I just want it on record:
Nobody asked my opinion when a man with an ice-cold stare and the mood of "better not talk to me" walked through our door.
Nobody said, "Hey, Nao, maybe you want to know that ancient artifacts and cursed tomes will now be our daily guests."
Of course not.
And you know what?
I don’t trust people who walk too quietly.
Or who look at Reika like they see more than they should.
I'm watching.
Because someone has to.
— Nao ??
???
Reika pushed the door open with his shoulder — and at that moment, the soft chime of the crystal bell above rang through the dusk.
The shop greeted him with its usual half-light and humid warmth. The air was thick with herbs, smoke, and something familiar — the kind of scent that stripped the city’s noise off your shoulders.
He shrugged off his cloak, dusted off the marketplace grime, and hung it on the hook. Nao stretched lazily behind the counter.
"So? Learn anything?"
"Nothing. No one's heard of a new beauty potion recipe at the Heralds’ Tower… and considering the spellwork woven into the scroll, it’s clear the owner didn’t want anyone to find out," Reika murmured, lighting his pipe.
"So what now? Brew this forbidden thing, or turn down the job?" Nao’s tail flicked restlessly from side to side.
Reika sat in his chair with practiced ease, exhaled a fragrant ring of smoke, and smiled lazily.
"It would be foolish to refuse such a rare commission. Especially one with a recipe this valuable. The price will be... appropriately magical."
He fell silent for a moment, staring into the flickering lamp. The flame swayed as if exhaling — then stilled.
"You know," he said at last, "while the world spins around theories and suspicions, one thing remains true — a formula either works or it doesn’t."
Nao raised an eyebrow and flicked his tail.
"Read me the recipe again," Reika said, not looking up. "Slowly. From the top. I want to make sure nothing slipped between the lines."
Nao nodded, stood up, and walked over to the work table. He unrolled the scroll with careful fingers, as if handling sacred scripture, and cleared his throat.
"Shadowseal Elixir. Original formula. Chapter VII. Chronicles of the Eternal Void."
He began to read aloud. The words echoed with unusual clarity in the room’s hush:
Ingredients:
-
Tear of the Full Moon — 1 drop
(Collected on the night of the full moon into a glass bowl sanctified with silver. Shelf life: 3 days.)
-
Blood of the Luminous Serpent — 3 drops
(Rare. Forms the link between body and will.)
-
Refined Essence of Dreams — 5 ml
(A distillate of astral substance extracted in a medium’s sleep.)
-
Astrobell Pollen — a pinch
(Enhances magical infiltration into the nervous system.)
-
Ash of Mistroot — ? teaspoon
(Added during stabilization. Without it — high risk of identity fracture.)
-
Caster’s Parchment — fragment, 2×5 cm
(Must bear the target’s true name or symbolic equivalent. Without it, the elixir remains inert.)
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
-
Caster’s Blood — 1 drop, mandatory
(The “key” that seals the connection.)
Nao paused for breath.
"Next is the process. Shall I read it too?"
Reika nodded without shifting position, watching him calmly over the rim of the pipe.
Nao’s voice took on a slow, reverent cadence:
Instructions:
-
In a black glass flask, combine essence, ash, and pollen. Simmer over low flame for 9 minutes until a violet glow appears.
-
Add drops of Luminous Serpent’s blood, followed by the Tear of the Full Moon.
-
Carefully place the parchment, folded into the symbol 封 (Seal), ensuring it floats.
-
Add a drop of the caster’s own blood atop.
-
Whisper the target’s name, or if unknown, recite the incantation:
"Sero vinculo tenebris. Ego sum voluntas tua."
The room held its breath. The lamp flickered.
Reika whistled low.
"Mhm… You don’t find these ingredients at your corner apothecary. Good thing our client came prepared."
He paused.
"Well… except for the Serpent’s blood. It’s already coagulated."
"Doesn’t seem like he knows a thing about alchemy," Nao muttered.
"If he did, he wouldn’t have asked me to brew it," Reika smirked, eyes half-lidded.
"Even the most seasoned alchemist would think twice. You saw the last line — the caster’s blood. It anchors the whole reaction. If the mage is weak, the backlash could be… spectacular."
"But to even gather these ingredients, you need more than herbal knowledge," Nao noted. "You need real magical expertise."
"Exactly. That’s the puzzle."
"Maybe he hired someone to collect it all?"
"Maybe. But then why didn’t that ‘someone’ explain how delicately the Serpent’s blood must be stored?"
Nao looked thoughtful.
Then, softly:
"You’re still going to brew it, aren’t you? You’re curious."
Reika inhaled deeply, exhaled slow rings of smoke.
"Curiosity is the most dangerous virtue. Cities have burned for it. Lovers lost. Doors opened that should’ve stayed closed."
"Still opened, though," Nao grinned.
"They always do. And we will too. We have everything… except blood. And I won’t use unstable components. Not for this."
"I can try to get more," Nao offered. "I have a few… scaly acquaintances. Not pleasant, but efficient."
Reika glanced at him through the haze.
"It’ll be risky. And expensive."
"Eh. I don’t pay with gold. Only nerves. And they’ve been shot for years."
Nao was already scribbling something into his notebook when he suddenly stopped. His eyes narrowed.
"Did you feel that?"
Reika froze. The air changed. The shop felt like it inhaled — and held its breath. A corner lamp dimmed.
"Someone crossed the protective circle," he said calmly. "We have a visitor."
He raised his hand — and his face shifted. Now, behind the counter, stood a refined woman with flame-colored hair and a sly smile.
The door creaked open without a knock. The bell gave a low, warning chime.
A figure stood at the threshold: Seiran — white haori sharp against the dusk like snow on black stone. His gaze locked onto the figure behind the counter.
He didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. Just narrowed his eyes.
"You again," he said. "Female this time. Hoping to throw me off?"
Reika smiled slowly — feminine lips now curved with amusement.
"I simply wear the shape that suits my mood. Is that a crime?"
"No. But it doesn’t stop me from recognizing you."
"How sweet. I was starting to worry I didn’t make a strong enough first impression."
Seiran stepped closer. His gaze drifted to the open parchment with the glowing ink.
"I’ve seen that recipe before," he said quietly.
Reika lifted a brow.
"Rare memory, my guest. Such recipes don’t gather dust in public libraries."
"That’s why I’m here," Seiran replied, eyes lifting to meet hers. "I’m looking for the book it came from. And when I saw those ingredients in your shop — ones that only appear in this potion — I knew it wasn’t coincidence."
Silence swelled between them. Heavy. Like steeped mint and secrets.
"The book, you say..." Reika echoed, soft as smoke. "Which one?"
"Not the kind whispered about in the black market. Not the Codex of Shadows. Not the Grimoire of Sleep. I’m searching for the real one — the Chronicles of the Eternal Void."
Reika watched him. Not afraid. Not surprised. Just… weighing.
"A grand name," she said at last. "And long forgotten."
"Not quite," Seiran replied. "Most just don’t dare speak it aloud."
He placed a hand on the edge of the counter, careful not to cross the invisible line between them.
"I heard that the greatest alchemist and artifact expert lives in this city. That’s why I came to Uminari. But I didn’t know it would be you. That same reckless stranger from the market."
Reika chuckled softly.
"Recklessness is a convenient disguise. People ask fewer questions."
"And I ask them anyway," Seiran said, his voice closer now. "So I’ll ask again:
Do you have the Book?"
Reika stilled. Then slowly raised her pipe, drew in smoke — and exhaled it near his face.
"If I did," she said at last, "I certainly wouldn’t say it to someone who walks in uninvited."
"Then let me stay. Maybe I’ll see for myself."
Reika smiled — not agreeing, not refusing. Just... intrigued.
"You treat me like a suspect. But I’m not sure you know of what. So stay, my snowy guest. Let’s see where this leads."
???
?? Response to the grump
Nao,
Do you really think I haven’t noticed how your tail twitches every time he walks in?
Your suspicion is adorable. And absolutely justified.
But you’ve always been my little guardian — even when you pretend you’re just dusting shelves.
Don’t worry — I have everything under control.
And if not… well, you do know how to pull me out.
Again.
With smoke and trust,
Reika ?
P.S. The trash in the cellar is whispering again. Take it out.
If you made it this far — thank you. Truly.
And beware: the deeper we go, the stranger the shadows become.
Your Witch?