He was terrified. What will she say? How much did she see?
Lucia Thorne stepped closer, her white dress glowing softly in the moonlight. She gave him a cold look, her eyes narrowing.
"Students aren't allowed in the facilities after class time," she stated, her voice devoid of the warmth he had imagined. "Why are you here?"
Alaric opened his mouth, but the words died in his throat. He couldn't explain the compound magic, or the experiment. He just lowered his head.
"I... I'm sorry."
The silence stretched for a painful moment.
Then, Lucia let out a visible sigh. The tension in her shoulders dropped slightly.
"Since you are a fresher, you might not know the strict curfews," she said, her tone softening just a fraction. "I won't complain to the authority this time. But be careful."
Alaric felt a wave of relief wash over him so strong his knees almost buckled.
"Thank you," he breathed out.
He didn't wait for her to change her mind. He turned and ran off toward the dormitories, his mind still racing, wondering just how much of the Whiteflame Tempest she had actually witnessed.
The next morning, the sun rose bright and clear.
It was the weekend. Alaric woke up to the sound of Jarik singing badly in the shower. The tension of the previous night felt like a bad dream.
The four of them went to the cafeteria for breakfast, eating quickly before heading back to the room to change. Alaric put on his simple civilian clothes, a tunic and trousers that had seen better days but clean.
"Ready to see the city?" Jarik asked, bouncing on his heels.
"I need to stop by the post office first," Alaric said, patting his chest pocket where a letter rested. It was for Sister Elaine and Lia back at Saint Elyss’s Rest.
They walked through the campus gates and into the city. Since it was a holiday, the streets were bustling. The capital was alive in a way the Academy wasn't, noisy, chaotic, and vibrant. Everyone was outside, shopping and spending their free time.
They made their way to Sector 8 of the Common District.
The square was packed with stalls. Merchants shouted their wares, colorful ceramic dishes, gleaming cutlery, baskets of fresh vegetables still covered in dirt, and street food that smelled of fried dough and spices.
While Jarik and Darsia haggled over a bag of sweets, Alaric wandered over to a shop with a heavy iron sign.
Tool Shop.
He stepped inside. The air smelled of oil and steel. The walls were lined with equipment, swords, shields, and daggers. But what caught Alaric’s eye was the glass case near the counter.
Potions.
Small vials of blue and red liquid sat on velvet cushions.
Mana Potion (Low Grade) - 30 silver. Healing Potion (Low Grade) - 50 silver.
Alaric grimaced. Fifty silver, That was a month of living expenses for a commoner. It was way out of his budget.
He walked out, rejoining the others. They bought some skewered meat from a street vendor and ate as they walked. Alaric found the post office and submitted his letter, watching the clerk stamp it.
How are they made? Alaric wondered, thinking back to the price tag. It’s just liquid and mana. Why is it so expensive?
As they walked back toward the campus, the question gnawed at him.
I should read a book about it.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
As soon as they arrived back at the Academy, Alaric split from the group.
"Library again?" Jarik shouted after him. "It's a holiday!"
Alaric didn't stop. He ran to the library.
Even on a holiday, the great doors were open, though the staff was standing their like a statue. The usual librarians were off duty, leaving only a few guards patrolling the entrance.
Alaric walked into the vast silence of the book stacks. He realized he had no idea where the alchemy section was. He started looking through the shelves aimlessly, scanning titles on history and geography, frustrated.
"What are you trying to find?"
Alaric spun around.
Lucia was there.
She was wearing a casual but elegant dress today, holding a book in her hands. She looked at him with curiosity, the coldness from the previous night gone.
"Books on potion making," Alaric explained.
Lucia looked surprised. "Potion making? That's... unexpected."
She pointed toward the far end of the library. "It's in the far north corner. There isn't much of a collection, as Knight or Magic Academy students aren't usually Alchemists."
"Thanks," Alaric said.
He headed to the corner she pointed out. It was dusty, clearly rarely visited. He found a few thin volumes Fundamentals of Alchemy and Mana Binding Theory.
He grabbed them and found a quiet table near a window. He sat down and opened the first book.
A moment later, a chair scraped against the floor.
Alaric looked up. Lucia sat down exactly opposite him.
He blinked, surprised. There were hundreds of empty tables.
Lucia placed her own book on the table, but didn't open it immediately. She looked at him, hesitant.
"Don't you get tired?" she asked softly. "You seem to always be trying something new, or learning something. Running without magic, researching advanced spells, now alchemy..."
Alaric leaned back, throwing the question back at her. "You are always in the library too. Don't you get tired?"
Lucia laughed dryly. It was a sad sound. "Between all the noble duties and the Church duties... the library is the only place of comfort I have."
Alaric looked at her. He saw the fatigue behind her eyes.
"I want to get strong," Alaric replied honestly. "So my loved ones don't suffer. That's why I learn."
Lucia’s eyes widened slightly. She smiled, a genuine, small smile. "Oh, sorry. Where are my manners? I didn't introduce myself properly. I’m Lucia Thorne, from the Royal Magic Academy, 2nd Year."
Alaric laughed. "It's okay. I already know you. Everyone knows you."
He tapped his chest. "I’m Alaric. An orphan from the fallen Horsin and a church in the border town."
Lucia laughed as well. "Coincidentally, I know you as well. Everyone was talking about you. Even the teachers at the Magic Academy were discussing the new student who broke all the records in the selection exam."
Alaric rubbed the back of his neck. "This is news to me." He really didn't want that kind of attention.
"Yes," Lucia nodded.
She paused, the silence stretching for a moment. She looked down at her hands, then back at him.
"I saw your spell the other day."
Alaric froze. His stomach dropped.
Lucia kept speaking, her voice gentle. "You shouldn't push yourself too much. That spell... it was really powerful. I don't know what the cost is, but forcing yourself will break you."
Alaric looked at her, surprised by her kind nature. She wasn't threatening him or interrogating him on the mechanics. she was worried.
"Thank you," Alaric said softly. "I will be careful from now on."
Lucia gave a sweet smile. She stood up, smoothing her dress. "I need to go. I have duties at the Church."
Alaric nodded. "It was nice finally speaking to you."
"Likewise," she said, looking a little embarrassed.
They waved each other off, and she disappeared into the stacks.
Alaric turned his attention back to the potion book. He needed to focus.
He read through the chapters, absorbing the theory.
To create a potion, a Magic Circle is required to bind the Mage’s mana to a liquid base.
It made sense. You couldn't just pour mana into a bottle; it would dissipate into the air. You needed a container, and you needed a binding agent.
Usually, any type of liquid can be used, even water. However, water has poor retention. Alchemists use expensive, magically enhanced grass or herbs that can store mana naturally. They then seal their own day's worth of mana inside the potion.
"So that's why they are so expensive," Alaric whispered. It wasn't just the ingredients; it was the labor. An alchemist was selling their own mana reserves.
The efficiency depends on the Magic Circle. A standard circle has a binding percentage of roughly 40%. This means 60% of the mana is lost during the transfer.
The book displayed a diagram of a standard binding circle. It claimed a 50% efficiency rate was considered high quality.
Alaric pulled out his notebook. He dipped his quill in ink and began to copy the circle, analyzing the geometry.
If I use water, the retention will be terrible, Alaric thought. But if I can improve the circle... or simply overpower the inefficiency with atmospheric mana...
He finished the drawing. He would experiment later on readily available liquid - water.
Alaric closed the book and stood up. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the library floor.
He walked toward the exit.
As he stepped out of the library doors, a figure blocked his path.
It wasn't a student. It was an old man with heavy, sharp features and an aura of absolute authority.
Alaric stopped.
It was none other than Principal Valerius.
? AUTHOR'S NOTE ?
Dear Beloved Readers,
GRATITUDE to each and every one of you for taking the time to read my humble work. Your presence on this journey means more to me than words could ever express.
?? YOUR VOICE MATTERS ??
REVIEW my novel and share your thoughts
COMMENT on chapters with your honest critiques
GROW as a writer with your feedback
REACH OUT if you encounter any problems or have concerns
precious gift that helps me improve and create a better story for you. Don't hesitate to point out any issues — your honesty is invaluable to me.
Thank You Once Again
Please stay with me on this journey until the very end ?
The Author