章節 21: Tea Time

Riniock's day in Rhetrick's class wrapped up uneventfully. After fully depleting the chunk of odh stone, he waited patiently for the lesson to end. When the time finally elapsed, Rhetrick dismissed the class with minimal fanfare. His parting words were curt but clear: 'Work diligently on harnessing and refining odh, as you'll need it for Gieller's lesson. Don't embarrass me in front of my colleague!'

Riniock left the classroom, parting ways with Niann after they agreed it was safe enough for him to navigate the grounds alone.

With no more lessons scheduled for the day, Riniock set out to make productive use of his time. As he reflected on his recent gains, he muttered to himself, 'I should get someone to check the rewards I received from the admission test.' He also remembered the item he'd taken from Odrean's corpse: a strange, cryptic card with an unfamiliar design.

He spent what felt like hours exploring the college, asking for guidance on his items whilst familiarizing himself with the layout. His persistence paid off. Several staff members confirmed that the two potions he possessed were designed to boost the body's natural regeneration when consumed. Whereas, the spell scroll, they explained, contained a spell that conjured a focused burst of energy, firing it forward like a dart.

'This could be extremely useful if I use it wisely at just the right moment,' Riniock thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Riniock hesitated for a brief moment, then carefully slipped the ring and the cryptic card back into his pocket. He wasn't ready to reveal those particular finds just yet.

A sharp, familiar voice rang out. 'Young man! Flower person!'

Riniock turned around, scanning for the source. To his surprise, it was the gatekeeper – the same senior maegi he'd given an apophina to yesterday. The man's expression carried a rare note of cheerfulness.

'It seems your confidence was warranted,' the gatekeeper said, his voice touched with approval.

Riniock shrugged lightly. 'I wouldn't boast about something so trivial.'

The man chuckled. 'I never caught your name yesterday. Mine is Lazrus.'

'Riniock, sir.'

Lazrus's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 'Riniock…Are you the Tolgir who returned a kezok's antler?'

'You know about that?' Riniock asked, his brow raising in surprise.

'Ha! Everyone knows. Professor Bhallen's been telling the whole college about you.'

So that's his name, Riniock thought. He almost said it aloud but caught himself. 'Oh…nothing,' he muttered. Shaking off the distraction, he added, 'In any case, did you need something, Sir Lazrus?'

Lazrus's lips curled into a knowing smile. 'Not really. I only wished to see if you were still up for that drink.'

Riniock hesitated for a moment, considering his schedule before deciding, 'I wouldn't mind joining you.'

'Wonderful,' Lazrus said, his eyes gleaming. 'Follow me.'

The gatekeeper led him across the sprawling college grounds to a small building perched atop a cliff overlooking the far edge of the campus. To Riniock, it seemed modest – unassuming, even.

'Here we are,' Lazrus said, flicking his hand towards the door, which swung open effortlessly. 'Come in.'

Riniock stepped through the doorway and was instantly astonished. The inside defied all expectations. Though the exterior appeared quaint, the interior was as spacious as the main hall itself. Rich tapestries and rugs covered the floors, whilst intricate lighting fixtures bathed the room in a warm glow. Shelves lined with books, delicate trinkets, and arcane instruments hinted at a lifetime of knowledge and adventure. Trophies from various creatures adorned the walls, adding a hint of danger to the elegance.

'You have a lovely home,' Riniock said, genuine admiration in his voice.

Lazrus smiled. 'Thank you. Make yourself comfortable as I get us something to drink.'

Riniock sank into a plush sofa, the cushions enveloping him. His eyes wandered, drinking in the details – every artifact and bauble seemed to have a story of its own. This wasn't just a residence; it was a treasure trove of a seasoned maegi's life.

'Here we are,' Lazrus announced as he returned from an adjacent room, balancing a tray with a pot and two cups. He set it on the table before them, a fragrant steam rising from the pot. 'Recognise the aroma?'

Riniock took a deep breath, the scent immediately familiar. 'This is apophina.'

'Correct,' Lazrus said with a nod. 'The very same you gave me. I've infused it into tea, so we can both benefit from its properties.'

Riniock smiled, impressed. 'That's a creative way to use it.'

'Magick isn't just about power, my young friend,' Lazrus said, pouring the tea into the cups. 'It's also about knowing how to apply that power in ways that enrich life.'

Lazrus poured two cups, the gentle clink of porcelain breaking the tranquil silence. He pushed one cup towards Riniock, who accepted it gratefully.

The first sip of the apophina-infused tea was a revelation. A wave of warmth swept through his body, clearing his airways and unfurling a sense of deep relief and calm. Each subsequent sip sent a soothing current through his veins, dissolving tension he hadn't realized he carried. The tea's delicate floral notes lingered on his tongue; each taste more rejuvenating than the last.

Lazrus exhaled slowly, savouring the sensation. 'If you have more of that flower,' he said with a contented smile, 'we can do this more often.'

Riniock chuckled softly, eyes twinkling. 'I don't see why not. Consider it done.'

Riniock's eyes wandered over the room's decorations once more, his thoughts drifting.

'What's on your mind?' Lazrus asked, lowering his cup after a deep sip.

'Well...I have a few items I need identified, but I don't feel comfortable showing them to just anyone.'

Setting his cup down, Lazrus extended his hand, a confident gleam in his eyes. 'Show me, then. I'm skilled with appraisal magic.'

Riniock blinked, realizing he hadn't considered that option. Whilst his trust in the gatekeeper wasn't absolute, Lazrus had earned a place in his good graces.

'Alright,' Riniock said, pulling out the ring and the cryptic card. 'It's these.'

'Hm,' Lazrus murmured, his fingers gliding thoughtfully over the ring and the card. His eyes narrowed with curiosity. 'These aren't just ordinary items, Riniock. Tell me, where did you come across them?'