Page 33 of Is It Wrong to Escape My Fate?
He frowned at me some more before it turned to confusion. “You’re a first year but you can read potion recipes already?”
Now it was my turn to be confused. “Was there anything special about it?” It was a list of ingredients and instructions on how to prepare and mix them. Like a cooking recipe.
“No, I mean the modifications I made,” he gestured to the closed notebook.
It also didn’t look anything weird to me. “You explained it very well. There’s an ingredient change, so combustion will be faster, enabling the magic to release sooner. Normally, that is dangerous since it can set things ablaze as soon as you complete the potion. But you also note that mixing air with fire magic will pressurize and contain the concoction until it is safely bottled.You even diagrammed the optimal angles with which to toss the potion, complete with formulas.”
It all seemed very logical to me. Granted, I had no clue how magic actually worked yet. But the principles were explained in his notes, like reading comprehensive dev comments in the source code of a computer software.
Now his face transformed from confusion to amazement and respect. “Very impressive,” he grinned, stepping closer. “Are you going to specialize in alchemy?”
Honestly, it seemed more fun than casting spells or drawing runes. But I wasn’t here for fun, so I answered honestly. “I’m going to specialize in teleportation.”
He put a hand on his chin, contemplating my answer. “Teleportation isn’t a bad specialty. With your skill, it might be possible you’ll pick it up quickly. Do you already know Rune-making?”
“It’s my first class tomorrow.” Was he going to say what I think he would?
“Okay. Well, mastering Runes is deeply entrenched with teleportation magic. So you should study hard for that one. You’re already enrolled with External Magic?”
Ugh, I sucked at drawing. I knew I should’ve looked up how teleportation magic was cast. “Yes, I added it as my elective.”
“Good! There’s not much you can do yet as a first year, but those are the beginning steps to teleportation.” He looked over his bubbly cauldron while nodding.
He was so nice to me, but … “Why are you giving me advice? I encroached on your private space.”
“Hardly a private space,” he laughed, arms gesturing wide. “Everybody’s free to enter the greenhouse and use this lab. It’s just that the potion I’m making is dangerous, as you know. I didn’t think anyone would come in while I took a bathroom break. It’s not very often that people come in here when there’sno class. Well, aside from the staff, I guess. Like the herbology professor, or the alchemists, or the groundskeeper. But they all know not to mess with stuff when there’s a potion brewing. Especially if it’s bubbling! There was one time when —”
“I’m sorry to cut you off, but I have to go.” This guy was a talker, apparently. It was adorable how passionate he was about alchemy, but I really didn’t have more time to spare if I wanted to run away from overbearing men.
“To answer your question first: I want to help people with great potential, and I see it in you.” He reached out a hand. “I’m Vincent Lovell.”
My eyes bugged out of my eyes.Lovell?He was Lady Valeria’s younger brother! I couldn’t have imagined; Lady Valeria was a tall, muscular and a beast of a badass woman, while Vincent was on the leaner side. He was very attractive, though. That seemed to run in the family.
I received his hand, and he pressed his lips to it, as was the cultural norm in the Kingdom. “I’m Beatrix Havenglow, but you can call me Bea.”
“Alec’s sister?” His eyes widened, like I had moments earlier.
I pulled my hand from him and smiled. “The one and only.” I looked around for another exit from the greenhouse, and there were at least two other doors from this distance. “Okay, I’ll be going now. It’s nice to meet you, Vincent. See you around.”
“I’ll see you, too,” he waved back when I did, heading towards an exit that I hoped nobody was guarding.
Chapter Thirteen
Needless to say, my knights weren’t amused with my escape attempt. They shooed Claude away but gained someone else, and that was Lord Grimwald, once again attempting to convince them to join the army.
Was it always going to be this busy?
Mia, on the other hand, had been doing her own thing at my request, because there were far too many people involving themselves with me. But she was too loyal to my household that not only she did the chores dutifully — making sure our dorm was always clean and tidy, and stocked with food and necessities — she spent her free time exploring the academy, memorizing all passageways and buildings, and hanging out with other maids to gossip.
“That’s how I get all the latest news and information,” she told me.
When we returned to the dorm after dinner, I began asking Mia my questions.
“What’s a Hero of the Kingdom mean?” I said as she combed my hair while we waited for the tub to fill.
“Claude Wescott, right?” Mia mused, tugging on a tangle. “I realize you have a fuzzy memory, my lady, but perchance do you remember the Priestesses of the Oracle?”
I gaped at her through the mirror. “The what?”
