Chapter 83: Decisions

Lira worked steadily at her table beneath the giant tree, the sunlight drifting through the branches above and catching in the swirling motes of air that danced around her. One by one, she mixed the various plants and essences she had collected, letting her air and earth elements guide the motions of her hands, coaxing the liquids into perfect swirls of color. Blue, green, and hints of gold danced together in miniature storms inside the vials.

Once a batch was ready, she inspected it carefully. She smelled it, felt its pulse of energy, and let a small gust of air brush over it, watching how the potion responded. Some sparkled with vitality, others gave off a faint hum as if alive, and a few seemed hesitant, weak, or unstable. She took notes in her small journal, jotting down observations about each mixture: which plants harmonized with air, which needed more patience, which had a volatile temperament.

Her messenger bird hopped from vial to vial, chirping softly as though offering his approval or caution.

Lira smiled, stroking Fluffy’s fur. "Yes, yes, these are all special," she murmured.

After hours of careful work, she leaned back and surveyed the neat rows of completed potions. A wave of pride surged in her chest as they were more beautiful and alive than anything she had ever made. But alongside that pride came caution.

She shook her head slightly, a serious expression settling on her face. "I can’t... I can’t put these to market yet," she said quietly. "They’re powerful... unpredictable if misused. Someone could get hurt if they don’t understand how to handle them."

Her mind raced through possibilities, warnings, labels, controlled testing but nothing felt sufficient. For now, these potions would remain in her care, a secret collection of experiments and discoveries. She would continue refining them, learning more about the delicate dance between air, earth, and intention, until she could be certain that each one was safe.

Even as she thought this, a quiet thrill ran through her, the sense that she was standing on the edge of something far bigger. These potions weren’t just mixtures; they were a reflection of her growing mastery, of her connection to the elements, and of the careful balance she had begun to understand between power and responsibility.

She carefully placed each vial in its protective box, giving each one a gentle pat as if they were living creatures. Fluffy nestled against her side, content, and Lira let out a small, determined sigh. "One step at a time," she whispered, "and I’ll make sure everything I create is safe... and worthy of the magic inside it."

After carefully checking each vial, Lira made a decision. Most of the potions would remain safely in the groove, stored under the protective canopy of the giant tree where she could monitor them. Only a few, those she considered most stable, would accompany her. She carefully selected the ones that shimmered with steady energy, whose essences felt balanced between air and earth.

She knew that talking to grandmaster Elions about this would be good idea.

With Fluffy sitting near her feet, she cradled the chosen vials gently, ensuring none of the delicate mixtures wobbled or spilled. Each one seemed to hum softly, almost as if recognizing that they were about to meet someone wise and experienced.

Her messenger bird dissapeared in her pockets.

"These I can show Grandmaster," she murmured to herself, "and we can discuss how, or if, they could ever be shared safely. Everything else must stay here, under my watch."

The journey to the Grandmaster’s office was brisk but calm, since she knew the way like her own palm.

Lira’s mind raced with thoughts of protective charms, potential uses, and the delicate balance required to avoid danger. When she arrived, she knocked lightly, and Grandmaster Elion’s familiar voice called her in.

She stepped into the office, carefully placing the vials on his table. "Grandmaster," she began, "I’ve been experimenting with mixing my air and earth elements into potions. Most of them are still too volatile, but these few are stable. I wanted to show them to you... and ask your advice on whether it could ever be safe to share them with others."

Elion examined the vials, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he sensed the subtle pulses of magic within. "Very wise of you to exercise caution, Lira. Power without care is dangerous, especially when it takes form in such concentrated ways. We will discuss their uses and limits, and together, we will ensure they are safe, or remain only for study."

Lira exhaled, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. She had taken the first step toward responsible mastery, and with the Grandmaster’s guidance, she knew her creations could grow into something truly remarkable without putting anyone at risk.

Grandmaster Elion studied the swirling bottles she placed before him, his expression calm but sharp. He lifted one, turning it gently in the light as the hues of blue and green shimmered against the glass. "Remarkable," he murmured, though his tone held the weight of caution.

Then he set it back down and met her eyes. "But listen well, Lira. Because these potions draw from more than one element, they will draw attention, perhaps even suspicion and danger. Few would understand, and fewer still could be trusted with such knowledge."

She nodded quietly, sensing the seriousness in his words.

"For now," he continued, folding his hands behind his back, "we will keep this hidden. Leave most of your work in the groove. As for the few you’ve brought here, we’ll study them carefully and consider how to make them safe for use. And when the time comes to place them in the world, it will not be under your name. Someone else must stand as their creator, someone whose safety is not so easily compromised."

Lira lowered her gaze to the bottles again, the pride of her success mixing with a knot of unease. Yet she understood. It was not only about the potions, it was about protecting her, her gift, and the balance that surrounded it.

The halls of the potion wing smelled of herbs, smoke, and a hundred experiments left to simmer. Lira carried a small satchel close against her chest, its contents clinking softly with every step. Grandmaster Elion walked beside her, his presence both steadying and pressing, as if his calm voice from earlier still lingered in her ears: Do not fear, child. We will walk this path carefully.

They stopped before an arched oak door inlaid with copper runes. Elion rapped twice, and the door swung open on its own, letting out a swirl of warm, spiced air.

Inside, Master Therin was bent over a bubbling cauldron, his hair tied back and his sleeves rolled high. He looked up, his dark eyes quick and sharp. "Grandmaster Elion," he greeted with a bow of his head, "and the my smart student Lira. What brings you to my potion hall?"

Elion motioned for Lira to step forward. She swallowed hard and untied her satchel. With careful hands, she drew out three vials, each filled with a faintly swirling liquid that seemed almost alive. She set them on Therin’s worktable, their glow catching the light of the fire.

"These are my work," she admitted quietly, almost bracing for reproach.

Therin leaned in, his face suddenly intent. He picked up one vial and tilted it slowly, watching how the mixture shifted in ways that did not quite obey ordinary rules of weight or air. His lips pursed. "Interesting. Very interesting. Your skills are growing fast."

His gaze flicked to Elion. "And you are certain she made these herself?"

Elion’s voice was calm. "I watched her hand. There is no doubt."

Therin turned the vial again, then set it down with deliberate care. "These are not simple. The balance of elements here... it should be impossible for an untrained hand, let alone a girl of her years. Yet here it is." His eyes settled on Lira, measuring. "You have meddled with air, and perhaps more. That is dangerous."

Lira’s shoulders tensed, but Elion raised a hand. "That is why we are here. We ask not for judgment, but for your skill. Can you study these? See if they can be replicated without the... special means she used?"

Therin considered for a long moment, then finally nodded. "I will test them. I will take them apart piece by piece and see if a safe method exists. If I succeed, we may craft them openly. If not..." His eyes glimmered with warning, "...then these will remain secrets best forgotten."

Lira let out a slow breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Lira handed the shimmering vials carefully to Potion Master Therin, the swirling colors catching faint glimmers of lantern light in his workroom. He adjusted his glasses, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

"Interesting... very interesting," he murmured, tilting one vial to see how the green and blue currents shifted within. "I’ll test their properties and see if I can reproduce them with ordinary methods. You’ve done something rare here, Lira. For other casual potions we will trade as usual."

Lira handed him batches of her normal potions and she got her coins for them.

Grandmaster Elion gave her a nod of reassurance, as if to say her secret was safe. Lira bowed her head lightly, thanking them both, though her mind was already running ahead with new thoughts.

By the time she returned to her room, Fluffy was curled into a soft bundle on her bed. She sank beside him, stroking his fur absently while her mind raced with new combinations, possibilities of wind and earth flowing together in ways she hadn’t yet tried. Her heart was light, and for the first time in weeks she felt like she was stepping into something uniquely her own.

Sleep tugged at her soon, but even as she drifted off, sparks of new ideas flickered behind her closed eyes.

Could she create a potions that would make her float?