Chapter 19: Alchemical Intuition

  The snake looked at him as if it were asking for a name.

  So she doesn’t even have one yet…

  Darek thought for a moment and muttered,

  “Hmm… so I’m supposed to name you? You’re lucky, I’m actually talented at that kind of thing. Let me think… Snake. Wormy.”

  The snake’s eyes widened in disbelief, and sheer panic seemed to spread across her face.

  “Okay, okay, those names are too crude even for me. Maybe something like… hmm… how about… Seraphis? That fits pretty well.”

  The snake shook off her shock and immediately reacted with pride, as if she had already accepted the name.

  Suddenly, her stomach growled.

  Darek frowned.

  “What does a soul-snake even eat… hmm?” He looked at Seraphis and asked dryly, “Meat?”

  Seraphis shook her head.

  Darek hesitated, his voice turning slightly anxious. “Souls?”

  He swallowed noticeably.

  Seraphis shook her head even faster, looking utterly confused.

  Darek thought for a moment and murmured,

  “Hm… I have to figure this out somehow. After all, you’re the legacy of the hero of the Potifera family… Their crest is a snake wrapped around a potion… and they were involved in alchemy… Hmm, could it be herbs or something?”

  Seraphis finally nodded, visibly relieved.

  Then it hit Darek like a revelation.

  “Plants!”

  That might also explain these strange anomalies. Ever since I started carrying Seraphis inside me, the plants have been glowing like that…

  Seraphis nearly burst into tears from happiness that Darek had finally understood.

  Iris’ voice echoed faintly in the background.

  “The combinational aptitude of a true Two-Eyed.”

  Darek glanced around darkly.

  “Hey! Just wait. Once our connection fully awakens… Actually, now that I focus on it, it already feels much stronger than when we first made the pact.”

  Iris nodded.

  “Yes. After the first fight against the two snakes in the Forgotten Dream, it grew significantly stronger. And after your fight with that Dex guy even more so. I’ve recovered somewhat as well, so this should work.”

  “How am I supposed to do it, Iris?”

  “You’ll have to rely on intuition. Try to find the connection and feel it as a whole part of yourself. Then grasp it and hold onto it while channeling energy into it, pulling at the bond more and more intensely.”

  Darek focused on the bond, turned inward, and seized the connection. Gradually, he let more and more energy flow into it until the Soul Mirror filled with a soft humming sound.

  Iris stared in amazement.

  “Someone has a real talent for souls.”

  The connection felt as though it were about to burst.

  Suddenly, Iris stood in the middle of the Soul Mirror.

  “Tada!” he exclaimed in a comically theatrical tone.

  Darek smiled in relief.

  “There you are! We finally see each other again, my second awakened Soulbound. First my pillow, now a dream being—things are going pretty well. Not to mention that my soul has merged with the legacy of Sorus. Speaking of which—Seraphis, this is my good friend Iris. We haven’t known each other long, but he’s helped me out of some tight spots. And I’ve helped him, of course. You two better become good friends!”

  Iris lifted his eye proudly.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Yes, our souls are now truly connected. Don’t think that ends our equal pact. Soulbound or not, I still insist on a fair exchange for my abilities.”

  “Yeah, yeah, that’s fine!” Darek said energetically.

  I’m progressing faster than I expected. Soon I’ll probably be living the most relaxed life imaginable. Honestly, after everything I’ve been through lately, I deserve it.

  Seraphis looked at Iris suspiciously, a hint of jealousy flickering in her stern gaze, as if she didn’t appreciate her master and soul-partner having such a good relationship with someone else.

  Iris noticed the look and said nervously,

  “What’s wrong with him? Why is he staring at me like that? He’s not jealous, is he? Easy… heh, heh…”

  He laughed awkwardly.

  “Darek, say something!”

  If looks could kill… I think if Iris had a forehead or a body, he’d be drenched in sweat right now. Every now and then, this is probably good for him.

  Darek played dumb, tilted his head slightly and said,

  “My combinational aptitude really isn’t the best, Iris. Maybe he just wants to play. Go on, Seraphis.”

  At the command, Seraphis’ eyes flashed with eager delight.

  Iris shouted in alarm,

  “No, no, no! That’s not what I meant! You Two-Eyed beings are magnificent creatures. Your intellect is unparalleled!”

  Darek laughed.

  “Alright, Seraphis. I’ll head out and find something edible for you.”

  Iris sighed, slightly annoyed.

  “You two bonded awfully fast… I’m not sure how I feel about that…”

  Darek closed his eyes and focused on waking up from the Soul Mirror.

  “Wait a second, Darek! Where are you going? Stay and sort this out first! Hey!”

  But Darek let himself consciously slip out of his Soul Mirror and back into reality, hearing Iris and Seraphis call after him:

  “Hey, hey, that’s not what we meant! We’re all friends here!”

  A small smile crossed Darek’s face as he shook his head in amusement. Looking out the window, he noticed night had already fallen.

  “Let’s make this quick. I don’t want to miss any valuable sleep,” he muttered to himself as his gaze fell upon the Aquarian Grey Basil growing on his windowsill—one of his father’s carefully cultivated special basil varieties.

  This time, Darek observed the plant’s glow more consciously, focusing on it and feeling his ability activate.

  The perfect test subject to understand what this strange light is about. It doesn’t glow as strongly as the others, but it still carries a certain aura. I just hope Dad won’t mind me feeding it to her.

  Darek stepped closer, leaned in, and examined it more carefully.

  The moment he sharpened his gaze, something surged through him.

  It felt like a shock—tiny pulses of light or waves striking his mind, flooding him with information. Every component, every effect, every known combination of the plant appeared before his inner eye.

  He instinctively grabbed his temple to withstand the torrent.

  And it felt as if I understood it… no, even more. As if I had always known it.

  ?? Aquarian Grey Basil

  Name / scientific name: Aquarian Grey Basil (Basilicum aquarius griseus)

  Appearance: Emerald-green leaves with a silver-grey shimmer, water-like veins, grey stem. A faint, cool fragrance as if wrapped in mist.

  Primary component: Leaves

  Secondary component: Stem

  Habitat: Humid, light-filled greenhouses

  Base effect: Enhanced concentration, mild relaxation

  Synergies: Silverleaf → +15% duration

  Potency: Medium, 5g / 100ml potion

  Risks: Overdose → mild dizziness

  Use in potions: 9 known potions (1 medium-quality, 8 low-quality focus potions, relaxation elixirs, herbal mixtures)

  Wow… what was that? That sudden flood of information, as if someone had hammered complete knowledge about this basil directly into my head. And yet it feels like I’ve always known it… like a memory awakening. Strange.

  The longer he thought about it, the clearer it became. It wasn’t just knowledge flowing into him.

  It was as if his soul itself recognized the connections. The individual pieces of information arranged themselves automatically, forming patterns, meanings, answers.

  Suddenly, his ability began answering further questions on its own:

  Which component is decisive for the effect? In what ratio does it reach maximum potency? Which potions benefit most from this plant? How long does the effect last—fresh or dried?

  Darek felt his mind instantly grasp the complexity of plants and their combinations. Every detail lay open before him like an open book.

  He swallowed and murmured,

  “…”

  He looked at the Aquarian Grey Basil, its glowing leaves shimmering in the twilight.

  Gradually, he understood where this knowledge came from—the teachings of Potifera alchemy, potion research, and botanical mastery deeply rooted in his country’s tradition. Sorus, the great hero, had once shaped an entire nation, training generations of scholars, alchemists, and potion masters, preserving his knowledge strictly within the borders of the land. Only there was it allowed to be taught and passed on. Outsiders had no access to those secrets.

  So that’s it… no wonder.

  Sorus hadn’t just enriched his family, but an entire people—and now that exclusive knowledge had fallen into Darek’s hands.

  And now… I am Darek. The heir of Potifera alchemy.

  The thought made him smile briefly.

  So many doors are open to me now… professionally or privately. I could brew potions and medicine, sell them, make a fortune. I could even become a university lecturer.

  Though… that already sounds like too much work. I want things relaxed, not drowning in responsibility. And academia isn’t really my thing. I’ll be glad just to get out of school first.

  Besides, both options would be far too conspicuous. Sooner or later, people would notice how I suddenly gained all this knowledge. And if that organization my brother joined still exists… they would probably find out very quickly. Who else in Serphira knows about this is unclear—but I definitely don’t want unnecessary trouble.

  Well… even if I only use this knowledge for myself—for training or to make life easier—it’s still worth more than a triple-eagle in Sky Toss.

  Darek gently took the Aquarian Grey Basil into his hand.

  The moment he touched it, his body seemed to absorb it. An illusory golden shimmer surrounded him as if the plant’s energy flowed directly into his soul.

  Seraphis, hovering excitedly beside him, appeared as though she were digesting the plant herself. Her small body tensed, her scales shimmered, and her stomach visibly filled.

  Darek felt every single component, every effect, every known and hidden piece of information rising within him—name, habitat, base effect, primary and secondary components, even the number of potions in which the plant had been used.

  Yet despite the overwhelming surge of knowledge, he heard Seraphis’ soft, disappointed growl:

  “That… that’s nowhere near enough.”

  Darek shook his head slightly, a knowing smile on his lips.

  “Don’t worry, Seraphis… we’re only just getting started.”