Roselia handed Leon a pale blue stone, pulsing faintly. "This is an Arcane Catalyst. It can enhance effects... or destroy your potion if misused. Time it wrong, and the whole mixture will explode."
Leon took a deep breath and carefully monitored the bubbling potion in front of him. The moment the mixture stabilized into a deep purple, he dropped the catalyst in—only for the cauldron to burst into a cloud of thick smoke.
Coughing, he waved the fumes away. "What the hell happened?!"
Roselia chuckled, unfazed. "You dropped it too early. Catalysts react to elemental balance. Learn the right timing."
Leon wiped his face and started over.
Day 7: The First Tier IV Elixir
A week passed, and Leon finally felt the shift—from struggling to control alchemical forces to shaping them at will. The moment of truth arrived when he attempted his first Tier IV Elixir—The Elixir of Iron Will.