Prologue

LAS Alquimista: The Artisan of the Past

Prologue

"When the Lord created this intricate world,

The water gives life, the earth sustains life, the winds spreads life,

And the fire of fusion...creates the evolution of life."

- Rezan, the God of Elixirs -

Amidst the golden light of a lantern swaying in a small, cold room, sitting at the wooden table was a boy who just closed a thick book. The rough, deep blue hardcover was adorned with exquisitely engraved golden letters. It was a book that could be found in every household, and the most expensive one in this small house on the outskirts, The teachings of Rezan, the first king of the Freither dynasty who founded this nation with his peerless medicinal skills and brilliant visions.

It is said that even the distant lords, divine healers, or even demons and dragon kings had to travel to Rezan's small hometown, helping with the development of the initial small town of that day to become the foundation of a large kingdom known to everyone as the kingdom of elixir, Lethoven.

Within this kingdom, the most valued thing was not the frightening weapons comparable to the divine power, indestructible armors, or armies of magical forces and mythical creatures, but the knowledge and the fire that forges the evolution of life, following the last teachings of the God of Elixirs. Therefore, the flame that blazed in the furnace was considered the utmost.

"Garion, are you still reading? Tomorrow is your important day, isn’t it? You should go to bed or else you will not have the strength for the event." a caring voice came from behind. Even without turning around, he knew that this person, his mother, was looking at him with her soft blue eyes. Her fatigued face with sunken cheeks that were formed by working tirelessly offered him a faint smile.

"I've finished reading, mother. You should rest as well." he said with a bright smile, but before he could turn back, his mother hugged him from behind, her hands clasped on his chest.

"Garion... I'm sorry... You shouldn't have to live in a place like this. It's all my fault." her voice trembled, her hands shaken so much that he couldn't hold it but let out a sob along with her.

His mother was originally a princess, her beauty even attracted princes from other kingdoms, but because of her love for a commoner, she was exiled from the royal family to live on the outskirts of the kingdom. After marrying his father and not long after living together, his father, who joined the hunters, was attacked by a monster and died. Since then, his mother had to work hard to support him.

The boy held his mother's rough hands and felt that they were rougher than they should be. From the bottom of his heart, he didn't wish to see her live like this anymore.

"I... I will not disappoint you tomorrow. I will become a Fire elementalist, and I will bring you back to live in the city again.” the young boy said firmly, while his mother’s hand moved up to gently stroke his head.

“Yes.” his mother said softly, gently stroking Garion’s head until he fell asleep "Please do it... not for me, but for yourself, Garion."

She whispered beside his ear before carrying him to the narrow bed by the window. Her pale face looked up at the moon that had just risen above the high castle and smiled faintly.

"Father, even though you did cut ties with me, I always respect you...and I never thought of going back to make you lose face, please rest assured”"

After finishing her words, she pulled up the old fur blanket to cover the boy's body, bent down to gently run her fingers through his black hair a few times, then walked out of the room.

This world is a world of evolutionary fire. Every child who had turned ten years old in the year must undergo the Element awakening test to register the spirit awakened within them, igniting their latent abilities. Those who were blessed with the spirit of fire are entitled to ascend as honored apothecaries of Lethoven, they would be supported by the kingdom and accepted into the prestigious Arthuria School, to nurture a new generation of esteemed apothecaries whose status was second to none, even the king himself. This is the dream cherished by everyone within the kingdom.

Garion standing in the town square, surrounded by a crowd of people gathered to witness the important festival of the year. They came to cheer on their children and to see the potential future divine apothecaries in their young age. Everything seemed overwhelming to Garion, making him feel incredibly nervous. If not for the person patting his back and giving him an encouraging smile, his soul might have scattered off in fear“

"Let’s go, my dear”." the woman said softly but firmly, her beautiful face glowing with confidence, giving him the strength“

"Yes, mother." Garion responded and stepped forward to line up for the test.

The line slowly moved forward. The closer he got to the center where the statue of the legendary apothecary stood as if overseeing the event, his small body trembled even more. He was excited, yet terrified. Some children hesitated to step forward when it was their turn for the test, some even bursted into tears, overwhelmed by the significance of this moment that would define their future. After all, reality is not always as beautiful as one's dreams.

A wave of astonishment and joy broke out once again. People were overjoyed when they found out they possessed the fire element. Regardless of the level of their talent, Fire was still Fire, the potential that can be nurtured and developed. Not long after, the line in front of Garion disappeared, and it was almost his turn. While standing at the front of the line, his legs were shaking uncontrollably as he looked up at the stage setting in front of the majestic statue, the statue of the apothecary who melds potions with flames in his hands. The person before him touched the orb with his hands. The first surge of magical power that had awakened then flowed like a golden stream from the orb onto the table, then raced up the wall, materializing into letters and numbers.

"Wind element, Low tier, level 5!" the official announced, followed by the cry of the child, a clear display of his disappointment, prompting his parents to quickly comfort him and lead him off the stage. It was always like this. Although elemental powers were not entirely hereditary, they were almost so. Thus, the aristocracy remained aristocracy, with only a handful of exceptions. Furthermore, his talent being at the lowest tier meant no one would take notice of him. It was the complete end of the child's future.

For Garion, his mother possessed the fire element at an Intermediate tier, but his late father was of the water element. Considering the possibilities, roughly 49% for fire, 49% for water, and 2% for other elements, the risk was significantly high.

"Next." the official called out loudly, startling Garion.

"It's your turn." the girl standing behind nudged him, bringing his attention back in place. She appeared somewhat unkempt but had a warm smile. Garion's gaze then turned to his mother who was standing in the distance, smiling encouragingly at him with confidence. He slapped his face once and stepped onto the stage.

"I am Garion, of the Los family." he introduced himself. A yawning bored man in a robe, sitting among the officials, opened his lazy eyelids instantly at the mention of 'Los'.

"Los... Are you Gathia’s son?" the man asked with a smile, his sharp red eyes briefly scanning the crowd before resting at one place, the place where his mother was standing. The young man beamed instantly, "You do resemble her... Well, let's begin the test."

Garion nodded. He approached a small table with a platform holding an orb, and reached out to touch it. As he closed his eyes, he prayed to every sacred entity he could think of, especially to the most important person in his life, his mother.

The orb was getting warmer to the point of being hot. It was something Garion had never felt before, as if his body was floating, detached from the ground. A surge of unfamiliar power surged up inside him, his eyes flared open with tears welling up. He was unaware of the outcome, but the man who had spoken to him earlier held his head in disappointment.

Garion's heart raced with anxiety. When he looked up, the sight made his heart drop. He slumped down to the floor, biting his lip until it bled.

The woman standing in the distance covered her mouth in shock at the sight of the person standing rigid in front of the testing device, her tears falling... It was too cruel.

"No way..."

"Garion, Water element, Common tier, level 2."

The official's announcement was clear and loud, shattering all hopes... Not even reaching the Intermediate tier, merely at a Common tier.

"Water... the provider of life, but at this level, perhaps he could be a farmer."

That anonymous remark from somewhere, though logical, was unbearable for her to accept.

Just like that, the bright future of a child, the most important person in her life, had come to an end...

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