Chapter 331: Promise

“Greetings Majesty,” said a guard with a salute. Held onto a short magic wand, the elf worked as a guard for one of the magical universities. Clifftorn was engraved atop the arch of an entrance. Curved, the letters went along without difficulty. Inside the campus, a green yard stretched from right until a domed-roof building of which bore several floors. *Do not enter,* warned many to not ruin the well-cared grass. Pass the middle, a sphere made of cement hovered with various writings. Split into four paths, the destination was the central building. One in an E-shape with the middle being the office. Inside, a help desk waited with a beastman who wore small round glasses

“Majesty,” he stood without wasting time, “-a lecture room has been prepared to the left,” pointed, Staxius was on his way.

‘Who was that?’ asked the helper with the reading glasses pulled down, a glimpse of an unknown figure.

Heavy looking dark-wood inlaid with metal stood strong. Now on the very silent first floor, the hall stretched to the right until one could not see further down. *Click,* a slap of warm air sprawled out. The smell of wood and the crisp fragrance of flowers lingered. Tis was the same room he had used during the presentation for the mining plans.

“Majesty,” said an innocent-sounding voice.

“Anything the matter?” turned facing a girl with bright red hair, she smiled.

“No, just amazed that’s all. Who would have thought that the Death Reaper would be a king in this realm? Very much fascinating.”

.....

“Think what thee wishes, Intherna, I’m still going to wait till thou swore fidelity.”

“Such theatrics,” she leaned on the table, “-why do thou care? Isn’t the point of a puppet army to blindly follow their creator?”

“Forgive my saying but thou art ignorant. Making puppets out of gods and goddesses is a thing of sacrilege. Yet, I’ve decided so, as to atone, tis a chance at a new life for those trapped in mine soul.”

“Divine beings, I still can’t believe that the Supreme God would just abandon a loyal follower. Nevertheless, the god of death granting life has been the first of what I’ve seen. Isn’t that the job of Creation I dare wonder.”

“Destruction may well be my creed, though, I’ve been given the boon of Box of Alche. A substitute and lesser powerful item of which grants the ability of Creation itself.”

“That’s how you were able to create such a comfortable vessel. Lord Death, I add that you’re quite peculiar. Thy mind and thoughts intrigue me, a very good trait to have if thou plan on creating more of divine puppets.” Triggered, footsteps of many was sensed climbing the stairs.

“Do take a seat, Intherna, we’ve more to accomplish later,” uninterested, a book landed on the table with a loud crash. Intherna, who held a strange stare, turned to grab a seat with one leg atop the other.

‘Intherna, her soul has transmigrated. She can escape into my shadow and remain there without the need for food nor water. Abled to do and experience anything a lady her age would wish for, there’s also another side of that body I made. If the day comes where we’re separate, a single word from me will have her body and soul teleport to my aid. The best way to describe her is a human-spirit, though she’s more than that.’ Exchanging stares, she knew of those abilities as well.

‘Smart when it comes to magic, I’ll have to decide if this god of death is worthy of my support. Well, it’s good that I’d think that, his holding all the cards right from the beginning. A gesture and my conscience are reduced to naught with my powers for the vessel to use however way it wants. What’s the end game, Staxius, what is indeed the end game?’ deep in thought, the door opened with many teenagers respectfully walking in.

“Good morning Class-2A.”

“Good morning, Majesty,” said the class with all present.

“Who’s that?” asked Simone quick to spot the mysterious girl.

“Don’t ask,” whispered Timothy,”-let it slide.”

“I see that the fighter’s guild is here as well,” devoid of emotion, the tone was but a singular note. “Eagerness to learn,” he nodded in acknowledgment. The boys walked in followed by the girls who were at a slower pace. Kim led her group with confidence. On the way to take their seat, white hair brushed against the table. Red eyes locked against one another, Eira’s face seemed wanting to speak, as if a matter of heavy concern held her chest tight. What returned her intent was a face distant and cold, Staxius held no particular interest in speaking. The warm heart that had grown over the years had ice slowly regain its reign. A mere single second felt like an eternity.

“Well,” turned to the giant display, “-as promised, I’ll explain and give a course on the basics to alchemy.” Earnest to listen, the room soon fell into a morguelike silence.

14:00 came faster than a blink. “-that’s all to what is needed for a good base to Alchemy,” he concluded.

“Hey, hey,” gripped Fletcher, “-isn’t Alchemy supposed to be hard?”

“Let go of my hair,” said Kim with a baffled expression, “-it’s hard,” she turned, “-I had lessons prior. Complicated beyond belief it took a few hours of me to understand what went on.”

“Yeah,” interjected Mille, “-the lecture was simple and easy to digest. Time went by so fast, a sign that our brain didn’t work that hard.”

“I understand,” yelled Tony with a notebook in the air, “FOR THE FIRST TIME, I’VE UNDERSTOOD THE THEORY BEHIND MAGIC.”

“If Tony understood, then there’s no excuse for those who didn’t follow,” laughed Harold. Anastasia and Eira remained aloof of class-filled banter.

“Excuse you,” echoed down the center, “-I didn’t say that the lecture has ended. We’ll have ten-minutes to answer any questions.” Scared, the laughter died out.

“I’ve a question,” Christina, he nodded to give the go-ahead. “I don’t understand how Alchemy can change the properties of any item. Isn’t that improbable, the change of lead into gold – won’t that create more trouble than due?”

“No, not at all,” calm, “-Alchemy isn’t the search of transmuting item into another. It’s the research of how mana reacts with elements. Tis a simple definition. Let me elaborate on the transmutation subject. Some who wish to know, changing an element into another is a thing of myth, yet, it’s possible in theory. When one uses a spell such as a fireball, the mana converts from life-essence to the particles required for the spell. Mana conversion from life-essence is still a hypothesis – thus I shan’t go into details. What it means is that,” *Blood-Arts: Crimson Thread,* from a tiny injury, blood hovered forth till above the right palm to then crystalize into an alchemic circle invisible to the students. Not wasting time, he called a droplet of pure-mana from the air to hover into liquid and rest on the palm. “-if one has the proper conduit, good catalyst, and ample energy,” an amber spark had the class jump back. “Changing one thing into another is possible,” a rose-bud transmuted from Mana.

“You said in theory,” voiced Mille.

“But that was in practice,” yelled Kim.

“In theory for other people, I can perform the transmutation spell. Prerequisite is the absolute understanding of Mana conversion. I’ve studied the source of magic from well before you were born. I’ve yet to see someone propose the theory in the alchemic world. I doubt it will be the case for a few years to come. GateSix, as you know, the research group, has had a few discoveries along the same line of thought.”

“You said energy,” pointed Timothy, “-how much?”

“Perceptive as usual,” he turned to the boy, “-quantifying the exact number is daunting. A good reference would be the combination of two-A-ranked mages casting high-tier magic to transmute a droplet of mana.”

“How about the medium?” asked Simone who surprised all.

“It can be anything as long as sufficient energy is given. I suppose mana is easier for it’s pure and subject to change.”

“If a lot of energy is required, would having a good Catalyst lower the strain?” asked Ysmay.

“I’m afraid not, the catalyst acts as a starting agent. One still requires energy to toggle the catalyst, think of it as climbing a hill with a bolder – after the top, it shall roll down on its own. Now imagine the energy required is an almost vertical slope.”

Faced with that truth, the questions stopped. “If there’s no more question, then class is dismissed.”

Stood reluctantly, Kim had her way to the front, “-will there be another class?”

“No,” he returned with a cold glance, “-I promised to give the basics of alchemy, a promise which I’ve now fulfilled. Don’t forget, there’s; Astronomy, Botany, Magic, and Medicine to study before partaking the test. Each of which one has to take four years to study. Throwing the term alchemist around lightly is an insult. Only those who work hard will pass the test. C is the bare limit to being certified. If one isn’t yearning to being the top, then thou may just give up. The world isn’t going anywhere, take your time, Kim,” facing the students, “-you as well. Decide well, being an Alchemist is more work than people know.”

“Majesty,” spoke Mille.

“What is it?”

“We know about the certification grades. Perchance, could we see yours?”

The emblem of alchemy always held the alchemists’ grades written to give tough jobs to people of worth.

“Sure,” reached inside the suit-jacket, “-here,” shiny and well kept, turned on its backside, *Staxius Haggard: S-Ranked.*

“Oh...”

“You seem disappointed,” laughed Harold, “-did he not have the adequate grade?”

“Not really,” turned to her peers, “-it’s S-ranked.”

“S....”

“Yes, S ranked, for those who don’t understand. To be certified, one must have C and above. Scoring A+ is the best one can get. As for the S ranking, that one is given by the Master Alchemist. He has to review thy papers and have a council with other masters to decide.”

“I know of only five people with the rank. They all work in the Cobalt Unit,” turned Timothy in awe.

“Yes, yes,” aloof, “-this isn’t the time to get excited about my rank. We’ll go on a quest tomorrow. Be at the ready,”

“You mean we get to fight?” laughed Tony.

“That’s right, return to the castle, rest, eat a good meal; we’ll meet tomorrow. As for those who signed up to be a trainee mage; we’ve reached 13 days so far. If you are to come tomorrow, the journey might last another week to a month, it all depends. Therefore, all who want to return home, inform Serene.”

“Thank you, majesty.” Cheerful, the students headed to the door with a lot of chatter. Giving a standoffish stare, Eira followed suit.

“I must admit,” stood Intherna, “-alchemy is quite the subject.”

“Yeah, well, it’s thanks to said subject that I’m able to bound souls and give life anew.”

“Where are you headed now?”

“To the castle, I have to gather a few weapons and armor for tomorrow’s expedition.”

“Where are you headed though, for the supposed quest.”

historical

“No idea, I’ll decide once at the guild.”

“Whatever,” she approached, “-I’m going to shadow you wherever you go.”

“Do what you want,” closing the door, they headed for the castle.

Shy of the entrance, Ruslan walked nervously with the old sage. Bound to listen to the orders of Xula, it soon turned to chaos. Maids ordered by Youst were asked to not stand in her way. Rosetta took extra care of Lizzie; scared of what could happen, the second princess was a priority.

“Majesty, are you sure this to be wise?” asked Ruslan with sweat pouring out the forehead.

“Yes,” she turned with a glare, “-are you going to oppose my orders?”

“But Majesty,” interjected the old sage, “-if the mine is ordered to be closed. There’s no way we’ll be able to run the state. Arda relies heavily on its gemstones – if we don’t do something quickly, taxing our still recovering people will become an only viable option.”

“I don’t care, people should be able to fend for themselves.”

“What about the protection of our people, will you dismiss the Royal guard?”

“Ruslan, are you my councilor or not, thy job is to find a way to make my decisions work.”

Stopped shy of a balcony, “-I have an idea,” she turned, “-why not have the adventurers be posted as the guards around the province. Wasn’t the whole point of their coming to ensure our people’s safety. What of it now, tis the guards who are still killing monsters out in the further villages.”

“I’m afraid that is out of our control,” said Ruslan.

“Out of your control?” she laughed.

“What is this I hear of stopping the mine,” cold and direct, a voice came down the hallway.

“Blood King,” bowed Ruslan for he was sworn to him.

“This isn’t of your concern,” turned Xula with a glare of which her eyes locked with Intherna, a girl as pretty as Venus.

.....

“I beg to differ,” he approached weapon in hand, “-Ruslan, care to explain what is going on?”

Checking on the queen for answers, she stared away without a care.

“Majesty, its that the queen has decided to stop the mine project and bring all the guards’ stations around the country to the capital. A premonition came to her, is the reason, she’s scared that war may break soon.”

“Is that the reason?” he asked monotonously.

“Yes,” said the sage filled with shame.

“What about her majesty, how do you think of bringing more funds?”

“Selling our weaponry,” she smirked.

“I see,” he breathed, “-to whom?”

“Anyone who wishes to buy.”

“MAJESTY,” voiced the sage, “-if you do that, there will be no way we could defend against monsters let alone a war.”

“Why not, isn’t that the job of adventurers?” hurtful on purpose, the queen tried to make the king seem incompetent.

“Ruslan,” uninterested by her provocations, “-have the mine resume their work. Phantom will purchase the land for 200,000 gold. I’ll make sure that the workers are paid fairly. If the queen wants to sell, then I shall buy it. Have an invoice on how much weapons she wishes to sell; I’ll purchase to hand out as compensation for the protection of our people. As per the contract, Queen Shanna signed to the leader of the nightwalkers, we agreed to join the council under the agreement that we’ll have full control on what we wish to do. Thus, I’ll take control of the weapons manufacturing and the lands under Arda’s control. Have the minister readied for an audience, I’ll be there in two hours,” menacingly, “-if Queen Shanna has more demands, do take it to Serene. Making sure that the people don’t suffer on a childish tantrum is my responsibility as the monarch of Arda.”