Chapter 49: Compendium of Alchemical Ingredients
The East Wing’s was more quiet than the north. Adrian had followed the signs, each one pointing him closer to the Alchemy Hall.
The Academy’s sprawling layout was intimidating, but the clear directions kept him on track.
A final sign read Alchemy Hall, Straight Ahead, and he quickened his pace, the corridor opening into a wide chamber. Double wooden doors stood open, a plaque above them etched with Alchemy Hall in elegant script, flanked by symbols of vials and flames.
Stepping inside, Adrian was struck by how empty the hall was. Only three students were present, their special blue cloaks marking them as Mages.
They sat at separate tables, their focus unbroken by his arrival.
’It’s early after all,’ Adrian concluded, glancing around. No Instructor was here, and he didn’t know how far it was from the fourth bell.
The hall was massive, its high ceiling lined with stained glass that cast green and gold patterns across the floor.
Long tables stretched in neat rows, each cluttered with glass vials, burners, and piles of dried herbs.
Shelves along the walls held jars of strange ingredients. Adrian chose a table near the center, setting his bag down and sitting.
The silence was heavy, broken only by the faint rustle of the Mages’ parchments.
More students trickled in as time passed, their footsteps echoing. Mages dominated, their cloaks swishing, but a few Knights appeared.