The third day of Floki’s training started like the others, with the sharp aroma of herbs filling the apothecary. Krysta handed him a parchment containing a detailed recipe, her expression stern.

“Today, you’ll create the Spirit Channeling Pill,” she announced. “Follow the recipe exactly. Any deviation, and the pill will fail.”

Floki took the parchment, glancing over it. His grin was confident as he adjusted the cauldron’s heat. “Piece of cake. What’s next, baking pies?”

Krysta’s expression didn’t change. “This is no joke. The Spirit Channeling Pill requires precision. Fail, and you waste valuable resources.”

Floki’s staff rested against the wall as he began gathering the listed ingredients from the apothecary’s shelves. Spirit Lotus, Phoenix Root, and Shadowweed—everything seemed to be in stock until he reached the final item.

“Chi Resin,” Floki muttered, scanning the shelves. His brow furrowed as he found the space where it should be. Empty.

He searched again, more thoroughly, but the result was the same. Kaida, standing nearby with a sharp eye, leaned in. “It’s gone, isn’t it?” she whispered, her voice low.

“Noticed that, did you?” Floki replied, his tone light despite the situation.

Kaida crossed her arms, her expression tense. “I saw another disciple in here earlier. Probably one of those outer core brats jealous of how quickly you’re learning. They might’ve hidden it to trip you up.”

Floki raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “So, they’re playing games now? How charming.”

Kaida frowned. “This isn’t funny. How will you finish my mother’s task without the resin?”

Floki leaned on the counter, tapping his chin mockingly. “Relax, Kaida. I’m a master of improvisation. I’ll just work a little magic and turn lemons into golden apples.”

Kaida’s concern deepened, but she said nothing more, watching as Floki turned back to the task with his usual confidence.

His system pulsed softly in his vision. [Missing Ingredient Detected: Chi Resin. Suggested Substitution: Spirit Amber combined with Lunar Dew. Adjust energy input by 15%. Timing critical—stir in after the second boiling phase.]

“See?” Floki said quietly to himself, his grin sharper. “Even the system believes in me.”

He grabbed the suggested substitutes and returned to the cauldron. As the mixture boiled, he adjusted the heat and began incorporating the ingredients in precise measures, his movements fluid and deliberate.

Krysta returned, her sharp gaze scanning his work. “Where’s the Chi Resin?” she demanded.

Floki didn’t flinch. “Improvising. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “If this fails, the blame is on you alone.”

“Noted,” Floki replied breezily, stirring the mixture with exaggerated care. “But failure isn’t in my vocabulary.”

Kaida stood off to the side, her worry palpable as Floki worked. The cauldron hissed and bubbled, the mixture shifting to a vibrant, deep gold.

[System Update: Peak Grade Pill Achieved. Side Effect: Temporary Overactivity in Spirit Channels, resulting in slight energy instability for novice users.]

Floki removed the cauldron from the heat, carefully shaping the pills and setting them on a cooling tray. Each one gleamed with a polished finish, a clear indicator of their high quality.

Krysta examined the pills closely, her expression unreadable. “These are… different.”

“They’re better,” Floki corrected, his grin mischievous. “Peak grade, if I say so myself.”

She tested one, her brow furrowing as she analyzed the effects. “This isn’t the standard recipe. The effects are similar, but the energy flow is smoother. And the side effects—minor instability—are acceptable for experienced users.”

Kaida stepped closer, her eyes wide. “You made a new recipe?”

Floki shrugged casually. “More like improved on the old one. You’re welcome.”

Krysta’s stern demeanor cracked, her lips curving into the faintest smile. “Record your process. I’ll review it and consider adding it to the training curriculum.”

Floki’s grin widened as he leaned back, crossing his arms. “You’re saying I’m a trendsetter now?”

Krysta shot him a look that was equal parts amusement and exasperation. “Don’t let it go to your head. This was impressive, but you’ve still got four more days to prove you’re not just lucky.”

Kaida let out a breath of relief, her shoulders relaxing. “You pulled it off. Again.”

Floki smirked, grabbing his staff and twirling it lightly. “Of course I did. The Trickster always finds a way.”

As the day ended, Floki sat with Kaida outside the apothecary, the satchel of pills at his side.

“You know,” Kaida said, her tone soft, “you make it hard to stay mad at you.”

Floki chuckled, the grin never leaving his face. “Good. I’d hate to lose my best audience.”

The shadows stretched long as the sun dipped below the horizon, hinting at the challenges still to come. But for now, Floki basked in the satisfaction of another victory—one entirely of his own making.

The apothecary was quiet as the evening settled, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the room. Kaida stood by the window, her arms crossed as she watched Floki outside, his usual antics drawing faint chuckles from a few outer disciples.

Krysta entered, her sharp gaze softening slightly when she saw her daughter. “Kaida,” she said, her voice quieter than usual, “shouldn’t you be preparing for tomorrow’s training?”

Kaida turned, her eyes conflicted. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you, Mother. About… why you chose him.”

Krysta’s expression didn’t change, though her hands stilled as she arranged a set of herbs on the counter. “Floki has potential, Kaida. His mind is sharp, and he works well under pressure. He’s adaptable.”

Kaida stepped closer, her frustration evident. “And I don’t? I’ve been learning from you for years. I’ve mastered every basic recipe. I’ve studied every text in this apothecary. Why him?”

Krysta turned to face her, her gaze steady but not unkind. “You have skill, Kaida. There’s no doubt about that. But you lack something crucial.”

Kaida’s brows furrowed. “What could I possibly lack?”

Krysta’s tone remained calm, though her words carried weight. “You lack trust in yourself. You follow instructions perfectly, but you’re hesitant to take risks, to step outside the bounds of what you know.”

Kaida’s fists clenched at her sides. “I thought precision and discipline were what mattered most.”

“They are,” Krysta said, her voice softening. “But a true Pill Master must also be willing to innovate, to adapt when circumstances demand it. Pills are not just formulas—they’re creations born of necessity and intuition.”

Kaida looked down, her frustration giving way to a tinge of hurt. “I just wanted to make you proud.”

Krysta stepped closer, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You already do. But I cannot make you into what you want to be. That’s a path you must walk yourself.”

Kaida’s voice was barely above a whisper. “It feels like you’re saying I’ll never be good enough.”

Krysta’s grip on her shoulder tightened slightly. “You are good enough, Kaida. But to become great, you must trust your instincts, not just your training.”

Kaida’s gaze flicked toward the window, where Floki stood, his staff spinning lazily as he talked with the other disciples. “And he’s your way of teaching me that?”

Krysta’s lips curved into a faint smile. “He’s an example. A reminder that greatness can come from the unexpected. Watching him improvise, fail, and succeed will show you there’s more than one way to reach mastery.”

Kaida sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “So this isn’t just about him. It’s about me, too.”

Krysta nodded. “Everything I do is for you, Kaida. But you must find your own way to shine. Perhaps one day, you’ll even surpass me.”

Kaida’s lips twitched into a small smile, though her eyes still held a flicker of doubt. “If I do, it’ll be because I learned from the best.”

Krysta squeezed her shoulder before turning back to the herbs. “Then don’t let yourself be held back by fear. Trust your instincts, Kaida. They’ll take you farther than you realize.”

As Kaida left the apothecary that evening, her thoughts were a whirl of emotions—frustration, determination, and a newfound understanding of her mother’s intentions.

Watching Floki from across the courtyard, she felt a spark of resolve ignite within her. “If he can carve his own path, so can I.”

The moon rose high over the compound, its light casting an ethereal glow over the shadows. And as Kaida walked away, a silent promise lingered in her heart—to prove, not just to her mother, but to herself, that she was destined for greatness.