.

"Seems like enough playing around. Let's begin the lesson, children. By the way, these glasses are donations from Venekia. If you're interested, you can order them from your friend." He glanced at Alonso sitting in the corner of the room. "Isn't that right, Xabi Alonso?"

Alonso curled his lips. "Of course, Prof. Idzes. We will serve anyone wholeheartedly." He bowed to the students, precisely like a veteran merchant greeting their wealthy potential customers.

Venekia, merely a small kingdom standing on an island in the southern region. A small kingdom focused on trade. Their ships crossed the oceans to deliver and seek various logistics.

From what Elysia had heard, Venekia donated large sums to several institutions. But in return, they surely asked those institutions to promote one of their trade goods.

Their merchant spirit was truly ingrained. Wait, perhaps I could use that boy? A merchant's soul must be easy to predict.

Elysia stroked her chin, thinking of utilizing his trade connections for her own benefit. She could buy information or artifacts that might allow her to find the whereabouts of the person she was looking for.

However, her thoughts scattered again when Prof. Idzes began the lesson.

"Pay close attention. Since this is your first alchemy class, let's start with something easy. Let's make a basic healing potion. It's the easiest and carries minimal risk. So, no need to rush."

The students murmured softly; some took notes hastily as the teacher listed the ingredients and methods. While others preferred to immediately prepare to mix the ingredients.

"Now, prepare three leaves of Nymra, two leaves of Cauca, and one ginseng weighing as much as the copper box beside you."

Elysia took the ginseng from a jar and cut it into small pieces. Then she adjusted its weight to match the copper box using a scale.

Her hand reached for two small jars again. One was labeled Cauca leaves, the other labeled Nymra leaves. She set them aside, focusing on the ginseng.

Following the explanation, Elysia then boiled the ginseng in a small pan, a specialized tool for alchemy. With that pan, in just ten minutes the ginseng was successfully extracted.

Elysia took a deep breath, letting the mixed aromas fill her lungs. The smell of burnt metal, sweet sap, and the scent of damp earth mingled in the air. Signaling her ginseng extract was almost ready.

"I see some of you have finished extracting the ginseng root. No need to wait for further instruction, continue on your own."

She then reached for another jar. Her fingers deftly opened the lid. But as the scent of the leaves entered her nostrils, doubt began to creep in.

"What's wrong, Ely?" Celina tilted her head.

"Why does it smell like this?" she murmured, bringing the leaf closer to her nose.

"Huh? They look the same to me." Celina then sniffed Elysia's leaf and compared it to her own. "They smell fragrant too. Qual é a diferença?"

"No. Mine is very different."

Outwardly, the leaf surface appeared ordinary to the eye, its color a dull green, veins clearly visible.

But her sense of smell as a rabbitkin was sharper. Nymra leaves should have a soft, fresh, fragrant scent similar to hibiscus. But this one's fragrance was slightly too pungent.

Elysia lowered her hand. Her eyes narrowed, contemplating. Then she raised her hand, calling their teacher.

"Prof. Idzes, the leaf is different. This isn't the correct ingredient."

The room fell silent for a moment. Several students turned, curious. Idzes approached, took the jar from her hand, sniffed it once before giving a small nod.

"Correct." There was a slight mix of confusion and annoyance in his tone. "How could this happen? Who labeled this?"

He replaced the jar with another without another word, then returned to the front of the class.

Elysia looked down again, stirring her concoction with a glass spoon. Her face showed no significant change, only a faint, bitter curve on her lips.

Mislabeled? I'd rather believe it was swapped intentionally.

But she said nothing more. Her shoulders lifted slightly, trying not to care. Not wanting to waste time figuring it out.

Annoyingly, I'm too old for this kind of teen drama.

*****

Ting... ting... ting.

The clear chime of a bell rang loudly, marking the end of the lesson. The students promptly packed up, closing bottles, wiping tables sticky from spilled potions.

Elysia stepped out, carrying a green potion in a leather bottle in her hand. Her lungs expanded, inhaling every ounce of oxygen that felt fresher than the steam-filled room behind her.

"Phew, refreshing, huh, Ely?" Celina bounced to her side. Her face was covered in soot, her clothes stained with sticky fluid.

"Yes. Especially after inhaling so much smoke from someone who blew up her pan three times." Behind her sarcasm, a faint curve graced her lips.

"Elyyy! Just like Irine said. Que língua afiada." Celina pouted. "Ah, by the way, there are no more classes today, right?"

Elysia nodded.

"Where are you going after this? Want to accompany me to the cafeteria? For some reason, my stomach's been roaring like a lion since earlier."

"You happened to drink your own Cauca leaf extract earlier, didn't you? That leaf has the side effect of increasing appetite if the dosage is incorrect."

"Oh, so that's the reason." She then grinned widely and grabbed Elysia's hand. "Let's go to the cafeteria and get as much food as we can then."

Elysia gently brushed her hand away. "Sorry, but I want to go to the library."

"I see..." Celina's smile faded for a moment, but quickly returned. "Can you wait for me in the parque, Ely? I want to go there too. But let me buy a few pancakes from the cafeteria first." Right after, her stomach growled loudly.

Elysia nodded.

Without waiting any longer, Celina hurried off as fast as a horse. "Eu prometo que não vai demorar muito!" Her Algarvean shout echoed down the hallway.

"Wait for me," that was probably what she meant. Ely smiled faintly, shrugging her shoulders.

She sighed, stepping gracefully towards the academy garden, the promised meeting place.

But her steps halted as several people blocked the corridor. Three female students from her class stood barring her way. The faint smiles on their faces resembled sneers more than anything.

"Lady Elysia." The one in front held up a scroll of paper, adorned with a red ribbon. "We are holding a small tea party, for a select circle only. Your presence would be greatly appreciated."

Elysia glanced at her briefly. Her violet eyes were cold, without a ripple of emotion. She did not extend her hand.

"I refuse." Her voice was cold.

"W-what?"

"Are you deaf?"

The girl tsked, hearing the rejection that sounded more like a taunt. Then she grabbed Elysia's shoulder. But the moment her fingers merely touched Elysia's shoulder, a chilling cold shot through her. Her breath hitched, eyes wide. A thin layer of ice began forming around her hand.

"Huah!" she gasped and immediately yanked her hand back.

Elysia stared at her coldly. "Don't bother me." Her voice was soft yet piercing. "I have no business more important than your nonsensical tea party."

She moved past them, walking straight ahead without looking back. The sound of her footsteps echoed in the suddenly quiet corridor. There was no sound except a low grumble caught by her sharp ears.