The dimly lit workshop bustled with activity as I prepared to create the best healing potion possible. The materials delivered by the Spirit Humans were neatly arranged on the wooden table before me, their vivid colors glinting under the faint purple glow of my mana flame.
Miku stood at the side, her bright eyes wide with excitement. She was practically vibrating with energy, eager to dive into the process. I glanced at her, already planning how to best utilize her enthusiasm.
"Miku," I called, and she snapped to attention like a soldier awaiting orders.
"Yes, Master!"
"Good. First, sort the herbs by potency. The stronger ones go on the left side of the table. I'll need precise measurements, so don't mix them up."
She nodded fervently and got to work, her hands moving quickly but carefully as she examined each bundle of herbs. I turned my attention to the cauldron, adjusting the intensity of the purple flame beneath it. The unnatural glow of the flame unnerved me, but its precision was unmatched, making it an indispensable tool.
"Master," Miku said after a few moments, holding up two identical-looking leaves. "How do I tell these apart? They look the same to me."
I walked over, taking the leaves from her hands. "Look closer," I instructed. "This one,"
I pointed to the first leaf, "has serrated edges, while the other is smooth. Serrated means it's more potent, but also more volatile. Be extra careful when handling it."
Her brow furrowed in concentration as she nodded and resumed her task.
"Miku, faster," I ordered, not unkindly but with an edge of urgency. "The potion requires synchronization between the ingredients and the mana infusion. Every second counts."
"Yes, Master!" she replied, doubling her pace.
While she sorted the herbs, I began grinding a set of roots into a fine powder, the rhythmic sound of the mortar and pestle filling the room.
"Miku, fetch me the vials of crystal essence and lunar dew," I said, not looking up.
She dashed across the room and returned moments later, carefully balancing the delicate vials in her small hands.
"Good," I said. "Now, measure exactly three drops of lunar dew into the cauldron. Not four, not two. Three. Understand?"
"Yes, Master!"
She approached the cauldron with the vial in hand, her hands steady but her face intense with concentration. I watched her closely, ready to intervene if necessary.
She tilted the vial, and three perfect drops fell into the shimmering liquid. The mixture hissed and glowed faintly, a sign that the dew had integrated properly.
"Well done," I said, a hint of approval in my voice.
A smile spread across her face, but I wasn't about to let her get too comfortable.
"Next, take the ground essence powder and sprinkle it in slowly while I stir the cauldron. Too fast, and we'll have an explosion on our hands."
Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded and took the mortar from me. As I stirred the bubbling mixture with a long wooden rod, she carefully added the powder, a little at a time. The potion began to change color, shifting from a dull green to a vibrant gold.
"Perfect," I murmured. "Now we're getting somewhere."
"Master, what's next?" she asked eagerly, clearly proud of her contribution so far.
"Now comes the tricky part," I said, setting the rod aside. "We need to infuse it with mana. My mana will act as the stabilizing agent, but it's not enough on its own. You'll assist me by adding the purified elven sap at precise intervals. Think you can handle it?"
"I can do it!" she declared, determination shining in her eyes.
I smirked. "We'll see. Stand by the cauldron and be ready."
With a deep breath, I extended my hand over the potion, allowing the purple flames to flicker up and engulf my palm. A surge of mana flowed from my core, channeled through my hand and into the potion. The liquid churned violently, threatening to overflow.
"Miku, now!" I barked.
She didn't hesitate. Taking the vial of purified elven sap, she poured it in drop by drop, her movements precise and controlled. The potion reacted immediately, calming under the combined influence of the sap and my mana.
"Keep going," I urged, my voice strained as I maintained the flow of mana.
She obeyed, her focus unshakable. Drop by drop, the sap blended seamlessly into the potion until, finally, the liquid settled into a brilliant golden hue.
"It's done," I said, pulling my hand away and extinguishing the flames.
Miku stepped back, wiping sweat from her brow but grinning from ear to ear. "We did it, Master!"
I nodded, a rare smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Not bad, Miku. Not bad at all."
She beamed at the praise, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel a flicker of pride. This potion would not only solidify my standing among the Spirit Humans but also bring me one step closer to my ultimate goal.
I glanced at the glowing golden liquid in the cauldron, its surface shimmering with a faint aura of life. This was just the beginning. For the potion to reach its full potency, I needed to refine and merge several batches into one flawless creation.
"Miku," I said, my tone firm but not harsh. "We're not done yet. This is only the first batch. We'll need at least three more to merge into a master potion. Are you ready?"
She blinked, surprised by the challenge, but quickly nodded. "Yes, Master! I'm ready!"
"Good. Then let's begin again."
I handed her a fresh sheet of parchment, detailing the adjustments I'd made to the original recipe based on the results of the first batch. "Follow this precisely. This time, I want you to handle the initial preparation while I monitor the cauldron."
"Yes, Master!" she said, already moving to gather the required ingredients.
As Miku set to work grinding herbs and measuring liquids, I prepared the cauldron for the next batch. The purple flame flickered beneath it, and I felt its familiar, unsettling tug on my soul. I shook off the feeling. There was no room for hesitation.