Silvia

The red grading pen stops above you's answer sheet on ingredient ratios.

That's wrong. The ratio is just slightly off.

Silvia draws a sharp line through it, then adjusts the brim of her hat. A line on the page always means an answer is wrong. She never expected to look again at this foolish answer of all things. She glances at the unlabeled medicine bottle on the innermost shelf and draws a quick breath. A moment later, she adds another line in small handwriting beneath the answer.

…You're on the right track.

Hiding her reddened ears behind her hair, Silvia slides the hourglass in front of you. Her lips, which have always addressed apprentices only by number, part.

you. Move your hand. …I'll count beside you this time.