Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 14: The Tavern Beneath the Arcane City
Sigma’s face went pale the moment he saw Professor Harrington’s scowling expression, the venomous glare making him panic. He quickly waved his hands. “N-no, no, no, Professor, I wasn’t talking about you! I meant Merlin—how could his work possibly get such a high score? And he was cutting corners—how could cooking with spices count as Incense mixing?”
Harrington’s voice was calm, almost indifferent, as he replied, “Incense mixing is both an art and a science. It involves blending different spices and scents in precise proportions to create new aromas. Incense, scented sticks, body powders—all are products of Incense mixing. Decades ago, chefs began using spices to enhance the aroma of food, and even now, many chefs in noble households have their own secret seasoning formulas.”
“Merlin did not confine himself to the Incense mixing techniques I teach in class. Instead, he innovated, stepping beyond the traditional framework. That, I think, is excellent.”
“Sigma, do you have any other questions?”
The ratman, Sigma, felt his face turn pale and then red as he listened to Harrington. Finally, he lowered his head and said, “I understand, Professor.”
Harrington nodded, then picked up the Beggar’s Chicken Merlin had prepared and coughed lightly. “Merlin, your combination of spices has given me many new ideas. Would you mind if I kept your work for research?”
Merlin, of course, didn’t mind. If anything, he wanted to remind the professor to wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth—and that the Beggar’s Chicken would taste best if reheated!
After alchemy class ended, Kris and Fitt immediately cornered Merlin.
“Merlin! I never imagined you had this skill! Quick, make us some chicken too! I can’t wait to taste the chicken you made!” Kris’s greed was obvious as she grabbed Merlin’s hand and shook it excitedly.
Fitt hooked an arm around Merlin’s. “Bro, I just want to try your chicken. You don’t mind, do you?”
“I can trade you some Frostfield blueberries!”
Who even wants your Frostfield blueberries? He’d promised to give them to me for free, and now he’s bargaining. Fett really is something. I’ve never even had a chance to eat Frostfield blueberries, and now he’s constantly going on about them.
Merlin sighed. “I can make lotus-leaf-wrapped Beggar’s Chicken for you, no problem. But don’t you still have classes today? You can’t just skip.”
“Skip class? If it means getting to eat something that delicious, skipping isn’t a problem, right?”
“Both of you, behave. Making lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken takes time—preparing the spices, the ingredients, everything.”
Merlin gently pushed them aside. “Wait a bit. Luckily, the holiday starts tomorrow. I’m going out of the Academy to visit my parents, see how the family’s doing, and I’ll buy the ingredients. Then I’ll make it for both of you, alright?”
Kris and Fitt nodded reluctantly. They were disappointed they couldn’t taste the chicken immediately. Seeing Professor Harrington’s reaction—he’d practically taken the whole chicken—they knew it had to be unbelievably delicious.
Just thinking about not being able to taste it yet made Fitt and Kris feel utterly tortured.
After finally convincing Kris and Fitt, Merlin returned to his dorm to pack his things, then left the Academy with the batch of spices he’d received from Old Deng the previous day.
Now that the family was bankrupt, money was tight. He could sell this batch of high-quality spices to support his parents. Of course, as long-established nobles, even if bankrupt, his parents wouldn’t be completely penniless.
Merlin left the Arcane Academy with a letter in hand, casually hiring a carriage to quickly head in the direction indicated by the letter.
The city under the Arcane Academy was built on fertile plains, surrounded by winding rivers that provided irrigation and convenient transportation for this city that belonged to no nation.
The city was vast, yet it had no walls. The Academy was confident that no country would dare attack it. After all, many graduates had become nobles in various nations, and some even left legendary tales across the Aether Continent.
Arcane City—a bustling, open, and tolerant capital of magic—was centered around the Arcane Academy, divided into three areas by three concentric moats: the Upper, Middle, and Lower Districts.
Each district had its own culture and characteristics. The Upper District housed the wealthiest and most influential residents. Magnificent buildings and magical devices were everywhere, along with mage workshops, temples, guilds, embassies—it was the realm of the elite.
The Middle District was home to ordinary mages and artisans. It served as a buffer between the Upper and Lower Districts. Here were common workshops, the Adventurers’ Guild, the Explorers’ Guild, arenas, coliseums, theaters, and taverns. Compared to the Upper District, the Middle District was lively and creative.
The Lower District was relatively poor, but it was also the birthplace of strange magical artifacts and secret techniques. It housed workers who had come to Arcane City seeking employment, as well as black markets and guilds. This was the city’s shadowy side, rumored to host the Assassins’ and Killers’ Guilds. Superficially, it was only slightly poorer than the Middle District.
At this moment, Merlin arrived in a carriage before a tavern in the Middle District. He tossed five silver coins to the driver and stepped down amid the man’s flattering remarks.
The tavern was old and crowded into the busy street. Its exterior was worn, with stone walls marked by the passage of time. Above the door hung a sign depicting a barrel, bearing the name “The Tavern Even Dwarves Approve.”
The tavern was not small; it was actually quite large, but it seemed to attract very few customers.
Merlin pushed open the creaking wooden door and was immediately hit by a strong musty smell mixed with the stench of alcohol. The floor was riddled with holes, the crooked chandelier flickered dimly, and broken chairs and tables were scattered everywhere, along with empty barrels.
The bar and shelves were damaged, as if the place had been ransacked.
Merlin noticed a dwarf slumped over a table. Hearing the door, he groggily stood, knocked his drunken head, and shouted toward the kitchen, “Boss! Boss, someone’s here!”
“Huh? This lousy tavern actually has customers? We haven’t even opened yet. Tell them to come back in a few days.”
“Idiot, with this awful environment, would any customer really come back?”
The voices of a man and a woman echoed from the kitchen.