Liam stepped into the potion shop 'Jestful Alchemy Cauldron,' immediately enveloped by the earthy scent of herbs, tangy oils, and the faint metallic undertone of brewing equipment. Shelves lined every wall, packed with glass vials, jars of rare ingredients, and ornate bottles brimming with colorful, bubbling liquids.
An assortment of dried herbs and roots hung from the ceiling, swaying gently, and a brass cauldron simmered lazily in the corner, releasing puffs of iridescent steam.
Behind the counter stood an elderly witch with wild silver hair, her crooked spectacles balancing precariously on her nose. She looked up from her work, a soft hum still on her lips, and gave Liam a mischievous grin.
"Ah, a young alchemist!"
She declared, her voice a lilting croak.
"You've come to the right place. What do you need, love? A kit to start brewing, or perhaps something... more experimental?"
Liam moved to the counter, placing a short list of essentials on the polished wooden surface.
"I need everything for an Academy-level Alchemy class: a basic chemistry kit, as well as a few advanced items if you've got them."
The witch chuckled.
"Standard kits are easy—no problem there."
She pulled out a large, leather-bound trunk filled with everything required to get started:
-Glass vials of various sizes
-Measuring scales for precise ingredient portions
-A collapsible cauldron made from enchanted iron
-Mortar and pestle for grinding herbs and minerals
-Stirring rods and pipettes for delicate potion work
-Bunsen crystal burner (safer than open flame)
"The starter kit comes with some herbs and powders, too. Now, if you're looking for advanced tools..."
She leaned in conspiratorially.
"You might like these."
She reached below the counter and pulled out a special compartmentalized box, revealing a set of advanced alchemical tools:
-Rune-etched stirring rods for precision temperature control
-Stasis jars that keep volatile ingredients fresh indefinitely
-Philosopher's salt, known to stabilize tricky potions
-Aether siphon, which helps extract magical essence from rare materials
Liam looked around the shop, knowing that while the basic tools were important, having quality ingredients could make all the difference. He handed the witch a supplementary list of components.
"I also need a starter batch of ingredients—things like mandrake root, powdered moonstone, phoenix ash, and wyvern venom."
The witch gave him an approving smile.
"Ah, ambitious one, aren't we? Got a taste for the exotic already, hmm? The venom will cost extra, but everything else is easy to package."
She moved swiftly, her hands flicking through shelves and drawers, gathering bundles of herbs, vials of rare oils, powders, and extracts. A few of the jars shimmered with faint magical auras, while others had warning symbols etched into the glass.
"Here we go. A well-rounded set for a young alchemist ready to impress."
She bundled the ingredients into preservation pouches to keep them fresh and prevent magical contamination during transport.
"That should cover you for a semester or two—provided you don't blow anything up."
The witch said with a wink as she rang up the purchase on a battered, enchanted ledger.
"Now, let's see... with the basic kit, advanced tools, and ingredients, your total comes to... $250."
Liam handed over the amount, feeling the weight leave his enchanted wallet. She nodded approvingly and slid the heavy alchemical kit and pouches across the counter.
"You'll do well, dear. I can feel it. Just don't skimp on stirring—it's all in the rhythm."
With a nod of thanks, Liam packed the kit and ingredients into his enchanted trunk. As the witch gave a parting wave, he felt a surge of excitement.
With the tools for potion-making now at his disposal, Liam knew he was ready for whatever the Founding Academy's Alchemy class had to throw at him.
"Good luck, young alchemist!"
The witch called as he stepped back into the street.
"And remember—if it doesn't bubble, it's just soup!"
Liam smirked at her parting joke as he made his way toward the next destination to get a casting foci.
As Liam stepped into the magic foci shop 'Hocus Focus Arms,' a wave of arcane energy prickled across his skin. The interior was dimly lit, illuminated only by softly glowing displays and enchanted lanterns floating in the air.
The shop had a reverent silence, as though the many objects within it demanded respect. Everywhere Liam looked, shelves and cases gleamed with artifacts—some ancient, some newly forged—each radiating a distinct magical signature.
A lanky elf with silvery hair, dressed in an embroidered vest, glided forward. His sharp eyes sparkled with curiosity as he studied Liam.
"Ah, a student on the hunt for a focus."
The elf murmured in a silky voice.
"You'll need something special, I can tell. Something... versatile, yes?"
Liam gave a slight nod, scanning the shop's collection.
"I need something reliable—powerful, but adaptable. For different types of magic."
The elf smiled knowingly, gesturing toward a long glass case filled with wands, staffs, and scepters.
"We have foci to fit any magical discipline. Though some—"
He pointed to an ornate staff carved from driftwood, crowned with a sapphire—
"Require a bit of finesse."
Liam moved slowly along the cases, his eyes flicking between each category of magical foci:
Wands:
Sleek, precise, and ideal for spells that required quick, targeted casting. A few were crafted from rare woods—dragon heartstring, phoenix feather, or even unicorn hair cores.
Staffs:
Taller and more ceremonial, staffs allowed for powerful, sustained magic. They had enchanted crystals embedded at the top, glowing faintly with residual energy.
Scepters:
Shorter than staffs but elegant in design, with the ability to channel large bursts of magic in short intervals.
Rings and Gauntlets:
Subtle but potent—perfect for mages who needed freedom of movement without sacrificing power. Rings could hold specific enchantments, while gauntlets enhanced the wearer's raw magical output.
Then there were the more unusual options:
Whips and Fans:
Exotic foci for those trained in martial arts or fluid casting styles, where movement and grace became part of the magic.
Hammers:
Heavy and brutal, these were favored by battle-mages who preferred to smash their enemies both physically and magically.
Musical Instruments:
Harps, flutes, and violins are enchanted to channel magic through sound, ideal for bards or performers weaving magic into music.
After inspecting the collection for some time, Liam's gaze fell on a wand, ring, and staff set. An intricately designed obsidian wand, paired with a matching ring engraved with silver runes, and also a matching extendable staff that is covered in a pitch black substance. The elf noticed his interest and stepped closer.
"Ah, an excellent choice."
The elf said with a nod.
"This set allows for a flexible casting style. Use the wand for precision work, and the ring for passive enhancements—or quick, low-power spells, and the staff for high-powered spells. All three are attuned to each other, increasing efficiency and reducing magical fatigue."
Liam picked up the wand and felt a hum of energy run through his fingertips. It was light, perfectly balanced, and warm to the touch, as though it responded to his presence. He slipped the ring onto his finger, and a gentle pulse of magic rippled through him—an instant connection between the two artifacts.
"How much?"
Liam asked, already knowing this would likely cost a small fortune.
The elf gave a sly grin.
"For you, young mage, the price will be $480. However, I will include a holster for the wand, the compact version of your staff resembling a scepter, and a complimentary cleaning kit."
Liam thought for a moment, but it wasn't a hard decision. He knew quality when he saw it. With a nod, he counted out the coins from his enchanted wallet and handed them over.
Satisfied with his purchase, Liam slid the wand and compact staff into the slim leather holsters attached to his belt and adjusted the ring on his finger. All three items hummed softly, attuning themselves to his magical aura.
As he left the foci shop, the elf called after him with a grin.
"Take care, young one! Your magic will flow as smooth as silk... just don't overdo it!"
Liam smirked. He was now fully outfitted for his classes at the Academy, with everything from his textbooks to his chemistry kit—and now a wand and ring that would complement his skills perfectly.
His journey at the Founding Fathers Academy was only beginning, but Liam knew one thing: with the right tools in hand, he wouldn't just survive—he intended to thrive.
The final stop of the day was the bookshop—the part of the trip Liam was most excited about. When he entered the shop 'Myths and Legends,' he was immediately struck by the overwhelming sight of floor-to-ceiling shelves, crammed with books. The shelves twisted and curved in odd ways, giving the place a chaotic, maze-like feel.
A bored-looking clerk in a brown vest stood behind the counter, absently flipping through a magazine. As Liam approached, the young man forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Good afternoon, sir. Need anything specific?"
Liam returned the smile with one just as fake.
"Yeah, I need a full set of Founding Fathers Academy textbooks and spellbooks—years one through four. Also, if you have any reference books or advanced spellbooks, I'd be interested in those too."
The clerk perked up at the mention of advanced texts, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.
"We might have some... exclusive items in the back," he said slowly, glancing toward a door marked Employees Only.
Liam smiled knowingly and slid a crisp twenty-dollar bill across the counter.
"I'll make it worth your time if you can get everything quickly."
The clerk's grin widened.
"Give me just a few minutes, sir. You won't be disappointed."
With a flick of his wand, the clerk summoned dozens of books from various shelves. They flew across the shop in a flurry, stacking neatly on the counter. Liam's eyes flicked over the titles—standard texts on charms, potions, transfiguration, and magical history. But mixed among them were rarer volumes with dark, cryptic titles.
The clerk soon reappeared, holding a handful of forbidden books with a conspiratorial grin.
"These... aren't exactly Council-approved."
he whispered, laying the books on the counter.
Liam scanned the titles:
A Darker Shade of Magic
Sorcery of Blood
Pagan Rituals
Shadow and Bone
Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
The Book of Azrael
Witch King
Wicked Enchantment
Fortune Favors the Cruel
The LastGraduate
and many more...
Every one of these volumes dealt with dark magic, forbidden rituals, or dangerous enchantments—exactly the kind of material Liam was looking for.
"These will do nicely."
Liam said, sliding another twenty into the clerk's eager hand.
The final bill came to $1,965.46. Without hesitation, Liam deposited $2,000 on the counter and said.
"Keep the change."
Liam loaded the books into his trunk with a quick flick of his wand, sealing it shut. With his new wardrobe, enchanted luggage, and a collection of powerful books, he was well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Now all that was left was to check into his room at The Hotel Bossert—a night of quiet study awaited him, where he could begin unraveling the secrets hidden within the forbidden tomes.
He couldn't help but grin as he walked toward the hotel.
"Let's see how far the Academy's rules can really bend."
Liam muttered under his breath. The real learning was just beginning.