Chapter 6 Date
I thought registration would involve some complicated process.
But in the end, a witch just muttered a few spells in my direction, and that was it — registration complete. I wasn't even sure how reliable it was.
Isabelle and I started wandering along the street.
"Come look at this!"
She suddenly took my wrist and pulled me over to a stall.
It was a stall selling magical trinkets, run by a chubby witch with a broad, cheerful smile.
Isabelle picked up a silver, fluffy ball that looked like a dandelion and blew on it gently.
The fluff floated up but didn't scatter. Instead, it gathered in the air and formed a glowing little bird that circled around us, leaving behind a trail of delicate, tinkling sounds like wind chimes before slowly fading away.
"For you," Isabelle said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at me. "This bird is called 'Flashwing.' It only performs once — for the person who blows it and whoever's with them. Did you like it?"
"I... I did."
I nodded in a daze, my ears getting a bit hot.
The spot on my wrist where she'd just grabbed me was still tingling with warmth. This feeling made my heart race more than any magic I'd seen. We were strolling around like any ordinary young couple. She'd laugh at me for things I'd never seen before, show me interesting little gadgets, and look just a tiny bit smug when I was surprised.
This wasn't just buying materials. This was basically... a date.
A voice in my head screamed the word.
With Isabelle, on this magical street.
As we walked, she pointed out which were the famous potion shops, which workshops custom-made wands — though the school would issue us basic ones after enrollment — and which candy shop sold sweets that supposedly made you burp rainbow colors.
"That's a lie. They just turn your tongue different colors for a week," Isabelle said with a wink.
Her voice was light and cheerful, brushing away the last bit of anxiety I felt about this strange world.
I even forgot, for the moment, about the time pressure and the list of potion ingredients I needed to buy. I just felt curious, entertained, and... happy. Pure, long-lost happiness. Even the old wizard stayed silent in the ring, not interrupting.
Watching her laugh at a pumpkin lantern that made funny faces, I found myself grinning like an idiot, too.
Until we passed a particularly upscale-looking shop, with a window displaying only a few shimmering, obviously expensive robes. Isabelle stopped in her tracks, staring at a moon-white witch's robe decorated with tiny stars, her expression complicated.
"So beautiful..." she said softly.
"Do you like it?"
I asked, already mentally calculating how long I'd have to save, from some future, still imaginary "Potions Master" income, to be able to afford one.
Though I was still a long way from that...
She shook her head, brushing off that momentary sadness, and smiled again. "Just looking. Anyway, Charles, the materials market is just ahead — the biggest one, 'Cauldron and Herbs Market.' You should be able to find all those basic ingredients you need there..."
Before she could finish, the little purse with a tiny charm hanging from her waist suddenly started bouncing on its own, buzzing softly as a faint glow spread across its surface.
Isabelle let out a small "ah," took out the purse and checked it, and her face immediately fell. She looked at me apologetically. "It's my sister... Emily. She's using the two-way mirror to contact me — sounds urgent. Something's come up at home, I think... Mom wants me back right away."
My heart sank at once, and that light, happy feeling quickly turned heavy.
Like watching a wonderful magic show when the lights suddenly go out.
"I'm so sorry, Charles," she said, looking completely annoyed with the situation. "I promised to help you shop... Can you wait for me? I'll come back as soon as I can."
I looked at the noisy, massive market entrance ahead, thick with the smell of strange herbs and exotic animals, then back at the genuine worry on her face.
Make her feel torn over this? No.
I drew a breath and forced a more relaxed smile. "It's fine, go ahead. I can see the market entrance from here — I can handle it myself. It's just buying some stuff, right?"
Isabelle started giving me worried instructions. "Make sure you compare prices! And keep your money safe..."
She pressed the small pouch containing the Mana Stones into my hands.
It felt heavy — and not just from the weight of the Mana Stones.
"Go on," I urged her. "Don't keep your family waiting."
Isabelle nodded, glanced at me one more time, and said, "Be careful. After you're done shopping... or if there's any problem, use this to contact me."
She quickly fished a thin, silver, foil-like card from her purse and pressed it into my hand. "Tear it open, and I'll be able to sense your general location. Oh, and Charles, if you want to go back, you can call a magic car at the street entrance."
With that, she turned and jogged away.
The red magic car silently glided up beside her. She pulled the door open, turned back to wave at me vigorously, and then the car whisked her away, quickly disappearing around the corner.
The bustling, magical shopping street was still colorful and bright, filled with all sorts of strange sounds and smells.
But with Isabelle gone, that vibrant energy seemed to drain away by more than half. I stood alone under the archway at the market entrance, clutching the small pouch with the Mana Stones and the contact card, facing this maze-like magical materials market made up of countless stalls, shacks, mobile shops, and oddly shaped customers. I took a deep breath.
Alright, Charles.
Now you're really on your own.