The Peculiar Peach Potion

“Speaking of which, this is the potion workshop specifically prepared for me,” Ziyao remarked, pushing open the heavy door.

This was her dedicated potion workshop. She should have started working here much sooner, but various unforeseen circumstances had caused significant delays.

“So why did I have to come with you?” Elena asked, her arms crossed and a clear look of displeasure on her face. “My manuscript isn’t finished yet.”

The Blossom Festival was only six days away, and she had barely completed half of her draft. However, unable to overpower Ziyao, she had been reluctantly dragged along.

“Hmph, those dreadful things you write? I’ve already asked Ailin to help you with a draft. Today, you’re staying here to assist me,” Ziyao retorted, rolling her eyes.

If she hadn’t been unable to find a trustworthy assistant, would she really have needed to drag this silly girl along?

“Wow! Ziyao, you truly are a little angel!” Hearing that her manuscript issue was resolved, Elena instantly put on a dramatic display of changing her expression.

“Heh, I hope you’ll still be saying that later,” Ziyao chuckled, igniting the magic lamp on the desktop to let it preheat.

The potion she needed to concoct today wasn’t particularly difficult. Therefore, having Elena—a complete novice—lend a hand wouldn’t pose any problems.

The materials were neatly arranged in small wooden boxes. Ziyao stepped forward, inspecting them carefully. Once she confirmed everything was in order, she called out to Elena to begin processing the ingredients.

“Remember, the Wind Wolf’s teeth must be washed first, then ground into a powder. This one, called Moonpetal Grass—you need to pluck all its blue leaves and place them in a clean container.”

While Elena handled the simpler ingredients, Ziyao began her own work. Some of the materials required her personal touch.

Frost Lotus, a plant exuding a chilling aura, was an essential component for vitality recovery potions. Processing it demanded an extremely precise level of control. Ziyao picked up a frost-laden petal with tweezers, her movements fluid and without hesitation. She placed the petal directly onto the magic lamp to scorch it.

If she had been a Fire Mage, she wouldn’t have needed the magic lamp, and the process would have been even more precise. Alas, she was a Water Mage. However, the water element also possessed its own unique strengths.

After being scorched for a moment, a drop of white liquid, emanating a peculiar fragrance, seeped from the petal. This was precisely what Ziyao needed. With a mere thought, a transparent stream of water enveloped the liquid, dissolving it into itself. The water, now infused with the essence, traced an elegant arc, flowing into a test tube Ziyao had specially prepared.

Subsequently, the water, which had turned turbid from dissolving the white liquid, became clear once more, and the single white drop reappeared at the bottom of the tube. Utilizing this convenient method, Ziyao managed to process an entire Frost Lotus in just half an hour.

On the other side, however, progress was somewhat sluggish.

“Elena, I said to grind it into a fine powder. Is this a fine powder?” Ziyao picked out a large clump, covering her face in exasperation.

Had she overestimated Elena? Why was such a simple task proving problematic? Had this princess truly never done such mundane things before?

It seemed impossible. Elena was known for being incredibly mischievous; the Empress had mentioned that Elena loved to run wild as a child. Therefore, Ziyao had naturally assumed that Elena would have strong practical skills. However, Elena had utterly disappointed her.

Ultimately, Ziyao had to process that portion of the materials herself. Meanwhile, Elena, the foolish girl, was already sitting in a chair nearby, seemingly in self-imposed isolation.

Sigh… I feel like calling her over was truly a mistake, Ziyao murmured, her voice barely audible even to herself.

Yet, Elena was the main character of today’s endeavor.

“Elena, Ailin mentioned that you like peaches, right?”

Hearing Ziyao’s question, Elena lifted her head, her voice devoid of any inflection. “Yes, I do. It’s quite childish, isn’t it…”

What in the world! Why was she starting to wallow in self-pity? Elena, you’re being too much!

“Hahaha, it’s perfectly normal. Just like me—I actually enjoy sweet things, too.”

“You’re lying. Your favorite is clearly tasteless things like Moonfruit,” Elena retorted.

Damn it, I was trying to comfort you! If you’re not going to appreciate it, then I won’t bother anymore.

Ziyao let out a soft hum, shifting her attention back to the materials before her.

One unit of Wind Wolf tooth powder, one unit of Frost Lotus essence, and ten units of purified water. A tube of cloudy white liquid was concocted by Ziyao. Then, with a flick of her hand, a blue stream of water encircled the test tube, pouring its contents into a small ceramic pot.

The magic lamp was set to maximum heat, its fiery blue flames scorching the pot, injecting magical warmth into the nascent potion.

Gurgle—

The liquid in the pot began to boil. Ziyao picked up a glass rod and started stirring the white fluid. As she stirred, Ziyao used a stream of water to wrap around the nearby Moonpetal Grass. The plant’s sap was quickly extracted. The blue liquid rushed into the boiling pot, instantly calming the turbulent fluid.

Then, the process repeated. Material after material was dropped into the pot by Ziyao. Gradually, the liquid within began to clear, and a fragrant aroma wafted from it.

“Elena, what’s your favorite color?”

“Huh? My favorite color? That would definitely be gold.”

Gold, then… She decided to use Golden Leaf Grass for decoration. Taking out a small box, Ziyao retrieved a golden plant from within. Using the same method, the water stream absorbed the plant’s sap, which was then introduced into the pot. Instantly, the liquid in the pot turned a brilliant gold.

Finally, peach extract. Taking out the pre-prepared peach essence, Ziyao dripped a single drop into the golden solution. After a few gentle stirs, Ziyao took out a clean test tube and poured the liquid from the pot into it.

However, it seemed there was a little extra…

Perhaps she should have Elena taste it?

“Elena, come over here for a moment.”

“What is it?” Elena stood up and walked to Ziyao’s side. “Wow, this potion is beautiful.”

The translucent golden solution, with twinkling specks of blue light shimmering within, looked like a true work of art.

“Want to try some?” Ziyao dipped her index finger into the residual potion in the pot and tasted it, finding the flavor quite pleasant. It had a sweet peach taste and a refreshing, cool sensation, much like iced peach juice.

Pouring the remaining potion into a small cup, Ziyao handed the tiny cup to Elena. Such a small amount of potion would likely only be enough to taste.

“Wow, it’s delicious! And I feel like my stamina has increased so much!” Elena exclaimed, her eyes widening instantly after taking a sip.

Wait… increased stamina? No, that wasn’t right. Such a small amount of potion shouldn’t have had any effect at all. Had something gone wrong?

“Eh? Ziyao, did something happen?” Elena asked, confused by Ziyao’s changing expression.

“Yes. Actually, this tube of potion was meant to be a gift for you,” Ziyao explained, holding up the golden potion. “But its effects seem to have gone a bit awry. I’ll have to take it to the old man at the Alchemists’ Guild.”

“It’s… for me?” Elena looked surprised.

“Of course. Why else would I have called you over?” Ziyao nodded, tucking the peculiar potion into the pouch at her waist.

“You made this potion specifically for me?”

“That’s right.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this?”

“Originally, it should have been colorless, tasting almost like ice water.”

“Waaah, Ziyao, you’re the best!” Elena cried out, lunging forward to embrace Ziyao.

That day, Ziyao realized her body was utterly incapable of withstanding a close-range impact from a five-star knight. And, she noted, Elena’s development seemed much better than it appeared.