As the crowd calmed and the event drew to a close, one of the judges stepped toward Lira. In his hands was a small, leaf-shaped medal carved from green crystal and silver root filigree. He bowed slightly and pinned it to her robe. "For deep harmony with the flora and promising talent in botanical alchemy," he said solemnly.
Lira touched the medal gently, the surface cool against her fingers. It shimmered like dew in morning light.
She turned and walked toward Master Therin, Fluffy bounding ahead to greet him.
Therin gave her a proud, crooked smile. "Well done, Lira. You brewed with heart and mind. That's what sets a real potionmaster apart."
Lira beamed up at him, her cheeks still flushed. "Thank you, Master. I really tried."
"You've grown far beyond what I expected when we started," he said warmly. "Now, as a reward—and because I'm quite hungry—how about a special meal? Something you've never tasted before."
Lira's eyes widened with curiosity and delight. "Yes, please!"
Therin led the way through winding garden paths and cobbled streets until they reached a grand building adorned with blooming vines and floating petals. A carved wooden sign hung above the arched doorway:
The Flowerly Tastebuds Restaurant
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of warm, sweet and savory aromas embraced them. Exotic spices, fragrant flowers, and roasting herbs danced through the air. Lira's stomach gave a quiet growl.
They were guided to a table near a small fountain filled with glowing lotus blossoms. Therin nodded to the server and said, "Two garden soul platters, please."
Soon, steaming dishes were set before them—delicately spiced mushroom petals, nectar-drenched root twists, bread shaped like flower blooms, and a softly glowing drink made of dewberry and starlight citrus.
Lira's eyes widened. She had never seen—or smelled—anything like it.
She took her first bite, and the flavors burst in her mouth like a memory she hadn't lived yet.
"This... is amazing," she whispered.
Therin chuckled. "A meal like this reminds you that learning comes not just from books or brews—but from tasting the world."
They ate slowly, savoring every bite, while Fluffy munched on a tiny plate of roasted herbs under the table.
After their meal, warm and satisfied, Lira walked beside Master Therin through the lantern-lit streets of Arvellien. The evening air was sweet with hints of flowers and spices. Fluffy trotted along at her side, tail flicking contentedly.
They turned into a quieter alley lined with ivy-wrapped stone walls. Therin glanced around and then reached into the wide sleeve of his robe. With practiced ease, he pulled out his bottle—shaped like a miniature pumpkin.
Lira smiled softly, recognizing it. She had seen this strange item once before, when they first traveled to the city.
Without a word, Therin flicked his wrist, and the small bottle spun midair. It shimmered, then rapidly expanded with a soft whump, growing into its full size: a round, glossy, pumpkin-shaped vessel large enough to seat two.
"Still the strangest carriage I've ever seen," Lira said with a small laugh.
Therin smirked. "It gets us where we need to be. Quickly and with flair."
With a graceful motion, Lira climbed in, Fluffy hopping into her lap. Therin followed, and with a tap of his bottle, they flew up.
The bottle rose silently from the ground, lifting into the sky and shooting forward, smooth and fast. Clouds streaked past the windows like silver trails.
The city of Arvellien faded behind them, replaced by rolling hills, moonlit woods, and rivers glinting in the twilight. Soon, the shimmering towers and lush gardens of the Academy Sanctum of Elements rose on the horizon, bathed in gentle light.
Moments later, the magical bottle descended, landing in the quiet courtyard garden with barely a sound. The lid opened, and they stepped out, moss springing softly underfoot.
From there, Master Therin led her toward the familiar arched halls and through the tall oak doors of Grandmaster Elion's chamber…
The tall oak doors creaked open with a gentle push, revealing the warm, candlelit chamber of Grandmaster Elion. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and potion bottles shimmered faintly in the soft light. A large round window let in the moonlight, casting a silvery glow over the circular room. At the center sat Grandmaster Elion, quill in hand, writing into a thick leather-bound ledger.
He looked up as they entered, eyes brightening beneath his silver eyebrows. "Ah, Master Therin… and young Lira," he said, rising from his seat. "I had the feeling you would return with news."
Therin offered a small bow and gestured for Lira to step forward. She did, holding herself with quiet pride, the competition badge pinned carefully to her belt.
"She not only competed," Therin said with a faint grin, "she earned herself a special recognition—second placement with praise from the judges for her exceptional control and unique brew."
Elion's gaze shifted to the badge, then to Lira's face. "Is that so?" He stepped forward, his long robe trailing softly across the floor, and gently tapped the badge with two fingers. "You've made quite the impression, child. Do you understand what this means?"
Lira nodded slowly. "I can now officially grow and sell recognized plants and potions… under the Academy's name."
"More than that," Elion said, smiling. "It means your skill is no longer in question. You've earned trust—your own path begins to open."
Lira's heart lifted at his words. She had felt it, that quiet sense of change blooming during the competition. Now, it was real.
Elion's eyes flicked downward, and a curious smile tugged at his lips. "And this one," he said, gesturing gently toward the small creature nestled against Lira's leg. "I don't believe we've been introduced."
Fluffy blinked up at the grandmaster, tail curling protectively around Lira's ankle.
Lira bent down and gave Fluffy a light scratch between the ears. "This is Fluffy. While we had He's been with me since competition test with healing potion … like a familiar."
Elion's brow lifted, intrigued. He stepped a little closer, studying the creature with a wise, measured gaze. "Unusual energy… not quite from around here, but bound to you. Hm."
Fluffy let out a quiet chuff and didn't flinch, meeting Elion's gaze with wide, alert eyes.
After a pause, Elion gave a slow nod. "So long as he does no harm to the students or faculty, and remains under your control, he may stay within academy grounds."
Lira's face lit up. "Thank you, Grandmaster. I'll make sure he behaves."
"I trust that," Elion replied, a glimmer of amusement in his tone. "He seems quite taken with you already."
Fluffy let out a soft snort, as if agreeing.
After a pause, Therin added, "She should check the plants she purchased from Merlin. They were delivered to the second greenhouse this morning. All registered under her name and sealed with the official academy symbol."
Elion nodded with approval. "Then go on, Lira. See what waits for you there. And take care—rare plants sometimes have rare moods."
The three of them chuckled softly at that. Lira bowed politely before turning to leave, Fluffy padding close behind, his ears perked in curiosity.
As they exited the chamber and stepped into the corridor, golden light flickering along the high stone walls, Therin placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "You've done well. And there's more ahead—one step at a time."
Lira looked up at him, smiling. "To the greenhouse?"
"To the greenhouse," he agreed.
And so, they walked together, toward the second greenhouse, she feelt excitement.
Both Lira and Potion Master Therin soon stood before the second greenhouse. It loomed quiet and still, its arched glass panes misted slightly in the evening light. Lanterns flickered in nearby sconces, casting golden reflections across the greenhouse walls. Lira stepped forward and pushed open the door.
The moment the greenhouse creaked ajar, a blur of motion darted from within. A dragonfly-winged fairy no taller than a hand zipped straight to Lira's face, hovering with crossed arms and narrowed eyes. Her crown of curled petals shifted slightly as she scowled.
"Next time," Murell snapped, her voice high and sharp as snapping twigs, "at least send a message if you're going to flood my sanctuary with plants that have attitude! These leafy delinquents are grumpy, dramatic, and testing every ounce of my legendary patience."
Lira blinked, then smiled gently. "Hello to you too, Murell," she said, voice calm and familiar. "It's good to see you again."
Murell hovered closer, her petal crown tilting. "Mm-hmm. 'See me again,' she says—after tossing me into a jungle of sentient thorns and sulking moss. Charming."
Lira gave an apologetic nod. "I'll take care of them. I just need to make sure they've settled in. I really appreciate you keeping an eye on them."
Murell snorted but didn't fly away. "Hmph. You'd better. They respond to hands that listen… not ones that pluck. Especially the red-frilled suncatchers. One of them tried to bite my wings."
"But you're still here," Lira said with a knowing grin.
"Of course I'm here. Someone has to make sure the whole greenhouse doesn't explode in vine-based rebellion."
Despite her biting tone, Murell's wings shimmered in a gentler flutter, and she drifted to Lira's shoulder, her weight barely a tickle.
"I'll allow you entry," Murell declared dramatically, "but only because I'm curious to see what you'll make of them. These plants… they need more than water and light. They need intention."
Lira's smile softened. "Then I'll make sure they have it."
Murell gave a sarcastic hum of approval but made no move to fly away. Fluffy, who had been watching the exchange with tilted head, gave a soft sneeze of pollen as they all stepped inside. Therin allready knowing of unseen fairies that books wrote about, he was not suprised with Lira talking into unseen to him, fairy by his guess. But he did not ask anything.
The rare plants rustled faintly as if already aware of her presence.
Lira stepped fully into the greenhouse, the scent of warm earth and strange blossoms immediately surrounding her. The air shimmered slightly—thicker here, alive with energy. Behind her, Murell muttered something under her breath and flitted off to perch on a twisting vine near the ceiling, her wings still buzzing with irritation.
Therin followed Lira inside but kept a respectful distance, letting her take the lead. She walked slowly down the central path between raised garden beds and enchanted soil trays, her eyes moving over each plant with care.
Glowing seedpods pulsed gently in rhythm, crystalline ferns unfurled their spines, and the thorny moonsilk stalks bent ever so slightly as she passed—as if acknowledging her. Even the grumpy suncatchers rustled with less hostility than Murell had described.
"They're all here," Lira said softly, crouching beside a cluster of rare frost-lilies, their petals shimmering with internal ice. "And they're healthy. Not a single one wilted or misrooted."
She reached out and brushed her fingers lightly over the rim of a wide-leaved dreamshade, feeling the subtle vibration it gave in return. It was like a hum of welcome.
Therin stepped closer, his eyes scanning the greenhouse with a quiet nod. "Merlin's delivery spells seem to have held up well. These are high-maintenance species—even just surviving the journey intact is a feat."
Lira looked up at him, her expression glowing with a mix of relief and excitement. "I'll come early tomorrow to tend them properly. They deserve a full welcome. I didn't expect to feel so… connected. But they're already responding."
Therin gave a faint smile. "That's the difference between a keeper of plants and a true herbalist. The plants know the difference."
Lira turned her gaze back to the beds, heart full. This was more than a garden.
Therin gave one final glance around the greenhouse, then turned to Lira with a calm, steady tone. "We should rest now that we've checked the plants. Tomorrow is a new day—and a full one. We both need some sleep before it starts."
Lira nodded, still half-entranced by the soft glow of her new garden. "You're right. I just… didn't expect to feel so at home here."
"There's power in that feeling," Therin replied as he opened the greenhouse door. "Let it grow—but let yourself rest too."
Together, they stepped back into the night air. The greenhouse quietly sealed behind them, its enchanted glass reflecting the moonlight in soft ripples. Fluffy stretched with a small yawn and padded after them.
They walked side by side toward the main building, the gravel path crunching gently beneath their feet. Lanterns flickered softly in the distance, marking the way through the academy gardens.
No more words were needed.
By the time they reached the tall doors of the Sanctum, the stars were high, and the stillness of night had settled in like a soft blanket.
Tomorrow would bloom in its own time. For now—rest.