Chapter 89 - 89 (1/2)

”Did you get a nice long rest?” Zirani asked coyly the next day as Sandra and I entered the dining room.

”I think you already know we did,” I replied as I took a seat next to Misty who was purposefully averting her gaze from me. In fact, there seemed to be a slight pink blush on her cheeks, which looked more prominent due to her pale skin.

”It was great.” Sandra smiled. ”But arent we starting training today, I don't think we need any distractions.”

”Indeed,” Zirani said, bemused. ”And Aiden's can be quite a big distraction.”

Misty coughed loudly and I held back a snort of laughter.

”In all seriousness, though,” ZIrani said.” I've prepared all we need for now.”

With a flourish of her hand, she placed down six potions, two in front of each of us. One was a pale blue in color while the other was dark red. Each liquid was held in a simple glass cup that I recognized from the alchemy set I'd bought. The faint smell of sweetness drifted off from the pale blue elixir, while the red didn't seem to have any apparent smell.

”These are the two elixirs we will be using most for the starting period of our training,” Zirani explained. ”The blue is an aether gathering elixir while the red is body strengthening elixir. The blue you drink while the red is poured into water, which you then soak in.”

”You made these that quickly,” Misty said in awe. ”I've heard these take days to make and are expensive to boot.”

”Please, these are some of the most simple alchemical elixirs out there,” Zirani said. |At least they are beyond the great scar, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that they are uncommon in the plains.”

”Where are we going to find the water for the red elixir?” Sandra asked.

Zirani smiled. ”That's easy, I will shape a bathtub out of wood. Then all I'll need is a water core and some time. A simple watering enchantment will be no challenge.”

”You can do enchantment as well?” Misty sounded shocked.

”I'm over four hundred years old,” Zirani pointed out. ”And I'm from beyond the great scar. For heaven's sake, Misty, I'm a Zigan, a jungle queen.”

Misty lowered her head. ”Sorry.”

”No need.” Zirani shook her head. ”I wasn't scolding you. Now, each of you take a blue elixir and follow me outside. Today I'm mostly just going to go over what I want each of you to do and a few integral things you need to know about the arcane. Once you have my instructions, every day you will follow them. If I want a change, then I will come to you. Lets me make this clear, I expect every ounce of your effort. We cannot afford to waste time here, and waste this opportunity.”

Unlike her usual tone, Zirani's voice held no hint of warmth, just command. This was Zirani the teacher, not Zirani the friend.