Chapter 83

[Third Person's PoV]

Annabeth muttered through all three of the sequences presented to her, "Librarian, Architectural Engineer, and Historian..."

After Lucian finished the ritual, he let out a sigh of relief. "This time it's more manageable..."

"What do you mean?" Annabeth asked, studying the book.

"Last time I did this, I had a splitting headache that lasted me a month. No matter what potion, ambrosia, or nectar I consumed, it just wouldn't go away."

"Really? But I don't remember seeing you in pain," Annabeth said, looking at him with worry.

"I kept it hidden. I didn't want people asking questions and whatnot," Lucian waved her off.

Annabeth set the book aside and went to hug Lucian, closing her eyes and leaning on his chest.

"What are you doing?"

"Expressing my gratitude..." she muttered with gratitude.

Lucian looked at her in amusement and patted her head. "Come on, let's get to making your potion. I need to make mine as well."

Annabeth, still hugging Lucian, looked up at him in surprise. "You already finished digesting it? I thought it would have taken longer."

"Well, it was already halfway digested, and I was performing the acting methods in front of the gods, so that definitely contributed greatly. Not to mention, I've been studying it for a year."

Annabeth nodded in understanding.

"Anyways, we'll need the ingredients... The two main ingredients are Chimera's Venomous Tail and a Pegasus Feather..."

"As for the supplementary ingredients, we will need Manticore Quill, Satyr Music, empty book ashes, and five Lapis Lazuli," Lucian recited.

"I can understand some of the ingredients, but what I don't understand is the Chimera's Venomous Tail for a Librarian ingredient," Annabeth said in confusion, hoping Lucian would explain, as he had the most knowledge when it came to potions.

"Poisons are said to be able to boost a person's cognitive ability," Lucian explained. "I already have a few tails, so we've got that covered. There should be feathers in the Big House attic, although it might take a while to find."

"I have the poison darts from the Manticore as well, so I can turn one into a quill quickly. We can get Grover to play the flute for the satyr music. I have a few empty books in case I run out of room, and I can easily gather Lapis Lazuli from the ground. It's all set..."

"Oh, and I'm going to need a lotus for my own potion. You should be able to find them near the lake. If not, please ask one of the dryads; they should be able to help," Lucian added.

Annabeth nodded seriously. "Wait, how am I going to collect the Satyr's music?"

Lucian reached into his shadow and pulled out a brown bag, handing it to her. "I made this while studying magic and looking at some of the items I was going to need. It's enchanted to collect items that are difficult, if not impossible, to collect."

"Like the bag of wind from Odysseus' story, the one that was able to contain strong winds?" Annabeth asked.

Lucian nodded. "Exactly."

Annabeth nodded before going on her tiptoes and kissing Lucian before skipping out.

Lucian stood frozen for a bit before letting out a sigh and gathering all the pieces he needed.

After nearly an hour, Annabeth appeared, letting out a sigh. "How was that feather harder to find than anything else?"

Lucian looked at her in amusement. "Want to make it yourself? I'll guide you."

"Really!?" Annabeth asked excitedly. Lucian nodded, and they began.

Annabeth stood before the pot, gaining a serious expression. She reached out her hand. "Chimera's tail."

Lucian handed it to her, and she started mixing it until it slowly turned into a purple liquid.

One by one, Lucian handed her the ingredients as she mixed and created the potion. As she was mixing, she opened the bag.

Almost like it was attracted to it, the sound of music from Grover's flute started going towards the bubbling potion, causing it to grow calmer and calmer until it stopped.

As it stopped, Lucian was almost sure he could hear the sound of pages being turned rapidly. Annabeth then put it in a vial. It was a bright blue liquid with white dots swirling around it.

"So, do I just drink it?"

Lucian nodded. Annabeth took a deep breath before chugging the potion. As she finished, the vial slipped from her hands.

Annabeth started gritting her teeth as she held her head in pain. She let out small grunting noises until she stopped and started breathing heavily.

"By the gods, does that hurt? It felt like my brain was being opened."

After she managed to calm down, Lucian asked, "So, what abilities did you gain?"

"Let's see..." Annabeth muttered. "Well, for one, I think I'm going to have to create my very own library. I obtained:

- Knowledge Absorption: The power to instantly absorb the knowledge contained within any book by touch.

- Language Comprehension: Understanding and speaking any language written in the books within my library.

- Warding: Capable of creating wards that are normally used towards a library.

- Enhanced Wisdom... not much to say about that.

- Knowledge Sharing: Able to transfer knowledge I absorbed through a book to whomever I want."

Annabeth then started to ponder, "Do you think I would be able to create a library within the camp? That should help me with the acting method rather quickly. A part of my ability depends on me having my own library. We could make it like a project, instead of just known as a cabin where the library is located. It would be better if it were known as an independent building, with the library ultimately belonging to me. I could get the others in the cabin to help and make it seem like it's something we all share, but it's really mine. It should be rather simple to convince all of them."

"You're spiraling," Lucian said, snapping Annabeth out of her muttering.

"Huh? Oh, right, sorry," she said, blushing.

"Let me make my own potion so I can help you build the library. After all, I'm turning into an Artisan, and it should assist me in digesting the potion. Speaking of which, did you digest any bit of it?"

Annabeth shook her head. "Although I spent a lot of time in the library, I've never acted as a Librarian."

Lucian nodded in understanding before he started working on his own potion. "Alright, for my potion, I'll need a Cyclops eyeball and Stygian iron dust as the two main ingredients."

Annabeth grabbed the eyeball from the shelves and handed it to Lucian. "Where's the dust?"

"It should be that black powder on the table. I just finished scraping some off my scythe."

As Annabeth handed it to him, she asked, "Won't it damage it?"

"It's blood-bonded. Blood-bonded weapons heal over time as long as the person they're connected to doesn't die unexpectedly."

Lucian then started mixing them together before adding the supplementary ingredients: a drop of Lotus extract, Nymph's whispers, Empousa shadow essences, and Golden Apple Peel.

"Where did you get the Nymph's whispers?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"Remember during my fight on top of the hill with the monsters? One of the monsters was a cloud Nymph. After killing them, I turned them into my shadows, so I was able to capture one of their whispers."

After Lucian finished, he put the potion in a vial and aimed the blood-red and orange vial towards Annabeth with a smirk. "Bottoms up."

He chugged it, and as it went down his throat, Lucian almost screamed but held it in. It felt like his blood was boiling and he was being beaten with a hammer repeatedly.

Lucian's shirt clung to his skin due to how sweaty he became. As he let out a sigh, white steam left his mouth. "Why was it so spicy?" Lucian teasingly muttered to himself.

"So, what abilities did you get?" Annabeth asked excitedly.

"Well, first, some things were strengthened, like my ability to control my fire." Lucian brought his hands together, and black flames slowly appeared in the middle of his squished hands.

Lucian pulled his hands apart, the fire sticking to his hands before he started moving them slowly and softly, rotating them in a circle, creating a ball of fire.

He held the ball of fire with one hand while crowning it with his other.

The ball of fire slowly started to turn into an arrow as Lucian extended his arm while twisting his wrist to the side. With his other hand, Lucian pulled back the backside of the arrow.

"My endurance and durability also increased, so that's nice. Not to mention, my spatial awareness was also strengthened.

Now for the abilities I possess:

- Artisanal Alchemy: Blend artistic talents with alchemical knowledge, creating potions, elixirs, or materials with extraordinary properties.

- Sigil Crafting: Create personalized symbols and sigils representing specific intentions or magical effects. These sigils can be inscribed onto weapons, armor, talismans, or amulets, and used within magical circles to manifest desired outcomes or protect against supernatural threats.

- Enhanced Precision: Possess an innate sense of precision and accuracy, allowing me to craft intricate details with ease. I now have steady hands and sharp focus, enabling me to create flawless designs and perfectly balanced structures.

- Master Crafter: My ability to craft has improved significantly. It comes more naturally to me now compared to before. I have become exceptionally skilled; if my previous blacksmithing was average or pretty good, now it's as if I was born from the God of blacksmithing himself."