MagiStream

This is a wonderful book, it has a large enough amount of comedy to always surprise and bring interest into my mind.

It's a wonderful story. And it doesn't just get a good start and then stop making sense like some other stories that, sadly, had the same fate. Two thumbs up!

Love it!

Oh gosh- I just noticed you wrote a new chapter.
Overall I think its good, but I'm a bit confused why Calida didn't press Lachesis for more information about the things she sees in the fire, when Lachesis is so obviously distraught- but it could just be she knows something about this that the readers don't. Or I think too much.

*brings out of the deep dark recesses of nowhere land*

moar?

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement! I'm sorry for not replying sooner--I had a post ready, but stupidly did not save draft. And then my computer crashed.

Chapter 7
"Apprentice Lachesis, can you tell me the name of the active ingredient in Dragonbane's Tear, and what is its antidote?"

Lachesis started at Alchemist Raden's question and frantically tried to recall what she'd read the night before. "Uh...Dragonbane's Tear is made potent by crushed dragon koi scales," she said slowly, "and the antidote is made from the tears of a gryphon."

The alchemist nodded. "Now tell me, why is the label of 'poison' and 'antidote' often highly arbitrary?"

Lachesis's mind scrambled for an answer. The textbook chapter hadn't addressed this, but she wasn't one to leave a professor's question unanswered without at least trying. She turned over the question in her head for a second. "Uh...because many potions labeled antidotes to another poison are poisonous themselves if not used to counteract something?" she ventured. "And maybe those require a different potion to cure than the one it cured?"

Alchemist Raden almost smiled. "Very good, Apprentice Lachesis. It is always refreshing when students reason instead of regurgitating information. Though it is also possible you simply read a few chapters ahead," he added, his face returning to its perpetual frown. "In any case, potions is often disparaged--incorrectly, I might add--as a subject that tests nothing more than the ability to follow instructions." He glared at Vash, who stared innocently back. After a moment, the alchemist continued. "But how do you think new potions are invented? They don't simply fall out of a dragon's behind. No, they require thought. They require creativity. And for every new potion created, a potion to counter it soon follows. That requires reasoning and creativity as well. Not to mention a certain degree of bravery. Most failed potions do nothing more than a cup of water, but if you inadvertently create a functional concoction with a different effect, the results can be disastrous.

"Tonight's homework for every one of you is to write up your own recipe for a potion. Next class you will make them and we will test if they are effective. Class dismissed."

Lachesis shoved her notebook into her pack and slung it over her shoulder. "That's quite a different assignment from what he usually gives us," she said to Celli as they walked out together.

"Yeah," Celli agreed. "But it sounds much more fun than all those tedious questions he has us answer. So! Fire studies next! I wonder what it'll be like!"

"Well, we're about to find out," Lachesis answered as they strolled into the classroom. It was especially large and quite bare, mostly devoid of furniture except for the teacher's podium by one wall and the desks clustered closely by it. The room had no windows They plopped down into two seats at the front of the room and pulled out their notebooks.

"I'm not eager to find out what my affinity test results were," Celli whispered to Lachesis as the professor stepped into the room. "I did terribly."

"You weren't that bad," Lachesis whispered back, then turned her attention to the front when the professor rapped on her desk, indicating the beginning of class.

ooh yay learning more!!

but OH so short!.. post more!

Moresymoresy

Awesome story, you have great imagination, your spelling and grammar is excellent, and the plot is easy to follow.

Oooo... very interesting. I can't wait to find out what happens next.