Villainous Instructor at the Academy-Chapter 14: Shopping

The lower district of Noctis Ardentis was exactly what I expected—loud, bustling, and filled with the scent of too many different things at once. Merchants called out from their stalls, peddling everything from enchanted trinkets to questionable potions. The air buzzed with activity, people haggling, arguing, and occasionally running from guards.

Mira led the way, weaving through the crowd with ease. "Try not to look like you're about to rob someone," she muttered. "People here don't like outsiders."

I raised a brow. "What do I look like, then?"

"Like someone who gets robbed."

"Charming."

Eventually, we reached a small shop tucked between two larger buildings. A worn wooden sign above the door read: Grim & Grains – Alchemy & Oddities. The windows were covered in grime, and the faint scent of something burnt wafted from inside.

I pushed the door open, the bell above it giving a tired jingle.

Inside, shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of strange ingredients. Dried herbs, crushed minerals, preserved eyes—because of course there were preserved eyes. The shop was dimly lit, casting odd shadows across the various alchemical supplies.

A man stood behind the counter, an older gentleman with sharp eyes and a permanent scowl. His gaze flickered to me, then to Mira.

"You again," he grunted.

Mira crossed her arms. "Relax, old man. I'm not here for trouble. He's the one buying."

The shopkeeper turned his glare to me. "You a registered alchemist?"

I smirked. "Nope. But I am a professor at Noctis Ardentis Academy."

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That man's eyes widened then narrowed just as quickly. "Academy professor, huh?" His tone was skeptical, like I'd just told him I was secretly the emperor. "Got proof?"

I pulled out my instructor's badge and placed it on the counter. The old man squinted at it, then at me, then back at the badge. Finally, he let out a disgruntled sigh and set it down.

"Alright," he grumbled. "What do you need?"

"Crying Flowers Ash, Ground Mandrake Petals, Honeyroot syrup, morning glories dew."

The shopkeeper raised a brow. "That's a strange mix. You making a potion or a poison?"

I smiled. "Depends on who's drinking it."

Mira groaned beside me. "He's joking. Probably."

The old man didn't look convinced, but he grumbled something under his breath and disappeared into the back.

As we waited, I glanced around the shop, noting the layers of dust on some bottles and the faint traces of burn marks on the counter. This place had seen its fair share of reckless alchemists.

"You're really going through with this?" Mira asked, arms crossed.

"Of course. It's for research."

"It's for a prank," she deadpanned.

I smirked. "Why not both?"

The old man returned a few moments later, dropping a bundle of ingredients onto the counter. Each item was wrapped in waxed paper and some stored in small glass vials, secured with twine.

"Thirty silver," he grunted.

Mira clicked her tongue, arms still crossed. "Thirty? You're charging academy prices in the lower district now?"

The shopkeeper scowled. "Rare stock. And I don't like you."

Mira gave an exaggerated sigh. "The feeling's mutual, old man. Twenty."

"Thirty-five."

I blinked. "That's—"

Mira shot me a look before turning back to the shopkeeper. "You really think we don't know how much Crying Flowers Ash costs? Twenty-five, and I won't tell anyone about that time you tried selling counterfeit basilisk venom."

The shopkeeper's left eye twitched. "That was one time."

"Uh-huh. And I'm feeling real chatty today."

He grumbled under his breath before snatching up the coins Mira slid onto the counter. "Fine. But if he blows something up, it's your problem."

Mira smirked. "It was always my problem." She grabbed the bundle, handing it to me before gesturing toward the door. "Come on, Professor. Before he decides to charge you an 'Academy Tax.'"

I followed her out, shaking my head. "I should be worried about how easily you just blackmailed that man."

She flashed me a grin. "It's not blackmail if it's true."

Once we stepped outside, the noise of the lower district hit us again—loud voices, clanking metal, and the mix of too many smells.

Mira tucked her coins away, but before she could say anything, I held out my hand and dropped the silver back into her palm.

She blinked. "Wait. You're paying me back?"

I shrugged. "You covered it. Seems fair."

She stared at the coins like they might vanish. "Huh. Didn't expect that."

"Do I look like the kind of guy who takes handouts?"

She smirked. "You look like the kind of guy who overthinks everything."

"Not denying that."

Mira flipped a coin in the air before pocketing them. "Guess you're not so bad, Professor."

"Don't spread that around. Ruins my reputation."

She snorted. "Too late."

Mira bumped me with her elbow. "So, what's this thing supposed to do?"

I grinned. "You'll see."

She groaned. "That's never a good answer."

We kept moving through the streets, and I had a feeling things were about to get very interesting.

___

Faculty Quarters.

When I returned to my room professor Roderick and Gregor were waiting for me infront of my room.

Roderick had his arms crossed, his usual scowl firmly in place. Gregor looked slightly more relaxed, though that wasn't saying much.

"You've been busy," Roderick said, eyeing the small bundle in my hand. "Care to explain?"

"Not really," I said, stepping past them toward my door.

Gregor chuckled. "Not even a little?"

I unlocked my door but didn't step inside just yet. "I was just gathering some supplies. Academy business."

Roderick raised a brow. "What kind of business?"

"The kind that requires an alchemical lab," I said, adjusting my grip on the package.

Roderick sighed. "I assume you actually know what you're doing?"

"More or less," I replied.

Gregor grinned. "That's a no."

I rolled my eyes. "Look, is there an issue, or are you two just here to interrogate me for fun?"

Roderick exhaled sharply, then shook his head. "Just making sure you're not about to blow up half the faculty wing."

"Relax," I said. "If I do, it'll only be a quarter of it at most."

Roderick looked entirely unamused. Gregor, however, let out an amused snort.

"Fine," Roderick finally said. "But if I hear even a rumor that you're up to something reckless, we're going to have a longer conversation."

"Understood," I said, pushing my door open.

Gregor gave me a knowing look. "Try not to die, Drelmont."

"No promises," I muttered, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me.

Now, time to find that alchemical lab.