Chapter Text
Maniacal laughter was heard for a brief moment coming from the laboratory of the alchemist and sorcerer, Rui Kamishiro. Naturally, no one went to investigate the situation (they only did that in case of an explosion), so no one was there to witness Rui's somewhat crazed smile as he carefully stirred the pink liquid in his cauldron and checked the aged paper in his hand one last time.
"I can't believe it worked... I thought love potions were just a myth." He muttered to himself, still struggling to control his excitement.
A few weeks ago, while searching for a transfiguration spell in the private library of his Royal Sorcerer predecessors, Rui came across a book hidden in the wooden floor. The book contained spells and potions in several ancient languages (which he had yet to decipher), but what truly caught his attention was the only page in a language he could read, it was a recipe for the legendary love potion.
Initially Rui was skeptical, he had already seen many fake alchemists claiming to have made love potions but that in fact they were nothing more than simple beautifying potions, of course that old recipe wouldn't be any different… Or would it? His curiosity won as usual, so Rui spent many days looking for all the ingredients listed in the recipe, a more difficult task than he would have liked, but since it was a legendary potion, it justified the rarity of the ingredients.
In the end, there was Rui, locked in his laboratory in the palace with a medium cauldron full of that love potion. The color was a sparkling pink, which depending on the angle looked purple or even blue. The fragrance was like a floral perfume, slightly sweetened with something in the background that attracted attention and gives an appetite.
Yes, it was exactly how Rui imagined what an authentic love potion looked like. Now it just needed to be tested.
The alchemist would not be able to test it alone, he would need at least five people to test the variances and effects of a potion of that magnitude. Who would be up for such a thing? Rui contemplated and finally left his laboratory (only after ensuring that the potion was properly covered and stored to avoid accidents, of course) after volunteers around the palace grounds.
As he walked down the halls muttering to himself about possible options, servants avoided him without a word, gossiping among themselves when they got out of Rui's ear range about what he might be planning this time. This gossip reached the ears of Akito, vice-captain of the Royal Guard, who ignored said rumor until he met Toya later that day, the dragon tamer sorcerer of the army's Magical Division.
“Why are you even worried about this, Toya? It's not the first time Kamishiro has acted strangely because of some research he's been doing. It's even better if we keep our distance, he might ask us to test something.” Jinx.
"Don't be like that, Akito, despite all of Sir Kamishiro's amazing creations, something can always go wrong, we'd better go check to see if everything’s okay with him."
It was amazing how someone as intimidating on the battlefield as Toya was, could in truth be so kind and considerate. Akito sighed heavily, knowing full well that he couldn't refuse Toya's request.
"Let's go quickly then, I'm in charge of today's evening training."
Toya smiled gently as they turned into another hallway, heading in the opposite direction from before. In the end, it didn't even take them five minutes to find Rui, who bumped into them on the path and almost fell to the ground, but was supported by both knights in front of him.
“Sir Kamishiro, are you alright?”
Toya asks while Rui chuckles slightly embarrassed, recovering from his near-fall and smiling as usual.
“Yes I am, thanks for the help you two.”
“Actually we were looking for you.”
“Oya? Coincidentally, I was also looking for you! But do tell me how I can help you first."
Akito, who still hadn't said a single word in that conversation (only grunts), visibly tensed at Rui's phrase, silently asking with his gaze for Toya to reconsider continuing the conversation since the alchemist looked fine. Of course Toya didn't notice the other's pleading.
“Actually, I would like to ask you the same question. We heard rumors around the palace that you were acting strangely, so we decided to see if everything was okay.”
Rui's eyes shined like a cat's and Akito actually took a step back this time, almost instinctively dragging Toya away with some lame excuse. Toya remained immobile and one hundred percent attentive to whatever the sorcerer needed help with.
“You see, Sir Toya, I in fact have made an extraordinary discovery! Probably almost never done successfully before! And I was looking for volunteers to help me test its effectiveness~”
Rui was gesturing in the air with that familiar look of excitement that usually made people worry about his mental health; being inside his laboratory for so long, surrounded by nothing but books, magical utensils, and dust can't be good for his head, can it? Akito placed himself protectively in front of Toya, finally saying something.
“Test the effectiveness of what anyway? And why are you asking us? Tsukasa never refuses a request from you for these things.”
The captain of the Royal Guard really is Rui's first choice when it comes to testing any of his spells, potions or inventions, but this situation was different and needed more tests. The sorcerer seemed to calm down a bit, returning to his usual expression.
“I know Tsukasa won't refuse, but I actually need more than one volunteer this time, so I came to ask you too~”
“What will I not refuse?”
Tsukasa's loud, familiar voice resonated from the other side of the hall, causing the three of them to turn to welcome the blond into their conversation. Rui smiled even more with the presence of his favorite knight, mainly because he didn't have to search all over the palace looking for him later.
“Oh, Tsukasa! Perfect timing, I was asking Toya and Akito for help with a brand new potion I made and was going to chase you to do the same right away~”
Tsukasa hummed, slightly surprised that Rui was involving the other two in this, but nodded in understanding nonetheless, striking a chivalrous pose.
"If you need help, there's nothing a shining knight like myself can't do! Just tell me what you want me to do!"
On the other side, Akito was even more apprehensive after learning that the experiment was a potion, alchemy being an area none of the three except Rui had knowledge about.
“Oya oya, no need to make that face, Sir Akito, the potion is safe! No permanent side effects!”
This didn't do much to calm down the vice-captain, but as Toya nodded in agreement soon after Tsukasa, Akito couldn't leave him alone in this and sighed in defeat. Something minimal and satisfying changed in Rui's smile.
"Excellent! Please come to my laboratory after lunch tomorrow so we can test the love potion!”
He said happily clapping his hands together once before quickly walking away, practically instantly disappearing from the hall as the 3 of them exclaimed in surprise.
"Love potion?!!"
The next day, five different people were in front of the alchemist-sorcerer's laboratory door. Akito already expected that Mizuki, one of the best knights of the Royal Guard, would be present, since they and Rui had a mysterious friendship from years ago, but his own sister standing in front of him at that moment was completely unexpected.
“Huh, what are you doing here?”
He asked a bit acidly, not wanting to convey his concern about Ena getting involved in dangerous magical experiments when she's just the castle's resident royal painter.
“I have the right to walk freely around here, you know?” She snapped, crossing her arms.
"You know what I'm talking about." Akito also crossed his arms in retaliation.
“I was with Mizuki yesterday when Kamishiro asked them to test the love potion, I was curious about it and asked to come along.”
Akito almost asked if Ena wasn't there out of jealousy as well as curiosity, but he knew better than anyone what to say to his sister at times like that, choosing to just raise a questioning eyebrow and remain silent. Before any of the five could say anything more, the door suddenly opened and a beaming Rui came out.
“Ah everyone is here, excellent! Please, come in come in!~”
He said giving space for them to pass. Rui's laboratory was large, ideal for a great sorcerer and alchemist like him, but the huge amount of things scattered around the room made it slightly claustrophobic. Organized chaos! Rui always justified.
“This time it will be just the five of you. When I asked Shiho and Nene yesterday, they promptly refused me fufufu.”
The sorcerer closed the door as soon as everyone entered, and they automatically curiously circled the cauldron that held the alluring pink liquid. Mizuki was the first to comment.
“So this is the legendary potion?”
"Exactly! Fascinating don't you think?!” Rui quickly approached them, presenting the cauldron as a proud father presents his daughter. “I wonder how the potion turned into such a beautiful color, considering the 39 ingredients that go into it.”
“39?! Should we be concerned about what they are?” Tsukasa exclaimed, but soon backtracked. "No, on second thought, don't tell us anything about the ingredients-"
The alchemist shrugged, busying himself with a ladle and portioning the potion into different glasses. According to the recipe instructions, each serving was measured by 50 milliliters, and the more servings taken, the stronger the effect, with a recommendation of five servings per person.
“Alright, who would like to go first?~” Rui asked with one of the glasses in hand.
“I could if you want.” Mizuki offered, stepping forward to take the glass from his hands.
“Before that, let me list the possible effects and side effects.” The alchemist cleared his throat and picked up another paper with his hasty, although elegant, writing on it. “Involuntary attraction to another individual, lack of control over your own body or thoughts, headaches, dizziness, rapid breathing that can lead to shortness of breath and maybe fainting, and feeling sick.”
He finished the list with a smile, the others in the room looking at him apprehensive.
“This is… quite an extensive list, Rui. Are you sure it's safe?"
“Absolutely! This potion shouldn't present any risk, only if consumed excessively. The effects I've cited won't necessarily happen, they're deductions I've made based on the potion's ingredients and purpose."
The explanation certainly made everyone more relieved, but there was still some uncertainty. When the alchemist saw Mizuki's hesitation to take the cup again, Rui simply forced it into their hands.
"Whenever you're ready, Mizuki, you can drink it all and look at me right away."
Mizuki paused for a few seconds, looking from the glass to Rui thoughtfully; they had no reason not to trust Rui, and both the color and the smell of the potion were pleasant. Mizuki drank the entire content of the glass at once with their eyes closed, opening them towards the alchemist as soon as they drank it all.
The laboratory air was tense as everyone watched Mizuki, waiting for some reaction.
"Well then, Mizuki?" Rui asked tentatively after a few seconds of silence.
“...” Mizuki blinked a few times slowly, approaching Rui with fascination. “I'm not sure, there's certainly something different. I feel slightly dizzy, and your presence attracts me.”
They said sounding a little uncertain at first, but as time passed, more firmness filled their voice. Rui quickly wrote a few things down in his paper.
“Hm, right… Maybe one dose really isn’t enough.” He muttered as Mizuki continued to circle him.
“Mizuki, can you describe the sensations better?” Tsukasa asked aloud, but the pink haired one ignored him, still focused on Rui.
“Rui, did you shower before we got here? You smell good, and your hair is shinier than usual.” Mizuki got a little too close in order to smell the sorcerer's hair, but Ena grabbed their arm without warning, slightly flushed.
"That's enough, Mizuki, don't embarrass yourself when under the influence of dubious potions."
“Oh, sorry, I got lost for a moment—”
Rui didn't seem to care about what happened at that moment, eagerly writing down more things in his paper. "There was a greater physical perception of the love interest, but not enough to let the tester lose their rationality completely, being able to easily recover their reasoning." He spoke aloud as he quickly wrote.
"Very well! Thank you, Mizuki, the potion should wear off in approximately 15 minutes.”
Everyone calmed down, it hadn't been that bad, Mizuki barely lost control of their actions. Still, it was impressive that a potion like that actually existed.
“I am impressed, Sir Kamishiro. I still don't believe this could be real." It was Toya who commented, stepping forward and smiling genuinely while the others just looked dumbfounded. “Please allow me to test it next.”
Rui returned the smile, this time taking two portions of the potion and offering them to Toya. "But of course! Let’s increase the dose this time.”
Before Akito could try to protest one last time about Toya participating in this, the knight drank all the liquid in one go and looked at Rui, just like Mizuki did.
Akito and Tsukasa were visibly tense, waiting for some reaction. Ena was too busy offering water to Mizuki, who sat down in a nearby chair. Toya approached with quick, steady steps, his eyes determined and focused on the alchemist.
“Sir Kamishiro.”
“Yes, Toya?”
“I hope you are aware that I deeply appreciate and respect you. Please let me accompany you whenever we're outside the palace to protect you” He said seriously, making Akito nearly choke on air, Tsukasa quickly patting him on the back to help.
“I appreciate your offer, Sir Toya, but you're already a busy person, I couldn't monopolize your time like that.” Rui replied, slightly laughing at the different reaction he received this time, once again taking notes.
“What if I made time for this? Maybe a date–"
“Okay, that’s enough.” This time it was Akito who interrupted the experiment, Toya looking at him slightly annoyed at being interrupted and not being able to finish his request. "I don't like to see Toya being manipulated like that, be satisfied with the results you've achieved with just that."
“Fufu, I'm satisfied, don't worry~” More pen noises.
"Hey, Rui, if you're increasing the dose for each person who tests the potion, does that mean whoever goes last will have the most intense reactions?" Tsukasa asked and Akito and Ena froze for an instant.
"Sharp as ever, Tsukasa!"
In the blink of an eye, even before Tsukasa himself could react, Akito and Ena ran to reach the next glass of potion. As he was already closer previously, Akito was the first to take the glass from the alchemist's hands, smiling victoriously at his sister who stamped her foot on the ground in frustration.
“I am happy to see that you two are so excited about this test!”
“Whatever, let’s get this over with.”
Rui smiled as Tsukasa guided a somewhat confused Toya to a chair next to Mizuki's. Akito rolled his eyes and quickly drank the potion, wiping any excess from his lips with his hand.
Three doses of an authentic love potion should have strong effects, but Rui was disappointed to see no discrepant change in Akito's expression after the potion took effect, just a softer but conflicted look.
“So, Akito?”
"I'm really trying to contain myself, this is more powerful than I expected." Akito said slightly panting, trying to resist the effects of the potion. Of course, in the end, any resistance was futile.
“Kamishiro… I'm sorry.” The sentence sounded so sincere that everyone, even Rui, looked perplexed at Akito. The ginger approached the alchemist, kneeling in front of him with one hand on his chest and the other extended towards Rui; Ena would’ve loved it if more people were present to see that comical scene of her proud brother putting on such an embarrassing display in public.
“W-what are you apologizing for, Akito?”
“I've been unfair to you this whole time, your passion for knowledge is wonderful. In fact I would really like to spend more time with you to get to know you better, if you would allow me to.”
Rui takes back what he thought, Akito's reaction was the most intense yet, he just hoped that Ena and Tsukasa's reactions didn't go much further than that. The alchemist gently made Akito stand up, giving him a glass of water and trying to get the knight back to his normal senses.
“Akito? Akito, think carefully about what you just said to me.”
Akito blinked, blushing deeply and hiding his face with one hand. A mix of confusion, frustration and embarrassment.
“I’m not sure, I didn't mean it so openly. I no longer know what is true or not about the things I say.” He snorted but refused to move away from the alchemist. Maybe the love potion had some slight similar effects of a potion of honesty?
"I can't believe there would ever come a day where I would see Akito act this way towards anyone other than Toya!" Mizuki spoke loudly, laughing at the show taking place in front of them, the potion having finally worn off of them completely.
“I'm sorry, Akito, but I asked for a date with Sir Kamishiro first.” Meanwhile, Toya was still visibly under the effect of the potion.
“You’ve never asked anything of him!” Akito finally walked away from the sorcerer, marching towards Toya with cloudy eyes, still confused, but Tsukasa stopped the two.
“You both will regret it if you continue this discussion after the effect of the potion wears off. Ena, you can proceed with the next test.”
“Huh? Are you sure?”
“Ladies first. It wouldn’t be honorable of me as a knight to go before you.”
Ena blinked in surprise, but nodded, walking over to Rui for her turn.
“Oh, since you insist… Thank you.”
“We will stop you if it seems too much for you.” The alchemist said to reaffirm her, a simple sleep spell prepared for any emergencies.
The painter nodded once more, repeating the process of the others and facing Rui.
Perhaps it's because Ena has no magical aptitude in her, and therefore consequently being more vulnerable to magic and derivatives, but her eyes instantly lit up upon seeing Rui.
Oh no.
"You!–"
She started, walking over to him without blinking or looking away.
"Me?" Rui chuckled nervously, tightening the hold of the pen in his hands.
“You are the muse I've been looking for!” Ena exclaimed, holding Rui's hand between two of hers. “Please pose for me! You are divine like the gods, a simple look from you fills me with inspiration and affection!”
Nope. Let's spare this poor lady's dignity.
With a brief movement of his free hand, Rui cast a quick spell over Ena, making her instantly fall asleep. Of course he caught her before she could collide with the floor.
"Wait a sec–" Mizuki interrupted, not looking shocked for the right reasons. “Ena has called me her muse before and asked me to pose for her. Does this means that–"
"As much as I'm happy to assist you with your love life, Mizuki, maybe it's better to discuss this when Ena is conscious and sane, no?"
"You're right, I'm sorry" Mizuki laughed dimly, quickly taking an unconscious Ena in their arms and carrying her to the only sofa in the room, which, miraculously, had nothing on top of it, courtesy of Tsukasa, who prepared everything as soon as he saw Ena fall unconscious.
Toya had just completely returned to normal, and was now comforting Akito, who was still confused by his own feelings under the effects of the potion. Rui almost felt bad for involving them. Almost.
"... Right. This brings us to the last test. Would you do the honors, Tsukasa?”
Honestly, Rui was looking forward the most to Tsukasa's turn, secretly the target of his own affections and feelings. The blond would drink the most doses out of the five, and the reactions only got more intense with each. Would five doses be enough to make Tsukasa declare his deepest and false passion for Rui and let the alchemist get a brief glimpse of what it would be like to receive the knight's complete love just as he dreamed? His pen was almost breaking from the pressure his hand was exerting on it in anticipation.
“Please don't laugh if I do something weird.” It was the last thing Tsukasa said before drinking the potion.
He didn't do anything different from the others. He drank the liquid without hesitation until the last drop and then faced Rui. If so, then why–
"... It didn’t work."
"What?"
Tsukasa looked at the now empty glass and then back at Rui, his gaze asking for some explanation.
"I don't know, but I don't feel any difference from my usual self, not even when I look at you."
Well, that sure was unexpected.