[The ability to manipulate water at will]
I watched as the cup water, like a headless snake swirl gently over my hand continuously, an intimate dance between the water and myself. It was fascinating to watch. There is a deep connection between us, almost like the water and I are one. Unfortunately what I can do with it is far far limited. Something of this level is useless to me. I can't ask for training either because I don't want anyone to know about this yet. Not until I get as many as possible.
Scenes of last night's event replayed in my head.
Who knew cumming in mother would activate copy? I didn't even know she was awakened. Level 42 water mage. She could have easily killed me if she wanted to, with the skills at her call. Water arts Mastery. Water armor. Hydromancy. Frostwave. I could not read information on individual skills but hydromancy sounds cool. Beggers can't be choosers, I guess. Now I await 6 days 14 hours 22 minutes to see what ability I can get next.
I suddenly felt a cold sensation, the swirling water crashed upon the table, splashing on the parchments around. Before me, grey smoke began to appear out of thin air. The smoke gracefully coiled and twisted, gradually taking a tangible form. It was like a beautiful dance of ephemeral wisps, slowly materializing into the figure of a woman. I recognized her.
"Good morning, your majesty" the witch greeted.
Her ethereal form was breath taking---cloaked in an iridescent shimmer that seemed to capture the essence of the moon's glow. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her flowing gown appeared to be woven from the threads of the cosmos itself. Astral projection no doubt but she used a letter the last time.
"Did something happen?"
"No your majesty" she replied. "The druids request an audience."
"Druids?"
"Yes" she said, "they are the awakened that live one with nature and it seemed some of them made this forest their home"
"And if you are telling me this, it means you believe it to be safe?"
"Yes, your majesty" she replied.
"...that's fine then." I said.
"Thank you, your majesty" she bowed and smoke dissipated.
She wants the audience to happen and I'm curious to know why.
┌─────── ⇦♕⇨ ───────┐
I went to the 'soap factory'.
The Gothic architecture loomed above me, with towering stone pillars adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures. Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, illuminating the ancient stone walls, revealing the passage of time etched into their surfaces.
Within the vast space, a chorus of activity unfolded. The soft murmur of hushed voices and the occasional clinking of glassware filled the air. The alchemists, shrouded in ropes and surrounded by flickering candles, stood over bubbling cauldrons and mysterious contraptions. Their faces were serious and focused as they wielded their magical arts to create the soaps.
I watched in wonder as they combined strange botanical extracts, minerals, and even crystals with a sprinkle of arcane incantations. Their gestures were precise, and their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they channeled their enchantments into the concoctions. The room felt charged with an energy that seemed to transcend my understanding.
As I continued to watch, a familiar figure emerged from the side room. She saw me almost immediately.
"Your majesty, you are here?" she exclaimed, not really surprised. With a beaming smile, she handed the crate she was carrying to a young alchemist.
Contrary to my initial perception of her, she's not the quiet, reserved type!
"Your ideas were wonderful, your majesty! Incredible! None of us has ever thought of any of that before" she said with excitement, standing proudly before me.
Very much to the contrary. Her energy seemed to match the charged atmosphere of the soap-making chamber.
"Let me see a finished product" I requested.
"Certainly!" she said, in her exuberant manner, motioned for one of the completed soaps to be brought.
"We tried to stick to the framework as much as possible but in some things we had to adapt." she explained, her voice beaming with enthusiasm.
"That's fine" I responded, accepting the soap. "As long as you did well"
Upon examining the soap, my eyes widened with genuine surprise and delight. It was truly made with magic. The scents wafted through the air unlike anything I had ever encountered before. It was a symphony of fragrances, mingling harmoniously---the delicate sweetness of roses, the invigorating zest of citrus, the soothing essence of lavender, and other captivating aromas that are probably unknown to my last world.
This definitely exceeded my expectations and I could hear the clinking of gold coins that it will bring.
"This is wonderful" I admitted, tossing the soap back to her. "How long till we are able to sell to the continent?"
"Not long, your majesty" she said, not appreciating my tossing of the soap. "Having gotten the recipe right the other soap types are easier now, except for the 'medicated soap'. We should be able to make at the very least, 200,000 by week end."
I like the sound of that. It sure won't be convenient for them but she understands the situation of the kingdom. We are already running out of our reserve coins and in a couple of days I won't be able to afford food to eat.
"I will hold you to that then" I said, turning to leave. Then I turned back to her again. "Is there anything you need?"
"None, your majesty" she said, "but i think if we are going to continue this on a long run we have to secure the materials for it. I recommend a farm. The bigger the better."
True, and I have thought of that but having lost half our troops already we would need a far bigger army for that.
"I will keep that in mind" I told her.
War is inevitable and by the time the soap success hit the continent it will come faster that anyone expected. Surely.