The silence of the arena did not last long. As soon as the spiritual flames began to appear before the twenty-five finalists, the entire space was filled with the glow of different colors, a kaleidoscope of light that danced across the tables like an earthly aurora.
Red, blue, green, golden, and even black flames illuminated the workstations, each telling its own story, each revealing the personality and technique of its creator.
Each alchemist had their own method, a unique approach that had been developed and perfected over years, decades, and sometimes generations.
Some used fire directly inside the cauldron, the flames licking the metal with an intimacy that could only come from constant practice.
Others first extracted the essence from the herbs, refining them separately before combining them in a carefully choreographed dance.
