Chapter 65: Alchemy
~Tatsumi POV~
Ok so far after everything with that brief fight against Dorothea a week ago I have been finally been able to get my hands-on using alchemy of this world… and for the short part of my stay here, it was insightful, to say the least.
The alchemy here is different from what is used differently in the FMA versions since there was no earth energy used to power them. Instead, they use their life energy to fuel the symbols like how Dorothea used her blood to activate it.
Alchemy is the scientific technique of understanding the structure of matter, decomposing it, and then reconstructing it. If performed skillfully, it is even possible to create gold out of the lead. However, as it is a science, there are some natural principles in place. Only one thing can be created from something else of a certain mass.
This is the Principle of Equivalent Exchange.
At least that is what she tells me anyway but apparently, the people in the Empire that are alchemists would like to use this method of using their alchemy in the exchange. One is stamina and the other is life energy.
These two can be counted into the alchemy symbols so long as they know the circle formula being used to make the exchange.
In essence, though most alchemists use the stamina to fuel their alchemy and for others, it's to create golems like the ones in Alchemist Quarry but not too wasteful as only a year is enough to keep them active till the users are dead.
Quite honestly though I am very surprised about how the research of life alchemy works once I had Dorothea teach me the ropes of how to do it. But from all, I have seen though there hasn't been one with a transmutation circle found.
I even question her about the symbols she used as well as a different source of energy and imagine my surprise to hear that she didn't even know of the transmutation circles. When Dorothea explained that to me that she didn't know what I was talking about so that leads me to conclude that the people here haven't figured out how to use the earth's energy to create their alchemy.
That sounds like an advantage for me to use.
Good thing I have watched the Fullmetal Alchemist anime enough in my past life to figure out what the Elric brothers used are enough for me to make the bases of my first attempt of using the transmutation circles using earth energy probably the first in my world at least.
Though no machine or equipment is needed to produce the energy necessary for transmutation, merely understanding the sequence of transmutation and the limitations of Equivalent Exchange is not enough.
To begin an alchemical transmutation, a symbol called a Transmutation Circle is necessary. A Transmutation Circle can either be drawn on the spot when a transmutation is necessary for chalk, pencil, ink, paint, thread, blood, or even traced in dirt or permanently etched or inscribed beforehand, but without it, transmutation is generally impossible.
All Transmutation Circles are made up of two parts:
The circle itself is a conduit that focuses and dictates the flow of power, tapping into the energies that already exist within the earth and matter. It represents the cyclical flow of the world's energies and phenomena and turns that power to manipulable ends.
Inside the circle are specific alchemical runes. These runes vary widely based on ancient alchemical studies, texts, and experimentation, but correspond to a different form of energy, allowing the energy that is focused within the circle to be released in the way most conducive to the alchemist's desired effect.
In basic alchemy, these runes will often take the form of triangles which, when positioned differently, can represent the elements of either water, earth, fire or air, but will often be composed of varying polygons built from different triangles.
Other, more esoteric runes including astrological symbols, symbolic images, and varying lines of text are prevalent and represent a multitude of other, specific functions for the alchemical energy that is released.
Fortunately for me, I happen to live inside a castle with the brilliant mind of Dorothea as she studied the different versions of her alchemy symbols and incorporated them into my versions to match.
I have seen and studied her versions of the elemental runes as well as been able to describe and decode them to know what they are. I saw all the runes needed for me to create some personal set of the alchemy of water, earth, fire, and air for me to use.
And if I see the Avatar then these four are going to be busted with so many applications being used for them. Plus using this version of alchemy could come in real handy in the future quests for me to use.
Never know when they can come in handy in a different world that will leave me depowered or the others. Having this Alchemy at the ready would be great also I already made the transmutation circle embedded into my bone's thanks again to [Overhaul] quirk.
Shame she doesn't want me as her hunter but considering I'm getting the info I need while staying free and for the fact that she hates my guts for destroying her chimeras… and partial parts of her home…
Twice…
You use one [Railgun] to demonstrate the concept to her and the next when I use it, I accidentally destroyed the partial home of her castle.
Another thing to note is that the Alchemy she uses is pretty unique with its kind of recipes to create her potions one that can turn people temporary into stone, recover from rotting skin, an all-cure from diseases in the Empire, and even a boosting potion for a temporary boost in all stats.
But she still hasn't relented the information about the body modifications and the ingredients of the philosopher stone. However, if I managed to impress her with this alchemy, I created it should make her consider the body modifications as well as the philosopher stone ingredients or the stone itself.
Another thing to note is the fact besides the fact that the philosopher stone is nearly hard to produce its common knowledge to those who study alchemy. Even Dorothea managed to explain to me that those stones aren't exactly easy to produce or come by to even create one.
In the sense, though she did give me a hint she had one because like this version it required the souls of the victims to be used in the act to create the philosopher stone, this version doesn't need just human souls only any soul that is valuable to use in the ritual.
She did say the souls of humans were just an easy amount for the creation of the stones but the souls of Danger Beasts seem to be stronger than humans since they contain more energy than we have and unique abilities.
She even went on to explain while those that contain the philosopher stone can increase their overall base power and alchemy it even has a healing side effect of regeneration so long as the stone is used but when that power runs out so does the effects.
Like fuck it just makes me want to steal the damn thing, but I can't not until I can get it to trade for my research first if not by force it is.
…
…
Currently, outside the front of the castle, Dorothea looked at me dryly being done with shit as she spoke to me, "Ok there Tatsumi what exactly would you like to show this lovely maiden such as I to a barbarian like you?"
Smirking a bit I began to use the signature alchemy from the FMA world as I begin with a calp…
*Clap*
*Bzzt*
With that, I clapped my hands together as I began to touch the ground wanting to change it into a stone statue of Dorothea to suck up to her as I want her to be impressed with the new form of alchemy.
Just like that, I felt a tug of energy from the earth as I felt the power being fused into my bones with the transmutation circle then process through the ground of what I wanted. Then seeing the ground where I touch began to change shape taking blue electricity of earth energy being used as it took the form of Dorothea acting angry at me as usual.
Although I was a bit tired from the one used maybe for the fact that I haven't even practiced using it because of the fact researching and making sure trial and error to get the right formula for the circles used.
That was when the statue was finally constructed as the shock was written all over her face as she spoke quite shocked as she speaks to me, "Wha! How! No, I mean what symbols did you use to create this without the Empire style use of stamina or energy! How could you use a different source it would be valuable to my research! No, wait this could revolutionize the way alchemy is used today!"
Bingo she took the bait.
That was when I began to talk to Dorothea about the deal I want from her as she grits her teeth at the idea of what I wanted from her for such a simple piece of information, "Hmm… ok but in return, I want to have the complete research notes of your body modification, the Special Class Danger Beasts locations and to sweeten the deal your philosopher stone in the process."
At that she narrows her eyes as what I was asking was can you please hand over your life work as she thinks for a bit of thinking difficulty from this choice. Am I being hard on her yes, I am because of the fact I have things to do?
Adding the fact I already used my body manipulation on my brain to memorize all her work and using [Bullet Time] to quicken the process all I needed were her notes on body modification, the locations about the Special Class Danger Beast, and the actual philosopher stone itself to help me out.
I already made plans to get myself involved with the Southern war happening, but I need to get Murasame first before I could do anything about the tyrant. Having that philosopher stone would be insurance that I don't die.
I waited a bit before she finally comes to her conclusion as she began to speak to me but in a bitter tone as she spoke, "Rgh… Fucking hell… Fine, you bastard I'll agree just make sure to add any research notes on how you did it. And I swear if you double-cross me…"
I waved my hand at her then I brought out the actual research formula notes of my version of the alchemy used relying on earth energy to fuel the alchemy as I brought it out from my [Pocket].
I didn't hand it over to her because I would lose my leverage as she nodded her head and left to get what I wanted.
It's truly fascinating that one simple ingredient to one thing is a national treasure for another like Shiro from that Log Horizon anime fooling the Merchant guilds with easier and useful ways to cook food again. People are more than willing to hand over valuables so long as they can profit from them while to others is very easy for them to have access to.
It didn't take very long for her to come out again as she handed me stacks of her research notes and the stone as she explained to me bitterly about the deal, "Alright you fucker here's the notes of the body modification, locations, and my blasted stone. Do note you'll need to find the ingredients yourself you selfish man whore. Now the notes."
Handing it over to her I consider our transaction approved as I even told her as I left in the distance with my version of the research notes, "Alright then Dorothea you can use my alchemy version using Earth Energy to fuel your alchemy. You can even take credit for it if you want, I don't care."
She glares at me as she began to read the notes as well as the transmutation circles talking about how I use the tectonic energy from the ground as fuel to create the constructs of alchemy. I have no doubt she will go crazy with this theory but frankly, as long as she doesn't involve my friends then it's no issue.
Besides that, I made copies for the chat members who are weak and new to understand the grasp of the situation. Also, I do want to have a relationship with her on some things revolving around alchemy and her mind.
Best to not double-cross her as her talent is truly one of a kind. And besides, she's bound to create another one of the philosopher stones in the future with her Teigu, and modifications living that long for another one isn't a problem for her.
Although another reason would be I wouldn't have to worry much about her killing me in sleep anymore with her poisons or didn't even give her the chance to suck my blood to awaken her lust and try to rape me.
Yeah, hard pass on that one...
Now then the first thing to do is find out where the Elite Seven are at currently seeing its time to get my evolutionary body.
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A/N: Finally our MC has learned the ways of alchemy and got the stone power needed to prepare himself for the fight as well as learn all he could from Dorothea. The reason how he got the knowledge fast was because of his body manipulation to make the brain memorize everything from her research into memory sometimes body manipulation is just plain unfair or scary at times.
A/N Extra: Now it's finally time to get with the AGKZ arc and get that Murasame as well as get the chance to meet the rest of the cast soon enough. But with every step, some dangers are bound to leap out of this chance. Also, want to take a guess at which arc to begin at?