Chapter Sixty-three: Tears of the Aurora

Qi Xiao gently picked up a fruit platter, where the finest seasonal fruits—Honeydew Grapes, Moonwhite Peaches, and Starfruit—were carefully arranged on a silver tray, glimmering with an enticing sheen.

Qi Xiao took a tentative bite, and instantly the sweet juice of the Honeydew Grape burst in his mouth, carrying a hint of refreshing fragrance, pure and invigorating like the dew of dawn. His eyes lit up; seeing that the teacher made no objection, he found an inconspicuous seat and began to savor the treats.

The Moonwhite Peach was delicate and soft, its flavor a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, reminiscent of a gentle nocturne played under the moonlight, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

But the Starfruit was the most unique—likely a specialty of Vestalia. Its skin cracked lightly under his teeth, releasing a subtle fragrance akin to starlight. The flesh was both tender and resilient, each bite seeming to contain the magic of the cosmos, invigorating body and spirit.

The food at his teacher’s abode was always nourishing and never unpleasant, but it fell far short of these fruits, which had been cultivated purely for their exquisite taste.

Qi Xiao returned to the table, intent on taking another plate of snacks when the robust young man approached as well.

“My name is Arthur. I’m a student of Professor Osmond, currently furthering my studies at Violet Academy. Thank you for helping me out earlier.”

Qi Xiao understood that Arthur had misunderstood his actions, but since it was harmless, he introduced himself with a smile, his eyes distractedly drifting over the array of desserts.

As he glanced at the names posted before the confections, Qi Xiao wrestled with indecision, half-listening to Arthur, while his hand, almost unconsciously, scooped up a portion of dessert and brought it to his mouth.

“That’s Phantom Frost, made with the lightest cream and delicate sugar icing. The taste is dreamy—sweet but never cloying. Its iridescent decoration gives it the appearance of a fleeting mirage, which is how it got its name,” a crisp female voice chimed in, introducing the delicacy.

Arthur noticed how Qi Xiao’s attention was entirely captured by the desserts and could only smile helplessly. A girl nearby, sipping milk tea, stepped forward with a laugh.

“Don’t blame him—he’s clearly young and probably never seen such things before. It’s only natural to be drawn to good food. You should try some too—here.”

Accepting the drink from the girl, Arthur shook his head with a sigh. “I’m studying a new spell and must fast for a while, so I’ll have to pass on this treat. What about you, Anna? Aren’t you watching your diet anymore?”

Anna picked up a serving of Phantom Frost and replied nonchalantly, “Well, I’ve already found someone, so there’s no need to keep dieting. Time to make up for all the meals I skipped.”

“Oh? Congratulations on finding your match, then!”

The two seemed well-acquainted. Qi Xiao offered a polite smile and greeted them, joining in their conversation. The frail youth, seeing this, felt compelled to come over; after all, this was his homeland, and he couldn’t just stand by while the guests chatted. He approached with a tray holding four beverages.

“I am Lin Wen. Please, try this—it’s a specialty of Vestalia. I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

There was a trace of nervousness in Elvin’s smile, but his eyes shone with sincerity and warmth.

Qi Xiao thanked him and took a cup, sipping lightly. A cool sensation rushed straight to his mind, clearing his thoughts and dispelling the ache that had built up from listening to the four wizards’ conversation.

Lin Wen smiled. “This is Moonshadow Ice Dew. It appears clear and transparent, with a shimmer of silver moonstone powder at the bottom. It’s not only refreshingly cool but also carries the subtle fragrance of the Moonveil Blossom, perfect for calming the mind and clearing one’s thoughts.”

Anna and Arthur, both tempted, each took a cup as well.

Lin Wen continued, his voice growing more composed, “Arthur, your drink is called Dream of the Milky Way, a deep blue concoction with silver sparkles floating on top to mimic the galaxy’s brilliance. Its flavor is crisp, with hints of mint and citrus—very invigorating.”

He went on, “And this Meteor Rain Brew is perhaps the most beautiful of all, its color like meteors streaking across the night sky, flecked with golden shimmers as if stars were falling. It’s sweet, with a blend of fresh fruit and vanilla, said to inspire creativity.”

Lin Wen drained the last cup in one go, letting out a satisfied sigh. “This last one is called Aurora’s Tear. It’s a mesmerizing turquoise, topped with a streak of aurora-hued oil. Its flavors are layered, with snowberries and elderflower—perfect for restoring energy.”

Qi Xiao listened with fascination, sipping as he asked, “Were these invented by culinary wizards?”

Lin Wen scratched his head shyly. “Oh, hardly. I can’t compare to culinary wizards—just a small personal hobby of mine.”

“I heard about Aurora’s Tear at the Violet Academy’s cafe,” Anna exclaimed in surprise, then grumbled in mock annoyance, tapping her thigh, “So it was your creation all along! I still haven’t tasted it…”

No wonder they seemed so familiar—they were all students at Violet Academy.

Qi Xiao listened in silence, making no comment.

“Thank you for your kind words,” Lin Wen replied, his pale cheeks tinged with red, clearly unused to praise. “If you like it, I’ll make more after the auction.”

“Really? Thank you! Now I can boast to my classmates that I not only tasted Aurora’s Tear, but also met its creator…”

Qi Xiao finished his Moonshadow Ice Dew with some reluctance and set the cup aside.

The academy… Qi Xiao knew a little about it, but had never seen it with his own eyes and didn’t quite understand its workings.

Violet Academy, like Vestalia Academy, was one of the four great northern wizard academies. However, Violet Academy had only joined their ranks within the last fifty years; before that, there were just three. Thus, Violet Academy was considered the least established among them.

Each of the four academies was backed by a major organization, serving as a source of fresh talent—like the Allspirits Vault, which was in fact the patron of the Academy of Nature, another of the four.

Yet the Academy of Nature was unique: most of its students were not wizards, but various kinds of “spirits.”

Because of this, many believed the Academy of Nature shouldn’t count among the four great wizard academies. But it was one of the oldest, founded before rules were clearly defined, and the wizards it trained were far from weak. So in the end, this controversy was quietly left unresolved.