Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 16: Aging Like Fine Wine… in Five Minutes

Chapter 16: Aging Like Fine Wine... in Five Minutes

Katherine clapped her hands together, her grin bright enough to rival the sun. "This is perfect! The best toy maker in the city helping me with my business? Zamir, you have no idea how much this means to me!"

Zamir let out a dry chuckle, leaning against his workbench. "You say that like I just agreed to craft you a crown."

"Oh, but you have!" Katherine declared dramatically, before immediately shifting gears. "Or—wait, no—something even better! A café experience like no other!"

Zamir gave her a skeptical look, but she was already on a roll.

"Imagine this: tiny, interactive table designs! Oh! Or serving trays that double as puzzles! No, no—better! A special table where, if you press a hidden button, a mini carousel pops up! No, even better than that! What if customers got random prizes with their orders? Like a secret bonus! Oh, oh! A gacha system—except real!"

Zamir stared. "A what?"

"A game! But tangible! You buy a pastry, and boom! You get to roll for a surprise reward!" She clapped her hands again. "It could be a free drink, a special pastry, a tiny toy—or maybe even just the thrill of the unknown!"

Zamir exhaled slowly. "That... sounds suspiciously like gambling."

Katherine waved a hand. "No, no, no—it’s wholesome!"

"Wholesome," he repeated flatly.

"Exactly! It’s excitement!" She spun in place, gesturing wildly. "People love randomness! It’s science! Or psychology! Or... something!"

Zamir pinched the bridge of his nose. "Katherine, I make toys. Not enchanted casino gimmicks."

"Oh, don’t be so dramatic," she huffed. "I’m just brainstorming! Besides, you already make little wooden people move with hidden mechanics! Why not apply that to—oh! A dessert cart that delivers itself to the table? That would be adorable!"

Zamir looked up at the ceiling as though searching for divine intervention. "Why do I let you talk at me for this long?"

"Because my ideas are brilliant," Katherine said proudly.

"Because you don’t stop talking until I give in," he corrected.

"Same difference!"

Zamir sighed, shaking his head, but there was the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips. "Alright, alright. I’ll think about it. But I don’t usually make things meant for daily use. Toys are one thing, but café equipment?"

"That’s what makes it fun!" Katherine beamed. "It’s a challenge!"

Zamir gave her a long, measured look before exhaling in resignation. "I suppose I’ve already agreed, so I might as well give it a shot."

"That’s the spirit!" Katherine cheered.

But her mind was already racing again, jumping to the next big question. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if she were about to share a dangerous secret.

"Zamir," she whispered, "do you think there’s magic that can make something age six months in just a few minutes? Or maybe a day?"

Zamir, who had just reached for a carving tool, froze.

Slowly, very slowly, he turned his head, one brow raised in deep suspicion. "...What?"

Katherine rocked on her heels. "You know, like, speeding up time! But only for specific things. Hypothetically. For no particular reason."

Zamir put the tool down with the same caution one might use when handling a particularly unstable potion. "Katherine, you do realize magic isn’t just some convenient kitchen shortcut, right?"

"I mean, sure," she said quickly, "but that doesn’t mean it can’t be!"

He folded his arms, watching her like one might watch a cat about to knock over a priceless artifact. "...What exactly are you trying to do?"

She hesitated, then waved a hand. "That’s not important right now!"

Zamir groaned, rubbing his temples. "Magic exists, but it’s not as simple as snapping your fingers and making something age faster. Even those who can use time-related magic don’t have that kind of control."

Katherine pouted. "But surely someone can do it?"

Zamir drummed his fingers against the wooden table, thinking. "...Maybe the Tower could help. They specialize in more advanced magic."

"The Tower?" she echoed, tilting her head.

"Yeah. The temple with magic scholars across the city," Zamir explained. "They study all kinds of magic—elemental, alchemical, enchantments. If anyone knows a way to speed up time on specific objects, it’s them."

Katherine’s eyes lit up. "I should go right away!"

Zamir barely had time to react before she spun on her heel and bolted for the door.

"Wait—!" he started, reaching out a hand, but she was already gone.

Zamir stared at the empty space where she had been, then sighed, rubbing his temples. "She needs an appointment first," he muttered. "Which is nearly impossible to get..."

A long silence.

Then he snorted, shaking his head. "Honestly? She’s just eccentric enough to fit right in."

***

Katherine arrived at the temple’s entrance, excitement practically vibrating in her bones—until reality hit.

She had rushed all the way here without actually asking Zamir how to submit a request.

Her enthusiasm deflated instantly.

"I’m doomed," she muttered, staring at the grand doors.

Well. Maybe not doomed. But definitely mildly inconvenienced, which was almost as bad.

Squaring her shoulders, she approached the reception desk, radiating what she hoped was the confidence of a woman who totally had an appointment.

The receptionist barely looked up. "Do you have an appointment, my lady?"

"Ah..." Katherine considered lying, but that probably wouldn’t end well. "No. But how do I make a request now? I’d like to speak to a... wizard?"

"The soonest available wizard is Rioli, but he’s leaving for vacation next month. No guarantees he’ll take requests when he returns."

Katherine frowned. A whole month? Did wizards even get vacations? What did a wizard vacation even look like? Floating over a beach? Levitating drinks to themselves?

Before she could spiral into this deeply important train of thought, a quiet voice interrupted her.

Katherine frowned as a voice called out her name.

"Lady Katherine."

She turned, surprised. A hooded figure stood nearby, his face mostly concealed in the shadow of his cloak. His presence felt oddly familiar—though that could have just been the general air of mystery he was clearly going for.

"My master has been expecting you," he said smoothly.

Katherine blinked. "Has he now?" She crossed her arms. "Is this the part where I follow a mysterious hooded man into a secluded room and end up cursed for eternity?"

The hooded figure hesitated. "...No."

"That pause was way too long," she pointed out.

"It was a normal amount of hesitation," he replied evenly.

Katherine squinted. "That sounds exactly like something a person leading me into a trap would say."

The man sighed, as if already tired of this conversation. "My master is a wizard of the tower. He wishes to speak with you."

Katherine tilted her head. "Why?"

"You will find out when you meet him."

"Mm. Suspicious. Very suspicious," she muttered to herself. Then she shrugged. "Well, whatever. Lead the way, Secretive Cloak Man."

The hooded figure didn’t react, merely turning and gesturing for her to follow.

Katherine grinned. "You totally regret talking to me, don’t you?"

"...This way, my lady."

She laughed but followed without further protest.

***

The tower was... not what she expected.

She had pictured dim corridors, flickering candlelight, and wizards hunched over bubbling cauldrons muttering cryptic spells. Instead, she found herself walking through what looked suspiciously like a magic university.

Students bustled through the halls carrying scrolls and books. Offices lined the walls, and she caught glimpses of lectures on alchemy and enchantments. Candles and enchanted lanterns illuminated everything with a cozy glow instead of eerie shadows.

"Okay," Katherine muttered to herself. "Way less ominous than expected. Kinda disappointed, honestly."

The hooded man remained silent, stopping in front of a large wooden door. With a smooth, practiced motion, he gestured toward it. "We have arrived. This is Maestro’s office."

His tone was calm, unwavering—completely unaffected by Katherine’s earlier antics.

Katherine, however, leaned in slightly, eyeing the door with suspicion. "Are you sure? This isn’t some kind of ominous setup where I walk in and mysteriously disappear, right?"

The hooded man exhaled slowly. "It is just a door, Lady Katherine."

She narrowed her eyes. "That’s exactly what someone leading me into a trap would say."

Without acknowledging her remark, he simply pushed the door open.

The door was slightly ajar. Peeking inside, she spotted a man seated at the desk.

Black robe. Tousled black hair. Red eyes that looked like they saw far too much at any given moment.

A very calm, very composed aura.

Something about him seemed familiar.

Then it hit her.

She had seen this man before.

At the café.

Katherine slowly stepped inside, tilting her head. "Hello, Maestro?"

"Greetings, Lady Katherine," the man responded smoothly, his face utterly neutral.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to place his name. "Yes, how are you, Sir...?"

"Eldritch. Call me Eld."

Katherine squinted slightly. "We have met before, haven’t we?"

"We have."

"...Okay, but where?"

He simply looked at her.

She snapped her fingers. "Wait! You’re the guy from the café!"

"I am."

Her eyes widened. "You were staring at me weirdly!"

"I was observing," he corrected. "With standard facial positioning."

"Your ’standard facial positioning’ made me feel like a bug under a magnifying glass."

Eldritch did not react.

Katherine sighed. "Okay, fine. So you called me here. Any particular reason why?"

"I was curious about the marchioness’s niece who wanders the city making peculiar requests," he replied. "It is not often we receive such... unique visitors."

Katherine crossed her arms. "Alright, since I am here, I actually do have a request."

Eldritch raised a brow—though his expression still didn’t change. "Oh?"

"I need magic that can make something age six months within a day. Or even a few minutes."

A pause.

Eldritch did not blink. He did not frown. He did not react at all.

Then, very calmly, he said, "That is an unusual request."

Katherine gave him finger guns. "Not impossible though, right?"

Eldritch studied her for a long moment. "...Not impossible."

"Excellent."

"But certainly not common."

"Still excellent."

He steepled his fingers. "The magic you seek is a form of temporal acceleration. An advanced technique that requires delicate control over energy flow."

Katherine nodded sagely. "Ah. So it is possible, but with extra steps."

"Correct."

"Can you do it?"

"Perhaps."

She beamed. "Great! Then let’s get started."

Eldritch, perfectly calm, continued, "But I am curious. Why does the marchioness’s niece require such magic?" His crimson eyes gleamed faintly. "Aging wine? Cheese? Or something... more delicate?"

Katherine waved a hand. "Food preparation."

"Food," he repeated.

"Yes, food. I need ingredients to be properly aged in a short time."

Eldritch did not move. "How... unconventional."

Katherine put her hands on her hips. "Will you help me or not?"

Eldritch did not move. "I suppose I can be persuaded."

Katherine brightened. "Fantastic! How much?"

His red eyes gleamed. "Nothing in this world is free, Lady Katherine."

She narrowed her eyes. "If this turns into some weird magical blood pact, I am walking out that door."

"Nothing so dramatic," he assured, completely unfazed. "A simple favor. A minor request. Harmless, even."

Katherine squinted. "That’s exactly what someone planning something dramatic would say."

Eldritch’s expression did not shift. "And yet, I am simply stating facts."

Katherine sighed. "Alright, fine. But before I agree to any mysterious wizard errands, I have another form of payment."

She reached into her pocket, pulled out a small pouch of gold coins, and tossed it onto the desk. It landed with a soft clink.

Eldritch, completely composed, picked up the pouch and loosened the string slightly, peering inside. "Ah," he said. "Now this is a lady who understands proper negotiations."

Katherine gave a confident smile, casually crossing her arms. I have no idea how much gold coins are worth, but this better be impressive.

"Is that enough?" she asked.

Eldritch tied the pouch back up and tucked it away into his robes. "A good start."

Katherine sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "Alright, alright. If you can do what I need, then I’ll help you."

Eldritch extended his hand, his face perfectly neutral. "Then we have a deal, Lady Katherine."

She shook his hand. A strange crackle of energy passed between them, and a chill ran down her spine.

...She had a very bad feeling about this.