The incident with Kael, and the subsequent sabotage, solidified my resolve. I was no longer just trying to survive; I was determined to thrive, to prove everyone wrong. I poured all my energy into my studies and training, pushing myself harder than ever before.
My progress was slow, but steady. I was starting to grasp the basics of arcane theory, my swordsmanship was improving, and I was even beginning to understand the complex principles of alchemy.
Alchemy, in particular, fascinated me. The art of transforming base metals into gold, creating powerful potions, and concocting deadly poisons – it was a science and an art, a delicate balance of knowledge, skill, and intuition.
Our alchemy instructor, Professor Eldrin, was a wizened old man with a long white beard and a twinkle in his eye. He was a master of his craft, and he demanded nothing less than perfection from his students.
One afternoon, Professor Eldrin announced that we would be brewing a simple healing potion, a concoction designed to mend minor wounds and alleviate pain. The recipe was straightforward, but the process required precision and attention to detail.
As I gathered my ingredients – herbs, roots, and various chemical compounds – I noticed Kael and his friends watching me with malicious grins. I ignored them, focusing on the task at hand.
I carefully measured each ingredient, following the recipe exactly. I heated the mixture over a low flame, stirring it constantly with a glass rod. The potion slowly changed color, from a murky brown to a vibrant green.
As the potion simmered, I sensed a disturbance in the air. I glanced up and saw Kael sneaking towards my workstation, a small vial clutched in his hand.
He was going to sabotage my potion.
I quickly activated Shadow Embrace, dissolving into the shadows. Kael, unaware of my presence, poured the contents of the vial into my brewing potion.
The potion immediately began to bubble and froth, emitting a noxious odor. It was clear that Kael had added something poisonous, something that would ruin the potion and potentially harm anyone who drank it.
I emerged from the shadows, my face contorted with anger. "What do you think you're doing, Kael?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the alchemy lab.
Kael jumped back in surprise, dropping the empty vial. "I… I didn't do anything," he stammered, his face pale.
"Don't lie to me," I said, pointing to the bubbling potion. "You poisoned my brew."
Professor Eldrin, who had been observing the class from his desk, rushed over to investigate. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice stern.
"Kael sabotaged my potion, Professor," I said. "He added something poisonous to it."
Professor Eldrin examined the potion carefully, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Indeed," he said. "This potion is now highly toxic. Whoever added this… substance… clearly intended to cause harm."
He turned to Kael, his eyes blazing with anger. "Kael, is this true? Did you poison Lord Kamisute's potion?"
Kael stammered and hesitated, but eventually, he buckled under the Professor's intense gaze. "Yes, professor, but..."
"Silence!" Professor Eldrin roared. "Your actions are reprehensible! You have not only endangered your fellow students but also violated the most sacred principles of alchemy. I have no choice but to expel you from Veritas Academy."
Kael's face crumpled in despair. He had been caught red-handed, and his future was now in ruins.
Professor Eldrin turned to me, his expression softening slightly. "Lord Kamisute," he said, "I commend you for your quick thinking and your ability to detect this treachery. You have prevented a potentially disastrous situation. As a reward, I will allow you to brew a fresh potion, using only the finest ingredients."
I nodded, a wave of relief washing over me. I had not only thwarted Kael's sabotage but also earned the respect of Professor Eldrin.
As I began to prepare my new potion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I was slowly but surely proving myself, overcoming the obstacles that were thrown in my path.
But I knew that this was only the beginning. The Academy was filled with enemies, both seen and unseen, and I had to remain vigilant if I wanted to survive. I couldn't shake the feeling that Kael's sabotage was not just personal animosity but rather part of a grander scheme, potentially by someone wishing Tokoyami harm.