We went towards the reception where a maid directed us to the right room. We knocked, but nobody answered.

“I suppose it is not surprising that she is not here. Why sit in your room on such a lovely Solday?” I said.

“We could come back in the evening.” Skadi suggested.

“Hm.” I said, thinking. “She is a bit obsessed with alchemy. We could check the labs. It’s possible for students to get permission to practise.”

“Let's give it a try.” Helena said.

I took the lead and we walked to the lab building. Since I had advanced alchemy myself I knew my way around.

“The rooms that are occupied have a blue light.” I pointed towards a crystal that was present at every door. “Red means you can’t enter, so likely something dangerous is going on. No light means it’s empty.” I explained.

“If she likes explosions, are we looking for a red one? I don’t see red anywhere.” Helena wondered.

“Oh no, a first year student would never be allowed to do something really dangerous unsupervised. A small explosion is considered normal here.”

“How small are we talking about?” Skadi asked.

“Survivable without permanent injuries. The furniture is rather sturdy and the labs are reinforced. The school has healers and emergency potions. But you have to pay if you need them.”

Three rooms were occupied, we chose the first and knocked. I peeked through the door and saw someone I did not recognize.

“Sorry, looking for a friend!” I said and closed the door again.

We moved to the next one. This time I saw Cassie. She seemed rather focused on something brewing in front of her and did not notice us.

“Cassie.” I called her name. She did not react.

I looked at my friends and shrugged. We entered and carefully walked closer.

“Hm. Does this look right? Eh, maybe a nudge… This rune is too sharp. I can bend that. No no no, this is not working. Maybe this edge. Oooooh. There is a glow. Do I want a glow?” Cassie was muttering to herself.

“Hello Cassie.” I tried again.

She looked up and saw us. “Wahhhhh!” She jumped back, startled. Whatever she was brewing glowed in a bright orange, then there was a bang. My ears were ringing and a lot of black smoke rose from her cauldron. Nyx, who had been sleeping on my head, jumped to the floor. “Meowr!” She complained.

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The vents above the workstation did their job. Runes started glowing and the smoke was sucked away.

“Eh. Where did you guys come from? Oh, did you see the potion? I think it worked! I think I had it! How was the smoke? Did you inhale it? Any noticeable effects?”

“The vents activated in time, we did not breathe anything in. Would it have been dangerous?” I asked, slightly concerned.

“Nah. Maybe some slight convulsions, burning sensation in the lung, itching skin. Nothing lethal.” She waved off my concern.

“That sounds rather unpleasant.” Skadi said.

“It’s supposed to be! Sadly, I can’t explode everything. Takes too much energy. I am trying to modify an existing potion to weaken enemies.”

“That sounds rather advanced.” Skadi said.

“Well, I do seem to have a gift for alchemy. But what I am doing here is hardly revolutionary. There are far superior potions, but mine would be cheap and not too complicated! Anyway, what are you doing here? Who are your friends Koyuki?”

“These are Skadi and Helena.” I pointed at them. “We want to form a group for the upcoming field exercise and need a fourth. We wanted to ask if you are interested.”

“Hello.” Skadi said.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you!” Helena said.

“Hm.” Cassie studied us. “My parents always tell me I should socialise more. And I do need a group I suppose…” She tilted her head upwards and tapped her index finger on her chin. After a bit she reached a conclusion. “Well, Koyuki takes alchemy so you can’t be too bad. Although she is only interested in necro stuff. I hope you like explosions.”

Nyx stared at her with narrowed eyes. She was clearly unhappy about her sleep being disturbed.

“Explosions can be nice! I have a water affinity though. But you can explode frozen creatures. It’s rather pretty.” Helena commented.

“I am earth and water. I will focus on blood and become a spellblade. Explosions can be rather useful.”

“Well, I am fire.” Cassie said. “But my core is not that big. Since I don’t have that much mana I am focusing on alchemy. That way I can prepare my attacks in advance. Oh, and I am Cassie Ashburn, daughter of Countess Ashburn.”

“Helena Frost, daughter of Count Frost.”

“I have no title, my parents are merchants. But I am Skadi Helgurd.”

“Great, welcome to the team, Cassie!” I said. She already knew about my past. We had talked a few times in class. Thankfully she did not seem to care.

“We need to celebrate!” Helena suggested. “How about getting a drink?”

Cassie looked at her workstation. “I can help you clean up.” I suggested.

“Hm… I suppose I could call it a day. The last try was sort of a success and I need some more ingredients anyway.”

Helena and Skadi were unfamiliar with the lab. Which was a great excuse for them to just watch us work. Soon everything was tidy again and we left. Nyx settled on my head once more.

Helena organised a bottle of wine and we went back to the park. It was a lovely late afternoon. Cassie was mostly interested in alchemy but she also complained about her parents. They wanted her to socialise more and find someone to marry.

“They even threatened to cut my alchemy budget!” She complained. “We might be related to the Ashfields but nobody cares. We are not really important, no matter what my mother thinks.”

“Ashfield? You are related to the duke?” I wondered. Ronesta, where I grew up, was part of his territory.

“We are a side branch. Our county is rather small and not very important though. And we don’t have any real influence. Just a fancy name. I am not interested in politics, but I have no siblings and will inherit the title from my mother.” She explained.

“Your mother has the title, not your father? That is rather uncommon, right?” I asked.

“Depends on who has the fancier title when they marry. It’s also more common for the oldest son to inherit, but nobles are allowed to choose their oldest daughter instead.” Cassie explained.

“Why are you at the Royal Military Academy anyway?” Helena asked. “Would not the Arcane Institute be better for alchemy?”

“Sure. But Mother said that the military would teach me responsibility. And she hoped that there would be a lot more men than women. So it would be easier for me to find a husband.”

“And you joined a full female party.” Helena observed.

“Yes I did.” She said with a grin.

“Let’s drink to that!” Helena said.

“Cheers!” We answered, and our cups clinked.