“Those are pretty,” Gwen said.

  Mel had taken off the old bracers and put on her new ones. Though they were weaker, their imprint was vastly better.

  Don’t need increased pain tolerance or blunt defense if you move too fast to get hit!

  “Fancy,” Thomas agreed. “Are you going to start accessorizing now?”

  Mel gave him a flat stare until he minded his own damn business. She turned to the quest rewards, taking out the [Cinder Ampoule] first.

  Gwen leaned in, watching her intently as if wondering what she thought of it before she shared her own thoughts.

  Mel looked up. “What?”

  [Cinder Ampoule]

  (Great Work, Relic)

  A highly decorated ampoule of giltglass bearing a leaf motif from a far off land. One of the last Great Works, gifted to every sapient soul that enters the multiverse. When placed within a soul kiln and infused with certain materials, unique concoctions can be conceived.

  Imprint: Place within a soul kiln alongside (2) appropriate catalysts. Restores itself slowly after use.

  She blinked and reread the description. “Holy shit.”

  I have two renewable potion bottles?

  “I know, right?” Gwen said excitedly.

  “What–oh. Wow.” Thomas leaned in, then took out his own ampoule. “Jacob is going to lose his mind.”

  “What the hell are appropriate catalysts?” Mel asked.

  “Like most things, I imagine that task falls to us to determine,” Thomas said. He already had his [Soul Kiln] out. “I, for one, intend on finding out immediately.”

  Before she could get distracted, Mel took out the other two items.

  [Soothing Pearl]

  (Catalyst, Pearl)

  (Rare)

  Over the Ages, impurities in ambient mana precipitate into solid motes, growing in size and power until they become pearls. Even the smallest of seeds yearn to be something great one day.

  Imprint: Mix into an ampoule to create a new concoction. Heals the most recent affliction with a chance to grant temporary resistance to said affliction.

  “Looks like pearls are something we mix with an ampoule,” Mel said, rolling the white spherical item in her hand. It was about the size of a golf ball, making her wonder how she would ever be able to fit it inside the [Cinder Ampoule].

  Then again, she could put things into the [Soul Kiln] that shouldn’t possibly fit, so maybe that wasn’t a concern.

  The others took out their pearls, examining them as well.

  “Is just one pearl enough though?” Gwen asked. “For the [Cinder Ampoule] to work, I mean. Or can other catalysts be mixed in too?”

  “Embers, you mean?” Mel said.

  “I don’t believe it to be overly specific,” Thomas said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we could use herba. Though it doesn’t mention it, I would wager my wand that [Blue Spirit Herba] would be considered a catalyst.”

  “I’m not wasting what precious herba we have on a hunch,” Gwen said.

  “You can always sniff out more, can’t you?” Thomas countered.

  While they bickered, Mel looked at her last item.

  [Star Ember]

  (Catalyst, Ember)

  (Rare)

  A twinkling stone that pulses with the cold fiery light of the stars. Used within a soul kiln to apply star affinity to armaments.

  Imprint: Applies Star affinity to armaments. Applies Star tinge to concoctions.

  Mel shared a secret laugh with Askara. She had called Thomas and Gwen the “Sun” and “Moon”. It seemed fitting that they all gained a [Star Ember] for reaching Askara’s altar.

  Technically, I was the one who went down there, but I guess we all survived.

  Without them, she probably wouldn’t have made it down there successfully. Doubt I would have made it to this plateau too. Waves of amber wheat don’t exactly scream “place to progress”. It does scream, “make bread out of me” though.

  It felt nice that they all had the same ember, as if it was a manifestation of the bond between them.

  When Mel looked back up, Gwen was begrudgingly giving Thomas a [Blue Spirit Herba]. The glowing blue leaf was immediately dropped into Thomas’ [Soul Kiln] along with his ampoule and pearl.

  He shut the lid, and they all leaned in to watch the process.

  Light flashed from beneath the crack in the hinged lid and it popped open to reveal a very different-looking item than the one he had placed within.

  Mel craned her neck to see better, but there was nothing but the shimmering bottle.

  “Did it consume the pearl?” Mel asked.

  Thomas shook his head. “It looks like it went back to my inventory. Odd. The herba was used up, however. Bit of a letdown.” He lifted out the bottle. Through the giltglass, they could see a strange fizzy brew sloshing around.

  He held it out for them all to examine.

  [Primeval Brew]

  (Blue Spirit Herba + Soothing Pearl)

  The drink of ancient gods, given to mortal men and women. The effects of imbibing this brew are temporary to prevent total soul dissolution. Higher Rank permits a longer duration. Those who imbibe this brew are said to become the avatar of primordial forces long since forgotten by all but the Realmtree.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Imprint: Heals the most recent affliction and recovers mana. Mana recovery is enhanced if an affliction is cleansed.

  “It’s like a super mana potion,” Gwen said in awe. “I’m going to be using [Insight of the Wolf] so much more now, huh?”

  Thomas dropped it. Moments before it would shatter to the ground, he snapped his fingers, and the bottle vanished in a flurry of golden ash.

  Mel dove forward to grab it. She scowled at him. “Dick.”

  “It would seem that there aren’t many limits to what can be made,” Thomas explained, ignoring Mel. “However, it looks like we’re stuck with one bottle apiece. Not too much of an issue if you ask me, considering that no pearl is permanently used.”

  “They’re probably like embers,” Mel said, sitting up straight. “You can use it infinitely.”

  “Does that mean we can use an ember on a weapon, and on an ampoule without limit?” Gwen asked. “I already did something like that when I had nothing better to use than junk weapons.”

  “It stands to reason,” Thomas said, jotting down in his notebook. “The only problem I see, which is a rather small one, is that there wasn’t an identifying name. I’m willing to bet if either of you makes a similar concoction, it’ll also be named [Primeval Brew].”

  “It lists the ingredients at least,” Mel said.

  “True, but it means we need to remember a specific combination instead of just say, making a [Rapid Healing Flask] or something like that. It’s a small distinction I’ll grant you.”

  “Only for nerds,” Mel said, wondering what she could try. Unable to help herself, Mel stuffed a [Poison Ember] and a [Soothing Pearl] into her kiln alongside the ampoule.

  “What’re you–” Thomas began, then stopped as he watched the process begin. “Leave it to Mel to try something so contradictory.” He shook his head but couldn’t look away.

  None of them could.

  As the lid flipped back on her kiln, Mel pulled out the flask. Instead of a fizzy liquid inside, there was a chunky mess within. It looked like the sort of thing you’d need a pixelated censor bar for.

  “It…looks like something I’d find in the back of my fridge,” Mel said, disappointed.

  [Failed Brew]

  (Poison Ember + Soothing Pearl)

  Every success must have its opposite, and you’ve found it. Not all combinations are effective or even worthwhile. They are few and far between, however, making your discovery all the more momentous. Unfortunately, it’s for all the wrong reasons. The ancient gods wouldn’t touch this stuff. They wouldn’t even feed it to the prisoners of Tartarus.

  Imprint: Inert. Place within the [Soul Kiln] to dissolve the ingredients. Do not drink.

  “I can’t help but wonder with morbid curiosity what chunky [Primeval Brew] tastes like,” Gwen said, eyes wide like two full moons.

  “It would probably be the last thing you ever tasted,” Mel said. “It literally says ‘do not drink’ on it,” she added with a laugh.

  “It is progress,” Thomas said. “You mixed two diametrically opposed forces, so they canceled each other out. I think that makes sense.”

  Mel followed the instructions, replacing it in the kiln to dissolve the contents. When that was done, she tapped her chin thoughtfully. She was tempted to try [Serpent Coins], but didn’t want to waste them by potentially spoiling the brew.

  She did, however, have several other aspect coins.

  All of them were useless to her and to her friends. Until they chanced upon a shop or some traders–if that was even a thing–they were effectively useless trinkets.

  Mel took out a [Rage Coin] and [Poison Ember], placing them both inside the kiln.

  Thomas and Gwen looked a little concerned at the mixture, but they were both Magi. Making potions–which often involved foul ingredients–was part and parcel of what they were.

  The lid popped open to reveal a frothy, roiling brew that looked like it would boil over at any moment.

  [Primeval Brew]

  (Rage Coin + Poison Ember)

  The drink of ancient gods, given to mortal men and women. The effects of imbibing this brew are temporary to prevent total soul dissolution. Higher Rank permits a longer duration. Those who imbibe this brew are said to become the avatar of primordial forces long since forgotten by all but the Realmtree.

  Imprint: A remarkably potent medicine that stimulates and empowers, raising all attributes multiple grades temporarily while afflicting you with poison. Grants [Berserking].

  [Berserking]: For the duration of the skill, you cannot be knocked unconscious or magically put to sleep.

  “Now I’m starting to wonder what you can’t put in these things,” Gwen said. “Maybe equipment, but then again, they do have imprints. Just like the [Blue Spirit Herba].”

  Mel dismissed the potion. It wasn’t the best, but it was good enough that she wanted to keep it in her back pocket. “This looks like the sort of thing you would like, Gwen.”

  “Yeah,” she said dreamily. “I’m a glutton for punishment if it makes me stronger.”

  “I don’t have any [Rage Coins],” Thomas said. “However, I do have other aspect coins that I have no use for. Do you think that by using coins from a specific aspect, we’re able to create a brew that takes on parts of that aspect?”

  Mel hadn’t thought that far ahead, but it sounded reasonable. “I wonder what happens if you use more aspect coins? I just used one, and it effectively gave me a quasi-skill.”

  “I do have some [Gravity Coins],” Gwen said.

  “Isn’t that one of your aspects though?” Thomas asked.

  “Yeah, it’s bound to my agility. It might either give you zero weight or incredibly high weight, which would be good for training.”

  “Don’t you want to use them though?” Mel asked. “For yourself, I mean.”

  “Probably, but it would just be one coin.”

  Mel shrugged. “It’s your coin.”

  Gwen looked like she was giving it some serious thought. “Nah, I’m going to try something else.”

  Thomas let out a breath of relief. He hadn’t said anything against her, but it was clear that he didn’t think it was a good idea.

  An item materialized from the Emporium in Gwen’s lap. Thomas’ eyes widened at that.

  It was a [Petrified Branch of Strength]. An item that enhanced the growth of strength through training, fighting, and meditation.

  “I’m going to regret this,” she said without much concern as she placed the branch into the kiln with a [Red Rock].

  “The heck is that rock?” Mel asked.

  “It’s a chromatic item from the Emporium. You should have access to it, but it is costly to unlock,” Thomas answered distractedly.

  Everybody watched with rapt attention as the process started, but that clearly didn’t mean anything considering Mel’s [Failed Brew].

  When the kiln opened, a veritable pyrotechnic display of lights and colors flowed out as if Gwen had just opened some epic loot chest in a video game.

  The resulting concoction looked like she had distilled rainbows and mixed them with the dreams of puppies and kittens.

  “By Wisdom’s tits, I guessed best!” Gwen cried. The warning thunder that rumbled in the distance didn’t dissuade her enthusiasm at all.

  [Primeval Brew]

  (Petrified Branch of Strength + Red Rock)

  The drink of ancient gods, given to mortal men and women. The effects of imbibing this brew are temporary to prevent total soul dissolution. Higher Rank permits a longer duration. Those who imbibe this brew are said to become the avatar of primordial forces long since forgotten by all but the Realmtree.

  Imprint: Significantly enhances Red Chroma skills and training, Fire skills and training, and Strength skills and training. Incurs a steep cooldown before another such brew can be used.

  Gwen giggled manically to herself.

  Mel and Thomas were already purging their brews by the time Gwen stopped giggling.