Chapter 58: The Headmaster's Sweet Tooth
When Ren came out from the kitchen, balancing a tray with a frosty glass of lemonade and a basket of steaming bread, he saw Albus Dumbledore staring at the small, empty jam jar on the table. The old wizard had a somewhat embarrassed expression, like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
Ren set the tray down and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong, Mr. Dumbledore? Is something amiss?"
Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. He said, a bit awkwardly, "Shopkeeper, this jam is simply too delicious. I'm afraid I've already finished the sample before the main course arrived. Could I... possibly trouble you for a refill?"
Ren smiled, taking the empty jar. "Of course. It's homemade raspberry jam. Please wait a moment. Can I use this jar again to reduce waste?"
"By all means," Dumbledore nodded enthusiastically.
Ren put down the basket of bread, which was emitting a heavenly aroma of yeast and butter, and the tall glass of lemonade, beads of condensation already rolling down its sides. He then picked up the jar and returned to the kitchen.
Left alone for a moment, Albus Dumbledore looked at the feast in front of him. The bread was golden-brown and fluffy, clearly freshly baked. The lemonade looked incredibly refreshing, with crushed ice floating at the top and a slice of vibrant green lime perched on the rim.
"Hmm? What is this?"
When Dumbledore stirred the drink with a straw, he noticed something unusual. Swirling at the bottom of the glass were translucent, cubic particles, glimmering like little gems in the light.
"Curious," he murmured. "I would swear by the beard of Merlin that I have never seen such an ingredient in a muggle beverage."
Ren returned with the refilled jam jar at this moment, placing it on the table. "This is Aloe Jelly. Plain lemonade might be too one-dimensional in flavor and texture, so I added some chewiness to it."
"Aloe?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. He knew of aloe vera as a potion ingredient for burns, but not as a dessert. "Fascinating."
He picked up the straw and took a sip.
The first sensation was a sharp, electric sour kick from the fresh lemons that made him shiver in delight. His eyes brightened. Then came the sweetness of the syrup, balancing the acidity perfectly. And finally, a subtle, floral undertone.
"Elderflower?" Dumbledore guessed.
Ren nodded. "Correct."
Suddenly, Dumbledore noticed a few pieces of the aloe jelly in his mouth. He bit down tentatively. They were firm yet yielding, bursting with a refreshing, almost cucumber-like coolness that complemented the lemon perfectly.
"Shopkeeper, your aloe jelly is truly wonderful!" Dumbledore exclaimed, taking another sip. "You are a culinary genius! This texture is delightful."
Ren, who had retreated behind the counter to read his book, was momentarily stunned by the high praise. He smiled and said, "This wasn't invented by me~. In many milk tea shops where I come from, such things are standard. Lemon Aloe Jelly is considered a perfect match for a summer drink."
Dumbledore nodded, noting down 'Milk Tea Shops' in his mental list of things to investigate. He then turned his attention to the bread.
The first feeling when he held the bread was its incredible softness; his hand felt like it was gripping a warm ball of cotton. It yielded to his touch but sprang back resiliently.
This bread was not like the toast served in the Great Hall, nor was it a crispy baguette. It was a Japanese-style milk bread—Shokupan—incredibly fluffy and slightly sweet.
Dumbledore broke it open. A cloud of steam escaped, carrying a rich, intoxicating scent of high-quality butter and wheat.
"Oh my," he whispered.
He took a generous scoop of the raspberry jam, spreading it thick on the warm bread. The jam was a deep, ruby red, glistening under the lights.
He took a bite.
The sweet and tart explosion of the raspberries, combined with the milky, cloud-like softness of the bread, was nothing short of magical. There was a faint, strange sweetness in the jam—perhaps a hint of vanilla or rose water? It elevated the simple act of eating bread and jam into an indulgence fit for a king.
"Oh... Praise Merlin..." Dumbledore closed his eyes, savoring the moment. For a man with the weight of the wizarding world on his shoulders, this simple pleasure was a rare gift.
He ate with gusto, tearing off piece after piece, dipping and spreading until the basket was empty and he was using the last crust to wipe the jam jar clean again.
"Phew." Dumbledore sat back, feeling comfortably full. "That was magnificent."
"Mr. Dumbledore," Ren's voice cut through his reverie. "Have you forgotten the beef broth you ordered?"
Dumbledore sat up straight, blinking. "Oh! Right! I was so enamored with the sweets I almost forgot the savory course. My apologies."
Ren placed a small, elegant bowl of steaming, dark amber broth in front of him. The aroma was rich and earthy.
Dumbledore picked up a ceramic spoon and stirred the broth. He saw cubes of dark meat and slices of shiitake mushrooms. He took a scoop of the meat and paused.
"What kind of meat is this?" he asked, inspecting the grain. "It doesn't look like beef."
"Venison~," Ren replied casually.
"Venison?!" Dumbledore was surprised. "In a beef broth?"
"The base is beef bone, simmered for twelve hours. But the meat added at the end is loin of venison, quickly poached to keep it tender."
Dumbledore looked at the piece of meat on the spoon. It was precisely cut with sharp edges, likely by a very sharp knife, yet it trembled slightly, indicating its tenderness.
He put it in his mouth.
The meat melted. The unique, gamey flavor of the venison was tamed by the rich, savory broth. Hints of white pepper and star anise danced on his palate, creating a stark, warming contrast to the sweet lemonade and jam he had just consumed. It grounded him.
Ren did not watch Dumbledore eat, preferring to give his guest privacy. He continued reading his book, the turning of pages the only other sound in the quiet shop.
Only when Dumbledore had finished every drop of the broth and the last of his lemonade did he let out a long, contented sigh and lean back in his chair.
The old wizard's face, usually lined with worry, was now rosy and relaxed.
"This is a magical place," Dumbledore said with deep emotion, looking around the simple wooden interior. "And I am honored to have dined here. The magic here... it is different from what I know. It is warmer."
Ren closed his book and stood up. "For the Restaurant, a guest's arrival is equally an honor. It seems Mr. Dumbledore has finished eating?"
Dumbledore nodded and stood up, smoothing his robes. "Of course! It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a meal like this without worrying about dark wizards or school budgets."
He reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a heavy, shining gold coin—a Galleon. He placed it on the table with a clink.
"Alright, young magic shopkeeper," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "Now you can undo this wonderful illusion and let me return to my office. I have a Phoenix waiting for me."
Ren smiled and shook his head. "I'm not a magician, Mr. Dumbledore. I'm just a chef, the Shopkeeper of a Restaurant. As for going back, you just need to open the door and walk through it. The way is open."
Dumbledore was stunned. No wand waving? No incantations?
He walked to the wooden door and opened it. Instead of the street outside, he saw a gentle white light that felt familiar—the signature of the Dimensional Door.
"This is a miracle..." Dumbledore whispered. He turned back to Ren. "Shopkeeper, what is your name? I must know who to thank."
"Ren~."
"Ren," Dumbledore repeated, committing it to memory. "Okay, I've remembered that name. So, will I have a chance to come here again? Is this a one-time enchantment?"
Ren smiled. "Of course not. I have many repeat customers here. The way to get here is the same as before—the door will appear when you seek it. And you can bring friends along, if you wish~."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. "Hmm! With a shop like this, I have no reason not to share it. A good meal can solve many conflicts. But..."
His expression turned serious. "It wouldn't be good if just anyone could come. Some secrets are best kept among friends. I shall be discreet."
Ren nodded in appreciation.
"Well then, Shopkeeper Ren, I'll be heading back now. Good night."
Dumbledore turned to leave.
"Wait a moment~," Ren called out.
Dumbledore paused, one foot in the light. "Yes?"
He saw Ren return to the kitchen. Soon after, the chef came out again, this time holding a cardboard box which he handed to Dumbledore. It was surprisingly heavy.
Dumbledore was surprised and asked, "This is...?"
"You paid too much for your meal," Ren explained, pointing to the Galleon. "Gold is valuable here. That coin is worth far more than a simple meal. Since you seemed to really like that jam earlier, I'll use this as your change~."
Dumbledore opened the box and glanced inside. His eyes widened. There were more than twenty jars of the homemade raspberry jam, neatly packed.
Dumbledore's eyes lit up with genuine delight. "Shopkeeper Ren, you are a very generous and kind person! This... this will keep me happy for months! This meal would probably cost more than one gold coin in my world for the quality alone."
"But this isn't your world, is it?" Ren winked.
Dumbledore chuckled, a warm, grandfatherly sound. "Indeed, it isn't. Thank you, Ren."
With the box of jam tucked under his arm, Albus Dumbledore stepped through the door and into the white light, leaving the Dimensional Restaurant behind, but taking a sweet piece of it with him.
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Founding Pillars" (normally $20), but at a much cheaper rate.
These slots are extremely limited:
"The Plot Uncoverer": $4.99 (Save 75% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots
"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 50% / $10.01) - Only 7 slots
"The Lore Diver": $14.99 (Save 25% / $5.01) - Only 15 slots
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]