Chapter 4: The Alchemy Exam

The Iron Sole Alchemist (Chapter 4) The Alchemy Exam

by Howlin

(Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to this universe, places, or characters, and only claim the protagonist, The Swarm Alchemist, and his subordinates as my own creations. This is fan fiction, and I don't profit from it. Please don't sue me.)

. . .

It felt strange being back in Central. After everything I'd been through these past months, the familiar streets seemed strange and alien. It wasn't long before I realized that feeling wasn't just in my head. Things, large and small, really had changed in Central.

At first it was the small things I noticed. Fewer blue uniformed officers of the state military were out and about. Inquiring about that change led me to one of the bigger changes. Fuhrer King Bradley was dead.

The details were sketchy. Apparently the military was trying to keep the details under wraps. A lot of rumors were floating around but very few facts.

What was certain, however, was that without Fuhrer Bradley, Lieutenant Fuhrer Hakuro had been unable to maintain order on his own. He was forced to ceed power to the civilian government. While Hakuro retained the title of Fuhrer, his actual authority had been cut back to include only matters pertaining to the military.

When I'd last left Central, I wasn't sure how long I'd be gone, so I had settled my accounts and turned my keys over to my landlord. Without a home to return to, I resolved to get started with my research. Psiren had suggested looking over the military's records on Edward Elric, and that meant paying a visit to the Central Library's main branch.

. . .

I climbed the white stone stairs leading up to the library. The massive green flag of Amestris hung down from a balcony. When I reached the door, an armed guard stopped me.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but access to this library is restricted to State Alchemists. I'm going to have to ask you to turn back."

I was about to respond when someone called out behind me.

"Come quick, boys. It's that alchemist from Liore."

I was made. Tensing visibly, I prepared for a confrontation. Maintaining awareness of where the library guard was, I slowly turned toward the call, and saw three men in blue military uniforms running up the stairs towards me.

"I'll be damned. It is him," said one of the soldiers as they closed the distance. That was when I recognized them. It was the three men who'd ridden out the alchemic explosion with me in the makeshift bunker.

Clapping a hand on my shoulder, one of the men asked, "How have you been? After you saved our asses in Liore, you just disappeared into the desert."

"Speaking of which," chimed in another, "Weren't you missing an extremity last time we saw you?"

"Boys," interjected the third, "There'll be plenty of time to catch up at the bar after we buy the man who saved our lives a drink."

Before I had time to fully process what was going on, I was being swept up by these men.

. . .

"So, you want to read the military's files on the Fullmetal Alchemist," said Frank, the largest of the three soldiers. When he stood up, Frank was nearly a foot taller than I was. He was dark skinned, and while not exactly a giant, was thickly muscled. In the course of our conversation since arriving at the bar, I'd come to the conclusion that he was reasonably intelligent. He was also honest and prone to giving people the benefit of the doubt in turn. His response reflected a simple worldview. "You can read anything in the library you want if you pass the state alchemy exam."

"Becoming a State Alchemist isn't exactly easy, Frank," chimed in Melvin. Melvin was a well-read and curious sort with a pale complexion and glasses. While he didn't know much of anything in depth, he possessed a passing knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. "To even attempt the exam you need a recommendation from one of the higher ups. Then you need to take the written exam which is tough for even experienced alchemists."

"Don't forget the interview," added Ken, a short, mousy fellow. "I'm sure the interviewers will be very interested to hear what part you played in the alchemic explosion there."

"Ken," snapped Frank, "he saved our lives. How could you suspect him of being involved with that."

"Take it easy, Frank. I'm as grateful to be still alive as anyone, but you have to look at this from their prospective. If you don't think about things like this, they can blindside you."

"Ken's right, Frank," said Melvin. "We know he's okay, but to the military, he's an outsider and an unknown."

"I guess you guys are right," conceded Frank.

"All this is moot," I said, "since I don't know anyone in the command structure who'll sponsor me taking the test in the first place."

"Now that," said Ken, "is something we may be able to help you with."

"You mean the Colonel?" asked Frank.

"Who?" I asked.

"Colonel Travis Daniels," said Melvin, "more commonly known as the Swarm Alchemist. Our commanding officer."

"And how do you plan on getting the colonel to do us a favor, Ken?" asked Frank. "The man's never exactly been thrilled with us."

"Why doesn't he like you?" I asked, not sure I really wanted to know the answer.

"He's a control freak," answered Frank.

"That's putting it nicely," responded Melvin. "When we got back to the command post after what happened in Liore, he threatened to bring us up on charges for abandoning our post."

"How DO you plan on getting him to sponsor me?" I asked.

Ken smiled. "The Colonel's a hard ass, but he's not stupid. I don't know much about alchemy, but I do know only two groups of people survived what happened in Liore."

"The Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric, did something to protect a group on the outskirts of the city," said Melvin.

"The important thing, added Ken, "is that out of all the State Alchemists present, the only ones who were able to pull that off were you and Fullmetal."

. . .

"So, you're the Alchemist my men reported encountering in Liore." It wasn't a question. The Swarm Alchemist wore round, reflective sunglasses, concealing any possible hint of expression that might betray the detached, clinical tone of his voice.

"I would like to take the State Alchemy exam." His expression never changed. It took everything I had not to squirm beneath his gaze. I felt like a bug under a microscope.

"You rescued three soldiers of the State Military from the alchemic event in Liore. Your presence in Liore during an active insurrection, however, remains unexplained and concerning."

"I an a native of that city," I offered by way of explanation. "I'd been away studying Alchemy in Central when the trouble started. I'd only just arrived back."

If I agree to sponsor your examination, you will fall under my command. Your successes and failures will reflect on me, and your actions will be my responsibility."

"I understand, sir."

"I do not tolerate insubordination. As a State Alchemist you would be granted considerable discretion, however under no circumstances will that discretion extend to disobeying orders. You will be given enough information to act within your role, but I will not explain the reasons you have been assigned your objectives, or how those objectives intersect with the larger picture. If you ever think you understand the big picture and think to act contrary to your orders in pursuit of that perception, you will be subject to immediate, harsh disciplinary action regardless of the outcome. If you don't feel you can work within these constraints, you are free to walk away right now."

"Does this mean you are willing to sponsor me, sir?"

"I will support you taking the exam. The report my men filed tells me you have the raw talent required to pass, but the State Alchemy Exam tests more than raw talent. It also measures your intellectual grasp of alchemic theory and the breadth of your learning. You have six weeks to prepare. I advise you find a private library and spend it studying. It would be a shame if you ended up wasting both our time by failing."

. . .

"I know the perfect place," said Ken after I finished relaying the Colonel's words to my new friends. "A few years back, one of the State Alchemists just disappeared one day. The military sent some people in to collect his experiments, but no one did anything about his library."

"Wait a minute," interjected Melvin. "Are you talking about the old Tucker Estate?"

"Exactly. No one ever goes in there, and no one will care if you use the place to study. Best part is, it's the same library Fullmetal used preparing for his exam."

"Ken," said Frank, "don't you think you should mention why no one ever goes to that place?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Superstitious nonsense," replied Ken.

"The place is haunted," argued Frank.

"Story is," said Melvin coming between the two, "the State Alchemist who lived there murdered his daughter. Since then, people have claimed to see the ghost of a little girl wandering the grounds."

"That's kinda creepy even without the ghost," I noted. "Are there any alternatives?"

"There are a few private libraries in Central," said Melvin, "but convincing their owners to let you use them will take time."

"And since the exam's so close," added Ken, "I don't think you can afford the extra time, even assuming one of the others would let you use their library."

As we spoke, we'd been walking the streets of Central. Ken brought us to a stop in front of a palatial estate. The lawn was baddy overgrown, but oddly the windows were all unbroken. As though the ruffians and vandals were intimidated by the sinister reputation.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Frank. The large man visibly shivered when he glanced at the house.

I signed. "I guess I don't have much choice." With that,k I crouched down and hopped the nine foot tall fence, landing in the overgrown yard.

Momentarily forgetting his fear, Frank whistled. "that automail's even more impressive than I'd heard."

"Yeah," I replied, "but I wouldn't recommend you rush out and trade up for it. Hurts like hell."

"Don't bother," said Melvin as I moved to open the gate. "We need to report back in."

"Wait," I said. "So you're leaving me here alone?"

"Don't worry,: said Ken as the trio quickly moved off. "Like I said, it's all superstitious nonsense."

With that, the three had withdrawn out of sight and earshot. I was completely alone in the front yard of this allegedly haunted house. I turned to the door, swallowed hard, and went inside.

. . .

The place obviously hadn't been inhabited in years. A thick layer of dust covered every surface, and the light from the windows was dimmed by grime and cobwebs.

Moving cautiously, I began to explore the halls. I sighed with relief when I happened upon the library almost immediately. As I stepped over to the shelves, my blood froze. I heard a sound from down the hall. A child's giggle.

Stepping silently, I moved down the hall, almost afraid to breathe. I approached a partially ajar door, which was the only one the sound could have come from. Steeling my nerve, I threw the door open.

The room was a nursery. Toys and storybooks were spread out on the floor. A token effort to get some of them on the shelves and in a chest had been made, but for the most part things had been left where they were last used.

A small bed was unmade on one side of the room. The tidiest area was a thick rug in the corner covered in loose white animal hair.

Like the rest of the house, everything in this room had a thick layer of dust indicating nothing had been touched in years. There was no sign of what had made the noise.

"Spooky old house, and you're hearing things," I told myself, not entirely convinced.

When the fear started to ebb, I looked over the room again. This room must've belonged to the girl in the story. A vague sadness who's origin was far from supernatural passed over me, and I solemnly closed the door. I returned to the library and got to work preparing my study space. I cleaned the windows and tables, swept the floor, and dusted the bookshelves.

Unlike the Aquroya library, this was one that had been assembled and maintained by a genuine State Alchemist. There were solid research materials on dozens of advanced concepts I'd only read about in passing. In no time at all, I'd forgotten my creepy setting and was happily devouring this new knowledge.

. . .

So wrapped up was I in my studies I didn't realize how late it had gotten until the sun had nearly set. It was only when I found myself wondering where to find a candle that I started to reconsider how late at night I really wanted to still be here.

Careful to close up behind me, I exited the estate, hopped the fence, and found a hotel.

The next day, I decided this wasn't a pattern I could sustain for a month and a half. I canvased the shops just as they were opening and gathered the materials I wold be needing, then I returned to the Tucker estate.

"What's in the bags?" asked Melvin.

"Sleeping mat, some battery operated lamps, some food-"

"Are you moving in?" asked Frank incredulously.

"Pretty much. Studying for this exam is going to me a lot of late nights, and since no one's living there, I might as well sleep there."

"Do you think that's safe?" asked Melvin.

"Why wouldn't it be?" retorted Ken. "The ghost?"

"Did you see anything yesterday?" asked frank.

Thinking back on that odd noise, I again dismissed it as my imagination. "No."

"Speaking of which," interjected Melvin, "I've been doing some research on the house. Whatever happened, the military has sealed all the records."

"Why would they do that?" I asked. "Trying to save face by not admitting one of their State Alchemists went crazy?"

"Could be," said Melvin, "but everyone I talked to seemed to think it was something to do with his research."

"What was he studying?"

"Chimeras," responded Melvin. "Shou Tucker, the Sewing Life Alchemist, was one of the military's foremost experts on the subject."

Thinking back on the creepy giggle from yesterday, I was suddenly not so sure staying here was such a good idea.

"But the military did take all his projects somewhere else, right?" I asked. "They wouldn't have just left one in the house, right?"

"You did see something!" accused Frank.

"More like heard something. And I could've just imagined it. But still..."

"But if there's a chance that a rogue military chimera's running around in there," replied Ken, his skepticism vanishing in the face of an explanation that fit his worldview, "you're going to need some backup."

Frank looked at the house, seemed ready to object, then set his jaw and nodded. Melvin paled slightly, but didn't hesitate.

"I guess we should get used to working together," said Melvin. "Once you pass the exam, we'll be under the same command. What's the plan?"

"Why are you asking me?" I said. "You guys are the ones with military experience."

Melvin replied. "All State Alchemists enter the service at the rank of Major."

"Since we're not waiting until the test to make it official before our first mission together," added Frank, "there's no point waiting for the test before we sort out the chain of command."

"Alright," I said, only now realizing how much my life would change if I continued to pursue State Alchemist certification. "Are you armed?"

"Sidearms," reported Ken.

"They don't let us wander around with heavier ordinance," added Mevin.

"Okay. I'll open the Gate. Everyone stay together. It's probably nothing, but if there is something in there, let's not give it a chance to puck us off on our own."

The trio nodded, drew guns, and fell in to formation right in front of the gate. After hopping the fence and letting them in, we proceeded into the building. I took the lead, holding up one of my newly purchased lamps.

Three rooms into our sweep, Melvin let out a startled cry. In an instant, Frank and Ken whipped around to the direction he was facing. I turned and saw him batting at his face.

"Get it off!" he wailed.

A quick glance showed only an ordinary cobweb tangled in with his glasses and hair. A small spider on the floor scurried away.

"It's okay," I told him as I started to wipe away the web, "it's gone." With that I pointed to the spider and the other men relaxed.

Two halls later, Melvin signaled a much calmer halt.

"Hold up," he said, keeping his voice low. "See that door? It's been reinforced."

"So?" asked Ken.

"So," I replied, "That means it probably leads to a lab. Quiets outside disturbances, and if something goes wrong, it keeps the whole house from going up."

"And keeps the creatures inside," added Frank with a nervous gulp.

"On three," I said, moving to the side of the door. "One... Two..." I threw the door open, calling "Three!"

No shots were fired, but all three men started into the workspace suspiciously and didn't lower their guns. I peeked through the doorway and saw a dark, deeply shadowed lab. Transmutation circles were scrawled on the walls and a handful of empty cages sat near indents, indicating many more had once been present. Filing cabinets and desk drawers were open and obviously empty. No notebooks or paper remained, but small cans of paint and bits of chalk were strewn about.

There was no sign of anything living, but the room had quite a few places to hide. As we began to search the room, my eye was drawn to a partially obliterated transmutation circle haphazardly painted on the floor in one corner.

"What've you got?" asked Ken.

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "It looks like someone took a sledge hammer to the floor this array was printed on. It's a chimera array, but it's a lot cruder than I would expect from a State Alchemist specializing in the subject."

"Can you make out what he was fusing together?" asked Melvin.

"That's a little trickier," I replied as I examined the damaged array more closely. "There was definitely a dog involved. The other creature, I'm not so sure of. Something about these body components looks familiar but I can't place it."

"We're clear," announced Frank.

With that, we left the lab and continued our search of the house. Aside from numerous signs of the estate's former inhabitants, we turned up nothing of interest.

"Guess we wasted our time," I apologized when we were through.

"We did manage to confirm the place is safe," offered Melvin.

"Except for the ghost," teased Ken. "Everyone knows ghosts never come out when a bunch of people can see them."

"Give it a rest, Ken," scolded Frank.

"Anyway, I said, "thanks for your help."

We parted ways, and I took my things inside. Now that I no longer had to worry about a rogue chimera eating my face while I slept, I could finally concentrate on my studies.

. . .

The next few weeks were spent in laborious study. The others stopped by to check on me regularly, and dragged me away from my books whenever they felt I was looking too frazzled. I hadn't really expected to go over the entire library before the exam, but somehow the mere presence of all those books gave me the distinct impression of falling behind and needing to catch up.

One late night, just after I'd decided to get some sleep so my eyes would stop burning, I heard a voice from elsewhere in the house. It was small and distant, but just when I was ready to put it down to my imagination, it came again.

"Awexandew."

Someone was in the house calling out a name. I again crept out of the library, the arrays on my shoes preventing the floorboards from creaking. The voice called again and again. As I got closer to its source, my ears started playing tricks on me. One call would clearly be coming from one room, I would look inside, then hear the call repeat from another nearby.

Sure I'd pinned it down this time, I opened another door, and found nothing. Then, I felt a tugging on the hem of my shirt.

"Excuse me, mistew."

I jumped, my heart pounding. Melvin's ghost story racing through my mind. I fell to the floor, my back to a wall, throwing my arms out protectively. From my vantage point, I was now looking up at a slightly confused little girl. She had brown hair braided into two tails, and wore a pink shirt under a blue denim overall-skirt.

"Pwease Mistew, can you hewp me?"

I shook my head to myself. There were no such things as ghosts. This kid was flesh and blood, same as me. I stood up and offered my hand.

"Of course I'll help you. What's wrong?" She took my hand and shook it gravely. I was more relieved than I should have been when I found it both solid and warm.

"I'm wooking fow Awexandew."

"Alexander?" I asked. "Is he your brother?"

The girl giggled slightly and replied, "No, siwy. Awexandew is my dog."

"I see. I'm Marcus. What's your name?"

"Nina."

"Nina, do your mommy and daddy know you're here?"

She looked guilty.

"Nina, you know how worried you got when you couldn't find Alexander?"

She nodded and didn't make eye contact.

"Well that's how your parents feel when they don't know where you are. I think we should get you home."

"But Awexandew doesn't know whewe we awe!" she blurted out. "Daddy said we had to move away and we weft weally fast. Awexandew wasn't thewe when we weft. I know whewe we'we staying, but Awexandew couwdn't find us even if he knew we moved, and he doesn't. Besides, you pwomised!"

She'd caught me. I did promise I'd help her look for Alexander. I signed and acquiesced.

"Okay. I'll help you look for a little while, but you have to stay close by, and when I say we're done, that's it and no arguments."

Nina thought on my offer for a few moments, clearly weighing my current offer against the possibility of getting more out of me. When she made up her mind, she cheerfully replied, "Okay."

My lamp eased our search though the dark house considerably. True to her word, Nina always stayed within arm's reach as we searched. We covered most of the house, but for some reason, I found myself repeatedly putting off looking in the lab. At length, it was the last room, and I could put it off no longer.

When I led the way there, Nina pressed against me and hid behind me. This whole spooky house, and she'd never once seemed frightened, but something about this room had her spooked. I put my hand on her head.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she said. "Thewe's something scawy in thewe."

"Did you look here before we met?" I guessed.

She shook her head. "I don't know what's down thewe, but it scawes me."

I nodded. "It's okay. You can wait here and I'll check inside."

She seemed reluctant to let go of my pantleg, as though trying to keep me from going down there and facing whatever was in the lab. Her fear was contageous, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she knew something I didn't.

The lab was as empty as the last time, and I ran up to tell Nina. A bit quicker than I would have if I hadn't been worked up and jittery.

"We looked in every room, Nina. Alexander isn't here. It's time for you to go home."

Looking disappointed, she nodded with tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"I'll tell you what," I offered. "I'll keep an eye out for Alexander, and if I find him, I'll bring him to you."

Nina brightened immediately.

"One thing that's been bothering me. Why did you think Alexander would be here to begin with?"

"This is whewe we used to wive. Thank you fow youw hewp. Goodbye."

With that, Nina ran off through a solid wall, leaving me to collapse to the floor in shock. She used to live here.

Then something else clicked, and I felt physically ill. I realized why the body components on that array looked familiar. They were fractional, but ultimately the same ones I'd read in that text on human Alchemy. That was how he'd murdered his daughter, and that was why Nina couldn't find her dog.

I considered asking Melvin the name of the murdered girl the next day, but I was pretty sure I knew. I dragged myself down the hall, collapsed on my sleeping mat, and cried myself to sleep.

. . .

When the day of the exam arrived, I felt completely unprepared. I'd learned a lot studying at the old Tucker estate, but the main lesson had been how much more there was to learn. I hadn't relayed my encounter with the ghost. It would only spook Frank and annoy Ken. In the intervening weeks, I'd almost gotten to the point of dismissing the whole episode as a dream. Nina had left no evidence of her passage. Not even footprints in the dust.

Frank, Melvin, and Ken led me to the government building where the written portion of the test would be administered. Three hours later, I stepped out of the building, completely drained and demoralized.

"How'd it go?" asked Frank optimistically.

"I barely understood half the questions on that thing," I admitted, sagging. "And even if I had known what they were talking about, the time limit was brutal."

"Well, don't feel so bad," said Frank as he placed an arm around my shoulder. "There's always next year."

"True," added Melvin. "It's not as though failing once stamps you for life. Plenty of State Alchemists took the test two or three times before passing."

I tried to relax and look cheerful, if only to get the others to stop cheering me up.

"Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourselves?" asked Ken. "I mean, none of us has ever taken the test, so how would we know what's good or bad? I say we wait and see what the results are before making plans for a retest."

"You know what," said Frank, jostling me cheerfully. "Ken's right. We can't have you being down on yourself. Tomorrow we'll take you to see the Colnel, and when he tells you you've passed, you'll need to be ready with what to say in the interview."

"Frank," started Ken, "I didn't say he'd definitely passed. I just said-"

"It's okay, Ken," interrupted Melvin as Frank continued to drag me off. "I don't think he's listening anyway. Besides, if he passed, he'll need to be ready for the interview anyway, and if he failed, it won't matter either way."

. . .

"Your test scores indicate a satisfactory understanding of alchemic theory." The Swarm Alchemist wasn't one for sentiment. He reported my having passed the test with the same tone he used in every situation. Even, clipped, and unless it was my imagination, slight annoyance. "You will be interviewed by Fuhrer Hakuro this afternoon. Assuming you are still in the running after that point, the practical portion will be held the following morning."

"Can you give me any advice on the next portions, sir?"

"Speak honestly during the interview phase. If you are found to have lied during it, there will be repercussions. As to the practical portion, understand your audience. You don't have any groundbreaking research to share, so your goal will be to demonstrate your capabilities to the Fuhrer and the assembled generals. They will be looking for skills that will be of use in a military role. Direct combat ability is preferred, but capabilities with applications in logistics or intelligence gathering may also impress them. Finally, remember that only one of the alchemists taking the test can be granted the status of State Alchemist. The others taking the test with you are your competition."

. . .

When I entered the interview room, I was shocked to find a single three legged chair situated in the center of an impossibly sophisticated transmutation circle. The array was active, and without time to study it, it was impossible to know what it did.

Three men were seated at a table opposite the chair. Fuhrer Hakuro was seated in the middle position.

I bowed to the assembled group and sat down in the three legged chair that was obviously meant for me. The fuhrer raised an eyebrow and the generals whispered amongst themselves. I was about to apologize for whatever I'd done wrong when the Fuhrer spoke.

"Why do you want to become a State Alchemist?"

"Sir," I began with my prepared statement, "I originally hail from a small settlement that's suffered greatly at the hands of rogue alchemists. We had no idea how to defend ourselves. If it was not for the intervention of a State Alchemist, I would, even now, be unknowingly in the clutches of a dangerous mad man.

"Since that day, I have dedicated myself to the study of alchemy. I just want a chance to prove myself."

. . .

My nerves were a wreak when I arrived at the testing grounds for the practical portion of the exam. I'd wracked my brain all night for some idea of what I could do to impress the generals, and I'd come up empty. I just had to hope inspiration would strike me when I arrived.

Trees and stones, ponds and grass had all been transported into a part of the parade grounds. All gathered as material for our transmutations.

My competition wasted no time. The first alchemist approached one of the large stones and began tracing a large and complex array around its base. When he activated the array, the entire four story tall rock began to distort and twist. The light of the transmutation dimmed, and a massive ironclad battleship, complete with cannons had appeared in the middle of the testing area.

"It's not a bad effort," noted Fuhrer Hakuro, "but he's spent. A State Alchemist needs to exercise better judgement and not blow all his energy in a single transmutation."

Looking over at the young man, I could see what the Fuhrer was talking about. He'd collapsed into a sitting position, breathing hard and leaning against the side of the ship. The next alchemist gathered up a variety of materials. Trees, water, stones were all dragged over to where he'd traced his circle. In a flash, a dozen small balloons rose up, each carrying a metal object with an aerodynamic shape. With a theatrical flourish, he tugged on one of the strings and one of these objects was released from its balloon. When it hit the ground, it exploded with a deafening blast.

He'd transmuted a high explosive out of the trace materials in the stones and the plant matter, and wrapped it in a standard style bomb casing. Then he'd suspended each from a medium sized hydrogen balloon. The Fuhrer was impressed, and so was I. This definitely had military applications.

The next alchemist wore a ring with a pre-made transmutation circle on it. He'd waited while the others showed off their alchemy, until he had the full attention of the judges. He raised his fist above his head triumphantly and punched the ground. When his fist struck, the ground beneath our feet rumbled, and a crack opened in the earth within the proving grounds.

"An impressive display," noted the Fuhrer. "A mass-area effecting attack. No time wasted drawing transmutation circles. Al the Earthquake Alchemist has a nice ring to it."

At that point, a series of explosions rocked the field. The fissure opened wider and the ground shook even more violently than before. I immediately looked over at the alchemist, but he was staring at his ring and sweating profusely. I realized what had happened a split second before the Fuhrer called it out.

"That idiot ruptured a gas line! We have to get out of here!"

The one who had triggered this wasted no time fleeing the scene. I was about to run myself when I saw the first alchemist who had performed. The fissure had opened a wide chasm between where he sat, exhausted under his battleship, and any possible means of escaping the area.

Worse, one of the bombs the second alchemist had transmuted was floating in his direction. The man bust have lost control of them during the explosion. The bomb struck one of the heavy turrets directly above the trapped man. The support structure had been damaged, and it was only a matter of time before it came lose and crushed the helpless alchemist. Assuming one of the other bombs or the gas explosion didn't get him first.

I didn't have much time. I kicked over a nearby tree, severing it cleanly from its roots with a simple transmutation. Then I hopped up on top of the fallen log and began to run. When each step came down, I transmuted the surface I was running on, stretching out the material in front of me, and rearranging the carbon in it into a crustal lattice that would be able to support considerable weight.

Halfway across the chasm, the man pointed up and called, "Look out!" One of the bombs was directly overhead when the supporting balloon burst.

Without missing a step, I turned some of the bridge material into a cylinder, which protected me from the blast. Unfortunately, there wasn't much material left. It was going to be close from the start, but now there was no chance of making the bridge reach him, and no time to stop and revert the cylinder.

I kept moving, determined to get as close as I could. The turret came lose just as I reached the end of my partial bridge. With the aid of my automail, I cleared the inhuman distance remaining in a single bound.

Knowing there would be no time when I arrived, I instead threw my feet out ahead of me. My shoes contacted the ship a split-second before the turret crushed us both. The alchemy activated and a section of metal from the hull shot down and out at a fourty-five degree angle. The turret glanced off the makeshift shelter and fell into the pit. The other alchemist had sketched a circle in the dirt, but hadn't had the energy to activate it. As the fireball from the gas explosion rushed up, I took a chance and activated the array myself. We rode out the rest of the exam in a ceramic and metal sphere.

. . .

The Swarm Alchemist handed me a letter. The markings indicated it was from the desk of the Fuhrer. The Colonel silently attended to his own paperwork as I read.

"Iron Sole?" I asked when I'd finished.

Looking up from his paperwork, the Colonel adjusted his glasses and responded. "It has been traditional, since before the death of King Bradley, for State Alchemists to be given symbolic second names. Official military correspondences will refer to you as the Iron Sole Alchemist."

Noting that I had finished reading the letter, he opened his desk drawer and produced a silver pocketwatch, engraved with the state's crest. Handing it over to me, he begin his explanations.

"This watch is your identification. Present it at any military checkpoint and you will be recognized as a State Alchemist. Do not lose it, as you will not be issued a replacement."

"Sir, is it true that these watches enhance alchemic ability?"

"No. That is a myth perpetuated with the military's approval intended to misinform and confuse the enemy as to the true nature and extent of our abilities. You will have to continue relying on your own ability for the foreseeable future.

Containing my disappointment, I replied simply, "Yes, sir."

"You are now officially under my command. While the official dress code is relaxed somewhat for State Alchemists, unless there is a pressing need otherwise, I expect you to be in uniform at all times.

"You are to report back to me at 0800 for your first assignment. You have leave until then. Dismissed."

. . .

Author's comments:

And the titular Iron Sole Alchemist finally makes his debut thanks to a half-accidental good deed back in Liore. The story will start picking up with that first mission, even if it might not seem like it at first.