Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven – The First Task

“You really need to learn to deal with it, it’s just a little needle prick.” Harriette scolded me, exasperation clear in her tone.

“I can’t, please Harriette!” 

Ever since my conversation with Kyra I’d been working hard to learn Alchemy, only I’d never quite mastered the whole ‘bleeding’ part. Thankfully Harriette had a spell that made it painless, only she seemed keen to not use it.

Sighing Harriette took my hand in hers and finally chanted the spell. “[Pain Shield].”

“Thank you, Harriette!” I smiled and leaned forward to give her a hug.

Once I felt Harriette had been hugged long enough I released her and set about practicing. With a small needle in hand, I pricked my finger, causing a small bubble of blood to spring forth.

Rubbing my blood on a small stone I rolled out a paper I’d covered in Draconic runes, placing the stone in the dead center of the page. Then I began my chant. “[Infuse].”

My chant complete, the blood upon the stone glowed for a moment before seeping into the rock itself. From there the stone began to glow softly, bright as a candle, proof I’d been successful.

So far this was all I’d been able to make, a bunch of glowing rocks. Still, it was worth it. As I needed to gain an actual level of Alchemist before I could move onto bigger projects. As well as the other Alchemy skills.

Primarily it seemed alchemy was governed by three main skills. Infuse, Synthesize, and Transmute. Infuse was used to impart magic onto mundane objects. Synthesize was used primarily for potions and poultices. While Transmute, the hardest skill of the three to utilize, was used to change one substance into another entirely different one.

For me, the only skill I really wanted was Transmute, but one has to walk before they can run. All budding Alchemists start with infuse and work their way up, it didn’t really seem like there was a way around it.

“I wish I could do more than one of these without getting absolutely exhausted.” I groaned collapsing against Harriette.

“The higher your skill, the more efficient it’ll be. Keep practicing Bernice, soon you’ll be able to make a mountain of glowing stones before growing tired.” Harriette smiled, softly petting my ears.

“I hope.” I smiled and snuggled with Harriette for a moment until a heavy knock came from my door. “Come in!”

The door opened and Kyra waved at the two of us. “Bernice, Master Otrea would like to speak with you.”

“Okay,” I hopped to my feet and quickly made myself presentable. “Are you coming, Harriette?”

“I have other tasks to tend to. I hope all goes well.”

“Me too,” I mumbled, before taking off after Kyra. Carrying a glowing stone with me so I would not be completely blind. 

“I see you’ve begun your journey as an alchemist.” Kyra hummed glancing down at the stone in my hand as we walked.

“Yeah, still haven’t gained the class for it. But I can make glowing rocks and that’s a start.”

“You should take breaks from time to time. You could always come to our room and play games with me. Or we could cuddle, whatever.”

“I’m just worried about scaring Adelita again,” I giggled. “But I appreciate the invite.”

“Adelita can see and hear everything I do when I am in control. Just as I can see and hear everything she does. Even if she remains scared of you, she’s seen enough to know you’re not an immediate threat. I doubt she’ll try to throw another candle at you.”

“Well… I also won’t be sneaking up on anyone in the bath anymore.” I sighed. “I am still really sorry about that.”

“I never asked you to apologize.” Kyra raised an eyebrow. “I guess you could apologize to Adelita through me, but that’s unpleasant. We do like being treated like individuals. If you need to tell her you are sorry, say it when she is in control. If you promised to play games with me, playing them with Adelita does not fulfill your promise, and so on.”

“Ah, you’re my first… dual-person. I’ll get used to it I promise.”

“You have time. It’s not like we’re going anywhere.”

You are reading story Reborn as a Basic Barista at novel35.com

Kyra came to a stop before a pair of massive wooden doors, each bearing arcane runes and whirls etched upon their surface in gold. Knocking twice, Kyra pushed the doors open revealing a massive circular room.

The room’s center was dominated by a massive round table with more than a dozen chairs. It’s walls were adorned with several bookshelves and various art pieces. While six three-story-tall windows showed the forest outside. Only they did not show the same forest.

One window displayed the forest as I knew it, during summer. Another displayed it during a torrential rainstorm, and another depicted it covered in snow. I gazed at the windows completely mesmerized by the vast differences between them.

I failed to even notice that Otrea was already in the room until she snapped her fingers to gather my attention. “There will be time for sightseeing later, for now I have a job for your Bernice.”

“A job?”

“Yes. I am in need of something unique to serve several guests. I am aware you have yet to acquire what you need to make espresso. I am however hopeful that your skills as a Barista extend beyond this beverage. As it would be quite delightful to serve my guests something they’ve yet to experience.”

I guess… I was pretty good at making tea too, though Fred omitted to actually give me a skill for that.

“Do you want this beverage to be warm or cold? Sweet or bitter? Does it need to contain alcohol?”

“I don’t really care, as long as it is unique I will be pleased with your work.”

“Do you have tea leaves?”

“Tea leaves?” Otrea sighed. “Another thing which I’m unaware of. You may use anything stored within the caverns or that you find within the forest. Create whatever you can.”

“Yes ma’am,” I did a little salute which earned me a weird stare from both Otrea and Kyra.

Chuckling under her breath Otrea made her way over to me. Grasping my chin in her hand Otrea pulled my gaze upward, bringing her face dangerously close to my own. “Do well and you’ll be rewarded. Do poorly and I’ll have to punish you.”

“I-I won’t let you down.”

“You better not.” Otrea grinned at me before gazing towards Kyra. “Do you have enough time left to guide her to the food stores?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Then guide her there. You have three days before my guests arrive Bernice. I hope you will use it to craft something our world has yet to experience. I have faith in you, don’t fail me.”

“I’ll do my best.” I followed Kyra out of the room as my heart began to pound.

I hate it when customers don’t know what they want!

So many times someone would approach the cafe counter and have no idea what to order, which on its own was fine. However, they often couldn’t answer even the most basic questions. Things like ‘would you like something hot or cold?’ Ultimately these conversations would end up in the customer saying the dreaded ‘make me whatever’.

It was like a magical curse set upon whatever poor Barista had to make their beverage. Without any idea what the customer favored, or what flavors they despised, it was impossible to know what drink to make.

Sometimes we’d get lucky and the customer would actually enjoy what they were provided. Other times, they’d hate whatever we’d chosen and demand we remake it. Sometimes demanding we do so several times in a row before getting angry and growling for their money back. It really gave you an appreciation for customers who actually knew what they wanted. Even if their orders came with a million little instructions.

So now I have to make a beverage for a bunch of guests whom I know nothing about and hope they enjoy it.

Please help… Fred, I need you!