5 The Maniacal Alchemist

It was a normal day for the scholars of Marquies University. The spacious hallways, usually packed with younger apprentices running around, sitting by the corners chanting spells, or even summoning random things, were bustling as usual. Everyone had their attention pinned on something else, and the seven bearers found it easier to conceal themselves among the crowd.

"Ah, is this the calm before the storm?" Toki said, "It's such a fine day. I hope it gets better."

"If we can ward off that creep walking behind us, that wish would come true." Snow said.

They turned to Kid and sighed. He was walking behind them like a living dead, with dark circles under his eyes and a sunken face. A single night of mind-boggling curiosity aged him like rotten cheese, and his friends were more than satisfied with this punishment. They eyed him with pity.

"P-please… can somebody tell me what happened last night?" He reached his arms out. "Thinking too hard makes me… sick."

Toki rolled his eyes. "I'll show you when we reach Professor Gullinguns office."

They continued walking, and just when they were about to turn at a corner, a random scholar slashed their group in half.

"Big news! Big news!" He announced in the hallway. "Gather up, everyone! I finally got it!"

"What's Big Jou up to this time?" A younger apprentice murmured. "He sounds desperate. Let's check it out."

"Listen, everyone!" Big Jou smiled. "I finally have it! I took a picture of the seven bearers!"

The students gasped and huddled around him. Big Jou's a scholar in his senior year, infamous for his dedication to the seven magic bearers who 'never' show themselves in public. Little did he know how he just walked past the real deals while waving a photograph in the air.

"Shall we check it out?" Snow asked. "If it's an ugly photo, that would ruin my reputation."

Toki rolled his eyes, and they stepped inside the crowd.

"Are you sure that's them?" A student asked.

"Of course!" Big Jou said, "Look at those physiques! Don't they look strong?!"

Doki stopped himself from laughing. The Majans in the photo were obviously not them, but a bunch of buff kids who probably play baseball for a living. He couldn't help but wonder how other Majans picture them. And picturing all of them as beefy kids blew his mind.

"They do look strong," he giggled before stepping out of the circle. "Kid would love those muscles. Too bad for him that's quite untrue."

He was tapping Kid's back when something caught his attention. A girl was watching them from a distance. She had perfectly straight jet-black hair as if she'd ironed it for hours before coming to school, and she watched them with keen eyes.

Doki turned to his friends but they seemed oblivious to being watched, except Max.

"Interesting," Max murmured. "Someone broke through Olivia's mist. That's rare."

"Huh?" Olivia followed Max's gaze. "Oh, how bizarre. Do you want me to wipe our faces off her memory then?"

"Doesn't matter. Let's go."

***

They reached Professor Gullingun's office and even from the outside, the place gave off an eerie vibe. Ordinary students may not see it, but green Soglums surrounded the place. Concentrated magic from various potions leaked outside the hallway.

"I wonder what potion he's concocting this time?" Snow sighed.

They pinched their noses before heading inside. Toki was about to step inside as well, but Kid pulled him to one corner.

"Now," Kid beamed a smile. He was finally back to his energetic self. "Tell me what happened last night. Or rather, show me."

Toki rolled his eyes before waving his hand at Kid's face. He emitted a blue Soglum, and Kid's eyes turned blue. Every second from last night's scuffle flashed inside his mind in time-lapse. He stood still for a few seconds while his eyes glowed. When the flashback ended, his eyes turned back to normal.

"So that's what happened!" He said, "Aw, men! I should have been there! That beast would have tasted my mighty fist!"

Toki ignored him and entered Professor Gullingun's office while rolling his eyes.

"The Gorudan plant?" Professor Gullingan said while holding two vials in one hand, and three flasks in the other. He looked just like his reputation. A mad alchemist. "You're either planning to poison someone, or rather cure them. Which one is it?"

He examined the seven bearers as if contesting their intentions.

"Poison?" Olivia asked, "The Gorudan plant can be poisonous?"

"Of course, it's the most poisonous plant known in the land of Maja."

"What? But it's said to be the only one that can cure the most potent poison. How is that possible?"

Professor Gullingun smirked. "That's how poisons work, Young Lady. You neutralize a deadly drop with an even deadlier one."

They eyed one another before looking at Max. He stood emotionless, but they could see the worry behind his cold facade. They felt the same worry for the Chancellor.

"Then... if we manage to get a Gorudan plant... do you know how it can neutralize another poison?" Max asked.

"It depends..."

"Depends on what?"

"If you tell me who that person is, and let me check the wounds myself, that might be the case."

They eyed one another. If the patient were someone else, letting their professor know wouldn't be an issue. But the Chancellor himself asked them to keep this issue private.

"We'll tell you," Snow said with a hint of warning in her voice. "But you have to promise us you won't tell anyone."

Professor Gullingun shrugged. "Is the news of his poisoning more important than his life?"

Snow clenched her fist. "That's not wha—"

"Then sure. I guess I'll have to swear on a thousand Freso rings."

The skies rumbled, and a lightning bolt struck the ground to seal the deal.

Kid leaned towards Doki, "Was that lighting a seal? Or from Snow's anger?"

Doki elbowed and warned him with a glare.

"Last night, the Chancellor was attacked," Olivia said. "He was poisoned."

"That's a pity." Professor Gullingun said without a hint of sympathy in his voice. "But a Gorudan plant can only be found inside the Enchanted Forest. I'm sure you know that no one's been able to enter it for a thousand years, right? Or at least, no one's made it out to tell the story yet."

Max clenched his fist. "Thanks for the warning. But if that's where the antidote is, that's where we're going."

. . .