Chapter 38. On the Road!

The Academic Market was a true labyrinth of narrow streets, filled with vendor stalls, the aromas of spices and parchment, and the voices of merchants offering goods for every taste. Here, one could find everything from rare herbs for potions to enchanted quills capable of writing down lectures on their own.

Anya confidently led Arthur through the chaos, skillfully weaving between students, professors, and travelers who had come in search of something useful.

"Are you sure there's something tasty here?" Arthur asked doubtfully, glancing around. Most of the stalls sold potion ingredients or study supplies.

"Of course! It's just hidden," Anya replied with a mysterious smile and turned into one of the quieter alleyways.

It was noticeably calmer here, but the scent was different—not of magic and paper, but of something warm and cozy, like a home where you were always welcome. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh pastries, melted butter, and fragrant herbs.

In a small nook, between two shops selling magical trinkets, stood a tiny stall that looked more like a wooden kiosk. Behind the counter sat a very old woman with a wrinkled but kind face. Her silver hair was neatly gathered in a bun, and a knitted shawl rested on her shoulders.

"Grandma, do you have fresh pies?" Anya asked cheerfully as she approached.

"Anya, my dear!" The old woman beamed and got up from her chair. "Of course, I always have a few for you."

She lifted the woven basket cover and pulled out several golden, still-warm pastries, carefully wrapping them in cloth.

"Wow, so you come here often?" Arthur asked in surprise.

"Sometimes," Anya shrugged. "These are the best pies in the entire Academy!"

"That's the truth," the old woman nodded proudly. "No one makes them with as much heart as I do."

She glanced at Arthur, her wrinkled lips curling into a sly smile.

"And this is your friend?"

"Yes, this is Arthur," Anya nodded.

"A good boy, I can tell right away," the old woman said, handing him a pie. "Here, try it. First one is free."

Arthur took the pastry, still warm enough to burn his fingers slightly, and cautiously took a bite. The soft dough, the fragrant filling of stewed meat with onions and spices—he hadn't expected it to be this delicious.

"This… this is amazing," he exhaled.

The old woman smiled in satisfaction.

"What did I tell you?"

Anya giggled and winked at Arthur.

"Well, now you understand why I come here?"

"Yeah, I get it now," he admitted, finishing the pie.

They bought a few more, and the old woman wished them luck in their studies, watching them leave with a kind gaze. When they stepped back onto the main street, Anya happily bit into her pie, while Arthur glanced at her, silently committing this moment to memory. There was something incredibly cozy about it—like their childhood, when they would run through the streets of their hometown, searching for adventure and savoring delicious treats, losing track of time.

"Thanks for showing me this place," Arthur finally said.

Anya smiled, blushing slightly.

"You're always welcome."

Once they finished their pies, Anya stretched with a contented smile.

"Well, I think it's time to head back," she said, shaking her vibrant red hair.

Arthur nodded. "I'll walk you to the dormitory."

Anya didn't respond, but since she didn't object, it seemed she didn't mind. They strolled through the Academy's evening-lit streets, illuminated by the soft glow of magical lanterns. The sky gradually darkened, stars beginning to appear, and the air grew cooler.

"Tomorrow is the last day of lectures," Anya murmured, looking down at her feet.

"Yeah," Arthur ran a hand through his hair thoughtfully. "And after that, we start preparing for the missions."

They both knew time at the Academy was flying by, and soon they would have to embark on their first official mission.

"Well, here we are," Anya said as they stopped at the entrance to her dormitory.

She hesitated slightly, as if wanting to say something, but then simply smiled.

"Goodnight, Arthur."

"Goodnight, Anya," he replied.

Anya turned and went inside, while Arthur lingered for a moment before heading to his own dormitory.

***

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Students prepared for their missions, checked their equipment, and received final instructions from the professors. Arthur and Anya didn't see each other as often—both were busy with their preparations—but when they did, there was still a slight awkwardness between them.

And then, the departure day arrived.

At the Academy's launch platform, several massive airships stood ready, bearing the emblems of the magical school. The air buzzed with conversations and the sounds of pre-flight preparations. Each airship was assigned to transport students to different cities, from which they would travel to their mission sites.

"It's strange that we have to take different routes," Anya said, adjusting the strap of her bag.

"Well, it makes sense. Everyone's missions are in different parts of the continent," Arthur replied, though he didn't like it either.

"Still… it feels weird," she admitted.

He saw the hint of worry in her eyes.

"We'll be fine," he said firmly.

Anya nodded, but her lips remained pressed together.

At that moment, one of the coordinating mages called out, "All students, take your places! Airships depart in ten minutes!"

"Well, this is it," Anya sighed and looked at Arthur.

He nodded and held out his hand.

"Good luck, Anya."

She hesitated for a moment, then smiled and, instead of shaking his hand, unexpectedly hugged him.

"Good luck to you too, Arthur," she whispered.

Before he could say anything, she stepped back, waved, and quickly headed toward her airship.

Arthur watched her go, then exhaled and made his way to his own ship.

***

A few minutes later, Arthur stepped onto the deck of the airship and instinctively took a deep breath. The air carried a faint scent of magical oils used to lubricate the engines, and somewhere ahead, he could hear students chatting amongst themselves. The ship's design was similar to the one that had brought them to the Academy, but he noticed some differences. This vessel was slightly smaller, and its hull looked more reinforced, as if it were meant for longer journeys or travel through unstable magical zones.

The walk to his cabin was short. He opened the door, stepped inside, and looked around. The room was small but cozy: a narrow bed with a firm mattress attached to the wall, a small desk, a cabinet for belongings, and a round window through which the sky, veiled in a light haze, was visible.

Closing the door behind him, Arthur first removed the Academy-issued spatial pouch from his shoulder and placed it on the desk. This was his mission equipment, and he wanted to make sure everything was in order.

Unfastening the pouch, he activated the magical seal with his mind. Immediately, the interior expanded, revealing its contents.

The first thing he took out was a sturdy leather case with tools. He unrolled it and examined each item: a set of knives with enchanted blades for precise tissue extraction, tweezers, small scalpels, and glass vials with sealed lids. These were for working with magical creature remains.

Next, he retrieved a scroll with detailed instructions. The parchment was thick and slightly rough to the touch, infused with protective enchantments to prevent damage from moisture or accidental wear. He unrolled it and skimmed the first pages.

"Sea ravens—magical creatures possessing various valuable materials. When handling their remains, it is important to follow these guidelines..."

Before he could dive deeper into studying, a loud voice echoed throughout the airship:

"Attention, students! The airship is departing!"

The ship gave a slight shudder before beginning its ascent. Arthur looked out the window, watching the Academy shrink below him.

The journey had begun.

End of Volume One.