"I see." Eden acknowledged his master’s words. "I’m sorry for jumping ahead."

"There is no problem." Lumi reassured him. "Moving on, there’s something else you need to familiarize yourself with."

Eden looked up, curious despite his exhaustion. "Mana restoration?"

"In a way, yes." Lumi nodded as he reached into his inventory and pulled out two small glass vials. One contained a shimmering blue liquid, the other a deep red.

"Potions." Lumi showed them off to Eden. "The bread and butter of any combatant."

Eden examined the vials from where he sat. "I’ve heard of healing potions before. Are these those?"

"One of them is." Lumi confirmed, holding up the red vial. "This is a health potion. The blue one is a mana potion."

He handed the blue vial to Eden first. "Since you just depleted your mana completely, this is perfect timing. Drink this and pay attention to how it feels."

Eden accepted the vial carefully, uncorking it with a small pop. The liquid inside had a faint ethereal quality, glowing faintly from within.

He brought it to his lips and drank.

The taste was strange. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It was sweet, but not in a way that reminded him of sugar. It was cool, but not in a minty way. If he was forced to describe it, he would say it was like drinking a cloud.

Which was a description that did not make any inherent sense. It was entirely subjective, useless, which was why he felt it was appropriate to use.

Then the sensation hit.

Eden gasped as he felt his depleted mana reservoir suddenly flood with energy. It was like being empty and hollow one moment, then full the next. The sensation was intense. He had expected a slow, or atleast gradual increase.

Instead, it hit all at once, immediately maxing his reserves before he could even process it.

"Woah." Eden took a deep breath and a moment to relax after drinking. "That’s... that was almost overwhelming."

"That’s what a mana potion feels like." Lumi explained. "You’ll need to get used to consuming them during combat. When you’re casting spells constantly, your mana will drain fast. Potions let you continue fighting."

Eden looked down at his hands, feeling the restored energy flowing through him. "That’s incredible. Is it always so fast? I was just empty one moment, full the next."

"Yes and no." Lumi said. "Potions do have a near-instantaneous effect, but note that it entirely filled your mana reserves because your max capacity is low. Once you’re a bit stronger, it won’t be so effective without stronger potions."

"I’m understanding." Eden nodded. "Master, does that mean every combatant carries a bunch of potions on themselves?"

"Not all do, though they should." Lumi explained. "Preparation and knowledge is part of power, too. Some people just don’t realize the importance of supplies. Others can’t afford potions. Regardless, let’s move on." He held up the red vial. "Now, this is a health potion. But I can’t demonstrate its effects unless you’re injured."

Eden nodded. "I suppose that makes sense."

Lumi’s expression became more serious. "So I need to ask your permission. May I slightly hurt you so you can experience what healing feels like?"

Eden froze. "What?"

"I need to injure you." Lumi repeated calmly. "Not seriously. Just enough that the health potion has something to heal."

Eden’s mind raced. His teacher was asking permission to hurt him? That seemed bizarre. But at the same time, the logic made sense. How else would he learn what healing felt like?

Lumi, seeing his disciples complicated gaze, took a step closer and kneeled next to Eden. "You can just say no. I don’t mind. We’ll move on to casting spells, alright?" He got up, and took out his wand. "Alright, so-"

But Eden’s mind was elsewhere. He wasn’t a coward, was he? What was he afraid of? And Lumi had been nothing but helpful so far. He wouldn’t cause unnecessary harm.

"I..." Eden swallowed. "Alright. Yes, you have my permission."

Lumi paused. "Are you sure?"

Eden nodded. "I am."

Lumi paused for a second. Eden had clearly been uncomfortable earlier. But he also didn’t want to disregard his disciples’ determination. So he spoke. "Only if you are sure." He pulled out a small knife from his inventory.

"This isn’t a particularly important lesson." Lumi continued. "You can say no."

"Master." Eden took a deep breath. "Just do it."

"Alright." Lumi got closer. "This will be quick." He stepped forward and, before Eden could second-guess his decision, made a shallow cut across Eden’s forearm.

"Ah!" Eden hissed at the sudden pain. Blood welled up from the wound, running down his skin.

"SCREEE!"

Sol, who had been resting peacefully in Eden’s lap, suddenly erupted with an aggressive cry. The phoenix’s flames flared brighter, and it fixed Lumi with a hostile glare.

The small creature positioned itself between Eden and Lumi, wings spread in a protective stance.

"Sol, no!" Eden said quickly, his uninjured hand moving to calm his partner. "Sol, it’s okay. Lumi is helping us. He’s not an enemy."

Sol continued chirping aggressively, not fully convinced.

"Buddy, please." Eden said more gently, reaching his arms out to reclaim the bird. "I gave him permission. This is part of training. I’m okay. You can feel me, can’t you? I’m okay."

The phoenix slowly settled down, though it kept a wary eye on Lumi. The flames dimmed back to their normal level.

Eden felt a surge of warmth through the bond. He had just felt Sol’s protective instinct. His partner had been ready to fight someone far stronger just to defend him.

"Good." Lumi commented with a smile, unbothered by nearly being attacked by the phoenix. "Sol is excellent. He stepped forth in the face of perceived danger, ready to protect his friend."

He handed the red vial to Eden. "Now drink this."

Eden took the health potion quickly. His hand arm was hurt, after all. He uncorked it with his blood-stained hand, and drank.