“Ugh, does this line even have an end?” Daniel mumbled as he eyed the long line of people in front of him. He had just arrived at the commodity hall after his last class for the day had finished.

He read the list of materials Professor Shadewood had given him again to cure his boredom.

The previous night, Daniel had presented his research on which materials to use for the Flame Lotus. After looking it over, Shadewood suggested a few alternative choices that would work better, eventually they settled on Perma Frost Iron to hold the runes, which should be able to withstand the fiery energy with out a problem while using Flame Peach sap as the ink due to its property of handling fire energy exceptionally well and finally morning dew stones to enclose the formation keeping the energy within.

Shadewood signed a letter for Daniel to present to the clerk, ensuring the materials would be free of charge.

As Daniel shifted from foot to foot while reading in the slow-moving line, the person in front of him turned around. He was a tall, pale-skinned student with black hair. He had an easy smile and a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

“Hey, you must be new here,” Ramses said, extending a hand. “I’m Ramses, third-year alchemy. What’s a first-year doing in the commodity hall?”

Daniel shook Ramses' hand and offered a small smile. “I’m Daniel. I’m here to pick up some materials for a project.”

“Working on a project already? Impressive,” Ramses remarked. “First years don’t usually show up here this early. Which professor are you the representative of?” he asked after glancing at the badge on Daniel’s uniform.

“Professor Shadewood,” Daniel replied.

Ramses looked confused briefly before replying, “The name sounds familiar, but I can't recall it. What does he teach?”

“He's the head of the Runic department, so he teaches mainly runic-related subjects, but he also gives optional classes about magic theory,” Daniel replied

“That explains it,” Ramses said with a chuckle. “I dropped Runic Theory as soon as I could and switched to more alchemy-related classes. But it's good stuff if you have the patience for it. So you're going to join the Runic department next year, I'm assuming, since you’re the representative of the head of the department?”

Daniel nodded. “Yeah, I recently started studying them and love the theory behind them. And being Shadewood’s representative and all, I kind of have no choice,” Daniel said with a laugh. “But I think he’ll let me join any department I like, to be honest.”

Ramses’ eyes lit up. “If you have the patience for them, it’s great. But I'd rather stay busy with something that doesn't require writing such fine lines,” he said with a shrug. “How did you manage to become a representative? Most representatives get chosen in their second year.”

“I attended the pre-awakening school of the college where he was one of my teachers, and I guess I made a good impression,” Daniel said, smiling a bit shyly. “He asked me before I even enrolled at the academy.”

Just as Ramses was about to reply, a loud voice echoed through the spacious hall. “Next, please!”

Ramses turned around to see that one of the clerks was calling out to him. “I’ll see you around, Daniel! I've got to get my ingredients before the academy runs out of their stock again!”

….

After a few minutes, a spot finally opened up at one of the desks, and Daniel hurried over to the counter with his list of materials and the letter stamped by Professor Shadewood in hand.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanour. After he laid the documents down on the counter, she grabbed them and glanced briefly at them before she looked Daniel in the eyes. “Do you need anything else, or is this all?” she said while waving the page.

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“Just everything that is on the list, please” He replied.

“One moment, please,” the clerk said before she put the list down and turned around.

A short while later, the clerk returned with the materials and laid them on the desk. "Six plates of Perma Frost Iron, each 6 millimetres thick, a vial of Flame Peach Sap, and a pouch of morning dew stones. Are these correct?”

Daniel quickly inspected the items against his list, nodding in satisfaction. “Yes, everything looks perfect. Thank you.”

“Happy to be of assistance,” She said with a nod.

After transferring everything into his storage ring, Daniel hurried out of the commodity hall and started walking towards his laboratory, hoping he would arrive first and not keep Professor Shadewood waiting.

….

Once he arrived outside his laboratory, Daniel saw Professor Shadewood was already waiting for him.

“Sorry for being late,” Daniel said with a short bow.

“It’s fine, Daniel. I know how busy the commodity hall can be on Mondays,” the professor said gently, gesturing for Daniel to raise his head. “No need to bow to me when we’re in private.”

“Thank you, sir,” Daniel replied, straightening up.

“Come, we have alot to do,” Shadewood said while gesturing to the closed door.

After unlocking the heavy wooden door, Daniel entered, followed by Shadewood.

Inside, Daniel gestured towards his desk. “I don't have an extra chair handy,” he admitted, slightly embarrassed.

Shadewood smiled and flicked his fingers, and an oversized, cushioned chair materialized beside Daniel’s desk. “No worries,” he said while settling comfortably into the chair. “Let’s start with the Elysian Circle before moving to the Flame Lotus. You did bring all the materials, correct?”

“yes, I have them here” While speaking, Daniel retrieved the materials from his ring and laid them on the far edge of the desk.

“Good, now, what have you done regarding the Elysian Circle since we last met?” Shadewood asked after eying the materials

“I’ve been refining the parts you gave feedback on and continued a little. Here’s my latest work,” he replied while retrieving the parchments he had been working on and spreading them out on the desk.

Shadewood leaned forward, and as his eyes scanned the papers, a slight smile appeared on his face. “Excellent, Daniel. Show me what you’ve done so far.”

Daniel pointed to various parts of the parchment. “I’ve focused on stabilizing the central matrix to ensure it can handle the energy flow without disruption. I made adjustments to the flux intervals as you suggested last time.”

Shadewood listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking clarifying questions. “This configuration looks promising,” he remarked, tracing a finger along a line of runes. “But be mindful of the alignment here. A slight shift could enhance stability significantly.”

Daniel absorbed the advice, making a note in the margins. “I see, that makes sense. I’ll adjust the alignment accordingly.”

They continued with Daniel drawing the last runes and adjusted the already drawn ones where needed, while Shadewood offered tips and guidance.

….

“You have finished each part perfectly, Daniel. Outstanding job!” Shadewood smiled warmly while looking over each page once more. After a moment of quiet satisfaction, Shadewood set the papers down and leaned back in his chair. “Let’s begin with the preparation of the runic array for the Fire Lotus.”

Shadewood stood up with a flick of his finger, causing the stone table that stood in the centre of the room to disappear.

He walked over to where the table previously stood, followed by the six plates of Perma Frost Iron and a vial of Flame Peach Sap floating behind

him.

The sap flew out of the vial and hovered next to the professor's hand as he retrieved a brush from his pocket, the handle was an emerald colour while the hairs where white.

He dipped the brush into the sap and started inscribing the plates.

Daniel watched with fascination as Shadewood worked. Once Shadewood finished a plate, it glowed briefly before it flew to a spot on the ground.

While he continued inscribing, the small blue morning dew stones flew out of their pouch and flew towards the plates, connecting them in long lines, forming a rectangle while the plates served as the corners.

Once Shadewood finished the last two plates, which flew to the centre of the rectangle, he gestured for Daniel to approach. “Place the Flame Lotus on the central plate, Daniel,” he instructed calmly.

Daniel carefully withdrew the wooden box from his ring and set it on the laboratory floor. He deliberately opened the lid and revealed the Fire Lotus nestled within. As he lifted it out, he could feel its warmth seeping into his hands, a heat that bordered on uncomfortable but not quite painful. Daniel handled it carefully, knowing that even the slightest mishap could trigger the lotus to release its energy and incinerate him instantly.

Daniel carefully positioned the Flame Lotus on the plate indicated. As he did so, he sensed a faint hum of energy emanating from the runes inscribed on the plate's surface.

“Now, sit down in the lotus position on the opposite plate,” Shadewood directed.

Daniel complied, settling onto the plate in front of the Flame Lotus.

“Good. Now close your eyes and inject your mana into the plate.”

He closed his eyes, focusing inward to gather his mana. A firey warmth entered his body as he began channelling his energy into the plate.

Shadewood observed closely, his keen eyes following Daniel’s progress. “Good. Now, withdraw your mana and allow the energy to enter your body,” he guided softly. “Feel the energy flow and guide it through your body in a circular fashion. Do not try to forcefully handle it, instead let your mana gently guide it.”