On the evening of the third day, a miracle occurred when Veylin gently shook the last pinch of slumber crystal powder into the boiling beaker.
The solution, still boiling a second earlier, was tamed in the next. All its volatile ether energy was soothed by that layer of powder, then slowly settled.
The pungent fumes dissipated, replaced by a gentle, steady glow of energy.
"Twenty-five seconds... a full twenty-five-second stability window..." Valerius stared fixedly at the water clock, trembling with excitement. "Stable, and pure! This... this is the dawn of a new era!"
Although the trial potion had succeeded, Veylin had not yet infused it with his own mental power.
After a brief rest, the time came for the final preparation.
Only Veylin, Valerius, and Caroline, standing in the distant shadows, remained in the laboratory.
Veylin stood before the alchemy bench, his expression focused.
Watching the markings on the water clock, he added the ingredients step by step, following the data he had personally verified countless times.
His movements were fluid and precise. Had anyone sensitive to mental power been present, they would have perceived another scene-Veylin's mental power split into countless fine threads, extending from his body into the crucible and slowly merging with the solution.
"Stage one complete. Results as expected."
"Adding the stabilizer."
"Stage two begins. Twenty-five-second window. Preparing to add the Weeping Fairy's Tear."
At last, the final drop of the ingredient fell into the crucible.
There was no violent explosion, no blinding light.
All the energy slowly converged inward. Every color and ray of light within the crucible was swallowed by an invisible maw, finally becoming a fathomless black vortex.
[Mind Torrent], perfect quality.
"God..." Valerius slumped into his chair, muttering to himself. "This is true alchemy... How were the potions I made before any