chapter 46 trail 2

The Brewing Trial Begins – A Test of Precision

The golden rune beneath Raven's feet pulsed one final time before the chamber shifted.

The stone walls rippled like water, distorting as if reality itself was being rewritten. When the surroundings settled, Raven found himself standing in a completely different room.

This chamber was smaller, more intimate, yet lined with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, loose parchment, and alchemical scrolls. A long, polished wooden table stretched across the room, and atop it rested a single cauldron—its iron surface marked with intricate runes that faintly pulsed in rhythm with the trial's magic.

The scent of herbs, charred wood, and faint traces of mana filled the air.

Across the room, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, was the Trial Proctor. His expression was unreadable, but there was a subtle change in the atmosphere.

> This wasn't a normal test.

And Raven knew why.

Varian had taken personal interest in him.

The brewing trial wouldn't be just about making a potion. Something was going to be different.

> And he wants to see if I'll notice.

---

The Challenge: The Potion of Lunar Clarity

The Trial Proctor finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of authority and expectation.

> "Brewing is the heart of alchemy. Ingredients alone are nothing without the hands to shape them."

He gestured toward the cauldron.

> "You will be crafting a Potion of Lunar Clarity."

A flicker of recognition flashed through Raven's mind.

> A potion that enhances mental clarity and temporarily boosts mana regeneration.

Not an easy brew.

The Trial Proctor continued.

> "The process must be followed precisely. Any deviation, any miscalculation—"

His sharp gaze met Raven's.

> "—and the potion will fail."

> "You have ten minutes."

A system notification appeared in Raven's interface.

[Alchemy Trial: Stage 2 – Brewing Test]

Objective: Successfully brew a Potion of Lunar Clarity within the given time.

Time Limit: 10 minutes.

Warning: One failed attempt ends the trial.

The pressure in the room increased.

---

The Process Begins

Raven didn't hesitate.

Stepping forward, he took a moment to analyze the workspace. Everything he needed was neatly arranged on the table:

Moonroot Extract (core ingredient)

Silverleaf Powder (stabilizer)

Frostpetal Essence (enhances purity)

Arcane Dew (mana-conductive agent)

Aether-infused Water (base)

The cauldron was already filled with the Aether-infused Water, its surface shimmering faintly.

> Good. That means I can start immediately.

Raven took a deep breath. He had a system.

1. Heat the base – Temperature control was critical. Too much heat, and the potion would destabilize.

2. Introduce Moonroot Extract – Let it simmer until the color deepened.

3. Add Silverleaf Powder in increments – Pour too fast, and the reaction would fail.

4. Stir at precise intervals – Too slow or too fast, and the potion would separate.

5. Finish with Arcane Dew – The final step. A single mistake here would render the entire brew useless.

> No mistakes. No hesitation.

Raven adjusted the heat of the cauldron, watching as the Aether-infused Water started to shimmer. When the temperature stabilized, he reached for the Moonroot Extract.

He measured exactly 15ml before pouring it in.

The water darkened, shifting from a faint blue to a rich, deep violet.

> Perfect.

Now came the first real test.

---

The First Trap – A Subtle Sabotage

As Raven reached for the Silverleaf Powder, his fingers hesitated.

Something was… off.

He had used Silverleaf Powder before. He knew its texture—it was fine, almost weightless, with a faint silvery sheen. But this?

> It's too dull.

His mind instantly pieced it together.

It wasn't Silverleaf Powder.

Varian had switched it.

> A fake ingredient—one that looks identical but has no stabilizing effect.

Raven's lips curled slightly.

> So that's how you want to play it?

Most players would blindly follow instructions, assuming all ingredients were correct. If Raven had done the same, the potion would have collapsed in seconds.

> He's testing my awareness.

Instead of using the fake Silverleaf Powder, Raven searched the table again. His gaze narrowed—there, at the far edge of the table, was a smaller vial filled with actual Silverleaf Powder.

Varian had hidden the real ingredient.

> Tch. Petty.

Raven smirked but didn't let it slow him down.

Carefully, he took the correct Silverleaf Powder and added it in small increments, stirring precisely three times clockwise, then one counterclockwise—the exact rhythm needed to stabilize the potion.

The liquid brightened, shifting into a deep indigo hue.

> Passed the first trap.

---

The Second Trap – Forced Improvisation

As Raven continued the brewing process, everything seemed smooth—until he reached the final step.

He reached for the Arcane Dew—the last and most crucial ingredient.

But when he uncorked the bottle—

> It's empty.

A slight chuckle echoed in the chamber.

Varian's voice, smooth as ever, rang out.

> "Oh dear. It seems you're missing something."

Raven's fingers tightened around the bottle.

> You bastard.

This was deliberate. The final ingredient had been removed, forcing Raven to find a solution on the spot.

> Most would panic. Most would give up.

But Raven?

His eyes flicked to the remaining unused ingredients.

> If I don't have Arcane Dew, I need a substitute.

His mind worked rapidly, analyzing possible alternatives.

Mana-Infused Orchid? No, too unstable.

Phoenix Ash? Too volatile.

Frostpetal Essence? …

Raven's mind snapped to a conclusion.

> Frostpetal Essence. It has mana-conductive properties, just weaker.

If he adjusted the ratio—tripled the amount—it could act as a substitute. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would be close enough.

With precise movements, he measured the Frostpetal Essence, slowly dripping it into the cauldron.

The potion shimmered, teetering between success and failure—then, finally, settled into a soft, ethereal glow.

> It worked.

A system notification flashed.

[Alchemy Trial: Stage 2 – Brewing Test Completed]

Varian's voice hummed with amusement.

> "Interesting choice. And yet… you succeeded."

The Trial Proctor finally smiled, nodding in approval.

> "Trial complete."

The chamber faded, light consuming Raven as the next phase of the test loomed ahead.

Varian stood at the far end of the chamber, hands still clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.

But Raven noticed the smallest shift.

The way Varian's eyes lingered on the completed potion just a fraction longer than necessary. The way his lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close.

For an instant, Raven caught the slightest glint of satisfaction in the old alchemist's gaze.

> He's pleased.

Not that Varian would ever admit it.

Instead, he tilted his head, his voice still laced with its usual calm amusement.

> "A fascinating choice."

He gestured toward the potion.

> "Most would have panicked, complained, or simply failed. But you?"

Varian's fingers brushed the rim of the cauldron, as if inspecting the final result. His touch was light, almost curious.

> "You saw the deception, found a solution, and made it work. It wasn't flawless, but…"

He finally looked back at Raven.

> "You adapted."

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Raven didn't speak. He didn't need to.

The quiet was an understanding—one between two people who recognized each other.

Varian knew what kind of person Raven was.

And Raven knew that Varian had been testing him from the very start.

> A challenge to see if I'm just another fool fumbling through alchemy.

Varian's interest was clear now.

And yet—

> "Of course…"

The older man's voice turned light, almost mocking.

> "A proper alchemist wouldn't have needed a substitute in the first place."

Raven's eye twitched, but he remained still.

Varian chuckled softly before turning away.

> "The trial is not yet over."

With a wave of his hand, the cauldron and workspace vanished—fading into golden particles.

The chamber shifted again, the walls rippling like water.

---

A New Challenge Awaits

As the room stabilized, Raven found himself no longer alone.

Rows of seats lined the sides of the chamber, filled with other alchemy students—both NPCs and players.

Some had eager expressions, while others looked bored. A few whispered to each other, glancing at Raven with mild curiosity.

But the real surprise was the arena-like setup forming at the center.

A single stone platform rose from the ground, surrounded by glowing barrier runes.

And standing at the edge was the Trial Proctor, his voice ringing out.

> "The next phase of the trial will begin."

Varian stepped to the side, watching with a keen gaze—not intervening, but observing.

This time, Raven wouldn't just be brewing potions.

This time, he would have to use them in real combat.

> And Varian was eager to see how he'd handle it.