Ethan began by seeing all the items on the table and confirming whether anything was missing or not. His complete focus was on the task at hand and no other thoughts entered his mind.
"Yellow Prism Flower - 3"
"Akletine Moss Plant - 30grm"
"Ginseng roots - 100 years old."
"Eye of the Willow - one."
"Longevity Spring Water."
"Common herbs."
…
…
…
"Good enough, everything is ready," Ethan said with a smile as he confirmed that everything was in order.
As Ethan moved closer to the large table, he brought out a folded paper from the pocket of his tailcoat. After unfolding the paper, he began reading the procedure in his mind.
This was the same procedure that he had memorized from the book. Ethan could not bring anything out from the Temple of The Apostle just yet and so he had no choice but to memorize the texts of the library in his mind. Fortunately, he had a good memory.
Ethan stood in the center of the secret chamber of the castle, his eyes fixed on the array of ingredients laid out on the table in front of him. He took a deep breath, letting the scent of the herbs and flowers fill his nostrils. The air was thick with the promise of magic, and Ethan knew that the potion he was about to make would be one of the most significant things he would be doing.
He began by carefully selecting the yellow prism flowers, examining each one closely before plucking three from the bunch. The petals were vibrant and fragrant, and Ethan knew that they held a special power. He set them aside for later use.
Next, he turned his attention to the akletine moss plant, a rare and delicate herb that grew only in the most hidden and sacred places. He carefully measured out 30 grams of the fine green powder, sifting it through his fingers and into a cauldron filled with a mixture of longevity spring water and common herbs.
As he stirred the mixture, he added the ginseng roots, which had been aging for over 100 years. The gnarled roots were tough and dry, but Ethan knew they held the key to unlocking the potion's full potential. He carefully peeled away the outer layers, exposing the soft and delicate flesh beneath. He sliced the roots into thin strips and added them to the cauldron.
He then reached for the Eye of the Willow, a rare and precious gem that shimmered in the dim light of the chamber. He placed it into the cauldron, watching as it dissolved into the mixture. The gemstone was said to hold the power of the ancestors, and Ethan knew that it was a vital ingredient in the potion.
Ethan continued to stir the mixture, watching as the herbs and flowers began to release their potent aroma. He then added a pinch of powdered unicorn horn, a rare and powerful ingredient that he had acquired by spending a large portion of his budget. The horn was said to have the power to unlock the user's inner potential, and Ethan knew that it would add a potent boost to the potion.
Next, he reached for a small bottle filled with his blood. It was an important ingredient as he was Awakened Early which made his blood more potent than other awakened ones. He then added a few drops to the mixture, watching as the liquid turned a deep shade of crimson. Ethan knew that it would add an extra layer of potency to the potion and so he hadn't hesitated to draw out his own blood.
Finally, he reached for the three yellow prism flowers he had set aside earlier, crushing them into a fine powder and sprinkling them into the cauldron. The mixture began to bubble and steam, the scent of the herbs and flowers filling the air.
Ethan watched intently, his eyes fixed on the cauldron as the potion slowly came to life. He continued to stir, chanting a soft incantation under his breath, calling upon the ancestral spirits to awaken within the potion and grant its user mystical powers.
As he stirred, the mixture began to change. It glowed with a bright golden light, and Ethan's eyes brightened with ecstasy.
"Did… Did it work? After so many tries…" He muttered to himself unknowingly, gulping down a lump of saliva as he waited patiently for the results.
Finally, the bubbles erupting in the potion settled down as the stirring liquid calmed down.
Seeing that it neither explode like the last time nor evaporate into thin air, he finally let out the breath that he had been holding.
Like a silly child, Ethan jumped in excitement as he quickly ladled the liquid into a small glass vial, corking it tightly and holding it up to the light of the torches.
"As I expected, the ancient incantation and the correct, well-controlled, measured flow of energy is the key to making this potion. Of course, without the lost recipe and resources, it would have been a pipe dream." Ethan muttered and stored the small glass vial in a special ornamented box that he had received as a gift.
After doing so, Ethan relaxed his stiff muscles and calmed his mind. With a renewed vitality in his eyes, he began making the second bottle.
It had already been hours and hours since Ethan entered the chamber and no one knew outside what was happening. By the time Ethan finished making the second bottle, the afternoon had already passed.
Securing the two bottles carefully, Ethan finally emerged from the chamber and felt as if the flow of time had once resumed for him.
As he opened the door, Ethan found no one in the vicinity which was exactly what he had ordered. Ethan didn't want to take any risk of revealing that he knew to make people eligible for harnessing the mystical powers of the blessings. Well, at least for now.
After reaching his private chambers, Ethan first asked someone to send Ronan and Aria to him. Then he entered the room and left the door open halfway.
As Aria and Ronan were already present in the castle, it did not take long for them to arrive at Ethan's room. Both entered without hesitation as the door was already opened. After letting themselves in, Ronan closed the door.
"Master, you asked?" Ronan asked as he bowed.
Ethan, who was sitting on the chair in his usual pose said, "Yes, remember yesterday I told you that from today I shall help you both to awaken?"
Both children's eyes widened in surprise as they heard this. They didn't have much faith in his promise before as such a claim was really too ridiculous. Afterall, even after centuries of research by countless experts, there was no way found that could help just anyone awaken and harness the powers of the blessings.
Both of them softly answered in a skeptical tone, "Yes…"
As if not noticing the skepticism, Ethan said with a smile, "Well then, come along. It's time. But first of all… let me in on you a little secret."
"What secret?" Both children blurted.
"Are you sure? If you hear this secret, then I'm afraid there will be absolutely no going back."
Gulping hard, the children contemplated deeply, weighing the pros and cons. Ethan waited patiently as he leisurely picked up and began eating an apple from the basket.
Aria and Ronan looked at each other anxiously and decided that they were already in a deep sinkhole. What worse could it get? Since this was the case, both nodded resolutely.
"You might not know this but you could ask around if you wish. The truth is, I wasn't always like this. A few months ago, I was not even capable of communicating adequately with the people around me. But then suddenly, I collapsed and underwent a historic Ancestral Awakening that was like never seen before.
After waking up, I changed completely and people began hailing me as a genius. At least that's the story everyone is familiar with, including my family." Ethan said with a mysterious tone.
"What… Does that… Mean?" Both Aria and Ronan asked in unison, dumbfounded by what they were hearing.
"Yes, do you think such a thing happened out of nowhere without any reason? It didn't! The truth is such that only I know. The truth that could change this world forever as we know it."
Feeling more and more as if they were sinking into a sinkhole, both children gulped once again as sweat began trickling down their skin.
"Around one and half years ago, it was a chilly night of winter just like this one, I was at home in the mansion, inside my room. Then suddenly, I felt something wrong around me. I felt the wind that was blowing suddenly disappear along with all the noises. Then suddenly, a humanoid figure with two wings on its back appeared in front of me."
"What?! An angel? But… How is that possible?" Aria and Ronan both exclaimed in disbelief.
Ethan's lips curled upwards, with a bitter, enigmatic, and a bit entranced look, as if he was lost in some distant memories, Ethan spoke with a nod, "This was exactly my reaction."
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