There was a feeling Yvlon had now and then. One of comprehension. It wasn\u2019t something she could put into words. But if she had to try, it was of her body, the instinctual part of the back of her mind that took over in fights, trying to communicate with the rest of her brain.<\/p>\n
It said things like: you can win this <\/em>if she were eying a monster before they engaged. Or\u2014don\u2019t get overconfident<\/em> if, say, she were measuring herself against Embria on the practice courts. Sometimes it was a simple warning like duck<\/em> before someone threw a mug at her head and a brawl started. But sometimes, the subconscious part of Yvlon did appraisals. And she could see<\/em> someone more clearly than she had a few months ago.<\/p>\n Like her brother, Ylawes. He had always been a [Squire] as long as Yvlon could remember. Then a [Knight]. And always better than her in training, to the point where she couldn\u2019t even judge how skillful he was\u2014only that he was far better than she could dream of being at that moment.<\/p>\n But recently, Yvlon had had the feeling in the back of her mind that she could almost judge him in regards to her own Skills. He had powerful defensive Skills, and he was a Gold-rank adventurer, but he wasn\u2019t an enigma. If they fought, she could land a few blows, maybe even surprise him. It was a welcome realization. And yet\u2014sometimes Yvlon\u2019s mind told her nothing about her opponent other than that they were too far beyond her.<\/p>\n She remembered each instance. First had been Skinner and the sheer terror of an army of undead bearing down on her. Next had come the Fire Elemental and not knowing<\/em> what it could do. After that? The mysterious Human [Mage] who\u2019d dropped by to kick her entire team about with Tier 1 and Tier 0 spells. The last instance had been Regrika Blackpaw, the traitorous Named Adventurer. There had been others, but those had been the only ones Yvlon couldn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n Bevussa. Jelaqua. Relc. Seborn. Embria. Halrac. Any one you wanted to name, Yvlon understood they were better than her, but she could understand their strength relative to hers. So she understood that she and her team were far stronger than the Silver Spears had ever been. The Horns might not be Gold-rank yet\u2026! But they were the best of the Silver-ranks, no question. On the cusp of the next level. It was only a matter of time. So they could be a little bit cocky, value themselves a tiny bit. Right?<\/p>\n Right?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr, left!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon swung with a shout. Her enchanted sword cut<\/em> the air as she swung two-handed at Grimalkin\u2019s left. He glanced at her as Ksmvr dashed left. The Antinium was moving incredibly fast! The newly-leveled [Skirmisher] ran like a blur thanks to his [Quick Movement] Skill, and when he struck with his shortsword, he uttered a Skill.<\/p>\n \u201c[Quick Slash].\u201d<\/p>\n His shortsword lanced out towards Grimalkin from the left as Yvlon struck from the right. And the [Sinew Magus] saw her, Yvlon knew. But he only glanced at the trajectory of her sword.<\/p>\n The three met in a clash that took a second to happen, but far longer for Yvlon to process. As she lay on her back, she recalled what had happened. She\u2019d swung, Grimalkin had stepped left, blocked<\/em> Ksmvr\u2019s shortsword with one arm, and then turned back and hit\u2014<\/p>\n She sat up and looked down at her chest plate. It had cushioned the blow, but Yvlon still felt bruised<\/em>. Had he sent her flying? With a punch<\/em>? She was wearing plate<\/em> armor!<\/em><\/p>\n But that was Grimalkin. Yvlon got up, teeth gritted, and saw him. He was letting Ksmvr attack him from the side, blocking the shortsword with one claw while the other was held back in a fist at his side. Ksmvr\u2019s rapid attack with his shortsword slowed, and Grimalkin punched<\/em>. Yvlon saw Ksmvr block and heard a sound like thunder. The Forceshield the Antinium held rippled<\/em> as the magical protection resisted the blow, and he skidded back.<\/p>\n \u201cI am unable to harm Grimalkin. Switching to Flamecoat Dagger and arrow. Fleeing in cowardice!\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium shouted as he turned and ran away, sheathing his shortsword. Grimalkin barked a peal of laughter. He turned as Yvlon rushed at him from behind. Two-handed, the [Wounded Warrior] swung, lashing at Grimalkin\u2019s body, going for speed, not strength. He twisted back, his feet moving across the grass, watching her blade and arms.<\/p>\n Casually. He was so relaxed!<\/em> Not dismissive; he never took his eyes off her as Yvlon cursed and advanced, slashing faster. But that little part in her head was screaming at her. It was telling Yvlon two things.<\/p>\n One. She could<\/em> understand Grimalkin a bit. She could judge his strength, even if he was still in a realm above hers. Because she could, she knew how outclassed she was.<\/p>\n Someone as big as he was had no right<\/em> to move that quick! But he did, and as he leaned out of the way of another slash, he jumped in and gave her a punch to her midsection that sent her stumbling back. Again, her armor caught the blow\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cWeak enchantment. If I hit it too hard, it\u2019ll dent.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s comment made Yvlon pause. She lowered her sword too slowly; he kicked her, and she went stumbling backwards. And then she realized she was on the edge of the muddy hill.<\/p>\n Down she tumbled. Yvlon rolled, feeling her arms take the force of the fall. Something creaked<\/em>\u2014but Pisces\u2019 bone reinforcement held. And she couldn\u2019t feel her arms.<\/em> The rest of her\u2014hurt. But it was humiliation. As Yvlon charged back up the hill, she saw something else. Ice fragments. A shower of ice.<\/p>\n Yvlon held up her gauntlets, covering her helmet. An unlucky splinter could put an eye out! Only when the sound had faded did she look and see Ceria was running from Grimalkin, firing [Ice Spikes] at him. He was blocking them with a barrier spell of some kind; Yvlon could see the distorted air. Ksmvr was firing arrows at the back of Grimalkin\u2019s head, and he was ignoring them too.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria! Let me!\u201d<\/p>\n The Human woman bellowed as she charged Grimalkin again. This time, he pointed at her, and she, realizing what was coming, tried to run sideways. The ray of frost hit her right shoulder; Yvlon swore as her right side went numb and heavy. But she ran on.<\/p>\n \u201cThis\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Her swing hit Grimalkin\u2019s barrier, and she felt pressure, then her sword cutting through. The magic exploded with a pop<\/em> of sound, and Grimalkin stepped back. Ceria fired an [Ice Spike] at his chest. Ksmvr loosed an arrow from behind.<\/p>\n \u201cGood! [Steel Hide]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The ice shattered<\/em> on his front. The arrow snapped on his back. Yvlon looked up, raised her sword, and felt a hand grab the hilt. She struggled, but Grimalkin had both hands in one steely claw. He raised a fist, and she braced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen enough. Byres! Out! Antinium! Out! Alright, [Necromancer], Springwalker, show me what you two can do alone.\u201d<\/p>\n He let go. Yvlon stumbled back and saw Ksmvr lower his bow and walk to one side. As Yvlon lowered her sword, panting, she saw a blur of white. Pisces stepped in<\/em>, his [Flash Step] spell carrying him towards Grimalkin\u2019s chest. He slashed with his flaming rapier, and the Drake blinked. The tip of the blade skidded across Grimalkin\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n Pisces stared at the Drake. He disappeared backwards and then, as Yvlon hurried out of the way, stabbed from the side. This time, the [Necromancer] stared at the tip of his blade. It was wedged between a pair of scales on Grimalkin\u2019s hand. The Muscle Mage lowered his blocking hand and regarded Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that your best? Show me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin looked up and raised one arm. The Warbear Bone Horror slammed both claws down with a silent roar,<\/em> and Yvlon saw Grimalkin stagger. Pisces stepped backwards as a trio of [Ice Spikes] hit Grimalkin on the tail, back, and shoulder. The young man flicked his fingers and shot a stream of fire from them. Grimalkin was engulfed! Yvlon stirred uneasily.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n Powerful or not, Grimalkin was a [Mage], and he didn\u2019t have enchanted robes or armor as far as Yvlon could tell. That had to still hurt! <\/em>She saw the Bone Horror snapping, straining against Grimalkin as he held it off him, but it was unable to crush him. And then\u2014<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Strength].<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon caught the last part of the spell. But she saw Grimalkin step back, hit<\/em> the Bone Horror, and spray half of its head across the hilltop. The audience watching the training session from the windows and outside the inn ducked. Grimalkin exhaled. His scales were smoking, but he looked annoyed more than anything else. Pisces stared and flicked more fire at him.<\/p>\n \u201c[Snow Flume]<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n A blast of snow extinguished the flames, and Pisces blurred out of the way. He stared at Grimalkin. The [Sinew Magus] stared back grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s really your best? Don\u2019t hold back. Where\u2019s your [Fireb\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n An ice spike twice as large as the last two shattered <\/em>on the back of Grimalkin\u2019s head, and he growled. Ceria was peeking around one of her [Ice Walls] as Grimalkin pointed a finger towards her.<\/p>\n \u201c[Fast Fireball]!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh shi\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The explosion was smaller than a regular fireball, but it still cracked<\/em> the [Ice Walls]. The half-Elf standing behind them was caught in the impact and went flying. Grimalkin shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen enough from you, Ceria Springwalker. [Necromancer].\u201d<\/p>\n He turned his head and bent backwards. Pisces missed the tip of Grimalkin\u2019s face with his flaming rapier. He pointed with his free hand.<\/p>\n \u201c[Stone Spray]! [Shock Volt]! [Summon Bone Horror\u2014]\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Gazelle\u2019s Dexterity].<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon saw Grimalkin twist, and his claws blocked the lightning. He punched out with one fist, and Pisces blurred left. But Grimalkin leapt forwards, and then he and Pisces were dodging, punching, while the [Necromancer] slashed desperately with his rapier, trying to gain distance\u2014but Grimalkin blocked with his claws, and he was just as fast! The two went back and forth, flicking across the grass for five seconds, ten\u2014<\/p>\n And then Pisces jumped back and vanished. Grimalkin paused, looked around, and saw the Bone Horror behind him rising. It was reconfiguring into the strange, tall creature with whip arms. Grimalkin snorted.<\/p>\n \u201c[Dispel Magic].\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed, and the Bone Horror fell to pieces. Yvlon heard a quiet curse. She held still as Grimalkin peered around. He sighed, folded his arms, and regarded his audience. A wincing Ceria climbed up the hill; Ksmvr and Yvlon stood in front of a crowd of Drakes, Gnolls, and adventurers who\u2019d come out to see Grimalkin testing them. The [Sinew Magus] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was your best spell yet. I\u2019ve cast [See Invisibility] by the way. It\u2019s good to see you\u2019re able to cast incantationless magic. And you are\u2014there.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed straight at Yvlon. She didn\u2019t hear anything, but she could still feel Pisces about. She blushed a bit; everyone was staring at her, and she had the distinct feeling that Pisces was trying to hide behind her back.<\/p>\n \u201cStop hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin folded his arms. Yvlon jumped<\/em> as Pisces appeared behind her, looking sour. The [Necromancer]\u2019s voice had a note of complaint in it.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you see me? I was quite sure that even with a spell, I would be invisible\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw the grass move. What do you expect me to do when you turn invisible? You should have used a jumping spell right away or lost me first. Or both.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin pointed down. Yvlon and everyone else stared at the grass around The Wandering Inn. Pisces turned red.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n He gazed at Grimalkin. The [Sinew Magus] rubbed the back of his neck where Ceria had hit him, sighing. He folded his arms and regarded the Horns of Hammerad. Somewhat shamefaced, they looked at him. Yvlon had mud and grass all over her armor, a slight dent around her stomach, and bruises. She wasn\u2019t sure about her arms, but she felt like the skin might be torn and bleeding under her armor.<\/p>\n She looked left and saw Ksmvr was mainly undamaged. Grimalkin hadn\u2019t hit him, but the Antinium\u2019s antennae were twitching with what Yvlon now understood as shame. Pisces was panting a bit, but he seemed embarrassed more than anything.<\/p>\n And Ceria? She looked at Yvlon and bit her lip. She was slightly battered, and her cheek was swollen. She\u2019d tried to use her [Ice Armor] spell in the first sparring session\u2014right before Grimalkin had punched her.<\/p>\n Grimalkin was unharmed. He smelled like smoke, and he had a bit of wood tangled in his neck spines, but all the Horns had managed to put on him was his irked expression. He looked at them, and Yvlon, flushing, waited for him to say something cutting. But all he did was nod.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. You\u2019re better than you look. Yvlon Byres, passed. Antinium?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am Ksmvr\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPassed. I don\u2019t need to do much to either of you. Ten more levels and\/or the right gear and you\u2019d both give me trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Ksmvr. Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAs [Warriors] go, you\u2019re fine for your levels and equipment. I\u2019ll address that. But my concern is with the [Necromancer]. Pisces, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n He regarded Pisces with an unfriendly look, which Pisces returned. But Grimalkin eventually sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a single Tier 4 spell, which is good. And I\u2019d be satisfied, by and large. There\u2019s always room for improvement, but that\u2019s far better than Erin Solstice had me thinking. And I don\u2019t know necromancy, so there\u2019s that. No\u2026that\u2019s not what I saw.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces stared. Grimalkin ignored him as he turned his head. He pointed at the last member of their group.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. You\u2019re the problem, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Every eye turned to Ceria. She blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere has to be some mistake, Magus Grimalkin.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon protested as the Horns gathered around Grimalkin and the audience filed back indoors. The four adventurers stood with the [Mage] just outside The Wandering Inn, talking in privacy.<\/p>\n Well\u2014moderate privacy\u2014the line for the outhouses was still there, although the Antinium had added in two more spaces, so five regular people and one Moore-sized guest could go at once with comfortable space in between. Naturally, all five were standing well upwind and far from the outhouses. Grimalkin sighed as he dug the tip of one claw in an earhole.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear me, Miss Byres? I\u2019m not accustomed to repeating myself! I said your weak link, your poorest team member is your Captain. Ceria Springwalker.\u201d<\/p>\n He raised his voice a few decibels, and Yvlon winced. She looked at Ceria. The half-Elf was stunned. And embarrassed. Yvlon frowned at Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cMagus Grimalkin. Er\u2014that\u2019s how I should be addressing you, correct?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake waved a claw as he stood impatiently on the balls of his feet. Yvlon nodded. Even standing still, Grimalkin managed to convey both energy and impatience.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate you agreeing to help train our team\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He held up a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cConsult. That\u2019s a better word for it. I have no interest in training your team, but Erin Solstice has expressed a desire for me to help you in her roundabout way. So as long as she provides me with the information I want, I will put aside some of my time to help your team out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow generous <\/em>of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces sneered as he stood furthest away from Grimalkin. He still looked peeved\u2014no, almost competitive as he stared at Grimalkin. Yvlon assumed his ego was hurt after the beating Grimalkin had just given her team. She shot him a glare, and he sullenly looked away. She wasn\u2019t happy either, but this was<\/em> an experienced [Mage]! The best in Pallass, if you believed Grimalkin\u2019s words.<\/p>\n \u201cWere you born with that tone of voice, or do you always sound like a sulking child?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin glanced at Pisces, and the [Necromancer] turned red. He opened his mouth, and Grimalkin spoke over him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just referring to your\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think this is free?<\/em> Or that I should be less than stingy with my time? How valuable do you think my time is that I can take a few hours out of my day to train any adventuring team? Did you think, when I referred to myself as the \u2018greatest [Mage] in Pallass\u2019, I was being hyperbolic? I would be grateful to Miss Solstice for interceding. I would also shut up if I were you, Necromancer Pisces. Because I tolerate snide comments like I tolerate rats in my home.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces flushed again, but the reply on the tip of his tongue went unsaid. Grimalkin eyed him and went on.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Now, Yvlon Byres. I\u2019m giving you my frank<\/em> and professional<\/em> opinion as someone who regularly consults with and trains [Mages], the elite units of Pallass\u2019 army, and who\u2019s fought on the front lines in six wars over the course of his life. If you have objections to my credentials or my abilities that you witnessed first-hand, feel free to voice them.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Yvlon. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2014Ceria\u2019s our weakest link?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Ceria. The half-Elf nodded hesitantly.<\/p>\n \u201cI know we can all improve, and I know I\u2019m not the best, but I thought that at my level\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou misunderstand me. I am saying that at your level<\/em>, you are by far the weakest of you four. I\u2019m not evaluating you on the merits of your levels or overall current ability, but your potential at this moment<\/em>. If I was basing my judgment on pure fighting ability, it would go the [Necromancer], you, Miss Byres, then the Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n Said Antinium interjected helpfully. It was now Yvlon\u2019s turn to blush at the frank appraisal. Ceria hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t even know our levels. Unless Erin\u2014she doesn\u2019t know them exactly. So how do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need to know them to make correct assumptions. You. [Necromancer]. Level 30 plus. Ceria, [Cryomancer]. Below Level 30. Upper mid-twenties I\u2019ll guess. Yvlon Byres, same level range. [Warrior], most likely generic. Antinium\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin gave Ksmvr a long and distasteful look.<\/p>\n \u201c[Skirmisher]. Level 20.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is very accurate. How did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon nodded, impressed despite herself. That was close! She was a Level 28 [Wounded Warrior], having leveled up once during training with Ksmvr and fighting low-level monsters over the last month. Grimalkin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Skills. You fight well, Miss Byres, but you lack any of the powerful moves that one associates with a Level 30 class. That truly is a breakpoint in terms of power; many [Warriors] gain lower-level attack Skills like your footwork Skill, [Lesser Strength], what I assume was a Skill that lightens your armor\u2014you felt lighter when I hit you than you should have been\u2014and was that a cutting Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Keener Edge]. Yes. That\u2019s right\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly! <\/em>If you were <\/em>Level 30, I would expect you to be a specialized class with a very distinct ability. Such as a [Shieldbreaker Axeman], which develops around level\u202630 to 35, I think, and has a [Shield Destroyer] Skill. Failing that, you would have at least one passive ability of note. The Antinium is easy as well; he has [Quick Movement] and [Quick Slash], but little else. The [Necromancer] has to be above Level 30 if he can summon Bone Horrors, but he\u2019s a lower-level [Mage]. His spell list includes only one Tier 4 spell. And Miss Springwalker knows only a couple higher-Tier ice spells. It\u2019s all very basic when you\u2019ve seen as many classes as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin looked around at the Horns. Yvlon wiped at her helmet with a cloth, and looked around. She got a begrudging nod from Pisces, an awkward smile from Ceria, and a wave from Ksmvr. They glanced at each other, impressed. She turned back to Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then. You\u2019re clearly an expert. But why is Ceria so much worse than the rest of us? She could tie both Ksmvr and me up with her [Ice Wall] spell if she needed to, and her [Ice Spikes] are accurate! We have our holes, but we\u2019re close to Gold-rank.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a certain point of view? Yes. Magical items make a team, and you have two\u2014no, three good ones. That enchanted sword, Miss Byres, already qualifies you. The Forceshield is splendid. The Ring of Jumping that Antinium uses is solid. But your [Mages] need work. Springwalker!<\/em> Front and center!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Why\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria didn\u2019t get a chance to object. Grimalkin grabbed her and yanked her over to stand in front of him. He spoke in a half-bellow.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were the weakest <\/em>member of your team in that mock battle by far! Even the Antinium managed to aim for my eyes! You relied too much on your spells and hunkering behind your [Ice Walls]! And why? Because you\u2019re out of shape!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He poked her in the stomach. Ceria turned red as Yvlon peered at her stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour leg muscles are atrophied! You think you can sit on your fattening ass and cast spells? Your [Ice Wall] is weaker than my toilet paper, and you have no dexterity on your feet! Move and cast! That\u2019s what my apprentices learn once they pass my basic physical baselines! The rest of your team can move,<\/em> but you hunker down like my grandmother on her deathbed and rely on your magic to protect you. That. Is. Na\u00efve!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He shouted in Ceria\u2019s face. The half-Elf blinked up at him and silently wiped spit from her face. Grimalkin poked at her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou lack firepower! I could have stood in front of you and let you hit me with [Ice Spikes] until my enchantment wore off. What can you do besides raise ice walls and cover yourself in ice? Sneeze at me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014uh\u2014well, I can cast [Fireball]. With a wand.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria waved her wand weakly. Grimalkin\u2019s eyes popped.<\/p>\n \u201cThen do it!<\/em> What, are you too good for fire spells? Or is your [Fireball] as weak as your arms?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the greatest around, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need stronger magic! <\/em>Otherwise, you\u2019re filling no role against a stronger enemy other than bait and being a nuisance! Low-level enemies might be stymied by those [Ice Walls], but anything that can smash through them isn\u2019t going to be slowed by an [Ice Spike]! Your team has one [Skirmisher], and he<\/em> has an enchanted dagger, a Ring of Jumping, and the luxury of being Level 20! What\u2019s your excuse?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI, uh\u2014well, I don\u2019t have the spellbooks just yet\u2014I\u2019ve been looking into them and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd?<\/em> I see rapid weight gain here. Here. And here<\/em>. You smell like alcohol, and I saw you drinking and eating twice what I would have fed my apprentices, and its lunch. You\u2019re lazy. How many spells did you learn this month? Last month?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cW-well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria turned beet red. Yvlon looked at her and remembered. Ceria\u2019s usual routine in The Wandering Inn was to eat, read her spellbook while having a drink or a snack, and usually stop reading and socialize with Erin or the team until she staggered up to her room, very<\/em> drunk. Even Pisces, for all he was bound to his bouts of laziness, went to his room earlier than everyone else, and Yvlon suspected he did a lot of [Necromancer] things in there. Ceria wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, not any spells<\/em>\u2014I did learn [Ice Armor]!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a spellbook?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026but hold on! Pisces hasn\u2019t learned any spells recently! Right?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria looked at Pisces. The [Necromancer] avoided her gaze. Grimalkin snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably playing with his undead. [Necromancers] don\u2019t need to learn as many spells. They create monsters. And I don\u2019t have to look twice to see that both Bone Horrors he made were optimized. Disgusting, but improved in economy of motion and bone.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces looked startled, then embarrassed and pleased.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw that? I have been improving them, and my primary Bone Horror is twenty percent more eff\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up. You are slothful!<\/em> Miss Byres and the Antinium Ksmvr thing both show evidence of training. You see her face? A lot less baby fat than yours!<\/em> [Mages] burn energy like [Warriors]\u2014the fact that you\u2019re gaining a paunch tells me you\u2019re slacking. You need to get your head back in shape, stop stuffing your face, and learn some magic!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n When Grimalkin had finished, Ceria finally stopped blocking her ears with the heels of her palms. She was very embarrassed, and as Yvlon unplugged her ears, a guilty silence stole over the Horns. When you put it like that\u2014she couldn\u2019t quite look at her team leader. Grimalkin had hit a nail on the head with all the tact of a hammer. Only Ksmvr was pleased.<\/p>\n \u201cYou remembered my name. I had thought you had trouble remembering.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin glared at him. Then he looked at Ceria and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then. That\u2019s my reprimand concluded. I hope you take this to heart. I could have been harsher, but you\u2019re not a [Soldier] or one of my apprentices. Now then, shall we discuss how you can improve? Inside the inn, I think. Is the second floor open? I dislike standing outside. Far too humid, and it looks like it will rain soon.\u201d<\/p>\n He waved at an errant Acid Fly glowing and buzzing past him and the cloudy skies. The Horns looked at each other. Yvlon blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cHarsher?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It was tough\u2026love. Or just toughness and a good deal of instructorly concern. Because Grimalkin did remind Yvlon of the [Trainer] her father had hired to teach both her and her brother how to fight. He didn\u2019t mince words, and upstairs, in Yvlon\u2019s room, he addressed Ceria again, pacing back and forth restlessly, tail swishing on the floorboards behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cWith that said, your spells are colder<\/em> than most [Ice Mages] I\u2019ve met. Or killed. Fast freezing too. Your aim is excellent. Combat-wise, you\u2019re still a cut above most Wistram graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Well, we did graduate from Wistram.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria perked up at that. She was still a bit red around the tips of her pointed ears. Grimalkin paused and looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou graduated?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n He frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what program? Are they allowing students to pay to graduate these days?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria choked on some tea Yvlon had gotten from below. The [Wounded Warrior] glared at Ceria; she was sitting on Yvlon\u2019s bed! Ceria wiped at her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Pisces and I both graduated. It\u2019s the truth!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWrong. Wistram doesn\u2019t allow their [Mages] to graduate at your level of spellcraft. You could probably fool non-Wistram [Mages], but it\u2019s obvious to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did graduate, Magus Grimalkin. You may cast [Detect Lies] if you wish. But it is true. There were extenuating circumstances, but I trust you\u2019ll take us at our word.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces frowned at Grimalkin. He\u2019d switched back to politeness as he balanced a teacup on four fingers. Grimalkin frowned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Fine then, I\u2019ll take you at your word, but my point stands. Most [Mages] Wistram churns out know multiple Tier 4 spells after they graduate. At least three to five. Not always combat spells, but I would<\/em> expect that from you two. With that said, they\u2019re terrible fighters, so you still pass in terms of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria and Pisces looked pleased at that. Yvlon just frowned. She began to ask\u2014but Ksmvr was already raising his hand. Grimalkin stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, Magus Grimalkin. What makes Wistram\u2019s Mages inferior despite their advanced spellcasting, which is apparently superior to Comrade Pisces\u2019 and Captain Ceria\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin grunted as Pisces and Ceria shot Ksmvr a dirty look.<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said. Experience. Just\u2026experience. And common sense in battle. Oh, they may be fully-accredited [Mages] with over half a decade\u2019s worth of studying, but that amounts to little field experience in most cases. Sometimes when we have to clash with Humans in the north or fight off a Terandrian fleet, I meet Wistram graduates fresh off the boats. They can cast [Grand Fireball] and link spells in practice, but in an actual battle?\u201d<\/p>\n He scratched absently at his chin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ones who don\u2019t freeze up at the sight of someone having their spine torn out don\u2019t have any awareness. Generally, I wait until they try and cast a huge spell and throw a rock at them from the side. Idiots don\u2019t even use encompassing barrier spells. Or if they do, a second rock does it. That always raises tensions when I visit the academy, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon gaped at Grimalkin and burnt her tongue on her tea.<\/p>\n \u201cYou make it sound so easy.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s easier than fighting a veteran [Mage]. This is just comparing Ceria and Pisces to freshly-graduated Wistram [Mages], which they\u2019re around the age of. You are<\/em> around sixty, aren\u2019t you, Miss Springwalker? Half-Elf bodies get difficult to place after around a hundred years.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin didn\u2019t bother to wait for an answer. He went on, filling a tea cup and sipping it himself as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWistram may be the premier academy of mages, but they\u2019ve lost all their true craft and magic to the Golems. They\u2019ve neutered themselves for fresh bed sheets, clean-swept floors, and predictability. I told your Archmages that, but none of them besides Amerys and Viltach gave me the passing time of day.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces looked delighted at the [Sinew Magus]\u2019 words. Ceria just looked shocked. The [Necromancer] leaned forwards eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you agree that Wistram is a shadow of itself, Magus Grimalkin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Or haven\u2019t you ever visited another academy of magic? Wistram still leads, but the gap is far, far narrower than it used to be. Take my school of learning: Fissival. Our Walled City may not have the illustrious history of the Isle of Mages, but we never lost our artifacts of old or our spellbooks. We train [Mages] for war or academia, and in battle, ours tend to survive longer than most Wistram graduates. Although I will admit that academic [Mages] are common wherever you go. At least Fissival allows for [Scholars] and non-spellcasters. But I wasn\u2019t ever a researcher.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake trailed off again, sighing. Then he looked around sharply and pointed at Ceria. She jumped and slopped more tea onto Yvlon\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. Why are you so half-done? Your foundation is excellent. But you don\u2019t even know [Icy Spear]. If you graduated from Wistram, why did they let you leave? Or\u2014didn\u2019t you have a master? I\u2019ve heard how brutal the academy is on some students. Don\u2019t tell me they made you take basic courses all six years?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria swallowed hard and paled. She looked at Pisces and shook her head. Yvlon, knowing what was coming, sat back a bit in her chair.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. No, we were expelled. By Wistram\u2019s Council of Mages. But we were allowed to graduate because, um, Cognita, the Golem, declared us graduates. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She trailed off. Pisces lowered his cup and glanced at Ceria and then quietly closed his eyes. The Drake [Mage] glanced quizzically at him as Pisces spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was my fault. I committed an error in judgment. However, I was always planning on leaving. I was\u2026revealed as a [Necromancer]. But to be brief, the entirety of the tale is this. Ceria\u2019s master was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIllphres. Illphres, the [Ice Mage].\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria breathed the words. And the look in her eyes was sad and cold. Grimalkin frowned. He listened, and so did Yvlon. The tale of the days the two had spent in Wistram was one she\u2019d heard from them once on the ride back from Celum to Liscor. Hearing the abbreviated version again didn\u2019t make it any less tragic.<\/p>\n An academy managed by Golems. Cognita, the Truestone Golem, and the test to reach the higher floors. Pisces, the young, popular talent exposed as a [Necromancer]. Illphres, the expert [Ice Mage] who\u2019d taken Ceria in. The test that had claimed the lives of Illphres and four other senior [Mages]. Pisces animating their corpses to rob the grave of Archmage Nekhret. Death. Judgment. Expulsion.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMontressa. Beatrice\u2014our friends. And Calvaron. He died there too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head, her expression bleak. It was the past. And yet, Yvlon knew all too well, the past could cut you in the present with a knife as sharp as memory. Grimalkin stared at her and Pisces, and his impatient expression flickered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two were the students at the heart of that<\/em> incident? The one with the Specters?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria and Pisces looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve heard of us? Wait\u2014you know about that day? The Council and Archmage Feor told people?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cKnow about it? It was the talk of Fissival and the [Mage] community for nearly a year afterwards! An Archmage\u2019s guardian undead killing twelve students and faculty and leaving fifty-three injured? Do you really expect Wistram<\/em> of all places to be able to keep that secret?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria bit her lip. Yvlon remembered her talking about the currency of secrets that the academy used.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not. What did you hear, Mage Grimalkin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust the basics. I was fascinated\u2014specter-type undead that even the current Archmages struggled against? It was as bad as fighting Ghosts that Az\u2019kerash summoned. Of course, my interest was just theoretical; I wanted to be sure Pallass could stand up against an attack from that kind of threat. But you two were\u2026now I see.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin trailed off. He looked at Ceria\u2019s miserable expression and Pisces\u2019 haunted one. Then he nodded. He sucked in his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cTESTICLES!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Downstairs, Erin heard the shout through the ceiling and jumped<\/em>. The Shogi piece she was holding went flying, and Chaldion winced. The old Drake grumbled as the entire inn looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cThat annoying muscle-head is at it again. You set him on that adventuring team, did you? You must either love or hate them, girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin winced. She could hear Grimalkin thumping<\/em> around upstairs, and his voice was loud enough to be heard through the floorboards.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he always like this?\u201d<\/p>\n Chaldion gave Erin a long look. He sourly picked up the piece she\u2019d dropped and placed it back on the board.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ceria\u2019s ears were ringing. Grimalkin\u2019s shout had actually made the windows rattle. He strode down the length of Yvlon\u2019s room and then turned back and pointed at her.<\/p>\n \u201cTesticles!<\/em> Gonads! Wait, Human females don\u2019t actually have them, do they? I don\u2019t focus on reproductive organs, just muscle. Anyways. Ceria Springwalker! Your master was one of the few [Mages] to take on the so-called \u2018test\u2019 Archmage Zelkyr left behind, wasn\u2019t she? I applaud her. She was brave. Truly brave! But foolish. I wish she hadn\u2019t thrown away her life. If she hadn\u2019t, you\u2019d be twice the [Cryomancer] you are today. And she would be alive. But the testicles<\/em> she must have had\u2014I wish I\u2019d known her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014but\u2014she wasn\u2019t a fool!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria felt both pleased and angry at Grimalkin\u2019s comments at once. The [Sinew Magus] shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was. Brave! As brave as any [Mage] I\u2019ve met to take on the test! But she was a poor master.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTake that back!\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf flushed in true anger this time, not embarrassment. She\u2019d take Grimalkin insulting her all day\u2014he was right, which was why it hurt so much\u2014but badmouthing Illphres? She stood up, hand and skeletal hand clenched. Grimalkin didn\u2019t bat an eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t. She was a fool. Or else, why would she have left her apprentice behind without so much as a spellbook? Any decent master would have arranged for you to get something or have someone else teach you. She did neither.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria turned pale.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2014I wasn\u2019t her apprentice long. She probably forgot, and we were expelled before I could ask about her things. But she was a great master! Illphres was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA fool. And I don\u2019t blame Wistram\u2019s [Mages] for not trying the upper levels, even though I think it\u2019s destroyed their potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin sighed and pulled a spare chair up. Ceria clenched her fists, but Pisces spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d hope that you had more respect for the dead, Magus Grimalkin. Illphres and her comrades were trying to restore true magic to the halls of Wistram. Isn\u2019t that a noble deed?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria breathed out. She looked at Pisces and saw his eyes were sharp on Grimalkin\u2019s face. Not angry, just\u2014observant. Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cause is noble. The attempt is suicidal. Let\u2019s be honest, you two former Wistram graduates. I\u2019ve been to Wistram. I visit it every few years. And I\u2019m familiar with Cognita. Moreover, I took a look at the \u2018test\u2019 Archmage Zelkyr left behind. Have you?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked pointedly at Ceria. She hesitated and nodded silently. Her stomach was tearing itself into knots. Yvlon looked over from her seat and carefully rested a hand on Ceria\u2019s shoulder. The half-Elf nodded gratefully to her. Grimalkin nodded as well, and his expression was dark.<\/p>\n \u201cThe test of Archmage Zelkyr. Defeat his guardians and pass. Four Golems plus your famous Cognita. The Armor Golem isn\u2019t much, although it is exquisitely made. I could take that one down, in theory, with the right preparations and some artifacts. But the magma creation? That thing made of metal? That invisible flesh-monster?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head. Ceria started, recalling each in turn. Yvlon and Ksmvr just looked silently at her and Pisces, and the [Necromancer] shuddered. Grimalkin kept going.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen advanced Golems fight, like the War Golems the Terlands still use. Have you seen them? They can shoot beams of light, cast spells\u2014no. You know, I thought about challenging the test myself when I was younger and I thought it would make me a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria looked up. Grimalkin nodded, smiling ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t every [Mage] who hears about it? Of course I did. And no disrespect to your master, but I imagine I have at least a few levels on her. If I did it, I thought, I\u2019d bring the best team. One with the greatest [Mages] the world had to offer. From Fissival as well as Wistram. But even if I took the best six [Mages] I know, I\u2019d only give us a one-in-three chance of victory. And that includes Archmage Amerys and Viltach.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria swallowed hard. Archmage Amerys? She remembered her<\/em> as well. And Illphres had said Amerys had more levels\u2026she bit her lip, remembering Illphres\u2019 last words. The way she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone had to try. Someone\u2014it wasn\u2019t in vain.\u201d<\/p>\n The look in Grimalkin\u2019s eyes softened just a bit. He cleared his throat awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But as long as that monster guards Wistram, no [Mage] will pass that test. I guarantee it. The other Golems you could handle, at risk and at cost. But Cognita? She\u2019s stronger than all four of the others put together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Cognita, then, Magus Grimalkin?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 voice was quiet. Grimalkin nodded, baring his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I know her? Cognita, the Truestone Golem. She was made by a Drake. By one of our Archmages less than two hundred years ago.<\/em> Archmage Zelkyr was a genius who transformed the world, and his creations live on to this day. Historically, Cognita walked Pallass\u2019 walls. She fought against the Five Families\u2014helped crush the foothold they established on our shores, and killed two other Archmages in battle herself. You should look up her history. We have libraries, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Pisces and Ceria. The half-Elf shook her head. She didn\u2019t want to think of Cognita. Pisces\u2019 eyes were alight with interest.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of her history, Magus Grimalkin. But I also know that many artifacts belong to the Walled Cities and in the vaults of the current Archmages. Two Archmages and yourself and you wouldn\u2019t try? Ever? Was it just a matter of logistics or the others refusing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I decided not to. Because of Cognita. Let me repeat myself. She killed. Two. Archmages. In battle. Back when Zelkyr walked the earth and [Archmage] was a class, not a title. No disrespect to your former master, Miss Springwalker, but I don\u2019t blame any [Mage] for refusing to fight her. If I took every Gold-rank adventurer in your inn and threw them at her, she would probably finish the fight in less than five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Fortunately, they weren\u2019t in the common room where everyone could hear. Grimalkin ignored the incredulous look Yvlon was giving him.<\/p>\n \u201cGold-rank\u2019s nowhere near the level you need to be to hurt something like her. Even Saliss of Lights, our Named Adventurer\u2014well, if he prepped, he might actually do her some damage. But once she caught him, he\u2019d be dead too. I\u2019m just surprised Wistram\u2019s [Mages] are so comfortable walking around with a superior being judging their every move and their petty squabbling for the scraps of power she lets them have.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 eyes lit up. Ksmvr leaned forwards too, excited.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Is this Saliss truly that powerful? More so than you, Magus Grimalkin, by comparison?\u201d<\/p>\n The huge Drake paused and, for a moment, looked uncomfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he\u2019s a Named Adventurer for a reason. And he possesses one of the highest, if limited, combat potentials in the world. He is on my list of people who could kill me\u2014if he took me off-guard. In a fair fight, I\u2019d be prepared, of course. But he\u2019s still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He broke off, grumbling, as he folded his arms. Yvlon frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a list of people who can kill you in a fight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I have a list of everyone who can kill me in combat. Any such individual is a threat to the Walled Cities!\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns exchanged a glance. Ceria knew they were way off-topic, but she couldn\u2019t help but ask.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s on it? Elia Arcsinger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin laughed as he took a sip of tea. Then he frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, were you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n He eyed Ceria and then shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cNever mind. We\u2019re missing the point. I see now why you two lack some magical knowledge. Nothing to be done about it. Your master\u2019s dead, and you don\u2019t have a master.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Pisces. The [Necromancer] nodded stiffly. Ceria sat up as Grimalkin got up and paced once more.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I said, it shows. In Ceria most of all. You lack spells! The rest of your team is solid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t feel solid. I realized how far I have to go. I never touched you in that sparring session! Honestly, aren\u2019t I a big weak link?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon shook her head. Grimalkin just laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou? Miss Byres, if I see a sword enchanted like yours, I avoid it! Moreover, you\u2019re not at Level 30. [Warriors] like you tend to gain a powerful Skill along with a class then\u2014and often in a specific direction. Offensive Skills. Defensive. Or utility, like mobility. Each one has its strengths. Given your fighting style, I\u2019d guess you\u2019ll gain something offensive or mobility-based, but who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon blinked as he thrust a claw at her. Ceria looked at her. A Level 30 Skill? Ceria had been dreaming of what she\u2019d get, but Yvlon? The Muscle Mage went on.<\/p>\n \u201cEither way, if you gained, say, [Hundred-Foot Lunge] or [Whirlwind Cleave], you\u2019d solve your issue of reaching the enemy neatly. Most foes can\u2019t dodge like I can; your sword puts you at Gold-rank, and if you gain a decent Skill at Level 30, I\u2019ll certify you as Gold-rank on the spot. The Antinium needs levels and gear, but for his level he\u2019s the most effective of you. As for you two\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Pisces and Ceria and paused. Reluctantly, frowning, he stared at Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cLow-level spells. Fast casting with your bare hands. [Fencer]\u2019s footwork and a [Fencer]\u2019s Skills. Your technique\u2026you lack Skills, but [Flash Step] makes up for your agility. Huh.\u201d<\/p>\n He tapped one foot impatiently on the floorboards. Pisces looked somewhat pleased and wary. After a moment, Grimalkin nodded reluctantly.<\/p>\n \u201c[Fireball]. [Lightning Bolt]. [Acid Orb]. [Ice Spear]\u2014well, your half-Elf companion would learn that. What\u2019s the [Necromancer] equivalent? Ah, yes. [Deathbolt]. <\/em>But that\u2019s a poorer spell. Hm. Fine. [Fireball], [Lightning Bolt], [Acid Orb], and\u2014[Stone Spear]. Take your pick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces blinked. Ceria sat up on the tea-spattered bed. Grimalkin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cTake your pick. I\u2019ll give you a scroll with the spell. They\u2019re Tier 3; if you can master [Invisibility], they shouldn\u2019t take more than a few weeks at most for you. And they\u2019re simple enough that I have copies. I\u2019ll charge Miss Solstice\u2019s account.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The other Horns sat up. Grimalkin nodded reluctantly at Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cYou pass. Your dodging ability is superior to my apprentices, you have a melee weapon, and you\u2019re practicing fast-casting in the modern style. If you weren\u2019t a [Necromancer], I\u2019d bring you back to have my students learn from your style.\u201d<\/p>\n He paused. Pisces looked delighted, and Ceria was sure his ego was expanding like a toad. Grimalkin shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAs it is, you\u2019re a disgusting waste of potential. Your [Necromancer] class is designed for raising armies of undead. These specialized Bone Horrors are useful as walls, but [Necromancers] specialize in overwhelming their opponents with minions. You need to keep\u2026three high-grade mana potions on your person at all times and triple the amount of bones you have stockpiled. Then you can raise a small army of skeletons for any given battle. Animal bones? Good. I\u2019d have to hit you if they were Drake, Gnoll, or Human.\u201d<\/p>\n He sighed louder.<\/p>\n \u201cYou pass. But either upgrade that rapier and learn more duelist spells or stop using it. It won\u2019t cut my scales; good luck fighting a Wyvern or anything with a tough hide.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces preened<\/em>. Yvlon rolled her eyes in disgust as he adjusted his robes and sat up, smiling contentedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind. But, ah, Magus Grimalkin, you\u2019re referring to Miss Byres as close to Gold-rank\u2014Ksmvr obviously simply has too few levels\u2014but what did you mean about \u2018certifying us\u2019? You mean, giving us a Gold-rank status as adventurers? I assumed that was a matter for Adventurer\u2019s Guilds to take on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin looked affronted.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I can certify someone as Gold-rank. I recommended two of my apprentices to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild in Pallass when they graduated from my training. One for Gold-rank, the other for Silver. She hit Gold-rank in four months. Human Adventurer\u2019s Guilds don\u2019t take recommendations? Haven\u2019t you gotten one from a Gold-rank team?\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns went uncomfortably silent. Grimalkin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThey probably agreed with me. Now, onto Ceria Springwalker.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Ceria, and her heart sank. She raised her flesh and skeletal hand, smiling weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cI get it. Stop eating, start learning from my spellbook\u2026I can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n She noticed Pisces, Yvlon, and Ksmvr all looking at her skeptically. Even Ksmvr, which hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cI can! Honestly! It\u2019s just that I don\u2019t have any more ice spells in that spellbook of Warmage Thresk\u2019s. But I taught myself how to use [Frozen Armor] in the Raskghar den, remember? I just need to put my back to the wall and\u2026we can buy<\/em> a spellbook, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. I may be able to help with spellbooks. I have a few duplicates. But your issue is that you need to practice magic. The [Necromancer] can fiddle about with bones, but you need to practice magic. And not just aiming spells or quickening your incantation. Your [Ice Walls] need to be strengthened. You need to improve your mastery of frost; that\u2019s what [Elementalists] do. They specialize.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin drummed his claws on one arm absently. Ceria looked at him blankly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow am I supposed to do that? Gain more Skills? I already have [Weak Frost Resistance], [Ice Magic Affinity], and [Frozen Quickshape], but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She jumped as Grimalkin thumped his thigh. The [Sinew Magus] glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods! Do you think magic is all about Skills?<\/em> I\u2019m talking about practice! Honest work!<\/em> You need a regimen. Structure! And this is what I specialize in!\u201d<\/p>\n He snapped his fingers, and the pop<\/em> of sound made the Horns jump. Grimalkin got up in one movement and strode over to Ceria. She found herself standing as he nodded, practically vibrating with energy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m no [Cryomancer]. I know a few dozen spells involving ice magic, but it\u2019s not my specialty. But I do know how they train. We\u2019re going to have you work on your fundamentals, Springwalker! It\u2019ll be intense! Possibly life-threatening! But.<\/em> That. Is. Why. It. Works!\u201d<\/p>\n He jabbed her in the chest. Ceria rocked back on her feet with each impact and opened her mouth. He couldn\u2019t mean\u2014she turned red again.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on! I know what my master talked about having me do, but that\u2019s a bit extreme, right? I can\u2019t even\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitated. Grimalkin paused as he paced over to the door and came back. Pisces and Yvlon looked interestedly at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo what?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria hesitated and turned red. She coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cUh. W-well. She said that when she learned ice magic, she, er, went to Terandria and walked in the worst blizzards she could find. Naked.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr stared blankly at Ceria. Pisces, on the other hand, let out a cackle, and Yvlon covered her face. Grimalkin just looked nonplussed. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWalking around in a blizzard naked? Why would that<\/em> help? You\u2019re in your element. No. That\u2019s idiotic. What I<\/em> have planned is much more efficient. And you can do it without needing inclement weather. I just need one thing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He paused. The Horns of Hammerad looked at him expectantly. Grimalkin looked around, frowning, and then he leaned over to Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026This inn wouldn\u2019t happen to have a bathtub, would it? I need to borrow it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAaah! Aaah! It hurts!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice heard Ceria screaming outside. She stared at Chaldion\u2014they were playing Go at this point to break up the Shogi games. He was new to them, but he\u2019d won three games out of eight. Erin was enjoying herself so much she really didn\u2019t want to look. But after four minutes of Ceria screaming, she got up and, with a sigh, went outside.<\/p>\n She found Ceria standing in the bathtub. Or rather\u2014lying down in it. It was a nice, round, wooden tub, big enough to hold even Relc if he lay down and submerged in it. Not that he\u2019d ever used it. Erin herself didn\u2019t use it much; Liscor\u2019s bathhouses were much nicer. And it was a pain to fill.<\/p>\n But the bathtub was filled now. With water. In fact, with boiling<\/em> water. And Ceria was lying in it. Grimalkin had set up a raging fire around the bottom of the tub and, heedless of the way it kept on scorching the sides, was stoking it mercilessly. The only thing that was keeping the tub from burning itself was the water Ceria kept splashing over the sides as she thrashed. But Ksmvr was helping to fill the tub with a bucket. Yvlon and Pisces were just watching.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat on earth? Ceria!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was horrified. The half-Elf was going to cook her brains! At the very least scald her skin off! Already, the half-Elf\u2019s arms were red and cooked, but Erin realized the tub was blazing<\/em> with heat! It wasn\u2019t just scald-yourself hot, it was you\u2019ll-actually-die-it\u2019s-that-hot!<\/em> She looked at Grimalkin in horror. The [Sinew Magus] looked up cheerfully.<\/p>\n \u201cMore heat! Come on, [Necromancer], help me with these flames. We\u2019ll probably need a copper tub if this thing keeps burning. Feel the burn, Springwalker!<\/em> That\u2019s how you know you\u2019re alive!\u201d<\/p>\n He flexed, raising his arms up and roaring encouragement. Ceria just screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m burning alive, you monster! It\u2019s too hot! It\u2019s too <\/em>hot!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s going to die! Grimalkin, what are you doing!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin had to walk around the fire towards Grimalkin. The Muscle Mage looked at her, beaming.<\/p>\n \u201cNot if she does what she has to! Ah, Erin Solstice, admiring my custom-made course? I told you I\u2019d deliver! Fancy talking about parkour? I could try working up something for the [Necromancer], but Miss Springwalker was the one I thought was really\u2014whoops, sorry, it\u2019s getting too cool. Hold on a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed and shot a bunch of blue flames into the fire. Ceria screamed, and Erin panicked.<\/p>\n \u201cPut it out! Why\u2019s she in there? What kind of training needs this?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around and grabbed a spare bucket, but Grimalkin held her back.<\/p>\n \u201cIce magic training, of course! <\/em>Miss Springwalker\u2019s lowering the heat in the water! Or how else would she be alive? This is training her core! Her magical core!\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed, and Erin saw that he was right! Ceria was flailing about and screaming curses at her team, but she wasn\u2019t looking nearly as bad as the fierce heat suggested. She stared at Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014really?<\/em> [Mages] have a core too?\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, not really. It\u2019s a good analogy, though. She\u2019s really training her ability to freeze things. The faster and more intense she can do it, the stronger her ice spells will be. Especially the higher-level spells. This is a precursor to her learning more advanced ice magics, and it\u2019ll strengthen her [Ice Wall] and [Ice Spear] spell\u2014when she learns it. I\u2019m going to have Ferkr check if I have the spell in my collection. You haven\u2019t seen her around, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Grimalkin. Then she heard Ceria shout from the tub.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do it anymore! Put the fire out! Put it out or I\u2019ll die!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense! You\u2019ve only been in there\u2026eight minutes! Keep going! And you, Pisces, more heat! You need to work, Springwalker, or you\u2019ll never improve! Push those limits!<\/em> Look at Miss Solstice here. She fought a Goblin Lord\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to kill you!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have the spare magic for that, I\u2019d welcome the attempt!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin waited. Ceria just stared at him through the steam and started uttering profanities. Erin saw Mrsha, who was padding out to look at what all the fuss was about, promptly be pulled back in by a motherly Lyonette. Grimalkin turned to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyways, we\u2019ll see what Springwalker\u2019s limit is with this test. I have a few others, but this is actually a very good method to force her to improve. She\u2019s acknowledged she\u2019s become complacent, and her team\u2019s very willing to help her improve. I admire that. Team spirit can force people even further past their limits!\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at Pisces, Yvlon, and Ksmvr. It looked to Erin like they were placing bets on how long Ceria would last as she cursed them. But\u2014Pisces leaned over and said something to Ceria that made her splash boiling water at him. He retreated, howling, but Yvlon was there, and Ksmvr happily waved as he splashed water into Ceria\u2019s tub.<\/p>\n It was madness, but it was their kind of madness. Erin laughed. Then she looked at the tub.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Hot tubs.\u201d<\/p>\n She thought about it, and then her eyes widened. Erin turned to Grimalkin, who was inspecting the heat and muttering about it being \u2018only as hot as a cook fire\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cHot tubs! That\u2019s it! Grimalkin, you\u2019re a genius!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] looked up blankly. Erin danced about excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god. Hey, Lyonette! Pawn! Belgrade! Get out here! <\/em>We need hot tubs for the inn! Can we build\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She rushed back inside before Grimalkin could blink. He straightened, looking at Erin as the door slammed shut. Ceria, boiling, glared at him from her bath. She was still wearing her robes. Grimalkin pointed at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cIs she always like that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hate you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Muscle Mage met Ceria\u2019s gaze and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, keep freezing. You\u2019re clearly out of practice from when your master trained you. Freeze<\/em> the hot water! Or do you think you\u2019ll be allowed to skip fighting in the summer? [Cryomancers] generate their own cold, or they switch to water magic! But we do need to hydrate you. Drink the water in the tub! Or you\u2019ll sweat to death! Come on, Springwalker! This is barely hot enough to boil my tea in. Do you want to improve, or do you want to improve?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A strangled scream was his only reply. But Grimalkin saw Ceria thrust herself deeper into the boiling water, and he smiled. She had spirit, that half-Elf. Then Grimalkin saw Ksmvr sidling over. The Antinium splashed Ceria with water and conspiratorially leaned over to Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cMagus Grimalkin, I believe there is one more glaring weakness I possess that I would like you to address if you have the time. It is a crucial flaw in my team\u2019s makeup, and I believe it is just as pressing as Captain Ceria\u2019s weakness in magic, if not more so.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] regarded Ksmvr with distrust, but also a bit of interest. He folded his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr took a deep breath. He looked at Ceria boiling in her bathtub, then at Grimalkin, then at Ceria and came out with it in a rush.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, I have a fear of drowning in water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you can\u2019t swim?\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr nodded repeatedly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Antinium are incapable of swimming. But I was hoping you could help me.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cGet over your fear of drowning in water when you\u2019ll die if you enter it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr waited. Grimalkin stared at him, looked him up and down, and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIn your case, I\u2019d stay afraid, Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n He walked away. Ksmvr stared down at the dregs of water in the bucket he held and nodded. He whispered at the bucket as he solemnly emptied the rest into Ceria\u2019s tub.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While Ceria practiced her ice magic outside with Grimalkin, Erin\u2019s attempts to convince Lyonette to install a hot spring in the new inn\u2019s plans were derailed when she saw a familiar, quiet figure sitting in her inn. She stared and then slapped her head and ran over to a Gnoll happily inspecting a flower in a cup at the bar.<\/p>\n Xif the [Alchemist] looked up warily but, after a moment, went over to speak with Octavia. Because Erin had asked him to, up front. He coughed as Octavia doodled on the table with one finger; she\u2019d taken it off her hand by undoing the stitching. She looked up blankly as Xif smiled politely.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Miss Octavia. Might I have a word? My name is Xif, and Miss Solstice invited me to chat with you. I understand you\u2019ve had some trouble in your shop? I\u2019d be glad to discuss the matter with you for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia jumped and blinked up at Xif. And then her eyes were round. She felt at her eyes, pulled one out<\/em>, and then put it back in and stared at the Gnoll. She stuttered.<\/p>\n \u201cX-x-x-Xif? <\/em>As in, Xif the [Alchemist], the one who developed the modern cure-all basic antidote formula?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled kindly at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t go that far. I just improved the formula. It was quite well-received, though. May I sit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Please! Take my chair! Take his chair too!\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia shot to her feet and began offering Xif every chair in reach. Numbtongue growled as she reached for a chair at his table, but Xif, chuckling, sat down and beckoned her to sit with him. Octavia did, staring at Xif wide-eyed over her empty cup and plate. She hesitated and then burst out.<\/p>\n \u201cI would love<\/em> to exchange notes. Formulas? Apprentice myself to you and cook and clean up after you? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll paused only for a moment before shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid not, Miss Octavia. You know how we are with secret formulas and recipes. I don\u2019t take apprentices, and if I did\u2014it would have to be someone with a Skillset outside of mine. If you do have any unique Skills, I\u2019d be willing to discuss it. Ah\u2014for reference, I\u2019m specialized in plant work. [Poison Immunity] and [Perfect Reduction] would be some of my focused Skills. And you?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia hesitated. She lost her sudden burst of energy and looked down at the table, flushing behind her dark, stitched skin.<\/p>\n \u201c[M-Magic-Water Solvent]. And\u2026[Mineral Distillation].\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue, listening with one ear to the conversation as he ate an entire plate of macaroni and cheese, heard the embarrassment in her voice. Were they bad Skills for an [Alchemist]? He turned his head and saw Xif smile again. Not condescendingly, but with a knowing look that told Numbtongue his guess was right.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, of course. Celum\u2019s farm. Rocks and magical liquid. It\u2019s a fine start, Miss Cotton, but I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s not worth my time to teach you. There\u2019s no malice; I hope you understand? Erin Solstice herself couldn\u2019t persuade me to take on an apprentice, not even if she sold me half her flowers. If she has two rare ingredients, though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I understand. I\u2019m sorry, I just\u2014I\u2019d offer anything to study under a master<\/em>. I\u2026uh, has Erin talked about my matches? I\u2019m also studying this Haste Potion\u2014I could show it to you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia\u2019s hands were fumbling nervously under the table. For a second time, Xif smiled apologetically and shook his furry head.<\/p>\n \u201cI did see them. Fascinating. I\u2019m afraid most [Alchemists] will be able to copy them once they arrive in Pallass, Miss Octavia. I\u2019m\u2026going to be quite busy with this flower, so I\u2019ll forget I saw them for a bit. But\u2014and I do apologize\u2014I don\u2019t wish to owe you a favor. A Haste Potion, you said? I have seen Potions of Quickness before. Haste would be\u2026but are you sure of the effects?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I think I am. I\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m not trying to push\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia\u2019s voice was far meeker than Numbtongue remembered too. But Xif was kindly, even if Numbtongue felt like turning around and kicking him in the back. He\u2019d seen everything the Gnoll had done with Erin. He\u2019d taken her flower! Never mind that he left all that gold there\u2014for the Hobgoblin, theft was theft. If Xif took a single mug from Erin\u2019s inn, he, Numbtongue, would happily beat him to death with it. And then get a new mug. That was how Goblins did things. You didn\u2019t steal.<\/em> Okay, Goblins had few possessions, but it was like if Numbtongue had taken Shorthilt\u2019s sword\u2014<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin looked down at the steel sword hanging from his side. He only paid attention to the conversation between the two [Alchemists] when he heard Octavia stuttering.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014it was my fault, really. I started it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, that sounds like the Chandrarian way. Throwing potions at each other? Insults in public? I miss that. Do they still have alchemy duels between competing shops in public and huge feuds? They must!\u201d<\/p>\n Xif was laughing. Then he grew serious.<\/p>\n \u201cBut really, Miss Cotton. You might have been improper as far as the law\u2019s concerned, but hiring a gang to vandalize your shop? Extorting money? We [Alchemists] in Pallass have our fights, but they never go to that extreme. I would say this Mister Quelm is receiving his just rewards. And with his absence, the remaining [Alchemists] in Celum have less competition, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded, and Octavia nodded as well. She fiddled with a fork nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s only Mabel now that Jeffil\u2019s out of the game. But\u2026my name\u2019s mud with Celum\u2019s City Watch. And that gang could still be hanging around.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif nodded again, his eyes alert, considering. He leaned forwards as Drassi brought over a tray with some drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, as I said, I can\u2019t help your shop with recipes or training, Miss Cotton. I don\u2019t know what Miss Solstice had in mind, but I do take Grimalkin\u2019s position. You know what secrets are to [Alchemists]; we\u2019re always stealing each other\u2019s best products.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded miserably, and Xif held up one furry finger.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever<\/em>, I\u2019m quite content to talk about how I run my business. And I do remember starting up in a small city\u2014I have travelled abroad, and I understand customers. The agony of pricing that accursed stamina potion as well! As humble as it may be, I think I know price points in cities even as far north as Celum\u2014I have a number of [Merchants] who make the journey north of Pallass during the winter. I could recommend your matches to a few and discuss what I know of the business? If that suits you?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Octavia. Numbtongue peeked at her face and saw it turn hopeful.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d\u2014I\u2019d appreciate that very much, Alchemist Xif. Would you mind if I, er, took notes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXif, please. By all means. Let me lend you my quill. It\u2019s magical.\u201d<\/p>\n The two began a heated discussion that Numbtongue stopped following after it began diving into the economics of potions and how much copper you could get away with charging. Lighting? Presentation? The Hobgoblin contented himself with ordering another plate of noodles.<\/p>\n Briefly, yes, briefly, he felt guilty that he wasn\u2019t sharing this with Pyrite. But Numbtongue had a sense that it took\u2026at least eight hours to reuse his Skill to bring Pyrite back. And it was completely different from using Pyrite\u2019s memories too. The other Hobgoblin was there<\/em> with his Skills and personality. It was amazing. Incredible.<\/p>\n Painful. Numbtongue resolved that, if he could, he\u2019d \u2018treat\u2019 Pyrite to at least one meal a day. The Hobgoblin really loved fish; most Goblins did. But Numbtongue was sure he\u2019d love meatloaf. And what might he say to Erin? What might he do? Numbtongue couldn\u2019t wait\u2014but as he was finishing his second plate, he realized Xif had finished with Octavia. Now the [Alchemist] was coming over to his<\/em> table!<\/p>\n Numbtongue looked up warily. Xif smiled and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cEr, Numbtongue is it? May I sit?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue thought about it.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif hesitated. He was halfway sitting, but he stood up after a moment and his smile became forced. He looked at Numbtongue, and the Hobgoblin remembered the way he\u2019d recoiled from him when they first met. Of course, most people did that. That young woman named Garia had kicked<\/em> him. Numbtongue was more embarrassed than anything else about that. But Xif\u2026the Hobgoblin waited.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d, ah, like to make you an offer, Numbtongue. You are the first Goblin I\u2019ve encountered, let alone Hobgoblin\u2026forgive me, but would you be willing to part with some nail clippings? I notice yours are quite long, and I\u2019d be willing to pay for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif indicated Numbtongue\u2019s hands. Reflexively, the Goblin hid his hands and stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour fingernails. I\u2019d like to buy them. Toenails too. I know some of my peers have looked into it, but I thought I\u2019d ask since today seems to be a day of windfalls. Would you consider it?\u201d<\/p>\n Xif smiled at Numbtongue. The Hobgoblin thought he looked wary. If he shouted, would Xif run or throw a potion in his face? The Hobgoblin decided to just sit back and fold his arms. Xif sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI really would like to use them. For potions? It would earn you money as well. How much would you take for them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne million gold pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif blinked. Numbtongue didn\u2019t know if he\u2019d used his Skill or not, but the Gnoll\u2019s face instantly turned rueful. He regarded Numbtongue and then looked knowingly towards the flowers in the beds on the far wall.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. Well, I would be willing to pay a few gold pieces for your clippings if I could regularly acquire them. Do let me know if you change your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue sneered. Xif hesitated, but in the end, clearly disappointed, he moved away from the table. He sighed, then brightened.<\/p>\n \u201cAh! Now where is that Mrsha child? White fur\u2014is it magical, different from Gnoll fur, or just cosmetic? These are the questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue watched him hurry off, head turning. The Hobgoblin glared at his back and stuck out his tongue as Erin sometimes did. It made Numbtongue feel better. He turned in his seat and realized Octavia was staring at him. The Hobgoblin jumped. She jumped too.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue, right?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded warily. Octavia gulped. She looked at him. Not afraid\u2014how long had she known him? Since all five Redfangs had been here, that\u2019s how long. Numbtongue felt a pang. The [Alchemist] looked like she had pain of her own. Her hands tightened over a few pages of messy, inky notes.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh\u2014I wanted to say thanks\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue looked blank. Octavia hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cSaving my shop? Chasing off those [Thugs]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue thought about it. Then he hesitated. What were you supposed to say? He remembered at last.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at Octavia. She stared back. Numbtongue realized that was the first time someone besides Erin or Lyonette had ever thanked him for anything. The sensation felt\u2026odd. But good. Octavia smiled weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, come to my shop and I\u2019ll treat you to a few potions. On the house. Not that I have much of a career. Lots of\u2026trouble. But I\u2019ll pull myself up. I\u2019m really grateful to Erin. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She broke off. Numbtongue and Octavia looked around as someone started screaming outside. Numbtongue grabbed his sword, but then he relaxed. It was just Ceria, still enduring her bath. Some people went to the windows and laughed. On the basis of that, the Hobgoblin relaxed a bit. So did the [Alchemist].<\/p>\n \u201cAlways something in Erin\u2019s inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded absently. He looked at Octavia and then pointed at Xif. The [Alchemist] was bending over, talking to Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXif? He\u2019s an [Alchemist]. Really high-level. One of the best in\u2026the world? Pallass is known for its alchemy. His potions are leagues beyond anything I could come up with.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia looked jealously at the Gnoll\u2019s back. Numbtongue grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like him.\u201d<\/p>\n He crossed his arms. Octavia glanced at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Because he made Erin sell him a flower? There are a lot of nastier ways he could have done it. And he offered you gold for your nails. Why not take it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they\u2019re my<\/em> nails.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know he could get Hobgoblin nails from\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia trailed off. She cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Alchemist] didn\u2019t have anything to say to that. Silently, she and Numbtongue watched as Xif solemnly shook Mrsha\u2019s paw and handed over several gold pieces. Her look was envious. Numbtongue still was fuzzy on the money thing\u2014mainly because he didn\u2019t really care\u2014but he knew that Xif was a lot wealthier than Octavia. More successful. Numbtongue knew how that must feel.<\/p>\n \u201cI should go back to my shop. I won\u2019t get anywhere if I keep running.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia muttered. She was staring at the notes. Numbtongue nodded. That seemed like a correct statement. He saw the [Alchemist] getting up, staring nervously at the open door to Pallass. Numbtongue had a thought and remembered what she just said. Casually, abandoning the two licked-clean plates, he stood up too. Just in time for Erin to hurry over.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, guys! I\u2019m going to have Pawn and Belgrade build a big hot tub! Want to get in? The water\u2019s fine! Hot, but not as hot as Ceria\u2019s!\u201d<\/p>\n She beamed at them. Numbtongue blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cHot\u2026tubs?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. She had to explain the idea to him, then she turned to Octavia.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about it? You\u2019re both invited! Bathing suits, of course; no skinny dipping! Want to come, Octavia? Numbtongue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2014I might go to my room. Upstairs. I\u2019m thinking about visiting my shop later tonight. If that\u2019s not a bother, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia mumbled. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not! Just say when\u2014but we\u2019ll have the Horns or someone go with you! Just in case those jerks come back! You\u2019re sure you and Numbtongue don\u2019t want to try\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated as she realized who her audience was. Octavia was a Stitch-girl, made out of fabric, which was flammable and<\/em> probably didn\u2019t like getting wet. Even if it looked like skin. Numbtongue was a Hobgoblin, and there were a lot of people outside. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, we can work it out later. Hey! Xif! You need a bath!\u201d<\/p>\n She wandered off. Numbtongue and Octavia watched her pull the [Alchemist] towards the door, then Chaldion, who gladly came with a large tumbler of alcohol, and she closed the door. After a moment, Numbtongue looked at Octavia. She smiled weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Erin! I, um, I\u2019m going upstairs. Nice talking to you?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Numbtongue. He blinked at her and then pointed at the magical door.<\/p>\n \u201cWant to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2014to Celum? No, I wouldn\u2019t want to trouble Erin. And the door has to be switched\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not hard. I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue puffed out his chest proudly. Octavia hesitated. She looked around the busy inn.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the Horns are outside, and I wouldn\u2019t want to trouble anyone. If the [Thugs] are there\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine. I\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue poked his chest with a thumb. Octavia blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou? But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She halted as she looked Numbtongue up and down. He had his guitar strapped to his back and the steel sword at his side. And that was more than he\u2019d had yesterday by far. After a moment, she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. If you\u2019re okay with it, we can ask Lyonette. Uh\u2014or wait for the play to end?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue shrugged. Inwardly delighted, he shepherded Octavia over to the door. The citizens of Pallass and Liscor stared at Numbtongue and edged back. The Hobgoblin had a huge smile on his face. He looked around\u2014and then reached out and slammed <\/em>the door. Instantly, there was a roar of protest from the crowd in the inn and, Numbtongue liked to imagine, an even louder one on Pallass\u2019 side.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! What\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette hurried over in alarm. The Hobgoblin scratched under one armpit casually.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing to Celum. With her.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Octavia. Lyonette hesitated. Octavia waved weakly, looking at the outraged faces.<\/p>\n \u201cWith her? But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Whatever Lyonette was about to say was drowned out by the people demanding the door be reopened. She looked around and grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay! You have your guitar? And sword? I\u2019ll check in five minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded. He adjusted the dial, opened the door, and walked through, head swiveling. Octavia hurried after him, and the door closed after a pause and went dark. Numbtongue stared around Octavia\u2019s shop. It was dark, empty, the boarded-up windows leaking light, but he hadn\u2019t spotted anyone. Octavia looked around and breathed out slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue sat down, still looking around the shop. No matter how many times he saw it, the inner Redfang in him wanted to loot the precious potions off the shelves. They were so valuable!<\/em> Erin had called Octavia\u2019s potions \u2018third-rate\u2019, but to a Goblin, they were a priceless treasure. He pulled his guitar off his back and tuned it absently before glancing outside. The street was empty. But come to think of it, yesterday\u2026<\/p>\n Numbtongue\u2019s eyes narrowed. But he saw no one aside from a few pedestrians. Pyrite did have a thought, though, and Numbtongue agreed. He made a little plan and was so engrossed in it and strumming a tune that he didn\u2019t realize Octavia was doing something until he heard the clink<\/em> of glassware behind him. The Hobgoblin turned his head.<\/p>\n Octavia paused as she set up some kind of apparatus behind Numbtongue. She smiled guiltily.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue eyed the glowing jelly, the red-green herbs in liquid, powder, herbs, and all the other stuff she was setting up. He pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia shrugged self-consciously.<\/p>\n \u201cJust\u2014just making a healing potion. Something low-grade. It\u2019s nothing. Not worth anything compared to what Alchemist Xif makes. Sorry. I\u2019ll go back if you\u2019re bored. Do you think Erin would let me bring some of this into her inn?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue shrugged. But his eyes were locked on Octavia\u2019s equipment. She kept setting up, after a moment, but she was clearly conscious of the stare. After a second, she coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. I\u2019m not used to guests while I work. I had Erin\u2014but she mainly melted holes in my kitchen pot. I, er, you heard what Xif said? About [Alchemists] not sharing recipes?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded. Octavia sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cCloth moths to that. I know it\u2019s all the thing in most continents, but back home we used to share recipes. I mean, everyone had their secret recipe, but I could at least swap tips. I guess Xif really is the top [Alchemist], of course. But back home, any [Alchemist] would stop by to check out my Haste Potion sample, top-tier or not! I hoped\u2014but I got some tips from him. That\u2019s something. Sorry. Anyways, I\u2019m just going to make the potion. Don\u2019t mind the lights. Or smell.\u201d<\/p>\n She lit a burner with a match. It was some kind of magical burner, although Numbtongue saw it was running on coals\u2014heating them up and igniting them. Octavia grinned weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cMagical burner. I paid for it. Helps with the process. Not necessary; I could make healing potions with a few pots and a kitchen fire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue couldn\u2019t help but ask. Octavia shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Healing potions? It\u2019s just a small formula. A few Skills. Nothing interesting. I mean\u2014unless you\u2019re actually interested?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up and blinked. Numbtongue was nodding rapidly. Octavia seemed perplexed.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Most people don\u2019t like [Alchemy]. It stinks, and it can be, uh, messy. Do Goblins like alchemy? Are there\u2026Goblin [Alchemists]?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblins don\u2019t make potions. Goblins steal<\/em> potions. No Goblin knows how to make potions. Not even [Shamans].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Do your [Shamans] have special recipes?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia looked hopeful. Numbtongue considered that.<\/p>\n \u201cHealing paste. You put herbs in mouth and chew. Then spit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. How useful is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStops bleeding. Heals a tiny bit.\u201d<\/p>\n Both the Stitch-girl and Hobgoblin grimaced. Octavia hesitated. She looked thoughtfully at the ingredients.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m just a low-level [Alchemist]. Little better than a [Mixer], really. That\u2019s an apprentice, by the way. Kids get that class. But if you want\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Anyone bullying Numbtongue?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The door blasted open as Erin appeared. Numbtongue fell out of his chair, and Octavia\u2019s jump nearly sent her ingredients flying. Erin looked around and paused, frying pan in hand.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Never mind. Hey, Numbtongue, Octavia, you want to come back? Just say when!\u201d<\/p>\n She stared at them. They stared back. Numbtongue slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay! Cool! Check in thirty minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n Another nod. The door slammed shut. Octavia caught her breath after Erin was gone. She turned to Numbtongue, and he met her eyes with his wide ones. Then, suddenly, they both started laughing. And that was a connection. After that, Octavia set up, and Numbtongue scooted a stool over and learned how to make a potion.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really very simple. A Goblin could definitely make a potion if he had a few containers. Something clean; cleanliness is very important for alchemy. You never know what\u2019ll react, so a bit of soot or dirt could have explosive effects. Especially with some of the more potent ingredients. That\u2019s why you clean everything. With soap, and then you clean the soap out.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia explained as Numbtongue sat watching her set up on one of her counters. The Hobgoblin nodded, committing everything to memory. Octavia was a little put off by the Hobgoblin\u2019s intensity, to be honest. She loved alchemy, despite it all. Gold was a second love to the sheer joy you could have, but Goblins? And yet, Numbtongue took this more seriously than she did. He watched as she set up her ingredients and equipment with long experience and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA triangle flask. I use it to boil stuff. It\u2019s glass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019s it look like a triangle?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to ask my teacher that every day. You know what he told me? To come up with the answer on my own. It took me two years\u2014you want to know what I eventually figured out?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin paused. His eyes flickered, then widened.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u2026steam comes out less from the small opening.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nearly dropped<\/em> the flask on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She saw Numbtongue grinning, pleased at his answer. Octavia had to smile herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI was six! But yeah, that\u2019s the reason. Also, because the wide base allows more heat to affect the mixture, see? You can also balance ingredients in some of the glassware\u2014never mind. Here\u2019s the foundation to any healing potion made in the modern day. Memorize it. Love it. Don\u2019t touch it bare-handed unless you\u2019re me and you can take your hand off.\u201d<\/p>\n She placed something on the counter. Numbtongue peered at the jar full of glowing, orange-yellow gel. It had some fragments caught inside. Seeds or bits of something. He stared. This time, Octavia didn\u2019t have to be prompted. She placed one hand on the jar proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Eir Gel. It\u2019s a primary component of healing potions. Well, I say primary, but you can substitute it with a few other things. But Eir Gel\u2019s very effective. And cheap! Older potions, hah, well, they used all kinds of stuff, but modern formulas work fast based on this stuff. It\u2019s also extremely<\/em> cost-efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that mean? Cost-efficient?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue scratched his head. Octavia frowned. He knew almost every word she said, but stuff like that stumped him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means\u2026you can make a lot<\/em> of healing potion with comparatively little. Good for selling. You see, a single island off of Baleros practically supplies the entire world with what they need\u2014and there\u2019s such a surplus since it\u2019s so cost-efficient that you can get it even in Celum. Although it\u2019s a lot more expensive since [Merchants] have to bring it inland\u2014but look!\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed. Numbtongue saw she was dabbing only a little into a jar full of water. Octavia had a measuring spoon, and she put in one solid spoonful.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all?<\/p>\n \u201cFor the effect? Yes. I just mix it with water, and I have a mixture. We do need to strain to get rid of the kelp and seeds. Poison needles, if they\u2019re in there too. But this is the essential stuff. It\u2019s a base.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBase.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue savored the word. Octavia nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. You see? Potion making works like this, at least at low levels. First, you take a substance that has an effect you want. Like Eir Gel. It helps flesh regenerate quickly. But<\/em> it\u2019s not nearly as strong as a potion, it has to be applied on a wound to take effect, and it makes some people break out into a rash. It takes days for Eir Gel to work, so the key is making it faster, more effective, and less rashy, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue watched as Octavia pulled out a fine-meshed strainer and began sieving the liquid. It was thicker, thanks to the jelly mixed with the water, and she carefully removed all the flecks until it was a pure orange-yellow color. It still glowed, but it was only noticeable because Stitchworks was so dark. Octavia nodded, checking it for impurities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe water\u2019s there just to help me remove the non-Gel. We\u2019re not keeping it this way. Now we put it over the burner\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s the wrong glass thing. See?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue objected. Octavia was using a cylinder-type beaker, not the narrow-mouthed one with the wide base. She grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cRight! But what if I want<\/em> it to all evaporate fast?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin gave Octavia a very wary look. Why?<\/p>\n For an answer, Octavia lit the burner, grabbed a tool of the trade\u2014a glass tube bent in a very specific arc downwards\u2014and delicately inserted it into a lid, which she placed on top of the cylinder. Then, swiftly, she put the other end of the tube into a second cup as the Eir Gel base began to boil. She explained to a mystified Numbtongue what it was all about.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re distilling it. The base. See the condensation\u2014er, steam\u2014rising? It becomes a gas, which becomes a liquid that goes through the tube and ends up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at the second cup. Sure enough, a drop of very bright liquid, paler yellow than orange now, was dripping into the cup. Numbtongue stared. Octavia went on, tapping the boiling cylinder.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gas becomes a liquid. What\u2019s not boiled away\u2014that powdery stuff\u2014is also a component. I don\u2019t use it for healing potions\u2014but you see, we\u2019ve separated two parts.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed to the first cylinder, which was indeed developing a layer of powder while all the liquid was transferring to the second cup. Octavia watched the mixture boil like a hawk and, at the right moment, she took the burner away\u2014before the precious powder could start to burn. Now she had the powder, which she put away for later, and a very distilled version of the base.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy burn it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoil. It\u2019s a process to make the Eir Gel\u2014look, it changes the mixture a bit. Makes it easier to work with. And also you can get sick from Eir Gel as it is. Burning\u2014I mean, boiling substances is often very important. You can<\/em> cold-mix potions, but those can get tricky. Believe me. Anyways, look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia swirled the yellow liquid as Numbtongue stared at it. The cup wasn\u2019t that large compared to the cylinder she\u2019d filled, but the liquid was potent. It also had a smell<\/em> that made Numbtongue wrinkle his nose.<\/p>\n \u201cStinks a bit like burnt kelp, doesn\u2019t it? You get used to it. And this is valuable stuff, Numbtongue! This liquid is the base of our healing potion. But to make a proper potion, we need to enhance its effects.\u201d<\/p>\n The Stitch-girl happily sloshed the liquid a bit and put it down. She grabbed a few ingredients next and began tossing them into a much, much larger vessel. Numbtongue blinked and asked what each one was. Octavia dutifully answered as she worked.<\/p>\n \u201cThose? Minerals. I don\u2019t know my exact list; I keep them sorted. I\u2019ll show you later, but this is my variety. The important stuff is this.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue stared at the golden syrup Octavia was coating the mixture with. He sniffed, then exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cAshfire Bee honey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCounters the allergic reaction. You see? It\u2019s a simple formula. Base effect plus boosting agent and extras to counter side effects or add more qualities. The trick is knowing what reacts with what.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue waved aimlessly at the second vessel as Octavia mixed the Eir Gel base with it. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYup. It\u2019s just to keep you from breaking out into itchy bumps. Also, the honey makes it taste better. I used, uh, dried leeches and some other stuff instead before Erin sold me all the honey. Anyways<\/em>, I\u2019ve countered the allergic stuff and added a few tricks that keep the potion lasting longer\u2014they do go bad, you know. Especially if air gets in.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin\u2019s brow darkened.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. Very bad.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia nodded solemnly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s all preparatory work. You want to know the real magic behind a potion besides the Eir Gel? It\u2019s your booster.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBooster. Base.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue looked at Octavia for confirmation. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBooster, Base, Reactor\u2014I don\u2019t use those or anything else on healing potions. Those are simple. Reactors are mixtures you combine with something\u2014to give it a completely new effect. Those are, uh, the things that tend to explode. But Eir Gel is so good at healing already, all we need to do is give it more power.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue\u2019s sigh was one of comprehension. Octavia wondered if he really did understand. He was sharp. But she\u2019d never heard of a Goblin [Alchemist]. Then again\u2026how many got the chance? She nodded, and a smile played over her lips.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is where most [Alchemists] have their own recipe. Eir Gel\u2019s common, you see? But potions, even basic healing potions, are all different. Because everyone has their best recipe. What\u2019s most cost-efficient, what\u2019s cheapest to buy or easiest\u2014or has the best effect. I bet Xif uses only the most powerful boosters, but this\u2014this is what I can afford.\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, she pulled out the jar of water with the red-green herbs in it. Numbtongue peered at the plant floating in the water. He thought he recognized it vaguely, something he\u2019d seen growing somewhere. So did Pyrite. The red-green herb was long, grass-like. And it was glowing\u2014no, the water itself had a faint luminescence! Octavia smiled proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis booster is low-grade. It\u2019s cheap\u2014you just need a few ingredients. Sage\u2019s Grass, which is just a slightly magical grass some [Farmers] cultivate in huge amounts\u2014a local [Farmer] guy sells a huge harvest to Celum\u2014sugar water, demi-Newt skins dried and powdered, and, er, roach shells. I use roach shells a lot. That\u2019s my formula, at any rate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what does it do? The mixture.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] pointed at the jar. Octavia blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cDo? Nothing. It just feeds the Sage\u2019s Grass. The Sage\u2019s Grass is magical<\/em> already, you see? And if I soak it in this water for a week or a month\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe water gets magic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.<\/em> Sugar feeds the Sage\u2019s Grass in the jar. So do the roach shells. The demi-Newts are slightly magical and don\u2019t contribute much in the way of reaction. So it\u2019s a cheap booster to make. And guess what? This stuff might be cheap today, but there was a time when it would have been worth its weight in sapphires. Even a low-grade healing potion would have been golden.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia sighed. Numbtongue blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014back in the day, potions weren\u2019t so easy to make. That\u2019s the thing about alchemy. Even if a\u2026super high-level [Alchemist] dies and no one can make Potions of Great Regeneration anymore, they leave behind notes. Often in code, but more importantly, ingredients.<\/em> It\u2019s why [Mage] empires collapse and all the artifacts can\u2019t be replicated but why alchemy\u2019s gotten to the point where cheap potions can close a big wound.\u201d<\/p>\n She swirled the jar of magical water as she brought it over to the mixing station.<\/p>\n \u201cTake Sage\u2019s Grass for instance. It was super-rare, worth more than gemstones, and the most powerful ingredient in the world, say, five thousand years back. I don\u2019t actually know. Ten thousand years back, it didn\u2019t exist. That\u2019s because a [Sage], a really powerful one, bred<\/em> the plant. Hence the name. He died, and [Alchemists] all over the world rejoiced. Because this is cheap, magical, and no one has to kill a Unicorn or milk a magic cow for it.\u201d<\/p>\n She began pouring the magical water into the vessel. Numbtongue, at this point, had graduated to assistant, and he carefully stirred the honey, minerals, Eir Gel base, and magical water together, watching it mix and gently glow.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s it? You mix and\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a bit more. But yes. I have an easier time than you will. Careful\u2014I do need to boil it again to help it all come together. It\u2019s, uh, yeah, it\u2019s my recipe. But like I said, everyone has a different one. That\u2019s why no potion looks the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it because no one shares?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia smiled as she worked, stirring the liquid, checking the heat, making sure it was looking how it was supposed to.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just that. Look\u2026alchemy is a very specific thing. It\u2019s not like being a [Warrior] and hitting things with sticks. For a [Warrior], it\u2019s all about flavor, right? I have [Enhanced Strength]! Or I have [Quick Movement]! Either way, you still hit things in the end. But in alchemy, if you have just one thing missing or one thing extra, the result changes<\/em>. Take this formula, for instance. You probably can\u2019t replicate it even if you copied me. You could get the same result eventually, but not exactly<\/em> the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia pointed down at the glowing, yellow potion taking shape before Numbtongue\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSkills affect an [Alchemist]\u2019s career greatly. What we have or don\u2019t have allows us to make different potions, creations. That\u2019s why Xif asked if I had Skills he didn\u2019t. Each one can help me out a lot. For instance. This simple potion?\u201d<\/p>\n She paused and raised four fingers.<\/p>\n \u201c[Low-Grade Synthesis], [Cleansing Heat], [Mineral Distillation], and [Magic-Water Solvent]. Those are the Skills that went into this recipe as well as the ingredients. Without any one of them, this wouldn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue was disappointed. But also elated that alchemy wasn\u2019t that<\/em> simple. And you could still learn the end result! His eyes focused on the Eir Gel. Maybe a Goblin couldn\u2019t get their hands on that. But the theory of alchemy? A Goblin could<\/em> do that. Octavia kept chattering as Numbtongue sat next to her.<\/p>\n \u201c[Alchemists] rely on figuring out specific combinations of ingredients, processes, and Skills more than any other class. We create workarounds\u2014like my Sage\u2019s Grass water. It\u2019s cheap around Celum because this Wailant fellow grows it, but it\u2019s harder to get elsewhere, so [Alchemists] have to invent other types of boosters.\u201d<\/p>\n She paused. Octavia had been smiling, energetic near the end of making the potions. Now, as she looked into the bubbling liquid and slowly turned the burner off, she paused, and Numbtongue saw her droop.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we spend so much time and money getting new ingredients, tools. Why we need<\/em> money to invent new things or find out our<\/em> way of doing what other people do. So if I always seem like I\u2019m trying to get as much money as possible\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n