Early Autumn, Year 01 - Eryndor Academy, Garden of Aether
Morning sunlight scattered through translucent leaves that floated in the air rather than growing from branches. The Garden of Aether was the Academy's sacred laboratory - a living forest suspended above clouds, where mana itself took root.
Kain followed Laora through the misted pathways, the air thick with sweet ozone. He carried two satchels of ore and a few dried herbs from yesterday's mining trip.
"You know," Daniel called from behind, balancing three crates of ingredients with one hand, "most people buy their herbs at the market."
Laora twirled her braid. "And pay triple the price? Never. We harvest our own!"
"Translation," Daniel muttered, "free labor for the family alchemist."
Kain smiled. "We need to understand the world we forge from."
The New Partner
Near the center of the garden stood a young woman surrounded by luminous vines. Her hair shimmered like moss touched by sunlight, and faint green runes traced her skin. She looked up when they approached, eyes bright as spring water.
"Oh!" she gasped softly. "You must be the Machiavelli siblings. I'm Elayne Valmor—third-year apprentice, head of the Herbal Transmutation Division."
Laora beamed. "An alchemist and a gardener! I already like you."
Elayne laughed. "That's rare. Most people just like my potions."
Kain bowed politely. "Kain Machiavelli. I work mostly with metals, but I'd like to understand how plants hold mana."
She tilted her head. "A forger studying roots? Interesting." Her fingers brushed a leaf; it dissolved into glowing dust. "Every living thing remembers its maker. Alchemy is just listening to that memory."
The phrase struck him. It sounded like something Ix would say.
Brewing with Resonance
They set up a small brewing circle beside a fountain that hummed with steady rhythm. Laora adjusted her resonance stones while Elayne organized crystal flasks. Daniel supervised by pretending to be busy.
"So," he said, "what are we making? Love potion? Truth serum? Something profitable?"
"Laora's Soul Balancer," Elayne replied. "It aligns emotions between bonded spirits. Helps invocation stability."
"Boring," Daniel sighed. "But marketable."
They began mixing. Elayne's hands moved gracefully; Laora sang under her breath, her melody harmonizing with the bubbling liquids. Kain added powdered silver and a pinch of Nihility-infused ore.
The cauldron pulsed once - then twice - and erupted in a swirl of blue-green fire.
Daniel jumped back. "Exploding friendship! I told you!"
"No," Elayne breathed. "It's resonating with his aura."
The silver-black hue of Kain's Nihility Flame blended with her emerald light until the potion shimmered like dusk through leaves.
Laora grinned. "Congratulations. We just discovered the world's first Mood Wine."
Elayne blinked. "It's… safe to drink?"
Daniel poured a tiny sample into a cup. "Only one way to find out."
"Daniel!" the twins shouted together.
He sipped — and his eyes went distant. Then he laughed softly, genuine and warm. "Tastes like… a good memory."
Marketplace Testing
That evening, they brought the brew to the After Life prototype stall inside the academy festival. Students gathered, curious. Each sip of the luminous drink reflected emotion—red for joy, blue for calm, gold for love.
Selene arrived, elegant as always, wings catching the lantern glow. She accepted a cup from Kain, smiling faintly. "Is this safe?"
"I think so," Kain said. "Probably."
She drank — her glass turned silver, then pink. "It's warm."
Daniel nudged him. "Pink. You saw that, right?"
Kain pretended to be fascinated by the ground. "Must be a reaction to mana."
"Uh-huh."
Meanwhile Laora and Elayne sold out of every bottle. The profit nearly doubled Daniel's shadow fund.
By night's end, laughter filled the courtyard. Students danced, lights shimmered, and for the first time since the shadow attack, peace felt real again.
The Garden at Dusk
After cleanup, Kain and Elayne returned to the quiet garden. The air smelled of honey and rain. Fireflies drifted between floating petals.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I've worked with many, but your flame didn't scorch—it sang. That's rare."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just listened."
She smiled. "Then maybe next time, we'll listen together."
He nodded, feeling the Flame warm faintly within his chest. It didn't burn—it pulsed in rhythm with hers.
Dream of Ix
That night, as he drifted to sleep, silver mist filled his vision. Ix appeared once more, vast and quiet.
"You forged harmony today," the Aeon whispered."Creation shared is never lost. Each bond adds a verse to existence."
"Then the world is music," Kain said.
"And you," Ix replied, "are learning to play."
[Status Update]
Name: Kain Machiavelli
Race: Half Nihility Aeon • Half Blood Dragon
Level: 10 Exp: 340 / 420
Tree Rank: Hod (8th Sphere)
Guiding Aeon: Ix – Aeon of Nihility
Spirit Invoked: Van Helsing – First Dragon of Blood
Unique Skill: Shadow Nihility Flame Lv 2
Life Skills: Blacksmithing Lv 3 | Alchemy Lv 2 (Resonance Unlocked) | Trading Lv 1 | Mining Lv 1
Bond Formed: Elayne Valmor (Affinity 8 %)
Objective: Refine the Soul Balancer Potion and prepare for the Autumn Festival Showcase.
End of Chapter 6 – Alchemy of Souls