Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 72: Pearl Milk Tea
Final examinations were always considered one of the most crucial stages of the school year—an inevitable trial that measured not just how much a student had memorized, but also how much they had truly understood and absorbed. They arrived like an unspoken judgment at the end of every term, a silent reminder that one’s efforts, whether half-hearted or diligent, would finally be laid bare.
At the Arcane Academy, the examinations were far from simple written tests. The curriculum itself was divided into core classes and electives, and so were the trials. Every student faced two grueling rounds of combat examinations, followed by assessments in whichever electives they had chosen.
For Merlin, this meant that beyond the combat evaluations, he had only one elective to worry about—General Alchemy. Others, like the meticulous and aristocratic Fitt, had taken on more refined pursuits such as Etiquette Studies, and would thus be tested on those as well.
The combat trial itself was split into two daunting stages.
The first required first-year students to duel against second-years. Their performance would be judged not only by the outcome of the match, but by the precision of their spellwork, their creativity under pressure, and their composure in battle. Every feint, every spark of magic, every falter of breath would be noted by the professors’ watchful eyes.
The second stage was far more dangerous. Students were sent into the fabled Beast Forest, a vast and ancient woodland that lay in the southwest of the academy grounds. Its reputation preceded it: a place where sunlight barely penetrated the thick canopy, where gnarled roots twisted over mossy ground, and where a faint, silvery mist coiled eternally between trunks like the breath of some ancient beast.
The forest was a living relic of forgotten ages. Its trees bore scars of both time and battle, and its soil thrummed with magic. Magical beasts prowled the undergrowth, while medicinal herbs, rare minerals, and treasures infused with primal energy grew in hidden clearings.
By their second year, students were regularly taken into its depths by professors, both to train their combat instincts and to uncover the mysteries woven into the forest’s fabric. Expeditionary teams tested not only spellcraft but also teamwork, leadership, and courage in the face of uncertainty.
The Beast Forest, however, was not restricted to academy students. Its outskirts teemed with mercenary companies, independent adventurers, and even a branch of the Adventurer’s Guild. Hardened warriors and reckless youths alike roamed its fringes, searching for riches or glory. It was a dangerous place—but also one that promised unparalleled growth.
Merlin glanced lazily at the examination notice before tucking it between the pages of a thick book. A week… he thought. That was all the time left before the trials began. Enough time, he decided, to reinforce his alchemy gear one more time—and perhaps make a trip to the Church of Light.
From his storage ring, he drew out an ornate seal, its surface etched with radiant runes. This had been entrusted to him by the old man Jones, who had said with no small amount of pride that the bearer of this seal could purchase holy-light artifacts at any church on the continent of Aize.
Everyone knew the truth: when it came to survival and healing, there was no school of magic that could rival Holy Light. For Merlin, who prided himself on preparation, investing in a few holy-light trinkets was not just wise—it was necessary. Professors couldn’t be expected to protect students in every moment of the trials, and in the chaos of battle, accidents always happened.
He was still musing when he slapped his forehead. “Damn, the pot!” He dashed into the kitchen.
Lifting the lid of the pot, Merlin revealed a batch of glossy, black, pearl-like spheres, bobbing gently in the simmering liquid. He scooped one up with a spoon, pinched it between his fingers, and felt its springy elasticity.
A grin tugged at his lips. “Perfect. These look exactly like the black sugar pearls from Earth. Now, the real question is—what happens if someone eats pearls made from this world’s toxic cassava?”
Indeed, Merlin had been tinkering with one of Earth’s most beloved drinks: bubble milk tea.
The Academy’s milk, the red tea grown on nearby hills, and the cassava roots generously (though foolishly) supplied by that idiot Kaelos—all the ingredients were here. It would have been a crime not to attempt bubble tea.
Merlin chuckled to himself. This drink will conquer the palates of this world. And the elves… ah, those haughty elves. I’ll bleed them dry of their precious gold coins, especially Kaelos. He’ll regret ever mocking me.
On the table sat a tall glass already filled with milk tea: creamy milk mixed with robust tea leaves, a spoonful of syrup for sweetness. Honey could be used instead, of course, which would double the price for noble customers.
He poured the pearls into the drink and stirred slowly, watching them sink and rise. Yet when it came to tasting it himself, hesitation flickered across his face. After all, cassava in this world was poisonous—non-lethal thanks to elven tinkering, but who truly knew the risks?
“Merlin! Merlin, are you home?”
The familiar voice made his eyes light up. He swung open the villa door to find Fitt standing outside, absently fiddling with the storage ring on his finger.
“You came at the perfect time, Fitt!” Merlin exclaimed with sudden enthusiasm.
Fitt blinked at the warmth of his welcome, momentarily bewildered. “I… came to deliver your order. Five hundred tons of Icefield Blueberries. My family had them shipped over. That was the quantity you asked for, wasn’t it?”
“Excellent. I’ll transfer the payment right away. You must be exhausted running all the way here from the dorms. Sit, sit—have a drink. I just made this. Pearl milk tea.” Without giving him a chance to refuse, Merlin pushed him into a chair and set the glass before him.
Fitt’s curiosity lit up at once. He studied the strange beverage—the rich brown liquid, the strange black pearls sinking within. “You’ve invented… a drink? Pearl milk tea? Hah, that’s quite the name. But milk and tea—can that truly taste good together?”
He leaned closer, squinting. “And these dark little spheres… don’t tell me they’re real pearls?”
Merlin smirked. “Of course not. Think of them as… candy. Soft, chewy candy. Trust me, the taste will surprise you.”
The confidence in Merlin’s voice stirred something in Fitt. With a shrug, he raised the glass and took a cautious sip.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, Fitt’s eyes widened. The deep, earthy bitterness of red tea fused perfectly with the creamy sweetness of milk, creating a harmony that was at once refreshing and indulgent. The drink was sweet, but not cloying; smooth, yet balanced.
Then came the pearls. Their chewy resilience contrasted with the drink’s silkiness, giving his mouth a playful rhythm—sip, chew, savor. The black sugar infused within them carried its own rich sweetness, layering the flavors without overwhelming.
“This… this is divine!” Fitt burst out, his face lit with astonishment. “Who would have thought red tea and milk could blend so perfectly? And these pearls—ah! Their texture! The sweetness of black sugar—it complements the drink instead of fighting it! Merlin, this is genius! Absolute genius!”
He gulped down the rest, barely pausing for breath, before thrusting the empty glass back into Merlin’s hands. “Another! Please, make me another!”
Merlin spread his hands helplessly. “That was the only glass I had ready. But since you like it so much, I’ll brew another right away.”
As he turned toward the kitchen, a sly glint flickered in his eyes. Behind his back, his fingers brushed the cool glass of a small vial within his storage ring—a vial containing a potent detoxification potion.
Just in case.