Chapter 13 - The Phoenix Flame

I still feel an inexplicable pleasure being able to leave the palace for my lessons. Since I ceased to be Soren's prisoner, I can go to my teachers for classes. This gives me the opportunity to explore Eldoria.

The city is charming, and the people are very interesting. I discovered a bookstore named Dust of Pages on the way to Phyrus and Aria's house.

The house of my potion teachers is the most interesting place in the world. Aria and Phyrus are the best potion masters of our time. They accept only a few students each year, and by Soren's recommendation, I was fortunate enough to secure a spot. I have been working hard to impress my instructors.

Aria and Phyrus live in a multi-story townhouse made of wood and iron. Each floor is filled with numerous plants, gardens, and even trees planted in huge pots. Plants adorn the balconies, and branches extend through the windows.

All floors are reserved for the students, except the last one, where they reside.

I enter the front door, decorated with forged iron snakes, and see Sybil, the couple's assistant. She greets me enthusiastically and instructs me to wait for Phyrus in the usual room.

I love this room. Hundreds of potions line the wall shelves. A cauldron bubbles in the fireplace, concocting a greenish potion. Various stoves are on a counter, brass scales and cauldrons of various materials scattered on the shelves. Boxes of ingredients emit an interesting smell in the room.

There is a potion on the table that catches my eye. Inside it, something resembling fire. I pick up the small bottle and examine it closely. The cap is sealed with orange wax, a copper chain with a small feather-shaped pendant encircles the bottle neck. The potion resembles a flame of orange and red fire, burning incessantly.

Wow. It's so beautiful!

"You shouldn't leave these things within children's reach."

I startle and almost drop the potion. I turn to the door and see a red-haired man standing and looking at me. What an idiot!

He starts laughing when he realizes he scared me. What an annoying guy!

"Sorry," he says, trying to control his laughter. "I didn't mean to scare you. They sent me to this room for my potion class. I didn't expect to find anyone here."

He wipes a tear of laughter. I don't say anything and place the potion back on the table. I go to one of the chairs and sit down to wait for Phyrus, determined to ignore this fool.

He enters the room and sits in another chair. We wait for a few minutes in silence.

"Okay," he says after some time. "I guess we started on the wrong foot."

He stands up and comes to me. Stops in front of me and extends his hand.

"I'm Ycarus," he introduces himself, and I look at his outstretched hand for a few seconds before deciding to shake hands.

"Thalassa," I reply simply.

Ycarus ties his red hair in a samurai bun. A well-groomed beard, earrings, rings, and bracelets. Several tattoos are visible on his arms, exposed by the sleeveless vest. I have to admit he's handsome.

At that moment, Pyrus enters the room, followed by Aria.

"Ah! I see you've already met. How wonderful!" Phyrus says with his usual enthusiasm.

"I hope you get along," Aria says with a playful twinkle in her eyes. "You'll need each other a lot."

What now?!

"Yes. This will be exciting!" Phyrus goes to the table and takes the potion I held a few minutes ago. "The Phoenix Flame."

Phyrus shows us the potion. It continues to burn beautifully inside the small bottle.

"One of the most precious potions in the world," Aria explains to me and Ycarus. "Rare ingredients, challenging execution, and a long preparation time."

"And what is it used for?" Phyrus asks both of us.

I have no idea.

"To heal various injuries, such as punctures or bites from venomous animals," Ycarus quickly responds.

Damn, he's a know-it-all too.

"Exactly!" Phyrus gets even more excited. "You two will join forces to execute the Phoenix Flame potion."

Aria hands me a potion book, and I open it to a page marked with a paper snake-shaped bookmark. I open the marked page and find the instructions for making the potion.

"You must work together for at least six months to succeed in making the potion," Aria explains.

Six months?! Oh God, what did I do to deserve this?

"You must collect the ingredients and make the potion strictly following the instructions in the book," Phyrus warns us. "This potion is very delicate, and any mistake could ruin it. So you need to dedicate yourselves and support each other to succeed."

I didn't expect this. I have always worked on my potions alone. I'm not excited to start working in pairs, especially with Ycarus.

"Ycarus has many skills in magical biology, Thalassa," Aria praises with a big smile for the redhead. "And Thalassa is an excellent potion maker. You will do very well, I'm sure."

I'm glad for the compliment but avoid looking at Ycarus.

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After bidding farewell to my potion teachers, I walk quickly through the street back to the castle.

I am eager to research everything about the Phoenix Flame. Despite my companion not being ideal, I really want to do well in this task.

"Hey, Thalassa!" I hear someone calling me.

I look back and see Ycarus waving with a feather among the passersby. That feather is mine. The feather of a magnificent pink peacock from the fairy archipelago.

"I was really tempted to keep it for myself," he said when he reached me, handing me the large feather with pink and gold plumes. "But I decided to give it back; I don't think it suits my style."

"Thank you." I try to smile at him; after all, it was very kind of him to come here and return it.

"Imagine." He seems a bit awkward for a second. "Hey, have you ever had trembling tangerine ice cream?"

"Sorry, ice cream of what?"

Ycarus smiles with his perfect teeth.

"Trembling tangerines. Come on, you need to try."

He grabs my hand and leads me through some streets. And then we arrive at a charming shop. There are tables on the sidewalk, covered with colorful umbrellas.

We sit down, and soon, an attendant appears and hands us the menu. The ice creams have fabulous names, like sparkling passion fruit explosion, nebulous mint harmony, pineapple dawn, full moon vanilla mist. I really want to try them all. But I opt for the trembling tangerine storm with a golden coffee illusion.

When the attendant notes our orders, Ycarus starts a conversation.

"So, are you from here, from Eldoria?"

Difficult question. I really don't know where I'm from.

"No. I've always lived outside the magical world." It's not untrue. "I've only been in Eldoria for a year."

"Wow." He smiles. "I also spent most of my life there. I knew nothing about magic. But when I turned eighteen, my powers started manifesting. Then a seeker appeared, and, well, I've been here for six years."

"What's a seeker?" I've never heard that term before.

"It's the person who looks for magical children and young people outside the magical world in the human world. Who found you?" He seems curious.

"Draven and some warriors of the King."

Ycarus's jaw drops.

"Wow! What happened to you? I mean, a mission from the King's warriors."

I'm not sure if I should talk about it. So far, I've only spoken to people that Soren and Twyla placed around me—teachers, the King's advisors, other chimeras, palace staff. Well, Ycarus is the first person outside this bubble with whom I'm having a conversation.

"It's a complicated answer." I summarize without looking at him. "And how did your family react to having a wizard among them?"

He smiles but seems unhappy.

"I don't exactly have a family. I lived in an orphanage since I was a baby. When I turned eighteen, I started working as a gardener in the orphanage and continued living there."

"I'm sorry," I speak sincerely. Ever since I found out Simon isn't my father, the feeling of not having roots or belonging to a place has haunted me.

"Thank you. But I can't complain. Discovering that I'm a wizard and coming here has been a fabulous adventure."

I smile at him. Ycarus might be more pleasant than I imagined when I first met him.

At night, in my room at the palace, I recall the details of the day. I'm really looking forward to working on the Phoenix Flame.

Meeting Ycarus made me realize there's still much about the magical world that I don't know. I've been talking with Twyla about the future. Soren always keeps the most powerful magical creatures close to him, supporting and financing their magical education. He hopes these creatures will be helpful in his plan to restore the other magical realms in the future.

Meanwhile, the King prioritizes magical education through magic schools, bringing great masters to Eldoria, and ensuring education for all magical creatures who wish it.

Therefore, I have many options for a professional career, as I can study whatever I want.

I decide that I will explore more of the magical world to make a good choice.