It wasn't until the next morning that Solim had a chance to examine what Gilvez had given him.
Yesterday—no, it was today—he had slept too late. It was almost two o'clock before Elrond finally stopped talking. If it weren't for the fact that Solim and Sirna couldn't hold on any longer, Elrond might have talked until morning.
When Solim arrived, he couldn't wait to open the box containing his gifts. Inside, he found five pieces of snakewood. One of them was thick and long—the best kind for crafting a wand. If priced in the wizarding market, even a great wizard would be required to pay a fortune for a wand of this quality.
There was also a piece of haunted wood, another exceptional material for wand-making, and a crystal of magical power. This crystal was rare even among magical beings; it could only be produced in the bodies of innate magical races over time. Its value was enormous—any top-grade potion or alchemical item could be elevated to a whole new level with it.
Other potion ingredients were present as well, though Solim didn't immediately examine them. One box, covered in velvet, contained five bottles of different sizes.
The smallest bottle held a colorless liquid. Solim gasped as he read the label: Tears of the Phoenix.
This was extravagant beyond imagination. Solim had never expected that Gilvez would thank him with something so precious. Phoenix tears were legendary—the second chance at life. Any poison or trauma, internal or external, could be healed if treated in time.
Phoenix tears were not common; even Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, seemed ordinary by comparison. But consider this: how many wizards could even own a phoenix? And even if Fawkes cried continuously, how much could be collected? A 500ml beaker alone was almost unimaginable.
The value of Phoenix tears was incalculable. Most wizarding families would never dare to attempt acquiring them, not only because of rarity but also due to the obligations associated with owning a phoenix. Dumbledore, for instance, had to pay a "share money" to the Council of Elders each year for Fawkes. Without it, he could be financially strained.
Dumbledore had his own society, the Order of the Phoenix, whose activity funds were always tight. To maintain it, Dumbledore even occasionally embezzled funds from the Hogwarts Board of Directors. After all, the wizarding world had no anti-corruption laws or agencies. Had he been caught, his property could have been confiscated.
Solim shivered at the thought and carefully put the smallest bottle away. It might be needed one day.
The second bottle was a small Erlenmeyer flask filled with a golden, viscous liquid: Felicia. This potion was extraordinarily rare, impossible to purchase in the market. The ingredients alone were astronomically expensive, some even considered first- or special-class contraband. Wizards found guilty of illegally possessing or selling these ingredients could face life imprisonment.
The formula for Felicia was strictly confidential, known only to authorized potion masters from the Pharmacists Association. Its preparation was notoriously difficult, taking at least six months even under optimal conditions. During that time, one had to remain constantly attentive. Each ingredient had to be added at exactly the right moment, and failure midway could result in disastrous consequences.
Solim imagined the grueling process: living with the potion constantly, eating, sleeping, and resting only while carefully monitoring it. Even short naps were dangerous; the potion might react unexpectedly during a moment of inattention. Many even succumbed to neurasthenia or severe mental strain from the preparation process. Some masters, especially in Africa, reported that the potion could refuse to react if the preparer was distracted.
Unless one aspired to be a master of potions, Solim realized he would never attempt to brew Felicia. The effort alone was sheer torture. Preparation and success were necessary to be recognized as a master by the Pharmacists Association. After the potion was successfully brewed, it was collected by the Association as proof of achievement. The bottle given to Solim by Gilvez—a current deputy head of the Association—was therefore a gift of immense significance.
The third bottle was larger than the previous two but empty, save for its contents as an encapsulated gas: the Potion of Nothingness. Solim's excitement surged.
The Potion of Nothingness allowed a wizard to transform into a gas-like state for a limited time, making almost all magic—including even Avada Kedavra—ineffective against the user. Unlike other potions, it was not ingested orally but inhaled, entering the lungs directly.
The fourth bottle contained a multicolored liquid: the Universal Potion, also called the Tasteless Potion by those familiar with its effects. True to its name, it was nearly omnipotent. It could neutralize any poison, restore mana, heal severe injuries, and even cure a simple cold or fever. Essentially, any ailment could be addressed with this potion, whether used internally or externally.
Its versatility was due to ingredients such as Phoenix tears. Solim marveled at the cost and rarity of such components; the potion was priceless in every sense. Despite its complexity, the Universal Potion was remarkably convenient for unknown ailments.
Finally, the largest bottle contained a dark green liquid with a brilliant shimmer. Solim examined the label in disbelief: Magic Enhancement Potion.
This potion could significantly improve a wizard's magic power growth and affinity. It offered a safe and effective alternative to magical transformations, which were often unpredictable and risky, as evidenced by Voldemort. Using an enhancement potion could boost all aspects of a wizard's power without side effects.
Solim, who was well-read in magical literature, knew the historical importance of this potion. While its formula had been lost, the effects were legendary. He carefully put the bottle away and decided to call his grandfather for confirmation. They would need to discuss how to use the potion—whether it should benefit Sirna or himself.
Given Sirna's potential as a wizard, the decision carried long-term implications. With careful planning, she could become a fully capable wizard, while Solim himself might only attain the level of an ordinary adult wizard by his third or fourth year. Consultation was necessary to choose wisely.
Nevertheless, all of Gilvez's gifts—the Phoenix Tears, Felicia, Potion of Nothingness, Universal Potion, and Magic Enhancement Potion—were perfectly suited to Solim's current situation.
He was still at Hogwarts, under Dumbledore's watchful eye, and there were certainly individuals who would rather see him fail. Poisoning was a risk, either through students or other means, and such toxins could be lethal. Phoenix Tears and the other elixirs provided protection, ensuring survival and offering powerful means of defense and recovery.
Solim realized that his time at Hogwarts would not be permanent. Future threats, ambushes, or attacks were possible. In such situations, the Void Potion and Felicia could provide means of escape, while the Magic Enhancement Potion would allow him to grow stronger reliably. Gilvez had clearly considered Solim's safety, potential growth, and the realities of living in a dangerous magical world.
Solim looked at the collection of gifts once more, feeling a mix of gratitude, awe, and responsibility. He knew these gifts were not merely presents; they were tools for survival, instruments of growth, and assurances of protection. With them, his path through the magical world—though still perilous—was far more manageable.
Carefully, he packed away each item, planning to discuss strategy with his grandfather. The choice of when and how to use these treasures could determine the course of both his and Sirna's futures. Gilvez's foresight was remarkable, and Solim understood that these gifts would be invaluable in the trials to come.
For the first time in a long while, Solim felt a sense of cautious optimism. With powerful allies and the right resources, even the darkest challenges could be faced—and survived.
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