“What, what, what, what?!”
Viola’s shrill voice echoed through the square. Passersby turned to look at her, shocked by the outburst. With a face as red as a tomato, Viola stammered her question.
“So, um… you’re my… date… uncle?”
“Yep.”
“Really?”
“Do you think Elisa would have someone to introduce other than me?”
At Johann’s remark, Viola found herself nodding without realizing it. It was obvious there wouldn’t be anyone else on Elisa’s introduction list.
Thinking about it, it made sense, but Viola couldn’t decide whether to feel ashamed for not thinking of that possibility or relieved.
‘Ugh, a date with my uncle.’
Feeling strangely embarrassed, Viola couldn’t bring herself to look at his face.
Objectively, he wasn’t the most handsome guy, but… it was definitely the face of someone she felt close to.
“Are you disappointed that I’m your date?”
“No, no, no, no! It’s not that, uh, um, uh… I’m just a little nervous since it’s our first date…”
Viola scrambled to answer while glancing up at Johann. His face was graced with a soft smile, like he was looking at something adorable.
That smile made Viola quickly lower her gaze.
In her view, a large, rough hand cautiously reached out. Viola looked back up at Johann.
“Well, since we came to date, we should start moving. Viola, care to join me?”
“Uh, um, do as you wish, uncle…”
Blushing, Viola placed her cold hand in Johann’s. The two of them, hand in hand, received strange looks from the people around them as they left the square.
—————
“Where is this…”
“A place I thought you might like.”
“No way! It’s nice. But, isn’t it a bit odd for a date?”
Viola scratched her cheek, standing in front of the Canbury Tool Shop, famous for its high-quality alchemical materials and tools. She knew enough to realize that including an alchemy tool shop in a date was a bit unreasonable, even though she had no experience with dates.
Johann shrugged at her reaction.
“Finding a place the date partner likes is common sense.”
“Is that so…?”
With no experience in dating, Viola decided to trust Johann’s words.
“Well, then let’s go inside!”
“Sure.”
The two quietly entered the Canbury Tool Shop. Choosing a time when it wasn’t busy, they hardly saw any other customers.
They began to leisurely browse the display of flasks of various sizes on the right side of the entrance.
“This is amazing… A bottle made from cut diamonds. This one bottle could probably swallow an entire research budget!”
“Seems likely.”
“Look at this material. It’s a steel turtle shell. They say it’s incredibly tough—”
“Making armor from this would be sturdy.”
“That frog is that rare purple frog found only in the southern jungles of the continent! Its blood can be used for various alchemical materials and is quite valuable!”
“Really?”
“…Ah, I bored you with only my stories, didn’t I? Sorry…”
“No, it’s fine. It’s actually quite interesting.”
Though Johann was in a different field, he found Viola’s explanations fascinating. Alchemy was a realm unknown to him.
“Still, talking about this during a date is a bit…”
“I don’t know what you consider a date, but this can definitely be counted as one.”
Viola tilted her head slightly at Johann’s response but ultimately had to agree. After all, he had said so.
They walked around the store once more, coming to a stop in the area where materials were collected.
“Is there anything you want to buy?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Don’t be modest. It’s only natural to buy a gift for your date.”
“Uh… then I’ll take this.”
Viola picked up a bottle filled with gray powder from a corner.
“What’s that…?”
“It’s finely ground glowbell flower powder. This is also a pretty rare material…”
“Isn’t there anything else?”
“This is fine.”
Johann immediately took the bottle to the counter, paid, and returned to hold Viola’s hand.
“Now let’s head to the next place.”
“Uh… but do we really have to hold hands?”
“No need to be awkward, right?”
“Hmm. I guess not…”
“It’s around meal time, so let’s go to the cafeteria.”
Hand in hand, they exited the shop and entered the main street. Their next destination was a high-end restaurant in the city.
When Johann stopped in front of the luxurious restaurant which Viola had never even dared to suggest going to, she looked up at him in surprise.
“Uh, lunch here?”
“Don’t worry about the money. How much do you think I make with this prosthetic arm?”
“Oh, right. You are rich, huh…”
An uncle richer than her master. Viola thought about this as she entered the restaurant. The restaurant was, as expected, famous for being expensive, and the interior was extravagant.
Luxurious chairs and tables, various decorations on the walls, even musicians performing in the corner of the restaurant. Viola felt transported to a different world.
“Welcome.”
“Johann Quartz. A reservation for noon.”
“Oh, Sir Quartz. This way, please. I will guide you to our restaurant’s VIP room.”
The two followed the manager who came out to greet them and were taken to the VIP room on the 2nd floor. The VIP room was so enclosed that hardly any outside noise could be heard.
On the other hand, the outer walls were made entirely of glass, allowing them to enjoy the cityscape despite the closed-off feeling, creating a refreshing atmosphere.
“Wow…”
“Is there any ingredient you can’t eat?”
“Um, I don’t think so…?”
“Please bring out your best dish.”
“Yes, we will serve you the full-course meal our restaurant is proud of shortly.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Well, enjoy your time.”
Once the manager left, only the pair remained in the enclosed space. With just Johann and Viola left, she glanced around the table with an awkward expression.
‘It’s a completely different vibe from the workshop…’
The atmosphere for work and research is entirely different from a cozy dining space. Viola twitched her fingers resting on her lap and sneaked a glance at Johann.
“Nervous?”
“Hmm? Uh…”
“Not like you.”
“No, it’s just… it’s hard to act normal in a place like this…? More importantly, did Elisa ask you to go on this date?”
“That’s right.”
“Here’s your appetizer.”
Johann responded in a calm voice, looking down at the simple dishes set on the table by the waiter. They were a bit disappointing compared to the royal dishes he had eaten, but still quite luxurious.
Taking a spoonful of the pre-dinner soup, Johann made a light remark.
“It’s delicious.”
“Really. It’s different at an expensive restaurant… But I still prefer Yeomyeong-gwan.”
“Agreed.”
After all, there is no competition for home-cooked meals. They both exchanged the same sentiment while looking at each other.
‘What should I talk about next?’
Viola’s mind tangled again, like a knotted thread. She couldn’t find a topic to bring up, and sensing her trouble, Johann chuckled and asked her.
“You seem to be unable to focus on your research lately.”
“Uh, uh… yeah, I guess.”
“About that explosive reagent. Is it an urgent study you’re in a rush for?”
“Well, not really…”
“No need to rush. You still have plenty of time.”
“Still, I want to finish it soon.”
“Is there a reason?”
“…My parents were explorers once. But at that time, they couldn’t save a wizard… They pushed themselves to challenge a dungeon to feed me, and they got badly injured… even now, my father limps.”
‘So that’s the past.’
“I see…”
“So, I want to create a potion that explorers can use to respond even without a wizard.”
“Ah, that’s why you want to make explosives.”
“Yeah. Explosives can be applied in various ways.”
“Good idea.”
“Anyway, that’s enough about me. What did you used to do, uncle?”
“Did I never mention my past?”
“Hmm, I don’t think you did properly?”
“My past… I woke up to find myself washed up on a deserted island. That’s my first memory.”
Johann briefly summarized his life story to Viola. She listened with an intrigued expression, and after he finished, she asked him.
“How old are you now? Didn’t you say 19 before?”
“I’m 20 now.”
“…Who would look at you and think you’re 19?”
“Because it’s a strange place where time doesn’t flow, you see.”
“Such a mysterious place. Are there places like that outside the continent…?”
“Outside the continent, there are many mysterious things. There are enormous octopuses bigger than common ships.”
“An octopus?”
“Yep.”
“Is that so…”
The more Viola talked to him, the more she realized how little she knew about Johann.
Why was that?
She found herself wanting to know more about him.
“Today’s main dish is a steak made from the premium cuts of cows raised on high-quality feed, personally selected by us.”
“It feels a bit wasteful that a cow had to die just to treat us.”
“Actually, this is a secret, but we carefully remove the necessary parts and treat the meat with the help of a priest.”
“…That’s quite a novel method.”
“It is.”
They exchanged glances and shrugged their shoulders at each other.
“Well then, enjoy your meal.”
“Let’s continue our conversation after we eat.”
“Agreed. It wouldn’t be right to get distracted when such delicious food is in front of us…”
The two began to amicably slice their steaks.
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