Chapter 33. Perfume for Anya

After visiting Liviana Flor and officially registering their assignments, Arthur and Anya headed to their classes. The academy's lecture halls, as always, buzzed with energetic students. Yet, Arthur's mind kept drifting back to the upcoming mission. It felt as though the hands of the clock were moving unusually fast, and lectures that usually dragged on forever flew by in an instant.

Anya, sitting next to him, seemed just as distracted. Every so often, she scribbled something in her notebook, but Arthur noticed her gaze wandering to the window, as if she could already see the sunlit streets of Atelieria, adorned with intricate patterns.

When the last lesson finally ended, students began packing their things. Arthur, gathering his notes into a neat stack, turned to Anya.

"Hey," he began, trying to sound casual despite his growing excitement about tomorrow. "We have the day off tomorrow. I was thinking... maybe we could meet at the library? I want to study more about the sea ravens and the city I'm heading to—just to be fully prepared. And I'm sure you wouldn't mind learning more about Atelieria. It'll be more fun together."

Anya, fastening the buckle on her bag, looked at him with a gentle smile. Her green eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"That sounds great!" she replied cheerfully. "I also need to find more information on cult movements. And it'll just be nice to work together. It's always better than sitting alone among dusty shelves."

They left the lecture hall, and the evening sun softly illuminated the academy courtyard, casting long shadows from the ancient towers and tall trees. The air carried a light fragrance from the blooming bushes tended by magical gardeners around the campus.

"Alright then, tomorrow morning at the library," Arthur confirmed, looking at Anya. "No matter how many books there are, I'm sure we'll find what we need."

Anya nodded, her red hair shimmering in the sunset.

"I'm sure we will. And even if we don't, at least we'll learn something new. See you tomorrow, Arthur."

"See you, Anya."

Back at the dormitory, Arthur closed his room door behind him with relief. It had been a long day, and though he wasn't physically exhausted, the upcoming assignment lingered in his thoughts. He quickly took off his academy robe, feeling the tension ease with it, and headed to the bathroom.

A warm shower was exactly what he needed. Water streamed gently over his skin, washing away the remnants of worry and fatigue. Arthur closed his eyes, enjoying the moment of peace as his mind slowly quieted. After a few minutes, feeling refreshed, he stepped out, wrapped himself in a light robe, and dried his hair with a towel.

Glancing around his room, he decided—no textbooks or complex theories tonight.

He approached his bookshelf and pulled out an old but beloved novel—The Adventures of Sir Graven: The Hapless Knight. The book was worn from countless readings, its pages slightly yellowed, but that only added to its charm. The story of a knight plagued by misfortune who never gave up always lifted Arthur's spirits.

He settled at his desk, poured himself a cup of herbal tea, and opened the book to the first page. With every line, he sank deeper into a world filled with absurd situations and unexpected twists. Sir Graven managed to lose his sword right before duels, get lost in his own castle, and even mistake the king for an ordinary eunuch, but despite all his blunders, he always found a way to triumph.

Arthur couldn't help but smile as he read about the knight stumbling over his own helmet, accidentally knocking out the bandit leader during an ambush, and scaring off the rest of the gang. These comical moments reminded Arthur that even in the strangest situations, there's always a way out—you just need to stay calm.

Time passed unnoticed. His tea had gone cold, but Arthur didn't even realize. He turned another page as the evening twilight deepened outside his window. The room was filled with a cozy silence, broken only by the soft rustle of pages. For a while, the world of magic and responsibility faded into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of a good book.

When he finally set the novel aside, the clock showed well past midnight. Arthur stretched, feeling a pleasant weariness, and thought with a smile that perhaps tomorrow would bring unexpected adventures—just like Sir Graven's. But, like the hapless knight, he felt sure that no matter what, he'd manage.

With that thought, Arthur climbed into bed, and sleep came easily, free of worries.

Morning light gently seeped through the curtains as Arthur slowly opened his eyes. The day promised to be calm—the meeting with Anya was planned for late morning, and it was barely seven o'clock. Reaching out, he grabbed his pocket watch from the nightstand and, seeing the time, realized he had plenty of hours before their meeting.

He got up leisurely, washed his face with cold water to wake himself fully, and leaned against the windowsill, pondering what to do before meeting Anya. The books on magical theory on his desk seemed to beckon, but today, he wanted something lighter, more creative. His gaze drifted around the room and stopped at the shelf where bottles of perfume he had made weeks ago were neatly lined up.

An idea struck him.

Why not make perfume for Anya? The thought flashed in his mind. He pictured her vibrant red hair, green eyes, and the gentle, warm aura that always surrounded her. Creating a fragrance that reflected her personality felt like the perfect way to spend the morning.

Without wasting time, Arthur dressed quickly, throwing a light cloak over his academy uniform, and headed to the market. The streets were still quiet, with only a few early risers hurrying about. The morning air was fresh, filled with the soft sounds of the waking city. The market greeted him with a blend of aromas and noises—spices, fresh fruits, damp wood from recently washed stalls.

Arthur navigated skillfully between vendors, picking out the ingredients he needed. For a few silver coins, he bought ripe citrus fruits and coconut oil. Spending five academy points, he also obtained magical components—essential oils of frangipani and tiare, a bit of amber, and crystallized cedar resin, known for enhancing a perfume's longevity.

Back in his room, Arthur carefully laid out all the ingredients on his desk. He took a glass flask from the shelf and, with a smile, began his work. First, he peeled the citrus fruits, cutting them into small pieces and placing them in the flask. Adding some alcohol to extract the aroma, he slowly channeled his spiritual energy into the mixture, focusing on the creation.

The flask glowed softly as he swirled it, speeding up the extraction process. Soon, the air filled with fresh, juicy citrus notes. Satisfied, Arthur strained the liquid through gauze, separating the pulp, and poured the fragrant essence into another flask.

Next came the coconut oil, which he added carefully to soften the sharpness of the citrus. Then, he introduced the frangipani and tiare essential oils. Their floral aromas immediately brought a light, elegant touch, reminding him of Anya's bright smile when she spoke about her studies.

As the fragrance deepened, Arthur added a few drops of vanilla extract for warmth and sweetness. Finally, he incorporated the amber and cedar resin—these notes would give the perfume depth and lasting power. Pouring more spiritual energy into the mixture, he closed his eyes, focusing on perfecting his creation.

After a few moments, he opened the flask and took a deep breath. A warm, slightly sweet citrus scent, layered with delicate floral notes and a deep woody undertone filled the air.

Perfect, he thought, imagining Anya's reaction.

He poured the perfume into a small glass bottle with a crystal stopper and tied a thin ribbon around the neck. The bottle looked simple yet elegant, and a soft glow from within hinted at the magical nature of its contents.

Leaning back in his chair, Arthur smiled with satisfaction, proud of the gift he had made.