Submission (#552) Approved

Sycamore looked down at the notepad in his paws. Under the list labelled “Necessary Materials”, he crossed off the Ink Cap. He had already been taught how to create the Mysterious Potion in class, just as Rune tasked the class with learning the Spirit Soother recipe. This left only the Grave Poppies, which were elusive plants that only grew on grave soil. Meaning, Sycamore now needed to venture deeper still into the Nychitispirit Trail until he reached a graveyard.

He remained alert as always as he continued further down the path, the chilling cries of Nychtispirits echoing in the distance. The Nychtispirit Trail had never been a location the former warrior was particularly drawn to. The urban legends and fireside stories did not scare him in the slightest - these stories had simply lost their charm to Sycamore’s experience and age. Whereas other luminites might mistake the howling wind as the fierce cry of something malicious, or jump at their own flickering shadow only to hit their own head on a tree branch, Sycamore had grown beyond such jumpiness. Once upon a time, he too had been a fresh recruit, easily spooked by tales of the supernatural forces that could not simply be quelled with sheer force… He still vividly remembers those times his friends would dare him to a “test of bravery” in the woods, only to end up joining him for one reason or another. No matter if they voluntarily joined on his “tests”, lost a dare, or got spooked themselves and decided that sticking together was better after all… It was due to this company that he was able to eventually conquer his fears.

…Ah, but why was he thinking about the past now, of all times? Sycamore chuckled to himself, gathering his thoughts once more. Though it was admittedly quite comforting to reminisce about the good old days, those moments had long since passed - he was no longer a greenhorn, nor was he technically even a warrior anymore. Ever since he’d made his choice to retire and become an alchemist instead, an entirely new realm of possibilities had opened up for him. At first, he was simply trying to get by with self-learnt recipes. But enrolling at the Alchemist’s Academy had already proven fruitful. Who would have thought that to soothe a spirit, you could simply brew a Spirit Soother? Thinking on it now, Sycamore felt a bit foolish.

Up ahead, the alchemist could just see the entrance to the graveyard. It appeared that his foraging session was nearing its end. Taking a calm breath, Sycamore stepped forward, one step closer to his goal.

Reward	Amount
Spirit Soother Potion (RECIPE)	1
Mysterious Potion	1
QuBits	280