The morning sun filtered through the streets of Orleaf as Yoshiya and Omina made their way toward Mira's small shop at the edge of town. The scent of herbs and flowers grew stronger with each step, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly tilled soil. Mira, the town's resident herbalist, stood by her door arranging bundles of dried leaves. When she noticed the two approaching, a bright smile crossed her face.
"You're early," she said, ushering them inside. "Good. Brewing is best started in the morning. Herbs are more cooperative when the air's fresh."
The back room of her shop was like stepping into another world. Herbs hung in neat rows from wooden beams overhead. Shelves were lined with jars containing crushed roots, powders, dried petals, and strange liquids that glimmered faintly with mana. In the center sat several small cauldrons and brewing tables, each perfectly arranged with tools.
"Today, we'll start with the basics," Mira announced, tying her apron. "Potion brewing is as much about patience and precision as it is about magic. In fact, most beginners rely too much on mana control and forget the craft itself."
She turned to the pair. "Which of you wants to give it a try?"
"I'll watch for now," Yoshiya said, stepping aside. "My focus will be on smithing, so I'll leave this to Omina."
Omina nodded eagerly. Mira handed her a small basket containing a few simple ingredients: a bundle of crushed leaves, a pale blue root, and a vial of clear mana-infused water.
"We'll be making a Basic Healing Potion," Mira said. "Follow my instructions carefully. Don't rush."
Omina's hands moved with surprising steadiness. She sorted and cut the herbs with clean, precise motions, then began grinding them in a mortar until they formed a smooth, even paste. Her eyes focused on the cauldron as she added ingredients one by one, following Mira's instructions to the letter.
"Heat it slowly," Mira reminded. "And don't use any mana. I want to see how good your hands are."
Minutes passed. The mixture bubbled softly, turning from pale green to a vibrant emerald hue. Omina stirred in a steady rhythm, carefully counting each turn. When the time was right, she poured in the mana-infused water and stirred once more, stopping exactly as Mira had instructed.
The potion glowed faintly—a clean, stable light with no flickering or impurities.
Mira leaned closer, examining it with a practiced eye. Her brows rose in genuine surprise. "Well, I'll be… This is perfect. And you didn't use any mana at all?"
Omina shook her head shyly. "Just followed what you said."
"Impressive," Mira said with a grin. "Most beginners mess up the ratio or overheat the mix even with mana stabilization. You've got talent, girl."
Yoshiya gave a proud smile. "Told you she picks things up fast."
Mira chuckled, then reached for parchment. "If you want to keep practicing, I'll need more herbs. You two up for a gathering quest?"
"Of course," Omina replied without hesitation.
---
Later that morning, at the Orleaf guild outpost, they scanned the quest board until Omina's finger landed on a parchment that matched Mira's list exactly:
> Herbal Collection for Local Alchemists
Rank: Low to Medium
Location: Siffu Forest
Reward: 4 silver coins and guild contribution points
Required Herbs: Silverleaf Moss, Blueroot, Sunblossom Petals
They accepted the quest immediately and set out for Siffu Forest, baskets and gathering tools in hand.
The forest greeted them with birdsong and dappled sunlight spilling through thick canopies. Unlike the ominous forests they'd traversed in the past, Siffu was calm and vibrant. Omina led the way, using Mira's notes to locate the first herb.
Near a shaded stream, they found Silverleaf Moss clinging to damp stones. Omina crouched and scraped it off carefully with a small flat tool, making sure not to damage the moss bed.
"Perfect," Yoshiya said, holding the basket steady.
They followed the stream deeper until they spotted clusters of Blueroot growing along the water's edge. Yoshiya observed the surrounding while Omina gently dug them out.
Their final target, Sunblossom Petals, would only appear in small clearings around mid-morning. They pushed farther into the forest, the light slowly brightening overhead. Just as Omina began scanning for clearings, she froze.
"…Did you hear that?" she whispered.
Yoshiya listened carefully. Faint chatter—guttural and rhythmic—echoed through the trees. They lowered their bodies and crept toward the sound, slipping through the underbrush until they could peer through the foliage.
A small kobold camp spread out in the clearing ahead. Crude leather tents clustered around a smoky campfire. A few kobolds patrolled the perimeter with wooden spears, while others huddled near cages at the far end. The cages held indistinct shapes—perhaps animals, or something worse.
Yoshiya's jaw tightened. "This isn't part of the quest."
Omina nodded silently. They carefully withdrew, ensuring they didn't make a sound. When they were far enough, they exhaled together.
"We should report this to the guild," Omina said. "This isn't just a random patrol."
"Yeah," Yoshiya agreed. "This could turn into something serious."
The two exchanged a determined look. The quest had started as a simple herb-gathering mission, but the discovery in Siffu Forest hinted at a growing threat lurking beneath the surface.