A gauntlet thrown down.In the background, Mors, the student coordinator, hardened his expression. He knew my capabilities, and a flicker of a smile crossed his lips as he realized I hadn't been defeated by the professor's petty politics. Professor Ty's curiosity was piqued, a new, calculating glint in her eyes. The game had just changed.
"Huh."
My words made Mors laugh, a deep, knowing laugh that seemed to shake the air around him. It was completely understandable. Previously, I might have been able to improve the performance of a potion by changing one or two ingredients, but this time was different. The challenge now wasn't simply about finesse or intuition; it was about transforming a potion entirely, under conditions that defied everything we had practiced.
How could I make a potion with the same performance even stronger, in an environment with completely different materials, under scrutiny from master alchemists? It was a task that would make most adults hesitate.
