Chapter 30: Heart to Heart.

Chapter 30: Heart to Heart.

~Rou POV~

It has been a last few months since I saw the Duke the Guild Master of Gold Owl as I try to break down how he performed Smoke Alchemy using a Pen ignoring the Laws of Equivalent of Exchange like that.

It has been in my mind for months and I feel like I haven't scratched the surface of what it can do.

Over that time, I haven't been lacking mind you I have been rather busy with my Magic of Enchant, Telekinesis, Dispel, and Healing Magic over the course of the few months staying away from this topic.

Plenty of memories made with Mavis, Precht, Warrod, and Yuri on a quest trying to help me get past my current funk I'm in after seeing Duke Barbaros Alchemy display that made me question how he could've done it.

You learn more stuff every day, I guess.

Still though, to be able to learn how to transmute the very matter into smoke?

Smoke in an element definition contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter (PM or soot).

Smoke can contain many different chemicals, including aldehydes, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, styrene, metals, and dioxins.

But from a pen though?

A FUCKING Pen…

Pen ink's most obvious ingredient is dye or pigment, but it also contains polymers, stabilizers, and water to help the ink flow properly and the main material was made out of a feather that middle age people used at this time.

How he created something lacking the necessary atomic number and mass into smoke is incredibly stupid along with not using the Philosopher Stone in the process?!!

Oh, that fucker is certainly fucking with me as I'm in my lab trying to decipher how he did it in the first place?

Earthland's use of Alchemy is certainly something even with my own knowledge along with Edward's prodigy-level intelligence and talent in Alchemy I'm not grasping at the bigger picture of how he did it.

Is it a fundamental atom I'm not putting into the equation or rather something idiotic that I haven't tested?

Argh…!

I swear that man was showing it off to me and is making me go mad!

If only I could combine it with my knowledge of Alchemy it will go through a massive change for me in the long run of it all.

The mere idea only leaves a lot more potential in Alchemy than I have ever realized hearing this world version and its limitations of it.

But if I get my hands on it creating no better yet using the Alchemy Principle of the Full Metal Alchemist version, I could find a new way to make the transmutation they have permeant in effect…

Or rather how would it make a Philosopher Stone –

…

"Whew…"

Take a deep breath here Rou no need to go that rabbit hole.

Thinking a bit, I need to get their Alchemic version of Alchemy and find their version of a Human Transmutation Circle, but I can't just openly say it out loud right now.

As Alchemists, we are rather secretive about our Alchemy research by nature, but it seems like I'm going to need to check on the North Continent in the near future for now there are things to be done here first.

But to do that it would have to involve getting my hands with Gold Owl and it would feel like I'm betraying my friends if I did…

No!

Shaking my head I keep my promises I'm smart and intelligent enough for this!!

I just need to figure out how Duke managed –

"Rou?"

Hearing the sound of Mavis entering our secret lab she looked at me concerned scrunching her face at me and holding her nose, "Rou when was it the last time you went outside? Have you been trying to learn what the guy said still bothering you? And… you're starting to smell."

Ah…

Sniff…

"Eww…"

Yuck I smell disgusting.

Yeah, I need a shower ASAP.

Taking a deep breath I nodded at Mavis's question with a defeated look on my face, "Sigh… yeah. That Duke really has me crawling under my skin figuring out how he performed Smoke Alchemy it's practically driving me crazy! I need a break…"

Mavis nods at this as she uses her Telekinesis Spell on me floating over to a makeshift shower holding her nose, "Yeah… I think you need to start touching the grass mister. Come on how about we take the rest of the day to enjoy ourselves… after you take a shower mister."

"Aye…"

Agreeing with her I really do need to take a bath…

/////

"Ah…"

"See now that's better than, being cooped up all day."

After taking a shower and chilling Mavis took me around Magnolia to help my mind relax than be worried about that bastard Alchemy helping me collect my being.

Looking around Magnolia I see that the town is finally showing signs of growing as I speak out what's on my mind, "Huh? Looks like everyone in town is starting to recover after being oppressed. Man, did these changes really happen while I was cooped inside?"

Mavis grins at me eating her pastry while where inside a Thomas Coffee shop having some cream cheese on her face, "Gulp! Yup! The town of Magnolia is starting to see some changes happening around these parts. And our guild is certainly a big help because of it. But more so of you saving that Elder long-ago Rou. A big supporter of ours but more so yours for saving his life."

Blushing a bit embarrassed that it was such a long time now to save that old man's life but had such a big impact.

Magnolia possesses a large built-up area, extending over a large, rectangular surface to the shores of Sciliora. Splitting the town vertically and horizontally is a series of large roads.

The whole place is Western in style, with its buildings being mildly reminiscent of neat Medieval ones. Located almost in the middle of the town, overlooking Central Path, a horizontal road where events and parades are held, is Kardia Cathedral, one of Magnolia's most important and distinctive landmarks.

In the northernmost part of the city, sitting on the shore of Lake Scilliora, about 4-5 kilometers up the Magnolia central path is Fairy Tail's building; to the west, on a hill overlooking the built-up area, is the Guild's female dormitory, Fairy Hills.

In the southeastern section of the city is the train station, which, to the west, has the HalfCocor Hotel Bar, the Toy Store Tom, and the Magic Store Lendis; north from the station, on the town's western border, is the entrance to the park.

Overviewing from a coffee shop with chairs and tables inside I couldn't help but sigh out missing the chances of life, "Sigh… man. I have been really missing out on life huh… Damn…. I should really start taking care of myself."

At this, I heard her voice as I turn my attention towards her replying to me with some concern in her voice, "Yeah… ever since Duke Barbaros came you acted up steadily crazy about that guy's Alchemy. Then to the point, you became a shut-in. It's honestly a bit concerning to worry about you that you might do something rash."

Placing her hand over my own gripping it she smiles lightly at me looking at her large green eyes with a hint of kindness shining bright in my direction, "But remember you aren't alone in this Rou. You can rely on the Guild or on me if you are in need of help. Please remember that you aren't alone. Who knows maybe asking someone from another standpoint might prove to give you the answer you seek."

Yeah…?

Maybe I needed to ask this someone else at the time to give me an angle to work on.

Closing my eyes as I'm taking a deep breath and exhaling out the air I gazed at Mavis with a smile thanking her for the treatment outside, "Whew… thanks, Mavis. I really needed this to get out of my funk. Maybe I should've said so from the start instead of keeping it all in like I did before…"

Placing her other hand over my own her eyes cast down on the table with a knowing smile responding to me in a gentle tone, "I know… in the past, you were hurt by the events of the Guild War between Blue Skull and Red Lizard. You were in pain and all I could do for you at the time was cry, ask for your help, or simply hug you when you needed it when you actually needed to be left alone to think –"

"No."

Instantly replying stopping her from continuing as I had my eyes cast down at our hands touching as I replied sadly, "No. One of us had to be the mature one and took care of the responsibilities of looking after one other. Despite the pain I felt losing my parents or those close to me the times you need help were one's I cherish the most..."

Pausing a bit as I gently lift my head up to meet Mavis her green eyes teared up as I move my hand to wipe them off as I continue speaking happily this time, "It made me feel… fulfilled in a sense. Like you gave my life purpose again in my darkest of times trying to move forward in my life. And the times you hugged me when I was in those dark places in my head… it helped reminded me what was really important along with all the times we shared together."

Smiling at this Mavis merely smiled no longer crying laughing at me a bit with a joke of her own at me, "Hahaha… you big baka! No matter what happened in those 7 years alone with only each other… those were the best years of my life. To finally be able to help you in your time of need. Just ask."

Well…

When she puts it like that, I couldn't help but be an idiot for not asking her help in this matter considering I did teach her to be an Alchemist in our time together on the island.

Hmm…

Maybe I need to reconnect to my roots to fully understand myself again.

Perhaps another time.

That's when I asked Mavis for her opinion of what the Duke did for any pointers, "Alright then. Mavis, do you have any idea of how Duke could've performed Smoke Alchemy?"

She smiles at this as she has this smug expression on her face already having some clues or guesses as she replies, "I have a few theories of how he did it. But we need to cross-examine our theories to see if there is an answer or clash of ideas. After all, you have been thinking more about Alchemist than the Wizard mindset. Maybe eyes of a different perspective are what you need."

A different perspective huh?

Smiling at this for what felt like forever genuinely thanked Mavis for her help and input as I replied to her happily, "Alright let's see this different perspective than my fair lady."

She blushed at my compliments turning her head around and pouting as her face is red.

She's too cute to not compliment.

Maybe I needed this more than I thought.