The world of Astralis was vast, much larger than Aiden had imagined. Standing at the gates of the Castle, the sight before him was both beautiful and daunting. Fields of grass stretched far into the distance, their colors shifting subtly from emerald green to a soft blue as the breeze flowed through them. The skies above were adorned with swirling clouds, almost as if painted by hand, with ribbons of auroras shimmering faintly in the daylight, hinting at the deep magic that permeated the land. Far off on the horizon, Aiden could make out rolling hills, their peaks covered in thick, silvery forests that gleamed like they were dusted with powdered stars.

As Aiden stepped beyond the gates, he felt a strange exhilaration—a mix of wonder and uncertainty. Regis followed closely behind, his quiet presence reassuring, though his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings with the watchfulness of someone who had seen the dangers lurking in the unknown.

“You intend to explore, Master Aiden?” Regis asked, though his tone suggested it wasn’t really a question.

Aiden nodded, a mixture of curiosity and excitement bubbling up inside him. "Yeah, I want to see more of Astralis. I’ve only seen the Castle and the garden so far. There has to be more out there."

Regis gave a slight smile, though his gaze remained cautious. "Very well. I’ll accompany you for safety. There are parts of this world that even your grandfather left untouched, and it’s important to be careful."

Together, they set off down a winding path that led away from the Castle. The landscape of Astralis was unlike anything Aiden had ever seen before. The ground was soft beneath their feet, a vibrant green that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, and the air was filled with the faint, sweet scent of unknown flowers.

As they ventured deeper into the surrounding area, Aiden noticed patches of strange blue plants that caught his eye. "Aren’t these the plants that were used to make that healing soup?" he asked, pointing to the glowing leaves.

Regis nodded, kneeling down beside the patch of plants. "Indeed. These are called Skyroot, one of the key ingredients in the Essence of Skylight. They grow in abundance here in Astralis, but they require careful handling. They are the foundation of many healing potions. That is what we call Alchemy"

Aiden crouched beside Regis, watching as he carefully plucked a few of the glowing leaves. "So, how does alchemy work? You gather ingredients like these and combine them?"

Regis smiled slightly, his charcoal-black eyes twinkling with a rare hint of amusement. "Alchemy is about balance, Master Aiden. The right combination of ingredients, prepared with the correct techniques, can result in powerful potions and elixirs. But if you’re careless, even harmless plants like these can become dangerous. As you have experienced first hand."

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Aiden blushed, the memory of trying to combine two elements still fresh on his mind.

As they continued gathering the Skyroot leaves, Regis explained more about the art of alchemy—how it wasn’t just about mixing ingredients but understanding the properties of each one. He described how the Essence of Skylight had been made, using Skyroot for healing, Sunleaf for energy restoration, and Starlight Moss to bind the magic within the potion.

"It’s not unlike magic," Regis said, handing Aiden a few leaves. "But alchemy is more… grounded. It relies on the natural magic within the world itself, not on the person wielding it."

Aiden nodded thoughtfully, carefully placing the leaves into a small pouch. "I think I get it. It’s more about working with what’s already there."

"Precisely," Regis said, rising to his feet. "Alchemy is the art of channeling the magic that already exists in the world. It doesn’t require you to be a mage or a master of the elements. Anyone can learn it, provided they have the patience and the wisdom to understand the balance between the ingredients. Your grandfather was a master of it. He often created his own potions for various tasks."

Aiden couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration for his grandfather, realizing just how much there was to learn about the man who had left this world to him. "I’d like to learn more about alchemy. It seems like a useful skill."

Regis nodded approvingly. "In time, you will. For now, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the basics of this world."

They continued to pluck a few more ingredients as Regis explained more about the properties of each plant. Aiden found himself fascinated by the world of alchemy, realizing how intricate and complex it was. Every plant, every root, had a purpose, and every potion was a carefully crafted balance of those elements.

The air around them grew cooler as they ventured deeper into a patch of ancient trees, their silver bark glowing faintly in the dim light. The soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet was the only sound as they walked, the serenity of the world making it feel almost dreamlike.

But then, as Aiden reached for a cluster of glowing berries, something rustled in the nearby bushes. He froze, his hand halfway extended toward the plant, his senses suddenly alert.

Regis stepped forward, his eyes scanning the trees. "Be cautious," he whispered, his tone calm but serious.

Before Aiden could react, the bushes parted, and out hopped a creature that immediately left him speechless.

It was a rabbit—if you could call something the size of a horse a rabbit. Its lavender fur shimmered in the light, and its long ears twitched curiously. It had large, gentle eyes that sparkled like amethysts, and its fluffy tail swayed lazily behind it. Despite its size, the creature exuded an aura of calm and friendliness.

"Well, this is new," Aiden muttered, staring in disbelief at the creature.

To his surprise, the rabbit smiled. "Greetings!" it said in a deep, friendly voice.