I’d gone to consult that same Master about perfecting the silver cure.
Just one brief encounter with Saralı.
That night, Michael cornered me at home.
His eyes blazed with disgust: “When will you stop, Vivian?
“Just because you can’t match Sarah’s talent, you have to steal her research notes?”
“You’re poison to this pack.”
I stood stunned, trying to explain.
He cut me off:
“More lies.”
“I won’t believe a single word.”
Gasps erupted from the crowd:
“Look at her wounds! She’s covered in blood!”
My torn robes dripped crimson, my hair matted with dust, ankle swollen purple.
Every mark on my body testified to the truth of my words.
Sarah steadied herself against her workstation, struggling to stand.
Hatred flashed in her eyes before transforming to practiced innocence.
“Vivian, I don’t understand. There must be some mistake.”
“But this is my demonstration. Out of respect for the judges…”
Michael rose from his seat, fury radiating:
“Vivian, have you lost your mind?!”
1 ignored him, shoving Sarah aside.
At her station, I began brewing the Moonbloom formula.
My movements were precise, practiced.
I added the crucial moonflower extract she’d overlooked – the secret ingredient I’d deliberately omitted from the written
formula.
The potion glowed with perfect silver light.
Even the Academy Dean leaned forward, eyes wide.
In my past life, I’d spent months perfecting this recipe.
Not just adequate, but revolutionary.
+15 BONUS
3/4
The formula’s power hummed through the great hall
When it was complete. I tumed to her:
“Ruining my celebration, poisoning my brother against me, spreading lies to my pack- those were minor things. I’ll repay them in kind.”
“But sending Daniel with rogues to cripple me, just to keep me from this stage-”
I paused, watching her face drain of color, then laughed.
“If your healing is so superior, why fear competing with me fairly?