The Hidden World of Nitea [2 | The Other Realms Series]

Chapter Thirteen

Giorgino yawned as he jumped onto his bed and crawled underneath the blanket. It was an hour past midnight. Earlier he had dropped by Grimelda's laboratory to drop off the ingredients before heading straight home. He did not even have time to properly shower—instead, he cast a cleaning spell to rid his skin of dust and sweat. It did not remove the body odor, but he dealt with it by spraying deodorant on himself. He could take a proper shower the next morning.

Giorgino opened his cellphone and checked his schedule for the following week. He had a project due by Monday, an alchemy assignment due on Tuesday, a light magic theory exam on Wednesday, an oral presentation on Thursday, and a mathematics exam on Friday. And, on top of that, he still had to mentor three teenagers and acquire ingredients for a panacea. He groaned. How was he going to keep up? Even after drinking anti-sleeping serums, he was still struggling with the load. If he drank any more, he could overdose. Thank goodness there's caffeine.

Beep. A message popped up on his screen. He opened it. Grimelda had sent him a text: Thank you for delivering the ingredients on time. Here's a list of what you should get next.

A long list of fourteen items lined up before his drowsy eyes, divided into seven sections. The ingredients listed in the first section had to be delivered by noon the next day. He glanced at the first bullet point.

Vampire blood. Giorgino bit his lip upon reading it. The last time he checked, vampires drank blood, not donate them. He would be lucky to find even a vial of it for him to use. Perhaps he could try acquiring the second ingredient? That might be easier for him to do. He glanced at the list once more.

The teeth of a footsbane. The footsbane was a wild, carnivorous plant. It had a large mouth that was attached to a thick and springy stem and was said to prey on any moving creature regardless of size. It would sit still as it listened for footsteps, its poison-lined leaves closed and flat on the forest floor. Once its victim wandered too close, it would leap at it, its jaw wide open, and then bite the victim's leg. Some said it was as quick as a cobra.

Giorgino gulped. Vampire blood was easier to obtain. But where could he get it? He did not know any vampires, let alone one who would be willing to become a donor. Maybe I can ask Master Zoë? Master Zoë was a healer-physician who treated people of different species, from mages and fairies to part-humans and other hybrids. She had probably treated vampires in the past as well. Perhaps she knew of a blood bank that he could visit to acquire the ingredient.

Giorgino set his alarm before placing his phone on his bedside table. He could think about it later.

***

Giorgino exited the elevator. He opened his phone and recalled the directions the hospital receptionist told him. Master Zoë's room was down the hallway, the fifth door on the right. He nodded his head and strode in that direction.

Though Master Zoë had her own office in the Gatekeeper base, like all other masters, she was seldom found there. She would usually be too busy tending to patients and giving consultations to drop by the Gatekeeper base. Giorgino's eyes paid close attention to the signs and plaques as he searched for her room. He had never set foot in that particular hospital before.

He soon came across a door which had a sign reading "Dr. Zoë Sanano" nailed to it. He peeked through the glass pane. Master Zoë was sitting at her desk, reading a document. Perhaps it was a patient's records. He knocked on the door twice.

"Come in."

Giorgino stepped inside the room and closed the door behind him. He made a short bow. "Master Zoë."