Nyx Shadowbrook stood in front of a wooden door with pretty carvings. The sign above said "Aria Nightwhisper, Master Alchemist" in fancy writing. His heart was beating fast as he took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in," called a nice voice from inside.

Nyx pushed open the door and stepped into a room full of magic. Shelves lined the walls, filled with colorful potions, rare herbs, and old books.

In the center of the room stood Aria Nightwhisper, a woman who commanded attention without trying. She was tall and graceful, with a perfect posture that made her seem even taller. Her silver hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, shimmering like starlight. It framed a face that was both beautiful and wise, with high cheekbones and a gentle smile that hinted at hidden knowledge.

Aria's eyes were her most striking feature. They were a swirling mix of blue and silver, like moonlight dancing on a calm lake. When she looked at Nyx, he felt like those eyes could see right through him.

She wore elegant robes of deep purple, decorated with intricate silver patterns that seemed to move when she did. The robes hugged her figure in a way that was flattering but not showy, highlighting her natural grace and poise.

Despite her ageless beauty, there was a maturity about Aria that commanded people’s respect. Faint laugh lines around her eyes and mouth hinted at a life full of joy. Her hands, though delicate-looking, showed the slight calluses of someone who had spent years working with potions and magical ingredients.

Everything about Aria Nightwhisper spoke of power, wisdom, and a deep connection to the magical world. Nyx couldn't help but feel a little intimidated, and a lot impressed, as he stood before this remarkable alchemist.

"Aria Nightwhisper?" Nyx asked quietly.

The woman nodded. "And you are?"

"Nyx Shadowbrook, ma'am," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I... I was hoping to hire you for lessons. I want to learn Alchemy!"

Aria raised an eyebrow, her silvery eyes studying him closely.

Nyx fumbled in his pocket, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. "Magister Eldridge recommended you to me," he added quickly, handing her the brief letter of introduction.

Aria's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Eldridge's name. She took the letter, unfolding it with graceful fingers. As she read, her expression shifted from surprise to curiosity.

"Well, well," she murmured, looking back at Nyx. "Eldridge doesn't often send students my way. He must see something special in you."

Nyx felt his cheeks grow warm. "I'm not sure about special, ma'am. But I'm eager to learn and willing to work hard."

Aria nodded slowly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Those are good qualities for an alchemist." She paused, considering. "Very well, Mr. Shadowbrook. Let's discuss what kind of lessons you're looking for, and what you can afford. Alchemy isn't a cheap subject to study, after all."

Nyx's heart leaped with excitement. He was one step closer to his goal. Now, he just had to convince Aria Nightwhisper that he was worth teaching.

Nyx swallowed hard and started talking about how much he wanted to learn and how hard he would work. To his surprise, Aria listened without interrupting.

When he finished, she was quiet for a moment. Then, "Alright. I'll think about teaching you. But my time is valuable, and my knowledge isn't cheap."

Nyx nodded eagerly. "Of course, I understand. How much would it cost?"

"500 gold pieces for seven lessons," Aria said matter-of-factly. "That's with the student discount, mind you."

Nyx felt like all the blood drained from his face. 500 gold? That was as much as a full year at a basic magic school! He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. This was Aria Nightwhisper, after all. If anyone could help him get better at Alchemy, it was her.

"I... I accept," Nyx said, trying to sound brave.

Aria's eyes widened a little. "You do? Well... good. I suppose we can start right away."

She turned to her bookshelf, muttering to herself. "Let's see, for a beginner, these five should be enough..." She pulled out several big books.

"Actually," Nyx spoke up, "I was hoping we could start with something more advanced. I've been studying a lot at the Flux Tower, and-"

Aria spun around, looking at him closely. "Oh? And have you finished the basic books on alchemical theory and magical plants?"

Nyx felt his face get hot. "Well, not exactly, but-"

"Not exactly?" Aria's voice was sharp. "Young man, alchemy isn't something you can skip steps with. It's exact, demanding, and can be very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing."

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She shoved the books back onto the shelf, looking frustrated. "Read these ten basic books first," she said, pulling out a pen and piece of paper and began to write on it. After thinking for a moment, she added five more to the list. "And these too. Once you've finished them all come back here, then we can start your real lessons."

Nyx stared at the long list of books, feeling both disappointed and determined. "I understand. Thank you for your time, Master Nightwhisper. I'll come back when I've finished reading."

As he put away the list of books, Aria's face softened a little. "Your excitement is good, Nyx Shadowbrook. But remember, a strong foundation is very important in any type of magic. Don't rush through your learning."

Nyx nodded, giving a small smile before he left. His first stop was the nearest bookshop, where he bought the recommended books. As the shopkeeper added up his purchase, Nyx felt a little pain in his coin purse.

"That'll be 98 gold pieces, young sir," the shopkeeper said cheerfully.

As Nyx handed over the coins, he couldn't help but laugh a little at himself. "And here I thought 850 gold was a lot of money," he muttered. "Looks like I have a lot to learn about the true costs of magical knowledge."

Back in his tiny apartment, Nyx looked at the mountain of books in front of him. Fifteen books, each thick enough to use as a shield in a magical fight. He shook his head, a determined grin spreading across his face.

Nyx settled into his favorite chair, excited to start reading. He summoned his physical clone, mostly for reading company and to treat himself with respect. "Ready for a reading marathon?" Nyx asked his clone with a grin.

The clone nodded, picking up one of the thick alchemy books. The clone made its way to his bed Nyx second favorite reading spot. "Let's do this!"

As they began to read, Nyx felt a sense of comfort having his clone nearby. It was like studying with a friend who understood him perfectly. Hours passed as they pored over the dense texts, occasionally sharing interesting facts or asking each other questions.

When the candle had burned low and Nyx's eyes felt heavy, he decided it was time to call it a night. "Thanks for the company," he said to his clone. "See you tomorrow!"

With a wave of his hand, Nyx dismissed the clone. As usual, he felt the familiar rush of memories flooding back to him. But this time, something was different.

In his mind's eye, Nyx saw a shimmering prism of light. Floating within it was a glowing orb, pulsing gently like a heartbeat. Curious, Nyx reached out with his thoughts, trying to touch the mysterious sphere.

The moment his mind made contact, Nyx gasped. Knowledge poured into him like water from a broken dam. Facts, diagrams, and complex alchemical formulas swirled through his consciousness. In a matter of seconds, Nyx understood everything his clone had read that day.

"Unbelievable," Nyx whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. He glanced at the stack of books Nightwhisper recommended, his mind racing. If he could absorb knowledge directly from his clone's reading, he could finish these books in no time!

Excited by his discovery, Nyx couldn't wait to test it further. He summoned his clone again, a grin spreading across his face.

The clone materialized, raising an eyebrow. "Miss me already? I was just getting comfortable in the void."

Nyx chuckled. "Sorry to bother you, but I need your help to test something huge." His eyes sparkled as he explained what had happened.

The clone's jaw dropped. "No way! Are you serious?" He ran a hand through his hair, looking just as amazed as Nyx felt. "That's... that's incredible!"

"I know, right?" Nyx bounced on his toes. "But we need to make sure it wasn't a fluke."

He scanned his small apartment, spotting a few thinner books on a shelf. "Perfect!" Nyx grabbed them, handing two books to his clone. "We haven’t read these they are a bit boring and technical. They're shorter though, so we can test it fast."

The clone nodded eagerly. "I'm all for it. Race you to the finish?"

Nyx laughed. "You're on! Loser has to clean the apartment next time."

They settled into their reading spots, both diving into their books with newfound enthusiasm. Every so often, they'd glance at each other, sharing excited grins.

As they read, Nyx couldn't help but feel grateful for his clone. It wasn't just a magical copy it was a friend, someone who truly understood him. Their shared jokes and the friendly competition made even the most tedious tasks more enjoyable.

When they finished reading, the clone looked up. "Ready to see if it worked?"

Nyx took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." He dismissed the clone, focusing on the familiar rush of returning memories.

To his delight, he saw not one, but two glowing orbs in the prism of light in his mind. Reaching out to both, Nyx felt the knowledge from both books merge with his own thoughts. It was like his brain was a sponge, soaking up information at an incredible speed.

Nyx let out a whoop of joy. "It worked!" he shouted to his empty apartment. He couldn't wait to summon his clone again and share the news. This discovery was going to change everything, and he was thrilled to have a friend to share it with even if that friend was technically himself.

"This changes everything," Nyx murmured, staring at the pile of 15 books with new determination. He quickly did some calculations in his head. With this new ability, he could potentially finish all the books, including the some extra ones, in just a couple of days!

Nyx's heart raced with excitement. He could learn so much, so quickly now. But a small voice in the back of his mind urged caution. Learning this fast might have consequences he couldn't foresee.

Nyx realized he could maybe finish all fifteen books in just under four days if he read non-stop with the help of his clone. But he knew that wasn't a good or healthy idea.

"We'll aim for a week," he decided. "That gives us time to sleep, and give plenty of time to keep doing our guild work, and most importantly, actually understand what we're reading."

As Nyx pondered his clone ability, a sudden memory flashed in his mind. He saw the magical boar charging, his clone pushing him out of the way, and then... nothing. The clone had vanished in a puff of mist, leaving only its cloak behind.

Nyx sat up straight, his eyes wide. "Wait a minute," he muttered to himself. "I didn't get any memories from that clone!"

He thought back to that moment in the forest. He hadn't been stunned or overwhelmed by a rush of experiences. In fact, he'd felt nothing at all when the clone was destroyed.

"That means..." Nyx said slowly, working it out, "I only get the memories when I dismiss the clones myself."

The implications hit him like a splash of cold water. If a clone was killed or dispelled without Nyx doing it himself, all those experiences and knowledge would be lost forever.

Nyx ran a hand through his hair, feeling both worried and relieved. "I've got to be more careful," he decided. "I can't let my clones get hurt or destroyed. I need to dismiss them properly to keep what they've learned."

This new understanding made Nyx appreciate his clones even more. They weren't just tools or extra pairs of hands. They were carrying precious memories and knowledge that he couldn't afford to lose.

"From now on," Nyx promised himself, "I'll make sure to protect my clones and dismiss them safely. Every bit of knowledge counts."

With this new insight, Nyx felt more determined than ever to master his unique ability. He knew it would take caution, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore.