Mirabe flicked through the assorted bottles and jars in the chest with a rare hint of solemnity gracing her usually impassive features.


    Sce Stem was a neurotoxin, not aggressively potent, but insidious enough to slowly ravage every nerve in a human body.


    For most, the poison would remain dormant without causing noticeable harm unless the body suffered a nerve–rted injury. However, once triggered, it would spread like vines, stealthily assaulting the neurons until the victim was left a shell of their former self.


    The clinical signs were intermittent mental agitation, a distinct purplish hue at the temples, and, as the poison advanced, rapid weight loss apanied by subtle reddish blotches on the skin. Its insidiousnessy in its affinity for nerves, eluding detection by standard blood tests.


    Mirabe was baffled as to how Leo had contracted Sce Stem. Judging by his current state. the toxin was proliferating into a more advanced stage. Without intervention, the outlook was grim.


    The concoctions at her disposal were merely suppressants, not antidotes. Crafting a cure <b>was </b>aplex task, exacerbated by the absence of proper alchemical equipment. It was a headache, to say the least.


    Massaging her temple, she eventually selected a vial that could offer temporary control and exited the room.


    Downstairs.


    Shawn, about to retire to his room, halted at the sight of his daughter descending the stairs. “Mira, you’re still up?”


    “Yep.” Mirabe nced around the living room. “Has Leo gone to bed?”


    Nodding. Shawn replied. “He just flew in and said he was beat. He’s probably resting.”


    “Then you should get some sleep too, Dad,” Mirabe suggested before turning to head back. upstairs<b>. </b>


    The entire back–and–forth took less than a minute.


    Watching his daughter’s retreating figure, Shawn stroked his chin, feeling a twinge of discontent. Zach was enough trouble; now, Leo was back. Was a simple, cozy family life of three too much to hope for?


    The following morning<b>. </b>


    Approaching the stairwell, Mirabe peered down to see Leo in the living room. She paused. retreating to her room before reemerging with the vial she had picked the previous evening.


    11:34


    Descending, she approached him with a polite greeting. “Morning, Leo.”


    “Good morning. Mirabe,” Leo nodded slightly.


    Hisplexion had improved after a night’s rest, but the shadow at his temples persisted. Mirabe discreetly took note, confirming her diagnosis fromst night. After a brief pause<b>. </b>she handed him the vial. “Here, for you.”


    Leo’s eyes lingered on the vial, epting it after a moment of hesitation. “What’s this?”


    Before Mirabe could reply, Shawn emerged from the washroom and nonchntly offered ant exnation, “Vitality Boost Pills.”


    Leo raised his eyebrows.


    “Your sister’s been handing these out as wee–back presents. I swear, I’ve felt more robust than evertely,” Shawn boasted, throwing a punch in the air to demonstrate. He identally knocked over a wooden figurine, and his face fell.


    Mirabe’s mouth twitched, and she averted her gaze.