Jack sat silently, arms folded, his posture calm but unshakable like a mountain undisturbed by the winds. His gaze was relaxed, yet sharp with hidden awareness. Around him, the classroom buzzed with youthful excitement, some voices loud and unrestrained, others quiet with curiosity. Friends reunited, strangers observed one another, and subtle waves of mana occasionally stirred the air.
WHIRRR…
A soft hum from the mana lamps above gave the room a faintly enchanted glow.
Jack didn't speak, but he listened quietly absorbing everything like still water reflecting the sky.
"I heard all the classes got changed professors also changed," murmured a student nearby, leaning over in excitement. "Because the Novice Master's promoted."
"Yeah," another added, "even our Alchemy class got shuffled. Wonder who our new professor is."
Jack remained expressionless, but his thoughts stirred.
So we got a new teacher too, huh? His gaze slid toward the classroom door like a blade slipping from its sheath silent and focused.
CLACK!
The door opened.
A sudden, almost tangible silence rippled across the room.
WHOOSH!
Like air being pulled from a chamber.
She stepped in.
Tall. Elegant. Ethereal.
A graceful elf, her presence radiated a tranquil power that hushed even the most restless hearts. Long silver hair cascaded down her back like liquid moonlight, catching and refracting the mana-light in gleaming strands. Her emerald eyes glowed faintly not just from mana, but wisdom, depth, and something ancient. Her long elven ears bore intricate glowing runes etched symbols of ancient alchemical principles that pulsed with life.
Her forest-green robes shimmered with mana-reactive fabric, subtly shifting with every step. A floating crystal staff hovered beside her.
HUMMMMM…
Its resonance is low, constant, and soothing, like a lullaby sung by magic itself.
"Whoa… she's beautiful," a student whispered in awe, barely audible.
Jack's lips curved just slightly.
"Elira Moonshade…" he exhaled under his breath, his voice tinged with quiet relief and recognition.
So she's been promoted to Class A too… That's good.
Elira paused at the center of the classroom, surveying the students with kind curiosity. Her presence alone was enough to command attention without raising her voice.
Then, in a soft, melodic tone that seemed to dance with the very air, she spoke:
"Welcome, students. I see many new faces. Since this is a merged class, let me introduce myself again."
"I am Elira Moonshade… and I will be your Alchemy Instructor and I am 5th Star Master Alchemist. Please take care of me."
DING!
It was as if the entire room resonated with her words. Not through sound, but through feeling respect, admiration, and something else…
Anticipation.
------
Some students clapped politely, while others whispered in hushed admiration. A few, already swept up in her presence, had begun scribbling notes capturing not just her words, but the feeling behind them, like poets enchanted by a muse.
Elira allowed the atmosphere to breathe for a few minutes of casual discussion, murmurs of curiosity, the quiet thrum of mana-infused learning. Then, with a gentle tap of her staff, a pulse of green light radiated from the floating crystal.
WUUUUM…
The mana stirred the air like a soft breeze in a forest glade.
"Today's Alchemy topic," she began, her voice both clear and melodic, "is an introduction to Second-Star Herbs and Potion Recipes."
Above her, the crystal projected shimmering illusions ten botanical forms rotating slowly in the air. Each one glowed faintly with natural energy, their hues dancing like living artwork.
"In Alchemy," Elira continued, "knowledge of herbs is everything and 50% of Alacemy Potion Crafting dependency on this topic. So it's very important. It's not just about mixing ingredients… it's about understanding life itself, its rhythm, its response to the world around it."
She stepped gracefully to the side, letting the class see the projections in full.
"The second-tier herbs we will study today are uncommon, but essential. Their effects range from moderate healing to elemental resistance and stamina restoration. Memorize them. Respect them. They are the cornerstone of any true alchemist's journey."
Then, with a flick of her hand, ten detailed illusions emerged in full clarity, color, motion, even faint sound or scent projected by subtle magic.
---
[2-Star Herbs – Introduction]
1. Sunsprout – Golden petals that bloom with the first light of dawn. Emits gentle warmth. Key in regeneration potions.
2. Moonshade Fern – Luminous silver leaves that only shimmer under moonlight. Essential for night vision tonics.
3. Stormthorn – Crackling vine that hums with static charge. Used in lightning resistance concoctions.
4. Verdant Lily – A swamp-dwelling lily, vibrant and resilient. Known for stamina and wound recovery.
5. Ashbloom – A fiery blossom that thrives in volcanic soil. A core herb for heat resistance brews.
6. Rivermint – A cool, fragrant leaf that carries properties of water-breathing and soothing energy.
7. Daggergrass – Sharp-edged grass with subtle motion enhancements. Enhances reflexes and coordination.
8. Glacier Poppy – Ice-blue flower with frost-kissed petals. Offers cold resistance and calmness of mind.
9. Nightbloom Ivy – A creeping ivy that only blossoms in starlight. Perfect for dark vision potions.
10. Earthbind Root – Heavy, grounded root with immense density. Grants anti-knockback effects and physical anchoring.
---
Jack's eyes scanned each projection, his mind filtering details with precision. He recognized five instantly; he'd either used them, catalogued them, or seen them harvested. The rest, however, were less familiar… and therefore more interesting.
Glacier Poppy, especially its ethereal frost, its quiet hum, its delicate symmetry drew his attention like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
Elira continued, raising her hand once more. The crystal responded with another shimmering light, now forming potion bottles and intricate alchemical circles. Faint symbols pulsed across the floor like a ritual in progress.
---
[2-Star Alchemy Recipes – Low-Tier Examples]
Ember Chill Tonic – (Ashbloom + Glacier Poppy)
Dual resistance to fire and ice. Maintains internal equilibrium during elemental extremes.
Nightwalker's Drops – (Nightbloom Ivy + Moonshade Fern)
Grants temporary dark vision. Popular with scouts and night-hunters.
Healing Salve of Renewal – (Verdant Lily + Rivermint)
Rapidly accelerates minor wound healing and restores stamina over time.
Featherlight Tread Potion – (Daggergrass + Void Leaf)
Reduces step noise to near silence. Ideal for stealth movement.
Waterskin Elixir – (Rivermint + Aqua Snake Fin)
Enables short-term underwater breathing. Essential for aquatic excursions.
---
Each recipe was visualized with color-coded effects, ingredient lines, brewing circles, and complexity ranks. The classroom was filled with quiet awe.
"Classwork today is simple," Elira announced, her tone gentle yet instructive. "Select one herb. Draw its detailed diagram. Then, propose three combination theories of potions you believe could work. Imagination matters. But reasoning… matters more."
A quiet murmur of understanding rippled through the room. Notebooks opened, mana pens activated, some began with diagrams while others stared deep into the herb projections, seeking inspiration.
Jack picked up his quill. A subtle pulse of mana ran through it as he activated the ink flow. His eyes moved once more toward Glacier Poppy soothing yet resilient. It reminded him of his own approach to danger: calm, precise, unshaken.
What would happen if I combined it with Stormthorn? Or maybe Moonshade Fern? Could I create a potion that enhances both clarity and resistance in freezing conditions?
The classroom filled with the symphony of productivity, the soft scratch of pens, the rustle of pages, the occasional quiet idea exchanged between seatmates.
At the front of the room stood Elira Moonshade, staff floating serenely beside her, eyes watching, observing each student with a calm pride that only a true mentor could carry.
A new class.
A new challenge.
A fresh canvas for creation.
But for Jack… this wasn't just another lesson.
It was the beginning of something greater.
The art of Alchemy was not about formulas.
It was about transformation of materials… and of self.
---------
To Be Continued…!!