I've been reincarnated into another world as a witch

Chapter 24: Cafe

(Riley's dress☝️)

I woke up with so many things on my mind that I didn't even have time to take in the pretty purple dress that Edna had helped me into. Its light flowy material was just up my alley, and becaue I was going into town today I didn't want to overdress and stand out too much.

First, I went to go find Agnes and gave her everybody's wages and told her how much each person must get. At first she had tried to give half the money back to me but I flatly refused to take it back. I knew cleaning and taking care of me was hard work so I wanted to make sure that they were adequately payed, so doubling everybody's wages was a no-brainer, I was also planning on giving them end-of-year bonuses.

Afterwards, I said goodbye to everybody and I was off to the Mage society to have a lesson with Sinjin Von Esterheim. Since the Mage society was located within palace grounds, for security purposes, it was required that each Mage society member carried a special jeweled tablet with them that showed they were a member of the society and were allowed into the palace, it was basicaly the same things as an entry ticket. I tied the jewel tablet to a silk ribbon around my waist so that I wouldn't loose it, and so that it was visiable to the gaurds at the gate, thus they would let me in without stopping me.

I left Bard at the palace gate and gave him some money to go and buy some tools he wanted to get for the greenhouse. I scheduled to meet him back at the same spot in two hours time. Then left him and made my way to the head quarters.

The Mage society head quarters was about the size of a small mansion and was located on the left most side of the palace grounds and was very close to the Marcellus mansion - since the Marcellus's ran the Mage society. I entered the large marble foyer which was decorated with a darker grey colour scheme: dark woods and dark marble, and made my way up to the private rooms on the third floor. The private rooms were meant for senior members of the society as well as very influential or promising members of the society, thus Sinjin had his own room. When I reached the large wooden doors I knocked twice.

"Come in." Called Sinjin from inside.

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Sinjin had been trying to analyse Riley's potion for almost a whole day now. He had slaved away at his desk in his study and had tried various alchemic means to decipher her ingredients, however, no matter what he tried he just could not figure it out. His steely eyes were full of frustration but also amusement. He couldn't stop thinking about this strange woman, a woman who involved herself with alchemy, a woman who spelled her own safe room. What a strange and curious creature she was.

Sinjin turned as he heard a gentle knock in his study door. "Come in." He called, realising that it was the woman in question who was coming for her lesson.

Riley opened the door tentatively and looked around the room curiosuly. The stone room was larger than she had expected, with plenty of space to walk around. A large wooden desk was placed under a fancy stained glass window that deipcted the God of water swimming happily in the sea, with a large silver spear in his hand. Riley thought the craftmanship was beautiful, and the stained glass colour tinted ther room a light blue as the early light shone through it. Sinjin noticed that Riley was admiring the glass pane and then said, "I chose this study because of that window."

Riley eyed him skeptically, "Really? Why?"

"The god of Water is the most revered god in the Von Esterheim family," He began, "Do you know why?" He asked, while he stared up at the glass window, thinking of so many memories from his childhood.

"No, why?" She asked intrigued as she saw his mind drift away to another time.

"I'm sure you've heard of Merge magic before..."