Chapter 19 – Aroma
The first light of dawn crept through the curtains. Samy was still asleep, sharing the bed with Shinra, who was curled up beside him.
In the other room, Ryken stretched lazily, letting his joints pop before pulling himself out of bed. He moved to the window, parted the curtains, and pushed it open. A crisp morning breeze swept in, carrying the faint smell of fresh earth.
"Morning," he muttered to himself with a faint smile.
After a quick set of stretches and a shower, Ryken changed into his usual casual clothes. He knocked on Samy and Shinra's door, but there was no answer. Shaking his head, he decided to step out and pick up breakfast from the village.
About fifteen minutes later, Samy woke and glanced at Shinra, who was still snoring softly. He gave him a gentle shake.
"Shinra… wake up, it's morning."
He left for the shower while Shinra groaned, rubbing his eyes and still half-asleep.
When Samy returned, he tossed him a towel.
"Go freshen up. I'll start breakfast."
Just as Samy stepped into the kitchen, Ryken returned with a bag in hand, the warm smell of bread wafting through the air.
"Where were you?" Samy asked, eyeing the bag.
"Just a walk," Ryken replied casually. "Picked up breakfast on the way."
By then, Shinra had wandered into the kitchen, hair still damp from his shower. He perked up at the smell.
"What did you make?"
"Potato curry," Samy replied, setting bread on the table.
Shinra dug in without hesitation, chewing with a grin. "Curry's good… but the bread's not fresh. Just reheated. Still—" he swallowed, "—I like the curry."
Ryken sat down with them. "What time's your meeting?"
"Eleven o'clock," Samy said.
"You've got plenty of time," Ryken replied, glancing at the clock. "It's only 8:15."
Late Morning
At 10:30, Samy was rifling through his clothes. Most were cheap—t-shirts, loose pants, and shorts for home wear. His eyes lingered on the outfit he'd found in Wisdom's underground room, but it didn't feel right for today.
"Ryken," Samy called, "do you have something I can borrow?"
Ryken looked him over, paused for a moment, then went to his wardrobe. "Yeah… I've got just the thing."
He handed Samy a blue t-shirt, black trousers, a long coat, and formal shoes. "Should fit well enough."
Samy tried them on. The fit was slightly loose, but fine. As he stepped outside, Ryken and Shinra—seated in the garden—looked up.
"Not bad," Ryken said with a nod.
"I'll be back later," Samy said, heading off toward the guild.
At the help desk, the receptionist checked the schedule. "Please wait, sir. Elwin will be here shortly."
Two minutes later, a tall man in a white long-sleeve shirt, grey trousers, and light battle gear entered.
"Morning. I'm Elwin," he said.
"Samy," he replied.
They left the guild together, taking a cart.
On the way, Elwin explained, "The bakery owner has been requesting help for months, but no one wants to work here—it's too far from Elyasia's capital. We've been short on guild members in this village too."
Samy nodded quietly.
The cart stopped before a two-storey building in the middle of the market. Inside, the ground floor held a selling counter with warm puffs and cookies behind glass, though no fresh bakery smell lingered.
Elwin led Samy upstairs to the office. The owner, Norman, rose from his desk to greet them.
The Bakery
After introductions, Norman asked, "You can make bread and other items?"
"Yes. I can show you."
Norman escorted him to the kitchen, where a mana-powered oven stood. Samy listed the ingredients—flour, yeast, oil, salt, butter, sugar—and began preparing the dough.
Two hours later, the oven chimed. A warm aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies spread through the shop, drawing curious villagers to the door.
Pleased, Norman handed Samy a new hat and apron. "Make enough for selling. We'll talk afterward."
By evening, the counter was nearly empty, and Norman's office smelled faintly of baked goods.
"So," Norman began, "your demands?"
"Not much," Samy replied. "Just thirty percent of the profit as my salary."
Norman nearly choked. "Thirty percent? Impossible!"
"Not as a partner," Samy clarified. "I don't want official ownership of the bakery—just thirty percent as salary."
Norman sighed. "I understand, but thirty still isn't possible."
Samy shrugged and stood to leave. Alarmed, Norman stopped him. After a long pause, he offered a counter-deal: fifteen percent, plus training a future baker.
Samy agreed. "Alright. But I'll be here at five in the morning if we open at eight."
Evening at Home
By the time Samy returned, the sky was dark. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the room as Shinra grabbed the bag from his hands.
Ryken called from the kitchen, "Go wash up—dinner's ready."
The table was set with fried chicken, mutton, vegetable curry, and paratha.
"Where'd you learn to make paratha?" Samy asked.
Ryken smiled. "From a trip to the eastern country of Marua."
As they ate, Samy explained his early morning work schedule.