Brightvale's Greatest Chocolatier

     Luckily for everyone, the final thesis defense for the day involved a sizable model of Brightvale made entirely of chocolate that shimmered with spells. Chocolate cotton candy clouds hung over the castle, which was made from a mix of white chocolate as well as matcha chocolate, which was presently taking the student body by storm. The bespectacled Chocolate Gelert clad in the green and gold robes and cap of Brightvale University, spun his model of the Wheel of Knowledge – and it continued spinning for quite a while before landing on the space with a star adorned with gold leaf.

     Most of the professors bent over their clipboards and made notes, their faces lighting up. Only the Silver Xweetok continued watching impassively as the Gelert waved his staff and allowed the chocolate clouds to glide for a few yards before floating gently back down.

     “You see,” he said, “cocoa content in chocolate affects its conduciveness to all sorts of magic. While more cocoa allows it to absorb spells more effectively, it hampers movement, but of course, as we all know, every problem has a solution! Various ingredients counter that effect, which means cocoa content should not be a problem when using chocolate for your spells! Er, most of the time.”

     The corner of Hagan’s mouth twitched. “Yes, I heard about your little…experiment at the café across the street from the Florange Dormitory.”

     “Which I cleaned up nicely, as my esteemed professors know, your Majesty!” With a flourish of his robes, the Chocolate Gelert bowed – and remembered to push his round glasses up onto his snout. “Thank you, thank you!”

     The Xweetok rolled his eyes and wrote several words while the rest of his colleagues got up and clapped.

     “Well done, Ambrosinno!” a Royal Chia crowed, nearly dropping her spectacles. She smiled at the king and said, “You see, your Highness, this is why he is at the top of his class. I never would have thought of doing my sorcery thesis on…chocolate!”

     “Oh, Lanibel, you’d probably eat it before you were done.”

     Scowling, the Chia elbowed the middle-aged Shoyru who had spoken.

     Hagan cleared his throat. “Still, this…this masterpiece merits a closer look. I’m quite curious. You mentioned that this replica of Brightvale Castle was made with shielding spells to ensure it doesn’t break easily?”

     “But you can easily take a piece and eat it, sire,” said Ambrosinno, beaming before gesturing toward his work with a flourish. “Please, go ahead and take a look. You may take samples – I was planning on giving this to my dorm for our thesis afterparty anyway.”

      “Shall we?” A pink Lenny gestured for the other professors to come up to the stage and examine the Chocolate Gelert’s work. “But Professor Lanibel is right, Ambrosinno, you’ve made us proud! I’d daresay you even made your king proud!”

     “Thank you again, King Hagan, and everyone!”

     Ambrosinno waved and stepped down from the stage, his staff – carved out of wood and decorated to look like a Chocolate Kazeriu – clutched to his chest. He passed the professors and shook their hands along the way, and bowed to Hagan. The last professor to step up to the stage was a severe-faced Silver Xweetok, who gripped Ambrosinno’s hand briefly, and whose face remained severe still.

     The Chocolate Gelert watched as pieces of chocolate were broken off and either tapped with wands or staffs or eaten. Lanibel spun the Wheel of Knowledge, while the pink Lenny gushed over the little shops. Only the Xweetok hung back, muttering to himself and making copious notes.

     And it was only the Xweetok who stayed, after the king and the other professors had taken their leave, promising that Ambrosinno would get his thesis mark after deliberations.

     “Professor Wisenheimer? Do you…need any help? Or is there anything you want to tell me?”

     The Xweetok had stepped down from the stage, waving away any attempts to assist him. “You’re practically brimming with talent, son. And I’m sure the king wants you for his council when you graduate. You’re in the running for valedictorian still, aren’t you?”

     Blushing, the Gelert rubbed the back of his head. “Well…if I get a real good grade in my thesis…”

     “Hmph, you likely will. So, why don’t you apply as one of his court mages?”

     “Huh?” Ambrosinno blinked. “Professor, I’ve thought about that, but…I don’t think it’s for me. There’s something else I want to do.”

     “What is that?”

     The Gelert smiled. “Start my own chocolate shop, of course!”

     Wisenheimer halted, raising his eyebrows. “You…want to run a chocolate shop.”

     “Yeah, it’s been my dream, ever since I went to the Chocolate Factory as a kid. I even got myself painted chocolate at the Rainbow Fountain!”

     At first, the Xweetok was silent as they reached the oaken double doors. Then he frowned.

     “Talent like yours is wasted making candy. King Hagan could use a mind like yours.”

     “I’d be flattered if he told me that,” Ambrosinno responded slowly, “but really, being a chocolatier is what I’m going to do after I graduate.”

     “Seriously?” Wisenheimer snorted. “You could be climbing up the ranks at Brightvale Castle! Teaching here as part of the School of Sorcery faculty! Even…making new magical discoveries that have nothing to do with chocolate!” He shook his head and flapped a hand dismissively. “What a waste of a brilliant mind.”

     “But it’s my dream!” Ambrosinno said, his voice rising on that last word. “My family’s all for it, and I don’t want to be just any chocolatier, I want to be the best chocolatier Brightvale has ever seen!”

     Wisenheimer rolled his eyes. “Hmph. Well, I can’t tell you what to do with your life, but think about it. All those other opportunities, those jobs you’re throwing away just to make chocolate. Everyone who comes to the School of Sorcery dreams big. But…I suppose not everyone does, after all.”

     “Professor…”

     “I should go follow His Majesty and the others for the deliberations. You’ll get your grade when we’re done.” The Silver Xweetok made a gesture as though shooing away an overly curious petpet.

     “Yes, sir.”

     Professor Wisenheimer didn’t even look back as he strode out of the hall.

     What a silly boy. All those smarts, and all he wants to do is make chocolate.

     * * *

     Professor Wisenheimer sighed as he stood outside The Chocolate Parade.

     Through the windows, he could see glass display cases full of palm-sized flying faeries made entirely of chocolate, floating chocolate clouds, even busts hewn entirely from chocolate whose expressions seemed to change subtly. Children eagerly opened their boxes and shrieked as chocolate sweets in the shape of petpets crawled and tottered onto their tables, and a Faerie Blumaroo was at the cash register, catching a life-sized Yooyu carved from milk and blonde chocolate while a Chocolate Gelert busied himself behind the shelves with his Kazeriu-topped staff.

     So, the Xweetok thought, he really did it. After graduating at the top of his class, Ambrosinno went and set up his chocolate shop. He frowned when he saw a green Kacheek chase after their soaring chocolate Nova and bump into a Tyrannian Blumaroo. Well, at least he hasn’t forgotten the basics of animation and levitation magic. Then again, why would he, the valedictorian of all students?

     Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the shop. He stiffened when the bell over the door rang and announced his entrance. Of course, the Chocolate Gelert turned from where he appeared to be bewitching a chocolate model of what appeared to be the Darigan Citadel.

     “Professor Wisenheimer? Is that you?” Ambrosinno smiled – and Wisenheimer relaxed, ever so slightly. “Sorry, I’m just finishing my floating Darigan Citadel for a customer, but if you’d like to order anything, Star can assist you!” The Gelert gestured with his staff to the Faerie Blumaroo behind the cash register, who wore a dark green and gold uniform comprised of an apron over a neat blouse and skirt.

     “Oh…er…” The Silver Xweetok cleared his throat. “I actually…wanted to talk to you. I-If you have time.”

     Ambrosinno paused. The chocolate Citadel in front of him slowly began to rise a few inches into the air. One whispered spell and brandish of his staff later, the little Citadel hovered a good foot above the counter, and several customers took notice and clapped – especially a Darigan Zafara.

     “One model Darigan Citadel, made with dark chocolate, ganache and candy rocks! For Lady Deborah!”

     The Zafara bared her fangs in an excited grin. “Thank you, Master Ambrosinno! Oh, I can’t wait to bring this home to my family…”

     “You’re welcome! You can head over to Star with your payment. Star, give me a few minutes. Just holler if you need help.”

     With his staff, he guided his masterpiece toward the cash register as the Zafara followed it, opening her purse and counting out Neopoints. Finally, the Gelert stepped out from behind the shelves and counter, and faced Wisenheimer.

     “Um…why don’t we…” The Silver Xweetok adjusted his professorial robe and pointed to a table in the far end of the shop, almost parked in a corner, beneath a painting of a project he recognised as Ambrosinno’s thesis. The white and matcha chocolate Brightvale Castle was unmistakable.

     “Are you sure you don’t want to order anything, Professor? I do have some non-magical treats, like a mean cup of hot chocolate…”

     Wisenheimer shook his head and sat down.

     “That’ll be all right. Like I said, I just came here to talk.”

     Ambrosinno took the chair in front of him, his brow furrowing slightly. He inclined his head toward Wisenheimer.

     “Do you remember…When I was part of your thesis defence panel?”

     “Of course I do.”

     “And…I…I said things to you after your defence.” Wisenheimer breathed in, tense in his chair again as he looked the Chocolate Gelert in the eye. “I made fun of your dreams. Thought you were wasting your talent and your smarts. Even after you graduated…I thought it silly, for one of Brightvale University’s best sorcery students, to simply want to run a chocolate shop.” He paused, folding his arms across his chest. “And I thought wrong. I was wrong to have said those things to you, and I’m sorry.”

     When he finished speaking, the Silver Xweetok fell silent, glancing away.

     “Professor…”

     “Brightvale University was always about the pursuit of knowledge, but it was also about realising students’ true potential. Guiding them as they chose the paths they wanted, so they would become the very best, no matter what path they walked. No matter…what career they chose. Oh, I was a terrible professor to have belittled you at the time. And I hope you can accept my apology. Anyway, I won’t keep you any longer.”

     Wisenheimer smiled ruefully and moved to stand up from the chair.

     “Professor, wait.”

     “What is it?”

     Ambrosinno stood up as well and offered his hand for Wisenheimer to shake.

     “Apology accepted. Honestly, no matter what you told me, I would have still become a chocolatier.” The Chocolate Gelert chuckled softly. “I’m just that stubborn, really. Besides, you’re not the only one who didn’t believe me when I said I wanted to become Brightvale’s greatest chocolatier.”

     “’Become’?” Wisenheimer blurted out. He gestured to the shop widely with his arms. “Ambrosinno, I think you’ve already become Brightvale’s greatest chocolatier. When I walked into your shop, I was very impressed with how you put all the magic you learned to use.”

     “Well, I couldn’t have done it without the help of my professors. Or Brightvale University. Are you sure you don’t want anything, Professor? Not even a little chocolate Slorg for the road? Actually…” Ambrosinno wiggled his outstretched hand and chuckled. “Don’t keep me hanging, Professor.”

     “Ah, don’t call me ‘professor’ anymore. We’re as good as equals.”

     The Silver Xweetok took Ambrosinno’s hand and shook it vigorously with a subtle smile.

     “Though…I think I’ll take that little chocolate Slorg, if you don’t mind, thank you.”

     The End.