Chapter 9, Alchemy

Mortals had discovered a practice that could grant them the luxury of the divines. When a dance of mana starts to draw other manas from its environment, it becomes a replica of the void, but they cannot use this mana without a catalyst, an object that would cost them.

The less valuable the catalyst is, the more difficult for Alchemy to succeed. Therefore, Alchemists appreciate the talents of those who can infuse this mana on things that hold little to no value. One of the first ones to reach commendable proficiency in this Art were Alina and the first rebel, Ethan.

They have reached nigh omnipotence, making even the colossal beasts bow at their might, and are heavily respected by the people of Arnon. When Ethan confronted Amon, Amon erased him and his subordinates from the world. It made the people of Abelia realize the tyranny of the wrathful god...

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At Tervanas, when Zalia, the commander of the wise knights, was training her manas and weapons, Theo observed her and was fascinated. Her movements were clean and refined, and the dance of her mana comfortably made her sword ignite Alchemy. Zalia then noticed that Theo was watching her.

"Want to spar?" ~Zalia

"No, I'm good." ~Theo

"Oh, come on! You're a warrior too. Grow a spine." ~Zalia

"Alright. Don't expect much." ~Theo

"I will." ~Zalia smiled

Theo sighed and grabbed a sword nearby, and approached Zalia. But when they were about to spar, Zalia noticed that Theo's stance was peculiar. He was holding the blade too high.

"What technique is that?" ~Zalia chuckles

She wasn't aware that it was a stance aimed directly at her throat.

"I'm ready." ~Theo

"Are you sure? Want to fix your guard first?" ~Zalia

"I'm sure." ~Theo

So they both charged at each other. Zalia then channeled Azarinus in her body. She was faster than Theo and got behind him almost immediately. But the moment Zalia was about to knock Theo's blade, his body turned, and his sword aimed at her neck. Zalia was caught off-guard.

Theo may not have Azarinus, but he channeled Dharina to know her location and Aninus to change the position of his stance.

"Wow." ~Zalia

"I got lucky." ~Theo

"You did great! Who taught you that?" ~Zalia

"A traveling Alchemist." ~Theo

"You're kidding. Right?" ~Zalia

"Maybe." ~Theo

"Rematch?" ~Zalia

"Sure." ~Theo

Zalia then decides to be serious. She changed her technique and held the blade in one hand. Theo noticed this, so he also used a different stance. His posture is now acceptable, and his sword is no longer held high.

Zalia then began cutting, and Theo kept parrying. While slashing, Zalia suddenly backed off and shot fireballs. Theo tried evading it by crouching, but he noticed that she was no longer there. Zalia was already behind him.

He was able to block the cut that was at his back. But Zalia isn't finished yet. Theo failed to notice that the sword was already infused with Alchemy. It threw Theo to the wall. He was unable to stand due to the impact. Theo was caught off-guard by how fast Zalia could infuse Alchemy on her sword.

"I lost." ~Theo

"You're no ordinary fighter." ~Zalia was catching her breath.

"You were great too." ~Theo

"Of course!" ~Zalia chuckles

After taking a break, Theo decides to ask Zalia about her manas.

"What were your manas?" ~Theo

"Fire, Healing, and Water. Yours?" ~Zalia

"Air, Earth, and Healing. You use Water for Alchemy. Right?" ~Theo

"Yes. You knew?" ~Zalia

"I heard that water is effective on Alchemy." ~Theo

"Where did you hear that?" ~Zalia

"From my mentor." ~Theo

"Must be a great Alchemist. What's the name?" ~Zalia

"She never told me." ~Theo

"And you call yourself an apprentice?" ~Zalia chuckles

Meanwhile, at Dea. Salvino is sparring with Henry, but his sword overwhelms him. Every wall Henry raised was cut, and his staff was broken. But Henry was never hit, and he worries that the boy will not learn from the unusual weapon.

Still, Henry believes that every advantage should be used in combat.

"Amazing, who gave you that?" ~Henry

Salvino paused for a while and thought Henry wouldn't believe him.

"It's from Lena." ~Salvino

"That's a fine blade." ~Henry

"Thank you." ~Salvino

After a while, he noticed that the boy was adept at using the blade. Salvino has to learn by himself to improve more.

"Well done." ~Henry

"But you haven't lost." ~Salvino

Henry chuckles.

"Perhaps, but for now, you should train by yourself." ~Henry

"Why?" ~Salvino

"Experience is important." ~Henry

Suddenly an explosion was heard in the city close to Lena's shop. They rushed immediately to the place and saw two drunk men fighting. It was an Abelian and an Edolian.

"How dare you! I trusted you! You were my friend!" ~Drunk Edolian

"She chose me! You can't change that!" ~Drunk Abelian

Henry sighs and taps a nearby guard.

"Where's Raven?" ~Henry

"He's busy today, sir. A blade has entered his tavern." ~Nearby Guard

"A blade? Is it Allec?" ~Henry

"No, it's a woman." ~Nearby Guard

Suddenly, the drunk men began shooting at each other. The guards were forced to raise an earth wall around brawling men. Henry was about to stop them, but it had created loud bangs, and the blade inside the tavern heard it. She went out of the building to see what was happening.

"What's causing the ruckus." ~Abbey

It was the blade of illusions, Abbey. She was here to gather intel but was disturbed by the brawl.

"Sorry, ma'am! But we got this." ~Nearby Guard

Abbey points at Henry.

"You! You're Benedict's guard. Right? Why didn't you stop them?" ~Abbey

"I was going to, ma'am." ~Henry

"Ugh! Nevermind that, I'll handle this." ~Abbey

"Ma'am, no need. We have this under control." ~Nearby Guard

"Under control? Trapping them there? What if one of them dies? If your job is funeral or cremation, I would have believed." ~Abbey

Abbey then wears gloves embedded with gemstones. She filled the surroundings with mist using Arnonus and removed one of the walls. The men were still fighting, but when Abbey waved her gloves, they began hitting an empty corner. She noticed that one of them was using more than three manas, and ultimately she knocked them out.

"I'll be taking this one with me." ~Abbey

"But, ma'am, he's a resident of Dea." ~Henry

"He's an Edolian." ~Abbey

"Are you sure?" ~Henry

"He used four manas." ~Abbey

Henry stops. He knows he can't stop Abbey. Of the 13 great kingdoms, only six did not agree with Atalantas' treaty to abduct Edos, and they were not one of them.

"Where are they taking him?" ~Salvino

"To Atalantas." ~Henry

"What are they going to do to him?" ~Salvino

Henry paused, then answered. "Let's talk in the mansion." ~Henry

Meanwhile, at Atalantas. After Alaya's patrol of a nearby forest, she saw Luther walking in the hallway holding Adira's Alchemy bracelets. She was curious and decided to follow Luther, but Luther was aware.

Alaya may not wear the same clothing, but the tracker makes sure to attach itself near a living being. He knew he couldn't enter his room, so he set foot in a different room. Alaya tried to eavesdrop, but she heard nothing.

She tried using Dharina, but no breathing or movements were inside the room. It's as if the area itself is empty. Curious about this, she opens the door. As she opens the door, Luther appears behind her and greets her.

"Hello, miss Alaya. What is your business here?" ~Luther

Alaya was shocked. She swore that she saw him enter the room.

"Nothing, sir. I was strolling around." ~Alaya

"Oh, I recommend that you don't stroll there. The utility room isn't the most sightly part of the building." ~Luther

"I'll remember." ~Alaya

It will be the last time Alaya questions Luther. Luther had already channeled Kedarinus in her mind while he was behind her. He can now proceed to his room without being bothered.

The next day, Adira awakens.

"How are you feeling?" ~Luther

Adira didn't respond. It worries Luther that the experiment may have been a failure.

"Can you hear me?" ~Luther

Suddenly the surroundings changed. It was as if he was on a planet full of ice and devoid of life, and in front of him was Adira.

"Reality Alteration... So it was a success, but she is still half asleep." ~Luther

Luther charges to wake her up, but her subconscious tries to fight him.

"Hm..." ~Luther

Giant spears come down from the skies toward Luther. Luther tried to remove them using Kedarinus, but it didn't work. He was forced to dodge every single spear. One of the spears grazes him and weakens his arm.

"Tch..." ~Luther

His body was slowly freezing. Adira then charges at a speed comparable to those who have Azarinus in their bodies, despite Adira not having fire mana. Luckily it was what Luther needed. As Adira charges toward Luther with a strange-looking spear, he blocks the spear with his hand. It pierced through his palm, but now he was near enough to touch Adira's head.

"Wake up!" ~Luther

Adira finally wakes up from the nightmare and sees Luther's injuries.

"Sir! What have I done?" ~Adira

"It's not your fault." ~Luther

"But..." ~Adira

"Let's get out of here first." ~Luther

"Where is this?" ~Adira

"This is your power, Adira. The power that will avenge your friends." ~Luther

Adira looked around and saw the place devoid of life and giant spears that had fallen from the sky, but she also saw what she had inflicted on the man she respected...