The Variant [Part One] [Wanda Maximoff [FF] | Elizabeth Olsen

Chapter 43 - CLASH OF THE CASKS

“Alright, everyone! Today we are going to make a simple recipe from scratch using this cauldron of water in front of your desks. Of course, since everyone doesn't have their anti-intoxication runes yet we will be making some basic mock ales!” the teacher said. Wanda stood at the corner of the room. She could tell that this was a timeline before she arrived at the reality; there are two columns in the class, the children whose parents are from the Abbey sanctum are on the right side while the children of the witches & warlocks are on the left. Segregation. On the last row of the witches' column sat a familiar-looking little girl with dark hair and piercing blue eyes sitting alone in the corner. Milla.

Just like the rest as promised, she has a cauldron of water in front of her alongside mini jars of basic ingredients. The teacher surveys around, some struggled, and some brewed smoothly as everyone worked on fiddly-fiddly on their mock ales. Then there is Milla's. The teacher eyed her cauldron curiously.

“Miss Milla, what is this?” the teacher said.

“I've made some barleywine,” the little girl replied.

“Barleywine?” The teacher asked, still perplexed by the kid's creation.

Barleywines are very green, with sharp elbows, and spiky bits. To transform these beers into the dulcet elixirs that they will become, brewers add one more vital ingredient: Time. How on earth does a kid do it in minutes?!

The teacher scooped the cauldron with a goblet and took it to the test; it has a distinctly port-like aroma, even grapey, and the bourbon is understated. It's warm despite the cauldron's flat temperature and it's boozy as if it is indeed aged for years! It's a real Barleywine!

The teacher stare at little Milla for a minute as if she did not believe that the child could create such a thing she then called the Abbey officials and the coven officials to check it for themselves.

Wanda clenched her hands in fury when they started questioning, berating, and forcing the kid on how she did it.

“You filthy little scum! You stole a cask of Barleywine didn't you!” said an older Abbey official. Milla adamantly shook her head, unable to speak for herself as she cried. More of them chimed in calling her names.

Wanda was tempted to let the girl out and punished them herself but then she realizes that this is a memory.

Helen's wispy figure steps up and took the girl away with the excuse of giving her punishment. When there is no one looking and they are far away from the crowd she knelt in front of the girl.

“Ignore them, child. I'll make sure you're far away from them. You aren't meant to be confined in the Abbey... You are for something else..." Helen smiled as she helps the girl calm down and wipe away her tears.

“I... I didn't know how I could do that...” Milla sniffed. Elder Helen looks at her while preparing a glass for both of them.

“Turn water into Barleywine? My dear, you are much more powerful than you thought,” Helen said. She winks.

That's true... Wanda thought.

Helen gave the glass to the kid, “There you go. A warm glass of Biére De Diest,”

“I'm not supposed to drink...” Milla muttered. Helen shooked her head.

“Of course! That's a non-alcoholic version of the classic Belgian ale! Do you think I would give alcohol to you?” Helen said.

Milla shook her head then she took a sip. It tastes like milk! Milla thought. Helen smiled as if she heard her thoughts.

“You need to have a string of special runes one day to withstand alcohol. Especially now that I'm transferring you to a special unit,” Helen said.