The next day, I woke with a strange sense of anticipation gnawing at me. The Codex that I had uncovered in the Heaven's Lake dimension was still fresh in my mind, its teachings swirling in my head like an intricate puzzle. I had to figure out how to use the knowledge to my advantage—but more than that, I had to keep it hidden.
It would take time to learn everything, but I was determined. The thought of the Vermilion Bird egg on my desk still lingered in the back of my mind. The bond with it hadn't fully formed yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it would. What kind of beast would emerge from it? Would it be as grand and powerful as its legendary status suggested? Or would it be something altogether different?
My thoughts were interrupted as Mira knocked on the door to our dorm. "Sky, are you coming? We're heading to the Alchemy Circle," she called.
I sighed, not really in the mood for another round of elitist banter, but I knew I had to keep up appearances. The Alchemy Circle was a place of both reverence and rivalry, and it was an important step for all students looking to master alchemy. There, the most skilled alchemists gathered to teach and test their students, and it was where all my hopes for mastering the elixirs and poisons of the Codex would start.
I put on my violet robes, the fabric hanging heavy with the knowledge that each student in the Alchemy Faculty wore them to symbolize their commitment to the craft. The walk from the dorm to the faculty building was short, but my mind kept wandering back to the Codex. I had barely scratched the surface of its contents, yet I could feel the weight of its potential pressing down on me.
Upon entering the Alchemy Circle, the atmosphere changed. The usual chatter of students was replaced with hushed whispers of awe and respect. The large hall was lined with tables where students were gathered in small groups, each working with different alchemical ingredients. It smelled of herbs and the faintly metallic tang of potion brewing in the air.
Freya, the Dean of Alchemy, stood near the front of the room, her piercing eyes scanning the students with a sharpness that could only belong to someone who had mastered the craft. She was as unapproachable as the mountain peaks in the distance, and no one dared to challenge her authority.
"I see we have some new faces today," Freya's voice rang through the room. "You are here to prove you have the patience and dedication required to master the art of alchemy. Each of you will create a basic healing elixir to start. Those who succeed will move on to the next level. Those who fail will be reassigned."
Her gaze lingered on me for just a second, and I could feel the weight of her stare. It wasn't hostile—just calculating. I couldn't help but wonder if she knew more about me than I realized.
The task seemed simple enough, but the moment I laid my hands on the ingredients, I felt the connection to the Codex, whispering ancient formulas in my mind. Potions. Elixirs. Healing. Each of these techniques was ingrained into the very core of the Codex. With each movement of my hands, I felt my mind becoming clearer, more focused.
I glanced at the other students around me. They were already in the process of mixing their ingredients, following the prescribed methods with precision. But I felt something different—an urgency, a need to understand the deeper essence of alchemy. The Codex was showing me the formula, but it was also showing me the deeper layers beneath it. The ways alchemy could be used to heal—and to harm.
I continued my work, carefully following the steps but adding a few personal touches. The liquid in my vial began to glow faintly, signaling that I had created something unique.
When Freya came to inspect my work, I couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. She took the vial from my hands and examined the glowing liquid carefully. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
"This is unusual," she murmured, more to herself than to me. "This isn't just a basic healing elixir. Where did you learn this?"
I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. Should I tell her that it was inspired by the Codex, or simply say that I had a natural affinity for alchemy? I opted for the latter, though I couldn't help but feel that I was hiding a part of myself from her. And from everyone.
"I just... have a talent for it," I said carefully. "Alchemy feels... right to me."
She didn't say anything for a moment, but then, with a sharp nod, she placed the vial down. "You've passed. Don't get too comfortable, though. The next level will test your true potential."
As I made my way back to the dorm after class, my mind was racing. Freya had recognized something in me—something that went beyond my basic knowledge of alchemy. And yet, she hadn't pushed further. It was almost as if she was waiting for me to show my hand. But I had no intention of revealing everything. Not yet.