Desmond's hands still trembled from the intensity of his duel with Orin. Though he'd won, Orin's seething glare had promised this conflict was far from over. Alone in his room, Desmond placed the alchemy book on his desk, his gaze shifting to the pendant lying beside it. He had found the pendant alongside the book, and since that discovery, he felt the two were connected in ways he didn't yet understand.

The pendant, marked with intricate symbols similar to those in the book, seemed to pulse faintly in the candlelight, almost as if it were waiting for him to understand its purpose. Desmond held it over the open pages, and to his astonishment, the symbols on the page shifted and rearranged, as though reacting to the pendant's presence. Words began to emerge, glowing faintly:

"To awaken potential, one must sacrifice certainty."

The phrase resonated deeply with him, stirring a new sense of purpose. Turning to another illuminated page, Desmond found a spell that promised a temporary enhancement of physical abilities. Entranced, he grasped the pendant tightly and whispered the words, feeling a surge of power flow through him.

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For a moment, his senses sharpened to an overwhelming degree—the flicker of the candlelight was blinding, and the texture of the book's leather cover felt intensely coarse against his fingers. The heightened awareness faded quickly, leaving him breathless and craving more. He knew now that the pendant held power connected to the book, both artifacts carrying secrets he needed to unlock.

The following day, Desmond attended class, avoiding Orin's glare. He needed guidance, but he feared revealing the pendant's power to anyone. After class, however, he was approached by Callum, a quiet but observant student who rarely interacted with others. Callum's gaze lingered on the pendant, and he spoke with surprising boldness.

"I saw what you did in the duel," Callum said quietly. "That pendant and book—they're no ordinary artifacts, are they?"

Desmond hesitated but nodded. "I found them together. They seem… linked, somehow. But I don't know how to unlock their full potential."

Callum's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Alchemy has depths you're only beginning to touch. If you're interested, I could help you understand more. But I'll need a favor someday."

Desmond considered the offer, sensing the potential in Callum's words. With a cautious nod, he agreed, sealing a pact that would open doors to secrets—and possibly dangers—he had never imagined.