If you think my life of learning magic is full of sparkles and rainbows, then you’re wrong.
Lord Valentine is a strict teacher, I have to master a certain spell perfectly before moving onto the next. The runes for the spells have to be perfectly written, every hooks and curves have to be on point. You have to remember the shapes the words formed. Different inks or papers are used for different types of spells. Fundamental magic learning is hard.
If it’s potion that’s another complicated matter all together. I have to remember the combination of herbs and materials, then the amount and the sequence. Sometimes I wish I had another pair of hands because you might need to stir the pot while placing in 3 herbs into the pot at the same time. At times like this little Dolphin is of great help.
Even though it is hard, I feel contented. I can now summon water with spells, but then what’s the use when I have already mastered the washing and cleaning spells?
Cleaning spell is a savior! Performing the spells is not just a wave of hand for me like Lord Valentine, I need to write that out and channel my power through the paper, but I save a lot of time from tidying the tower. What I don’t understand is why this tower was a mess when I first arrived. Why didn’t Lord Valentine use the cleaning spell?
I smile in relieve as the potion I am making successfully turns from green to purple. I have attempted this potion for a few days and my success rate is kind of low. Lord Valentine’s request is to make the potion successfully for 5 consecutive times. This is the fifth time. I can move on to learning the next potion.
This potion is to change the shape of the face, like from oval shaped to a face with more baby fat. However, the facial features are still exactly the same.
But this potion together with the potion I made a few weeks ago to change eye color and shape, the potion I made a week ago to change the height of the nose can probably totally change a face.
Potions are supplements to a spell. So if your spellworks are not good enough or are too fundamental, potions can help a lot. For Lord Valentine, of course he has passed the time of using potions.
“Ianthe, how’s the potion going?” Lord Valentine saunters in and stands next to me. He starts to examine the products of my effort from this morning. “Quite good! Ianthe, do you know to test whether the potion is well made or not, aside from whether the face is successfully changed to the desired feature, another criteria to determine is how long the spell lasts.”
“I see.” I nod. But why did he mention this all of a sudden?
“To test whether the quality of these potion passes, I will give you a challenge.” Lord Valentine looks like his usual self, the same gentle smile and calm composure, but why do I spot a spark of mischief in his eyes?
“A challenge?” I have a bad feeling… Potion to change shape and color of eyes, nose, mouth, hair and face…
“King invites me to the royal dinner tomorrow. And I have something to do.”
No, no, no… He doesn’t mean…
“Can you attend the royal dinner while pretending to be me?”
“Lord Valentine that must be not very appropriate! Maybe you should tell the King that you’re not available?”
“”But I have turned down his invitation for five times already.”
“You’re really not available tomorrow, my lord?” I really doubt that. Lord Valentine seldom leaves the tower. He stays day in day out inside his study. If there is a competition for the freest people in the castle, that’s him.
“Tomorrow night is the night a certain flower blooms. That flower is an important ingredient for the next potion you’re going to make.”
“Maybe I can go instead?” It’s just picking flowers, I am sure it’s easier than attending the royal dinner in pretense of him!
“There is a monster guarding these flowers. I worry about your safety, so no I must go.”
“But… but… my lord, surely that’s deceiving the King and the Queen, if they find out, I’ll… won’t I be punished?”
“Of course not, you won’t be punished, it’s my idea after all.” Lord Valentine smiles innocently.
But you’re the royal sorcerer! And I’m just a shell floating in this mast kingdom. Eating me is nothing!
“And it won’t be a problem as long as you aren’t discovered.” Lord Valentine pats me on the head with a gentle and benign expression. “I hope your potion can sustain you through four hours of dinner.”
Four hours! Who takes four hours for dinner? Who?
“Four?”
“Oh yes, tomorrow a tribe leader will also be present, so they prepare some performances I believe. Trust your own ability, Ianthe.”
“But… but my lord I still think this is not a great method. I don’t even know the manners while dining with royalty!”
“Don’t worry, Ianthe. I will teach you how to, don’t worry. This is your challenge. Let’s see how much you have learned these few months.” A spark of mischief appears in his eyes again.
Someone please save me!
