As Professor Derick left the Dragon Flame Restaurant, he noticed Lusen's unusual behavior. He had been silent during dinner, looking preoccupied.
"Lusen, do you have a problem?" Professor Derick looked at his melancholic student. From the time Lusen was in second grade when they first met in a public class, the then-naive boy had grown into a capable young man. It wouldn't be an exaggeration for Professor Derick to consider Lusen as his own son.
Struggle and pain were evident in Lusen's eyes. He said guiltily, "Professor, I'm really sorry, I... I hope to transfer to Magic Mechanics..."
Professor Derick was calm, "I know you've always been interested in Magic Mechanics. Have you thought it through? If you transfer to Magic Mechanics, given that you've only taken one course, you might have to start over."
Lusen took an elective course in Magic Mechanics when he was in grade, which was irrelevant to potion studies. Professor Derick had noticed Lusen's interest at that time. Hence, Lusen's astonishment at the mechanical worker bee at Dragon Flame Restaurant today, and his decision, did not surprise Professor Derick.
Lusen took a deep breath and said with a determined tone, "Professor, I've thought about it. When I took an elective in Magic Mechanics, there was a lesson about the history of magic mechanics. I know there was an era when the speed of cargo ships was double that of now when golems did work too harshly for humans, and when even ordinary homes would have a magic trinket or two. But now, most of the magic mechanics have disappeared. The academy's collection has almost rusted away after being kept for 200 years.
I think it's a regret of an era."
Professor Derick saw the ambition in Lusen's eyes and didn't mention that with the depletion of energy ores, even if advanced magic machinery is invented, it's destined not to be promoted. "Then from now on, you've graduated from potion studies. I'll write an application to the principal, requesting you to transfer to Magic Mechanics."
The last thing Professor Derick did for his student was to let Lusen graduate. This way, even if he fails to get recognition in Magic Mechanics in the future, he still has the identity of a potion studies graduate from Star Academy, rather than being an unsuccessful person who switched his major halfway.
Lusen's eyes welled up, and he lowered his head, "I failed your teachings..."
Professor Derick held him in his arms, "Nobody can take away the knowledge you've learned. You will always be my best student."
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Helena is the principal of Star Academy and one of the students of the legendary Grand Mage Azpeixia of the Silver Empire. However, her magical talent isn't outstanding, but with the title of being Azpeixia's student, she has quite a reputation in the Silver Empire. Therefore, she was invited to serve as the principal of Star Academy, a role she has held for over forty years.
Helena was now wandering on the street filled with various shops beside the academy, catching students who violated the school rules - underage drinking, purchasing illegal magic tools, and even those who came out to fight because of different beliefs...
She had a joke taste and loved to see the panic on the student's faces when they were caught. She was never tired of it.
There was a newly opened restaurant here, and she decided to go in and see if any of her dear students were around.
It was nine o'clock in the evening, not the time for dinner, but perfect for a small drink. Helena walked into the Dragon Flame Restaurant. There were few customers, and sitting at the far end was a girl who didn't look like a waitress at all.
Upon seeing her entering, the girl greeted Helena, "Good evening, ma'am. What would you like to eat? The menu is on the wall."
Helena looked up and saw a wooden picture frame on the wall. It depicted a vast and magnificent snow field. After a few seconds, it gradually changed into a sunset by the sea. The last change brought a sleek black cat with red eyes into the picture frame. It looked up slightly with a gloomy face, its ears pressed down by a pale hand.
A picture frame that changes its content, is quite interesting.
Helena shifted her gaze and saw the menu the girl mentioned.
Even more interesting. A dynamic menu that showed the cooking process of the food. Helena dared to say that there wouldn't be a second one in the entire empire. If she had such a magic item, she would probably use it to repeatedly show lessons to her students until they were able to recite the content backward.
However, she didn't rudely inquire about this magic item. Instead, she ordered a lemon cake and asked the girl, "Do you have wine?"
Ina brought out a wine glass, "We have just brewed grape wine. Would you like to try it?"
Helena agreed happily.
Ina first brought the exquisite small lemon cake. While pouring wine for Helena, she regretfully said, "You've chosen a suitable dessert, but we don't have sweet white wine to pair with it. However, you might have more choices next time you come."
Helena's attention wasn't on the red wine, though. She looked at the lemon cake and said, "Oh, the serving speed here really exceeds my expectation."
Ina answered ambiguously, "Thanks to the invention of practical magic enthusiasts."
Since the opening of the first branch, Ina spent most of her time in the capital branch. Dusì no longer managed a specific branch but was responsible for the resource allocation of all shops. Anty and her friend Lesley in the village became the waitresses at Dragon Flame Restaurant in Foggy Town. With Xavier and the guard-type magic puppet "Head Knocker" there, their safety was also ensured.
The refrigerator cabinet was moved to the capital branch by Ina. When she was bored, she cooked and brushed up on her chef's professional Experience points. The dishes she made were placed into the cabinet. When customers ordered, they were taken out and looked just the same as when they were first put in.
Her answer was cryptic, but Helena said it, "Is it an Eternal Rune?"
Ina looked at her in surprise. Although it's said that high-level professionals have a keen response to magic fluctuations, Eternal Runes are a treasure in the divine kingdom, not so easily recognizable, right?
Helena explained with a smile, "Isn't the place where the runes are placed a huge cabinet? That's my teacher's work. When this cabinet was made, we even discussed whether to put finished potions or magic materials in it to maximize the effect of the Eternal Rune. But my teacher said that she wanted to break the unspoken rule that magic items could only be applied in the field of magic. The cabinet should be used to preserve food, and all brilliant experimental results should be based on one premise - not to go hungry."
Helena asked further, "I heard that this cabinet is owned by Duke Elvys and is kept by the Mercenary Guild. Do you know them?"
Thinking about her 30 reputation points at the Mercenary Guild, Ina could indeed be considered acquainted with them. She replied lightly, "Just an acquaintance."
This must be a modest word. Helena felt that Ina's magic was much stronger than hers, and suddenly she had a feeling of standing in front of a teacher. The surging magic fluctuation seemed to want to drown her.
Ina seemed to be very interested in Azpeixia and actively asked, "I heard that your teacher has been advocating the application of magic machinery in daily life. Has she succeeded?"
Helena put a piece of lemon cake into her mouth and shook her head, "No, she failed. My teacher has very valid reasons, and many mages also approve of it. The continent has also experienced an era of widespread use of magic machinery, but the problem is, the entire continent is now extremely lacking in magic energy. Almost all ores that can provide power for magic machinery have been exhausted in that trip to the divine kingdom. I'm afraid that before this problem is solved, magic has to remain with magic, and civilians cannot afford the high energy cost."
Ina nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you seem to have the same philosophy as my teacher?" There were no less than five magic-related tools or machines in this small restaurant, and Helena deeply doubted whether the daily profit of the restaurant was enough to cover the cost.
Ina's smile was a bit subtle. She did hope that there would be more and more magic machinery that could bring convenience to the restaurant, but she didn't pay any cost. If she had to say what she paid, perhaps... the luck in the lottery?
"Maybe I always feel that I am still living in that old era, and it's hard to change my habits." Ina smiled.
Helena looked at Ina's back, deducing that she might be a senior older than her own teacher. Perhaps she had been in a deep sleep for a long time, and when she woke up, she found the world had changed entirely, so she nostalgically opened a restaurant filled with magic machinery.
She took a light sip of the now-awake wine. Although Ina said it was a newly brewed wine, Helena tasted the smooth texture of aged wine. Sharpness and sourness became gentle, and a complex and layered aroma was presented, both rich in the scents of dried peaches, vanilla, beeswax, and also full-bodied caramel and coffee, ending with a crisp aftertaste reminiscent of orange peel.
After a glass of wine, Helena made a new discovery. She felt the tiredness from dealing with school affairs today entirely swept away. She felt her body relax enough to run around.
As expected, the wines sold in an unusual restaurant would surprise people.
Ina hadn't had a chance to drink her own brewed wine yet. At first, she didn't understand the meaningful look in Helena's eyes after she finished her wine, but after she finished a glass herself, she understood.
[Holy Red Wine: Red wine brewed in an unusual container. When the consumption exceeds 50ml, the stamina immediately recovers to 50. This effect cannot be stacked, and repeated use within 24 hours is ineffective.]
Ina immediately removed the wine from the restaurant menu. The buff from the wine was so strong that it could be compared to some precious potions. She decided to keep it for now.
Stamina was a specific data for warriors in the game, just like mana for mages. Fighting, running, and jumping all consumed stamina. Even though there are no players in this world now, stamina is still a hidden setting.
For warriors of the same level and combat power in a duel, one could swing a sword 100 times and run 20 kilometers, while the other, with the Holy Red Wine, could instantly recover half of their stamina when exhausted. Not to mention that they could have the strength for an extra 50 sword swings. Even if they could only have one more swing, it would be enough to kill their opponent. Taking a sip while running away could increase endurance by 50, improving the survival rate by several times.
It can be said that if Ina disclosed the effect of the Holy Red Wine, all professions related to warriors would flock to Dragon Flame Restaurant.
Such a situation would inevitably affect the normal operation of the restaurant. Ina decided to take the wine off the shelves, not planning to sell the Holy Red Wine in the tavern. Once the ordinary wine from Fatil Vineyard was brewed, she would then sell these regular table wines in the restaurant.
As for the already brewed Holy Red Wine, Ina sealed them in the highest quality oak barrels at the vineyard. Perhaps she could consider opening a separate "Potion Shop" to sell the Holy Red Wine. Ina believed that no matter how smooth and full-bodied the taste of the Holy Red Wine was, those who would compete for it in the future would not pay attention to this point. Its significance as a medicinal potion far outweighed its value as a beverage.
It's a pity for such good wine. Ina poured herself another glass of Holy Red Wine. Let her appreciate it a bit more then.