Of the many things kept on her table, there was a piece of paper with words scribbled on it. I picked up the paper to read through it.
It was the potion formula for the Sequence 8 of the Assassin Pathway, Instigator.
The main ingredients for the Instigator potion were A Demon Throat Honeyguide' Heart, and a Dark Prowler's Poison Sack. Of course, they could be replaced with an Instigator beyonder characteristic, if one was readily available.
The supplementary ingredients for the formula were 100 millilitres of Purified Water which is repeatedly distilled, Syrinx of the Demon Throat Honeyguide, 5 drops of Blue Jimsonweed Juice, 10 grams of Aqua Fern Grass Powder, and an unpeeled walnut.
Now that I knew what each ingredient was, I could make quite accurate guesses about what purpose each material and container placed on the desk was for.
Once I had read and memorised the ingredients, I looked up at Tracy. Nodding at her, I gave the paper back to her. Taking it from my hand, she slightly rubbed her finger on the paper, and it was eroded by black flames, turning into nothingness in a moment of time.
As she flicked her fingers to clean off any remnants of the ash, Tracy pointed with her other hand at the ingredients one by one, and cited their names for my dumbass's sake.
"The heart of a Demon Throat Honeyguide, and the poison sac of the Dark Prowler—the main ingredients."
She said as she pointed at a small, dark, hive-like heart and a sac exuding dark green liquid. Each of these were placed in a small tin box. Then, she pointed at another open tin box, in which was sitting a smoked tube-like substance.
"A Demon Throat Honeyguide's Syrinx." she said, pointing at the tube like object.
"A Dark Prowler... is that some snake, Cap'n?"
I couldn't help but ask as I looked at the little sac that sat in the tin box.
"Yes, it's a peculiar two-headed snake." Tracy confirmed with little detail.
Then she pointed at a larger wooden box kept to the side of the desk, in which were several vials and small glass bottles.
"Blue Jimsonweed juice, Fern powder, and the purified water."
I nodded at her descriptions. Indeed, guessing the main ingredients was easy to do, but to guess the supplementary ingredients wasn't hard either. I wonder if Tracy was used to dealing with illiterate crewmates, because of which she tried to explain simple things to me?
"Good, now then, I'll tell you to put each ingredient in that bowl one by one, and you'll follow my instructions. Is that clear? For a potion at low sequence like Instigator, you can simply start with the solvent, then the main ingredients, but for future brewings, especially from Sequence 6, it's important to create a stable medium before adding the main ingredients to the potion. But even so, it's not a consistent method all the time; once you reach Sequence 7 though, you wouldn't need to worry about it, your spiritual intuition shall naturally guide you to follow the correct sequence."
As Tracy explained her reasoning, I couldn't help but look at her well sculpted face. Even with her charm contained completely, she was as beautiful as a woman could possibly be. Fortunately, I wasn't too engrossed in her appearance, and managed to nod in response when she was done explaining.
"Alright, go ahead, and measure 100 millilitres of water using that measuring cylinder, and pour in into the bowl."
As Tracy instructed, I followed, and poured the water into the bowl, after measuring it.
"Although it doesn't need to be absolutely accurate, and you can be off by ten, or even twenty millilitres, it's important to make sure that that amount of error is incremental. Having a more dilute potion would be harmless compared to having one where ingredients don't mix well together due to a lack of solvent. Anyway, put the Honeyguide's heart and the Prowler's sac in the bowl now."
Following my dear Captain's words, I picked up and placed the two ingredients in the bowl one by one, where they immediately started dissolving and bubbling into the water.
"It's the law of Convergence of Beyonder Characteristics which dictates this phenomenon. When two materials that are compatible to form a beyonder characteristic come in contact, they are quick to fuse together."
As Tracy kept explaining, she sprinkled some sort of powder across the boundary of the room, and created a wall of spirituality.
"It's important to create a wall of spirituality around your immediate surroundings when you perform any mysticism activities like making charms, brewing potions, doing divination, or summoning a messenger. Now, add the supplementary ingredients."
As Tracy spoke, I watched in horror as the once transparent water had now turned murky black, and it was bubbling with no heat.
Following her instructions, I put the syrinx of the Honeyguide in the bowl, which was then followed by 5 drops of Blue Jimsonweed Juice, and 10 grams Fern powder.
"Do you have walnuts?"
Tracy asked me as I failed at finding the last supplementary ingredient on the table.
I shook my head in denial at her peculiar question... I did not have any walnuts in my possession.
Sighing, Tracy opened a drawer from her desk, and picked up a whole walnut among many others that were stored in the space. Placing it in my hand, she pointed at the bowl.
I carefully put the walnut in the black liquid, and saw as it quickly melted into the liquid, dissolving into nothing.
"Hmm, looks about right."
Tracy said, looking at the 'potion' that I had 'brewed'.
"Am I... really supposed to drink this?"
I hesitantly asked her.
I watched as her lips twitched at my questions, and her eyes were shining with humour. She put her right hand under her chin, and her left arm under her right hand. Nodding, she answered my question with a little chuckle. She looked so endearing as she laughed.
"Worry not, you'll be okay. It looks bad, but it's safe enough, especially since you have already digested the Assassin potion."
I felt my soul leave my body at her words. In the bowl was the obsidian potion, bubbling as if it was waiting for me with hidden intent and desire. Resigning myself to my fate, I picked up the bowl, and brought it close to my mouth. As I smelled it, I found my nose unable to feel any fragrance.
"Don't hesitate, it's simple and safe, drink it, and you'll be stronger."
As her words entered my ears, dear Captain's image appeared in my closed eyes, and I found myself feeling more comfortable with the idea of drinking the potion. In a breath, I downed the content of the bowl into my throat, making sure to not spill even the fraction of a drop.
As the mystic liquid travelled down my throat, I felt an incredible burning sensation in my oesophagus. The pain travelled from my mouth to my head, stomach, and all the other parts of my body.
My head was suddenly awakened to the memories of the past many days, of the night I committed my first murder, of the two criminals who boasted about bringing suffering and pain onto many people.
I was filled with hatred, and rage at the cruelties of the people in this world, of the stories I'd heard of human made disasters that brought death to many people.
"Feel the strong emotions in your heart, but don't let them take rein of you. Remember, you are the one in control, of your body, mind, and spirituality."
As Tracy's calm words entered my ears, I felt the pain gradually subside, and found myself relaxing. Suddenly, I found myself more aware of my emotions, of the others. I could more accurately remember what the people around me felt when I was around them, I could now surmise why I felt more determined and calmed every time Tracy assured me.
Soon, all the pain vanished from my body, and I was in control again.
"Good job, now internalise the potion, and let your spirituality guide you into knowing what new abilities you have."
As I looked at Tracy, I nodded to her words.
"I feel slightly stronger now, especially my speed. And I have this new ability, Instigation..."
"More than just an ability, Instigation is a state of being I guess? It lets me feel what others are feeling, their emotions, desires, or malevolent intentions. It sharpens my thinking and analytical skill. In fact, even if I don't actively speak to instigate, people would find me more approachable and reliable as long as I kept using the ability... With Instigation and smart words, I can plant thoughts and ideas into people's heads and make them do my bidding for me..."
As Tracy heard me mumble, she smiled, slightly proud. Putting a hand on my shoulder, she patted me in appreciation.
"Easy, wasn't it?"
She asked me, and I nodded.
"Good, you'll understand your power more as you use the ability. Now then, go back to your cabin, cogitate, concentrate your spirituality, and stabilise your condition, then come back to me at 5 in the evening for your linguistic lessons."
"Yes Cap'n. Thank you for your guidance and help."
I found the ends of my mouth involuntarily lifting in a wide grin. Bowing deeply at my waist to her in gratitude, I saluted the Captain, and left her cabin to go back to my little shack.