Toward evening, a rich fragrance spread through Sea Breeze Street.
Most of the residents who lived here found the scent unfamiliar. It carried the mellow aroma of slowly stewed meat, mingled with some strange spice, along with the faintest trace of caramel.
"What's that smell?" A woman stopped in her tracks and sniffed the air deeply.
"No idea." A plump woman in an apron leaned closer as well. "Smells like meat stew, but that spice... I've never smelled anything like it."
"Seems to be drifting over from Number 46." The woman pointed at the little building at the end of the street. "Has Mrs. Royce's sister's house been rented out? Sorry, I've rather forgotten her sister's name. After all, she never came back after leaving for Sail Harbor."
"You still don't know? The tenant's a teacher from the Magic Academy!" The plump woman lowered her voice mysteriously. "I heard Mrs. Royce say it myself! Not only does he earn a handsome salary, he's young and handsome too. Mrs. Royce is so lucky—this tenant has an easygoing temperament, and he often invites them to try the Academy's magical dishes."
"Ah, a teacher at the Magic Academy..." The woman sighed sourly. "Come to think of it, if my husband had such a respectable job and could cook, that would be wonderful. He's an accountant at a trading company, and his arms are thinner than my rolling pin. Last month, I asked him to help move a sack of potatoes, and he panted like a goblin on its last breath. As for cooking? Other than boiling sea fish in plain water, he can't make anything at all—and he always forgets to scrape off the scales!"
"Be content!" The plump woman rolled her eyes. "At least plain boiled fish won't kill anyone. Mine works