"Water of Balance!"
Ian took out the incomplete formula again and studied it several times, but found nothing unusual and could only put it away.
The warning from his mind earlier had told him this thing was anything but simple. It was the first time such a thing had happened.
"Maybe it isn't a Neutralizing Potion at all! Christine only traded it to me because she failed to recognize its value."
Since he could not figure it out, Ian could only set it aside and stop thinking about it.
He straightened his red robe and headed out to find Hank.
Along the way, passersby saw Ian's red robe and looked at him with reverence.
Hank's residence was a reinforced stone house right beside the Central Stone Tower.
Ian knocked on the door, and a hoarse voice answered from inside. "Come in."
Pushing the door open, Ian found Hank seated at a rough wooden table, wiping down the Benevolent Warblade.
Seeing Ian, Hank paused and set the blade on the table.
"Ian." He stood, looking more solemn than usual, with even a rare hint of awkwardness. "I was just about to find you."
Ian looked at him calmly and said nothing.
Hank drew a deep breath, sincerity appearing on his weathered face.
"Last night... Sterling asked about the Bloodline Potion. I couldn't hide it."
He paused, his voice low. "The will of a Formal Wizard represents the will of the High Tower here. It isn't something apprentices like us can resist.
"If I lied, not only would I be punished, but Poison Fang would be implicated as well. More people might even get dragged in. In this matter, I wronged you."
Ian looked into Hank's eyes. This captain was usually a man of few words, steady and composed in his actions,