Chapter 59: Someone Causing Trouble
The sun had barely passed its zenith when the bell above The Mcronald’s door rang for the twenty-third time that morning. The line, which had already begun coiling halfway down the cobbled street, now glimmered with silk robes and velvet cloaks—the unmistakable mark of upper-class wealth.
Lyra peeked out the window and raised an eyebrow. "Did a noble carriage overturn somewhere? What’s with all the glitz?"
Inigo didn’t even look up from the fryer. "I’ve been expecting this."
"You have?"
"Oh yeah," he said as he sprinkled a dash of imported pepper over the patties. "You introduce something popular, and eventually, the nobles come sniffing around. Give it ten minutes, we’ll have our first entitled brat acting like they own the building."
Sure enough, as the door creaked open again, in stepped a group of five—students from the Royal Magic Academy of Eldrath. Two girls with perfectly curled hair whispered behind folding fans, a lanky boy with glowing runes etched along his gloves glanced around with disdain, and at the center stood a strikingly handsome youth with slick platinum hair and an expression permanently stuck between boredom and arrogance.
The first girl stepped up to the counter. "We were told there was something... palatable here."
"You heard right," Lyra said smoothly. "Welcome to The Mcronald. Menu’s right there. Order at the counter."
The girl stared at the menu as though deciphering ancient runes. "...What is a burger?"
Inigo leaned over. "Grilled beef, seasoned, wrapped in a bun. Crispy potatoes on the side. Think of it as a noble’s roast dinner—but handheld and faster."
There was a pause.