3 Ch. 24 - Cat Vision Potion

"Well, that sounds easy enough," I said towards Valde, who I had partnered with.

"The instructions make it sound a lot easier than it is." (Valde)

"What do you mean?"

"In potion-making, any mistake, no matter how small, could completely trash the potion, and we would have to start over again." (Valde)

"Could you give me an example?"

"Sure. If we put the moonglow mushroom in the pot before the water got to boiling, it would probably fail, and we would have to restart. Or, if we put the powdered light crystals and the four cat whiskers at slightly different times, it would also probably fail. Potion making is more of an art than anything else." (Valde)

"Roger."

"Let us start then." (Valde)

After saying so, Vlade pressed a small, red gem attached to a side of the pot, and the water started heating up.

While the water was still boiling, I asked Valde how one makes purified water.

"It's a relatively simple but time-consuming task. You just boil water again and again and add different purifying agents between every boiling session. You'll quickly learn how to do it, don't worry about it. (Valde)

A few more minutes had gone by, and the water in the brewing pot was now boiling.

"Azrail, could you hand me over the moonglow mushrooms? It's the white mushrooms with blue spots." (Valde)

"Yeah, on it."

I went to the front of the classroom and retrieved a handful of fresh moonglow mushrooms.

"Here," I said, handing Valde the mushrooms.

"Thanks." (Valde)

Valde proceeded to place three moonglow mushrooms into the brewing pot, and the mushrooms immediately started deforming.

"We're going to have to wait a little bit." (Valde)

"That's not a problem."

"How many spells do you already know how to cast Valde?"

"A few." (Valde)

"Actually, though, how many?"

"It's approaching eight." (Valde)

"Approaching?"

"I'm currently in the middle of mastering one." (Valde)

"Mind telling me what the spell is?"

"It's an unlocking spell. If I master it, I would be able to open any lock as long as there is no defensive magic." (Valde)

"That sounds like a handy spell."

"It is. That's why I want to master it." (Valde)

"When are you practicing?"

"Early in the morning. I wake up much earlier than when the roosters start to crow." (Valde)

"Wow. How do you even wake up that early?"

"Discipline." (Valde)

"If I wake up that early, would you be willing to help teach me some magic?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind. You just got to wake up early then." (Valde)

"Thanks."

"Hey, look, the moonglow mushroom has fully dissolved in the boiling water. Let's continue with the next step." (Valde)

"Alright, let me go get the powdered light crystal and the cat whiskers, be right back."

The powdered light crystal was a light crystal that was processed into a powdery substance. Light crystals were a form of magic crystals that contained an abundance of magic in them. Think of them as batteries, but they stored mana instead of electricity. By adding the powdered light crystal, we would be introducing magical energy to the potion mixture, potentially the most critical step in the potion-making process. Cat whiskers were just whiskers taken from a cat, nothing too special.

I returned to Valde with the powdered light crystal and the cat whiskers.

Valde gently mixed the powdered light crystal and the cat whiskers in a separate bowl before pouring it into the cauldron.

Upon being poured into the cauldron, the originally bluish water immediately starting warping colors. It began with a few strands of purple in the water before all of the water became purple. Seeing that we had reached the final step, Valde called out towards Professor Llewellyn.

Professor Llewellyn came over to our table and began to inspect our brew meticulously.

"Good job, students. You've managed to succeed in brewing the cat vision potion on your first try. That is not something that happens very often. Keep up the good work. I do warn you, though, do not try drinking the potion now, or you will regret it. Do you two know why?" (Professor Llewellyn)

Valde and I shook our heads because we didn't know the answer to the professor's question.

"Do you know what the cat vision potion effect is?" (Professor Llewellyn)

"It gives the drinker partial night vision, right?" (Valde)

"Yes, but do you know how it achieves that effect?" (Professor Llewellyn)

"No, I don't know." (Valde)

"No problem, let me explain." (Professor Llewellyn)

"The cat vision potion gives its drinker partial night vision abilities by making your eyes more sensitive to light. By making your eyes more sensitive, all forms of light become brighter, thus, giving the effect we call night vision. The problem here is that it applies to all light. If one were to drink this at the height of the day, the world around them might become so bright that it may prove to threaten the safety of their own eyes. That's why you should only drink this at night, where there is less light. Do you now understand, boys?" (Professor Llewellyn)

"Yes, professor," Valde and I both said at the same time.

"Good. You two may spend the rest doing whatever you want as long as it doesn't disrupt your classmates." (Professor Llewellyn)

After saying so, Professor Llewellyn left for another student who was raising their hand.

"The professor is actually quite friendly."

"What did you think he was like." (Valde)

"I thought he was going to be all grump and angry all the time."

"Why is that?" (Valde)

"Well, I assumed so because of his looks."

"Well, anyone who spends the majority of their life down here devoid of light would develop those kinds of unfriendly facial features. You shouldn't judge people based on their looks." (Valde)

"I understand. It was my mistake."

"In the meantime, anything you want to do?" (Valde)