Ravina was enjoying coffee the next day at her second favorite café. This one was just 32 steps away from Crook Beak Manor and recommended by every resident of the Kendel district. While its coffee was on par with others, its desserts were simply the best, and the atmosphere was perfect for a quiet morning. It held second place in her heart for only one reason.
Betsy was locked inside the dorms with Sheila and the others, who were eager to get started on the finals. As she poked at the chocolate cake, she pondered the previous conversation. What good did it do to ask those who had never used magic to create new systems or solve problems that couldn’t be solved by those who had been studying all their lives?
It was an obvious question, with only one answer to her: “It was a trap.” Not a malicious or virtuous trap, but a kind one of sorts. The idea of failing was only mentioned if they didn’t turn in anything. It was clear that this was bait to encourage the students to try and create or at least consider something before they fully grasped magic’s practicality. In the end, they just wanted them to look at it from a fresh perspective before they fell into the rut of experience.
With this, they would have a yearly look from outside observers. Proposing ideas that those that worked for the magic tower might have never thought of. Whether it was just the stupid musing of someone that didn't know what they were talking about or a brilliant idea from someone who was able to see the obvious that they were to blind by the desperation to see their own idea succeed.
“So,” she said, taking the last piece of cake and popping it into her mouth, then tossing the fork onto the plate and pushing it away. “It’s not something to worry about.” The realization was quite... disappointing. “Wow… I feel cheated.” She let out a small giggle before taking a long sip of her coffee. She set the cup down on its saucer with a soft click.
“No, actually. I do have something to gain.” A free employee. Sure, she was going to pay him well enough, but once she secured the bastard, she would work him to the bone for all the humiliation he caused her. An evil grin spread across her face. She just needed to do something that would stir the entire world...
“Would you like another glass, my lady, or shall I send the bill?” A well-dressed man, in clothes that tried to hide his pudgy form, gave a professional smile. Not too large, not too small—just enough to be noticed.
“This will be all,” Ravina affirmed, giving the cup a couple of taps with her finger.
“Wonderful,” the man replied, picking up the plate with only the smallest cake crumbs and tiny fork, and replacing it with a small sheet of paper. “For your records, my lady.” With that, he retreated.
Ravina clicked her tongue when she turned the paper over.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Coffee, Starlight Drip…….19
Cake, Chockolot………….27
Service fee………………..9
Dining fee………………....9
District tax……………….18
Kings tax……………...…18
Despite there being no indicator on the menu or the receipt, the café expected everyone to pay with shiny silver coins—100 years in an hour of relaxation. Every time she realized this, it would ruin her time at the café. It didn’t matter if she didn’t need to worry about the money now; the problem was there was a time when she did. Every time, her mind would wandered back to a small, insignificant village far off in the woods, and she couldn’t help but wonder about them all—the deadbeat and all.
She crumpled the paper, reminding herself once again as she stood up that they weren’t her responsibility anymore. She had already set them up, given them more than enough money, and placed them under respectable guardianship. They would be fine, and she was gone. Ravina needed to pull herself together and focus on what mattered right now: the finals. “God, why couldn’t it be a simple test?” She was good at tests... when they were multiple choice.
She left the café as if she had a purpose, but after leaving the snooty district and taking enough steps to calm down an elephant, she realized that she didn’t have one at all. Everything she touched turned to black dust, and even then, she was just seeing what she could do with it. It wasn’t like she had a method to the madness—or at least, not a plan. “Yet here I am, making bets like I’ve got it all on lock,” she muttered, laughing at herself. “Well, it’s fine. I don’t plan on losing, but right now-”
“Gotcha!” The loud cry was accompanied by some very small hands wrapping around her wrist. She turned to find little Ralf staring up at her, a mix of pride and determination on his face. “Where’ve you been?” he demanded.
Ravina had to cough to keep herself from laughing at the sigh of the very determined young man. “Did... did we have an appointment?” she said, bringing a hand to her mouth to hide her growing smile.
“Appointment? Lady, you haven’t been diving at all recently! What’s up with that? We’ve been making mad tinks, and you suddenly stopped coming. I’ve checked, and Aunt Mae even said you didn’t hire anyone else, so what’s up! You can’t leave the game yet—they’re about to start the raid!”
“I just—wait, raid?”
“Yeah, ’cause of all the Ögar on the first floors. Apparently, it was a sign of a kima potatoes or whatever. The guild has been setting up a raid for the Ens.”
“Kima potatoes...?”
“Yeah, well, something like that. Come on, lady, we gotta get you registered for it so we can rent Tweety before somebody else does!” he tugged on her sleeve.
“Karl, I... actually don’t have anything better to do right now…”
“Great! Let’s go!” With that, Ravina allowed young Ralf to carry her away to the adventurers guild.