082: Royal Choice Tea

“Yeah! Al! Let’s have a practice bout!” Thor

“You worry me” Al

Thor said that right after getting a goblin sword. Yesterday, I spent a good bit of time practicing with Eleanora, why would I want to do it again the next day?

I just got back from a long trip to the royal capital, can’t I have a few slow days? I was disappointed that my first hours spent back at the mansion were spent in sword practice with Eleanora.

“It’s fine, just a short one! Not long at all! Come on! It’ll be fine!” Thor

“I’m not interested. That’s dangerous, don’t point the sword at me!” Al

I’m retreating from Thor, who’s currently pointing the sword at me.

“What are you two yelling about?” Asmo

Thor’s neighbor Asmo showed up. Based on the mud on his shoes and sweat on his skin, he must have been working in the fields earlier today.

“I just wanted to practice swordplay with Al, but he chickened out.” Thor

Thor has the goblin sword on his shoulder like he’s proud of it, I bet he wants to show it off to Asmo.

“Sword? Oh, that’s not a wooden sword. Is it a souvenir from the royal capital?” Asmo

“That’s right! It’s an actual sword, not a practice sword!” Thor

Thor is excited to show off his souvenir, but Asmo is less enthused.

“Hmm, that’s cool. Al, do I get a souvenir?” Asmo

“Hey! Can’t you at least pretend to be interested?” Thor

“Oh, I brought something. It’s a dragon muffin, a specialty from the royal capital.” Al

I’m not interested in practicing swords with Thor, so I hope he’ll drop it after I give Asmo the muffin.

“Oh, yeah! It’s a sweet from the royal capital!” Asmo

Asmo quickly turns from uninterested to fascinated. Even though Triela brings sugar to sell, it’s still an expensive ingredient. The restaurateur Celia will only buy a small amount for seasoning, she can’t sell sweets in village because of cost reasons.

By the way, the dragon muffin was kept fresh by storing it in my subspace, I packed it into a box when I purchased it and it’s just a fresh when I pulled it out today.

I think the variant of Spatial Magic that allows to retrieve freshly cooked food anywhere and anytime is a total cheat. You can always get a warm meal just by storing some street food ahead of time. I’ve got nearly thirty Woocey skewers tucked away, sometimes you just want something with that savory flavor.

“Dragon muffins are a popular confectionery that featured in the story of the Dragon Slayer!” Al

Thor lit up when he heard dragon muffin, it looks like he’s forgotten about his sword practice request. His stomach has taken over, but this is Asmo’s souvenir, why are you so interested in it?

“Look, you guys sit down in my house. I’ll serve you my mom’s prized tea leaves.” Thor

Thor runs around and tries to shepherd Asmo and I into his house. It seems he’s trying to bribe Asmo to share his muffin using tea leaves. Sure, you might be able to get some of the muffin, but what punishment will await you later?

“But, this is my souvenir?” Asmo

“So, you’re going to eat the dragon muffin with a glass of water? Is that blasphemous for such a noble food? You should pair a delicious food with a delicious drink, right? Asmo?” Thor

“Good tea leaves? What kind are they?” Asmo

Asmo is considering Thor’s offer. Since the muffin is a rare sweet, it seems natural that you’d want to drink something rare as well.

“I can’t remember the name, but it’s same tea leaves that are used in Al’s mansion.” Thor

“Royal Choice” Al

“Yes, that sounds right!” Thor

I think I heard that Elna gave the tea to Thor’s mother as thanks for taking care of me.

“If you visited Al’s mansion, it’s used like water!” Thor

Well, that’s because we’re aristocrats, and Elna loves tea. I try not to invite these two to the mansion very often since the eat a lot while they’re visiting. Sometimes I just want to relax, not feed them.

“Well, then I’ll exchange one-sixth…” Asmo

“All!” Thor challenges Asmo’s one-sixth offer.

Nothing is less reliable than food size definitions in Koriat Village. A bit could be a dainty bite, or the entire food item.

“I can’t help it, just a bite, a single bite” Person A

“Ok, fine, one bite” Person B

“Hehe, you know…” Person A

“Ah! You ate the whole thing! You bastard!” Person B

“Huh? You said I could have a bite?” Person A

“Augh! Pay me back for that dish!” Person B

You see these conversations happen all the time in this village. One countermeasure is to cut off a bite and give that to the other person. Personally, I’m not sure what to do. This happens at least once a day, and sometimes ends with a fist fight.

However, Thor countered with the whole item. I’m guessing he’s trying to drive a hard bargain by making an overly large demand at the start. He’ll soon drop the demand to closer to what he actually intends to get. Thor is learning writing and arithmetic, and now he’s using bargaining.

“I can’t give you the whole thing, how about a quarter?” Asmo

“But it’s Royal Choice tea? You don’t get the chance to use high-end tea leaves, so half?” Thor

“Hmm, if it’s Royal Choice, it may be worth it. How big is the cup?” Asmo

“I won’t be stingy with the cup?” Thor

“How much sugar can I use?” Asmo

As those two hash out the finer details of their trade agreement, I use Spatial Magic out of their sight behind the tree stump to retrieve the dragon muffin box. There are four muffins in the box, for Asmo, Sheila, and their father and mother.

“Ok, that’s the deal. Up to 3 cups of tea and 4 spoons of sugar! A normal spoon, not a ladle, agree?” Thor

“Fine” Asmo

“Ok, by the way, where is the dragon muffin in question?” Thor

“I’ve got it in this white box.” Al

I pull the white box out from behind the stump. A breeze carries the smell over to Thor and Asmo, who squeak in excitement. I’ve had a few, but I still feel like drooling.

“Let’s eat then!” Thor

“Look, get in the house you two” Asmo

Asmo pushes me from the back while Thor opens the door to his house with one hand while holding the sword in the other hand. These two are quick when there’s food involved. Although, Thor entering the house with a unsheathed sword marks him as a weirdo. My family would sit me down for a serious talk if I tried to do the same. Maybe I should have found some sort of sheath for the sword.

When I took a seat in the living room, Thor ran into the kitchen. Maybe he’s going to get the tea set?

Asmo took out plates and utensils to place on the table. It seems that neighbors would know that sort of thing, well, they’ve been living next door to each other for as long as they can remember.

I didn’t get a plate or fork in front of me, but it’s fine because I’ve had a few of the muffins on they journey back. I shouldn’t eat any in front of them, they’d give me bad looks.

“Hmm? I’m sure my mom put it behind the three frying pans.” Thor says as he thrusts his head deep into a shelf in the kitchen.

Thor’s mother must be desperate to conserve the tea, who would put it there unless they were worried it would be stolen?

“Oh yeah! Ow!” Thor shouts in excitement, then bonks his head on the shelf.

Thor brought a tubular container over to the table, there’s probably tea leaves in the container. Asmo took the container, then gave it to me after he smelled the leaves.

“Is this the real thing?” Asmo

He’s being suspicious, isn’t he?

“Yeah, it’s the same royal choice tea as we have.” Al

“Ok, that’s good. Thank you” Asmo

“I told you it was real” Thor

Thor brought over the sugar to the table.

“Al, magically brew the tea” Asmo

“Ok, I’ll make the tea. I’ll need a kettle.” Al

For some reason, Eleanora uses me to make tea. If I made bad tea, I’d get killed, so I asked Mel to teach me how to make delicious black tea. That said, I can’t beat Mel in quality yet. It seems Elna hired her from the royal capital specifically for her tea-making skills. Even though Mel is easygoing, she can make an exquisite cup of tea. I pour water into the kettle with water magic, then float it above the table with Psychic magic. Underneath, I make a fireball with Fire Magic to raise the temperature.

“I noticed a bit during the snowball fight, but you’re pretty skillful with magic.” Thor

“I use magic all the time, that helps.” Al

Thor and Asmo can only wait for me to brew the tea, so they’re staring at me while I’m working.

“Well, this isn’t complicated magic. It’s not that hard to do several simple magics at once.” Al

I keep an eye on the kettle and fireball. I have to concentrate on the magic, otherwise it could overheat instantly.

“Hmm, I can’t use magic very much, it’s pretty amazing from my point of view.” Asmo

“Why don’t you go to the magic academy?” Thor

“I’m not going” Al

Even if a magic academy opened a branch school in Koriat Village, I wouldn’t go.

“If you can use magic that well, you’d be able to make a lot of money” Asmo

“I have licensing fees for reversi and shogi, so I don’t need to worry about extra money right now.” Al

“I’m a greedy guy” Asmo

“I’d say I’m greedy too, I’m looking to spend my life leisurely.” Al

“If you dream it, you might get it. I have different ideals.” Asmo

My current dream is to obtain soy sauce, that would allow me to make a wider range of dishes. It could be in the country where rice grows, but that is far away. Alternatively, I can setup my own soy sauce production facility. While I was thinking, the kettle finally boiled.

“Oh, the water is done boiling. Thor, bring me a tea pot and cupts.” Al

“Hmm? Getting some” Thor

I pour the hot water into the teapot and cups brought by Thor.

“There aren’t tea leaves in them?” Thor

“Because I’m warming the vessels first” Al

“Is this a trick to make it taste better? Well, I’ve seen my mom do it too.” Thor says as he return to his chair.

“Ah! Asmo, you’re wasting your amount of sugar!” Thor

“I don’t mind, I want some now!” Asmo

I ignore the other two’s argument, and pour the water out of the teapot, then place the correct number of tea leaves in. I then pour hot water out of the kettle and into the teapot, vigorously, as I was instructed. I then cover the teapot and wait, I turn over an hourglass to measure the time. It’s a small one, so it should take a minute-ish for the sand to fall through. This tea should be steeped for 2 minutes and 40 seconds, so I turn it over again, then count out the 40 seconds. I pour out the tea, keeping the flow rate correct.

“Ok, tea is done” Al

“Finally, took your time” Asmo

“I want to eat now” Thor

Two children sit with half a muffin on a plate and a fork and knife in their hands. Are you trying to act elegant? Muffins are eaten by hand. Well, they want to get a sense of luxury, so I’ll let them have their fun. Asmo is asking for sugar, but Thor doesn’t want to give it until he can eat the muffin.

“Well, let’s eat!” Thor

As Thor was saying that, Asmo already had a bite of the dragon muffin in his mouth.

“Oh, you’re quick” Thor

“Hmm, this royal choice tea… It smells good” Asmo

I feel sorry for the mother who was carefully hiding the tea. Thor enjoys the scent as he takes a sip.

“This smells better than my mother’s normal black tea, and it actually tastes good!” Thor

I’m not sure you understand the flavor, but I’m happy you’re satisfied.

“Muffin is delicious…” Asmo

Asmo eats the muffin with a happy expression. The muffin is fluffy and sweet, but the fruits give it a tang that provides an extra level of deliciousness.

“Ah! This is so tasty. I feel like I’m understanding the feelings of a woman with a sweet-tooth.” Thor

“It pairs well with tea” Asmo

Two people are enjoying muffins and tea. I could put out additional muffins, but I’ll save them for giving to additional people, so I won’t pull out any more.

“Oh, right, Al! Tell us stories about the royal capital! Did you see the Dragon Slayer play?” Thor

“Ok” Al

The three of us chatted over tea, it was as if Thor and Asmo were playing at being aristocrats.

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“Thor! How long have you been slacking off? I told you to come to the fields when you were finished chopping firewood!” Thor’s Mother

The ominous voice interrupted the stories of the royal capital I was telling after they had finished the muffin. When they heard it, both Thor and Asmo started to tremble with fear.

“Oh, Mom. I just forgot about the work.” Thor

“Well, I asked Asmo to remind you. What did he get up to?” Thor’s Mother

“Hey! Asmo! What happened to reminding me?!” Thor

Thor grabs Asmo’s shoulders, who had forgotten to remind Thor about his duties.

“I’m sorry I forgot. I forgot Thor is so forgetful” Asmo

“Grrr” Thor

Thor grinds his teeth in frustration, then looks at me. It looks like he’ll try to use me as his excuse.

I had mentioned I was ready to leave after giving each of them a souvenir. Then, Asmo pushed me into the house, that Thor invited me into, but I did brew the tea. I’m not sure my hospitality will be well received. I"m not sure that excuse will go over well.

I haven’t been treated like that.

“Thor! Asmo! What are you doing?” Thor’s mother shouts as she enters the home.

“Hide the tea leaves!” Thor

“No, the scent is all over the house and the tea set is out.” Al

“What a minute, what do I smell? Royal Choice tea?! Thor! You told me you didn’t like tea! Why are you drinking it without asking permission!” Thor’s mother

As Thor’s mother shouts, her footsteps approach us. Thor goes into a tizzy and Asmo is packing up the muffin box. Asmo wants to run off with the muffins.

“Asmo! Are you running away?” Thor

“THOR!” Thor’s mother

As Thor cried out, his mother rushed into the living room with a hair-raising expression. I tried to endure and not do anything wrong, did I attract attention?

“Oh, hello Alfred” Thor’s mother

“Hello…” Al

She gives me a gracious smile, similar to Emma. She nods with satisfaction, then grabs Asmo’s collar as he tries to escape.

“I need to get back to work” Asmo

“Do you think that’s all you should say? I asked you to call Thor when you got back.” Thor’s mother

“sorry” Asmo

“I’ll let it go this time, but don’t forget next time?” Thor’s mother

As she laughed, Asmo dashed out holding the muffin box. Perhaps he’s delivering the muffins to calm his parent’s anger? Or he just plans on eating them, since he loves to eat.

Now onto Thor’s problem…

“Thor’s mother, thank you for letting me spend time here” Al

“I don’t remember letting you, but ok, please come again anytime” Thor’s mother

“Yes. By the way, my mother wanted to invite you to a tea party, so if you have time, please come to the mansion with Asmo’s mother. We will prepare sweets, which are souvenirs of the royal capital. Because we are doing it. " Al

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be on my way when I can.” Thor’s mother

I give a bow and leave the living room, now I shouldn’t get punished. If she comes to the mansion, she can drink black tea brewed by Mel. Now I should give a word to Thor.

“Thor! Thank you for letting me drink the Royal Choice tea!” Al

“Oh, yeah…” Thor

“Yeah? NO!” Thor’s mother

I left Thor’s house as his mother started the scolding.

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