“Okay, mana converters are easy to turn into potions, but what about healing potions?” Bryson asked as he and Florence strolled through the garden with Florence moving behind him.

“It depends, there are a few different combinations that will yield results of the quality that is required.” Florence said before adding, “Except…”

“Except?”

“I usually brew potions in a lab, not something as archaic as those alchemy pots.”

“Right.” Bryson nodded. It made sense, back centuries ago the only ones who could make potions were those who had an aptitude with magic. These days much more advanced machines are used for any real magic potion.

“Surely you’ve made things back when you roamed the woods?”

“Yes, but never of that quality, I lacked the resources.”

“Well I am here now, so we can both try something new.” Bryson said shrugging.

“Lord Bryson.” Florence said suddenly.

“Yes?”

“Why… have you been avoiding me?” Florence said.

“Avoiding you? I haven’t been avoiding you?” Bryson said quickly.

“Then why haven’t we been meeting the last two months?” Florence asked.

“I’ve been busy, you’ve been busy.”

“I always have time for you.” Florence said quietly.

“What?”

“I said you still have enough time for extracurriculars. You interact with Lottie, you text with Kristel, have I done something wrong?”

“Are you jealous?” Bryson asked glancing back.

“No, just confused why you’ve decided not to talk to me.” Florence said her face unmoving.

Bryson looked away and thought for a long moment. He then hesitantly turned back towards her, “Marsh.”

“Yes Lord Bryson?”

“Walk next to me already.”

“Yes Lord Bryson.” Florence said as she moved next to him and followed him in pace.

As they continued to walk, Florence asked him again, “May I have a reason Lord Bryson?”

“A reason for what?”

“For avoiding me.”

“I haven’t-” Bryson paused before giving a relenting sigh, “Okay so I may have been aware of our lack of interaction recently.” He admitted.

“Have I angered you?” Florence said sounding almost cautious.

“We have been talking, how could you anger me?”

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“Isn’t it because of the transfer request?” Florence said quietly.

As Bryson gave no reply Florence took the silence as a yes, “I don’t mean any offence or disrespect for the request. I owe you everything for what you’ve done for me.” Florence said.

“No, it’s not that.” Bryson said louder than he would like.

Florence turned her head quizzically to the side and waited for Bryson to continue.

“It’s just that, after Kristel left.” Bryson said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and squirmed a little, “Then not long after you plan on leaving, I… I don’t like it.”

“Are you saying that you will miss me when I’m gone?”

“No!” Bryson snapped looking panicked before he realized how much joy was behind her eyes, “Okay, maybe the place will feel a bit emptier when you leave.”

“I am touched that you see me as something with value.”

“Look it’s just that I feel like there’s a reason why everyone wants to leave me now.” Bryson said with a small cough.

“We aren’t leaving because we hate you.” Florence said gently, “In fact I feel quite the opposite.” She said quietly to herself.

“What?”

“I said we do it for your sake.” Florence said quickly.

“My sake?”

“You helped Kristel and me greatly, you changed our lives. Kristel wants to get stronger to be your knight and I know what you have to deal with.” Florence said looking deep into Bryson’s dark eyes with her own scarlet ones, “When you leave for The Academy I want to be there to support you.”

“That almost sounds like a proposal.” Bryson said unable to stop himself from laughing, “Thank you, it feels good to be appreciated.” He said as he flashed her a charming smile.

“Well.” Florence said her cheeks slightly tinged pink, “We should get going, we are wasting time.” She said as she forced Bryson to quicken his pace.

“Since when are you in charge?”

“I am both your senior and the one who knows what to pick.”

“Where did all that mention of me changing your life go huh?” Bryson grumbled.

***

“Cut the flowers, not too deeply and let it soak in the salted water.” Bryson said as Florence began to cut the mana converters. The two had gathered what was needed and returned to the alchemy stations and had begun brewing.

“What about the stem?”

“Place the flowerheads in first then add in the stems. I want to extract as much mana as possible, put the flowers in the bottom gently.” Bryson said.

“We will need about a third of the liquid for the healing potions.” Florence said as she took off her silk gloves in order to lower the flowers down into the salt water.

“Once you seal in the pot I’ll start heating it and you can prepare the healing potion ingredients.” Bryson said as Florence sprinkled the remaining stems onto the top of the water.

“You know you make it sound like you two are cooking a dish.” Coni joked.

“Old alchemy is basically cooking with magic is it not?” Bryson said glancing over to the pixie.

“I mean it’s meant to be a bit more refined than that but I suppose you aren’t wrong.” Coni said with a shrug, “So traditionally people had to pour their own mana into these pots to separate the mana source from the object they’re extracting from.”

“Which is why I’m using mana converters, they’re easier to extract than mana stones and have a higher concentration of pure mana compared to other plants. Also the salt will draw out the mana easier.” Bryson said as Florence sealed the lid onto the pot and closed the airtight seal and gave Bryson a nod.

“The only magic I need to do now is temperature control.” He said as he approached it and pondered for a moment.

“Is something the matter Lord Bryson?” Florence asked.

“I’m just thinking on how to heat it.”

“Pardon?”

“I could leave a magic circle under it and heat it that way, or I could shoot flames out my hand, easier to control.” Bryson said as he thought for a second, “But this might work better.”

Bryson raised a hand up at the cauldron and a small magic circle formed in his palm. Playing with it some symbols on the circle shifted and moved around and the cauldron began to emit steam from its surface.

“What’s that?” Coni asked looking interested.

“I’m heating the cauldron itself, without an excess of flames, easier to control the temperature.” Bryson said as he dropped his hand and the cauldron continued to heat.

“Very creative.” Coni praised.

“Thanks, wait.” Bryson said frowning, “Where’s Primrose?”

“She went off to talk to someone.”

“My mother?”

“No, someone of a higher power.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure, but she said she’ll be back soon so keep brewing your potions.”

“Well now we just have to wait. Marsh, do you need any help?”

“I can finish up the rest.” Florence said as she was portioning out the herbs.

“Eh, faster with the two of us.” Bryson said going to help her. He took a quick glance up at the sky. Did it have something to do with that weird feeling I got earlier? If there was a problem they would tell me though. He thought assuring himself.