The potions Rita had to prepare involved nearly 1,300 different herbs, all of which Apache had previously taught her about. Rita handed Kayden a bag of gold coins, asking her to run to the neighboring herb store whenever she needed more supplies.
Apache didn't leave to drink or smoke. Instead, she stood by the cauldron, arms crossed, watching closely as Rita brewed each potion, observing the process and the results.
During the brief periods of instability when Lania Kaia was linked with Earth, many people came to Apache to learn alchemy. In those days, like the other Twelve Saints of Lania Kaia, Apache was bound by the rules. She was required to impart knowledge to the Earthlings who sought her out, and with just a small payment of gold, they could buy her professional expertise.
This exchange of knowledge was part of the grander connection between the two worlds. Through knowledge, magic, and historical projections, they were subtly "contaminating" the minds of Earthlings. The more thoroughly Earth understood Lania Kaia, the stronger the link between the two realms.
This was the honey wrapped around the poison. Even if the Earthlings were aware of the danger, they had no choice but to consume it. This knowledge was their only hope of resisting Lania Kaia.
Initially, Apache didn't remember Rita because each time she appeared, she looked different. Sometimes she was a goblin, sometimes a blood elf, sometimes undead—always sneaky and hard to pin down.
But she was the only Earthling who called her "teacher."
On the final day of that unstable connection, Rita came again. On a whim, Apache tested one of her potions, and afterward, she regretted it. With the rules accelerating the process during that unstable period, it wasn't so much the Earthlings brewing the potions as it was the connection between the worlds speeding up the synthesis. The results were not genuine potions, at least not in Apache's eyes.
But Rita had pulled out something different—potions brewed on Earth. They weren't perfect; in fact, Apache could list dozens of flaws. Some of the ingredient combinations even made her laugh, as it was clear Rita had experimented after failures, thoughtfully considering the properties of the herbs despite missing some niche knowledge. Though successful, the cost was triple what it should've been.
Still, the potions had a childlike creativity to them.
And the strengths were obvious. The clarity and color of the potions indicated that Rita had studied diligently and practiced extensively.
From just those 20 potions, Apache recognized Rita's talent and hard work.
Without talent, she couldn't have brewed such spirited potions. Without dedication, she wouldn't have focused and studied after experiencing the luxury of instantaneous potion-making during the unstable connection.
In response, Apache gave Rita a copy of her **Alchemy Notes**. It wasn't a suitable text for Rita at the time, but Apache figured, "I may never see this Earthling again, so let her study it at her own pace."
To her surprise, Rita promptly handed over 2,000 gold coins.
Apache didn't need the money, but she appreciated a clever and hardworking person who knew the value of things.
For someone who had only visited Lania Kaia a few times, 2,000 gold coins was likely a significant portion of Rita's wealth.
Apache thought she wouldn't see Rita again after that, but some time later, a green-skinned goblin with surprisingly refined features entered her shop. There was a certain indescribable charm about the goblin.
The moment she greeted her with "teacher" and offered bottles of Earth-made liquor, Apache immediately knew who it was.
Since then, Apache had started teaching Rita. At first, it was just to pass the time.
Or perhaps, deep down, Apache had always liked Rita. Even in her goblin form, she carried an unusual aura.
Later, Apache began treating Rita as a true apprentice, not just for fun, but because of the devotion and joy Rita radiated while brewing potions. It reminded Apache of her younger self—of that same awe and fulfillment at the gift of destiny.
The test took three days and nights.
During this period, Rita returned to Earth once to bring Nivalis, intending to ask Kayden to look after her. But when Apache saw the dragon, her eyes gleamed so intensely that Nivalis fled into Rita's pet space out of fear.
For three days, Rita only paused to eat, and even then, she used the time to manage her email orders, letting clients know their orders would be delayed and that she'd include a few potions or engineering items as a bonus.
As for sleep? There was no time for that. This was a test from an alchemy master, and Apache didn't need rest, so Rita couldn't very well ask for any either. She stayed awake with the help of energy potions, not daring to let her teacher down.
The entire time Rita brewed potions, Apache watched, never leaving her side. She only drank a few bottles of liquor, never touching a cigarette.
Kayden was also there, observing. Occasionally, Apache would turn Rita's techniques into quiz questions for Kayden: "Why is Ravenclaw doing it this way?"
At the mention of "Ravenclaw," Rita's hand slipped, nearly ruining the potion.
After three days, 302 potions were complete. Seven had failed during the process, but even though those wouldn't count toward the final results, Rita insisted on re-brewing them.
Apache had never left her side, so there was no need to go through and grade everything afterward. The moment the final potion was complete, Rita eagerly looked to her for approval.
Apache stared at her in silence for a long time. So long, in fact, that Rita's hands began to tremble.
Finally, Apache nodded and said, "Not bad. My time wasn't wasted."
The failure rate had been less than 3%, and 17 of the potions were above average quality.
This was already on par with second-year alchemy students in Lania Kaia, and this Earthling had barely begun studying alchemy!
Rita's heart soared at the words, and after three days of intense focus and nervous anticipation, she was flooded with overwhelming joy. It was as though a tightly drawn bowstring had suddenly been released, and her emotions spilled out uncontrollably.
In a rare show of outward emotion, Rita picked up Kayden, spinning her around in a circle like a ragdoll while gleefully singing, "Dibbi Dibbi~ Chaba Chaba~ Lubi Lubi~ Laba Laba~ Hajikumiru Lubi Lubi~ Hoo Hoo Hoo~~~"
Even after Rita cheerfully returned to Earth to rest, Apache couldn't get the melody out of her head.
She didn't know what the tune meant, but it stuck in her mind for days. She even asked Kayden about it, who admitted she couldn't stop thinking about it either.