Chapter 20: Go Learn Alchemy

Valienda, one of the principal external trade ports of the Realm of Nature, lies close to the Orcish Alliance. If one were to depart from the Empire, there is but a single voyage each year that sails directly to Valienda. The Realm of Nature is a haven for all beings who revere the natural world, its population comprised mainly of elves and half-elves, followed by orcs and humans. It is the only nation that does not share a direct border with the Empire, and so relations have always been peaceful, shrouded as much in mystery as in tranquility.

Theresa leafed through the materials on Valienda in her hands, her fingers idly caressing the section on “Transportation.” Her thoughts were heavy. Valienda’s main avenues of commerce were open to the Orcish Alliance. To travel there from the Empire, one not only had to cross the ordinary sea routes but also traverse several canals, passing over the border between the Alliance and the Realm of Nature. Natural dangers aside, it was the human threats that posed the greatest hazard to travelers—some impoverished orc villages had turned to piracy, preying on merchant vessels. Though both the Alliance and the Realm had tried repeatedly to suppress them, their efforts were but a palliative, never a cure…

Even supposing, for argument’s sake, that Jeff and Aubrion’s family would allow her passage, Theresa had not the qualifications to board the ship. Due to the dangers of the journey, the Empire required all passengers to have attained a Professional Level of at least three to purchase a berth! With her magical aptitude and physical constitution, reaching even the first level was a daunting prospect, let alone the third…

As Theresa wrestled with her frustration, Paidia approached with two steaming cups in hand. He glanced at the page she was fidgeting with, handed her a drink, then efficiently gathered the scattered papers on the table, stacked them neatly, and pushed them to the corner.

“Father, Mother, and Uncle Jeff will never agree to let you go to Valienda,” Paidia stated bluntly.

Theresa lowered her head, staring blankly at the white steam rising from her cup. Her voice was muffled as she replied, “I know.”

“But you’re not willing to give up,” Paidia pressed, striking at the heart of her turmoil.

“How could I possibly give up!” Theresa burst out, gripping her cup so tightly her knuckles turned white. “She’s my mother! Even if… even if she really is… gone, as her child, it’s my duty to bring her home myself!”

With her outcry, a single tear slipped from her eye, falling into the hot drink and sending ripples across its surface…

Paidia sighed deeply at the sight, his gaze lifting past Theresa to the maple grove outside the warm hall, where the trees were shedding their leaves. He watched the swirling leaves and barren branches for a moment before speaking: “Tess… go and learn alchemy.”

☆☆☆

Inside the flawless crystal orb, a streak of silvery white began to form, lively as a mischievous sprite. The silver darted and danced within the luminous violet, vanishing here and reappearing there. With each playful leap, it left behind wisps of silvery threads, like the shedding of a cat’s fur, layering and intertwining, until soon they filled nearly half the orb.

“That will do,” Carol’s voice brimmed with delight, clearly pleased by the result.

Theresa, withdrawing her hand from the crystal ball, let out a silent sigh of relief, realizing she had passed the test.

Paidia, noting her eased expression, felt a pang of sympathy but masked it as he turned to Carol and asked, “Professor Carol, how is Tess’s aptitude? Is she capable of studying alchemy?”

“She’s more than capable!” Carol laughed heartily. “To manifest a split in spiritual force without any formal training—if that’s not enough, then more than half the alchemists alive should be in despair! Tess, tomorrow—no, today! In a moment, stay behind and we’ll work out your study plan. You’re laying the foundation now, so it’ll be tough. There’ll be a great deal to memorize, to recite, and to recognize—don’t slack off and waste your gift, understood?”

Theresa nodded vigorously, her expression resolute, her determination clear. Paidia had told her once that Cervantes City and Mulrow City in the Realm of Nature were sister cities, and each year they exchanged a number of students through specially established teleportation arrays, which were absolutely secure. And Mulrow was not far from Valienda—her only chance to reach Valienda was to become an exchange student and travel first to Mulrow.

Since before her birth, Theresa had suffered injuries that wounded her very core, making her all but insensible to the path of magic. Born prematurely, her frail constitution also ruled out any hope of martial achievement. Thus, alchemy was her only hope.

Caught up in her joy, Theresa forgot herself, but Paidia remained calm. Confronted with the excitement of both student and teacher, he coolly interjected, “Professor Carol, Tess’s schedule will need managing. She’s a new student at St. Alberta’s Academy, and she’s been chosen by Master Mur for chores, so she must work at the old house two days a week.”

“She’s working as a servant in the old house!” Carol exclaimed, leaping to his feet and startling Theresa, who thought he was displeased. But Carol threw back his head and laughed. “Ha! I do have an eye for talent! Anyone recognized by Mur is sure to be outstanding in both ability and character. Wonderful, wonderful…”

Theresa stared in speechless confusion, but Paidia was already used to Carol’s eccentricities and didn’t bat an eye.

Once Carol’s laughter subsided, he smacked Theresa heartily on the back, beaming. “Tess, here’s what we’ll do. Starting tomorrow, I’ll make you a reading list. Go to the library at the old house and pick out books to read. I’ll test your progress once a week. If you have questions, you can come to me—or better yet, you could ask Mur directly! Haha… or even Mumu, that old eccentric knows a thing or two about alchemy as well! That gives you three—no, Mur counts for half—so two and a half teachers! What an arrangement! Splendid, simply splendid!”

…

And so, amidst Carol’s laughter, Theresa embarked on her arduous path of study. The fundamentals of alchemy were crucial and required endless memorization—analyzing and applying basic magical arrays, identifying and distinguishing alchemical ingredients, mastering and practicing various alchemical techniques… Her days were filled from dawn till dusk, her time scheduled to the last moment. From the instant she opened her eyes to the moment she closed them at night, every minute was devoted to study; not a single instant was left to rest.

She kept herself busy—so busy that she had no time for idle thoughts; so busy that each day brought her closer to the chance of exchanging to Mulrow; so busy that everyone who knew her felt compelled to urge her to take better care of herself…

…

A resounding “bang!” echoed through the room as the door slammed against the wall. Benita, her face half dark with anger, stormed into the study, marched around the small desk, and seized Theresa—who was clutching a book in one hand and a pen in the other. Before Theresa could react, Benita yanked her up and dragged her out of the room.

“Nini, why are you here? Nini, what are you doing? I haven’t finished my book—Nini…” Stumbling as she was pulled along the corridor, Theresa’s pleas for help were completely ignored by the servants they passed, who merely stepped aside and curtseyed, clearly having been instructed beforehand.

Outside the study, Archer grinned so widely his molars were nearly visible. Were it not for his ears, his mouth might have stretched all the way to the back of his head—such was his delight. Watching Benita and Theresa disappear around the corridor’s bend, Archer happily rubbed his face, wandered to a window, and vaulted lightly out. With a couple of nimble moves, he landed safely from a height of over ten meters and ambled to the front of the main house, where Paidia and Ives stood, each by their horse, chatting lazily.

“Archer, you look so pleased—I suppose Benita’s brute force did the trick,” Ives remarked, facing Archer as he approached.

“Heh, the girl’s got spirit,” Archer chuckled. “Just one tug, one pull, and Tess didn’t stand a chance. She dragged her straight downstairs. For this kind of thing, a girl really is best. Every time my brother and I tried to get forceful, Tess would burst into tears and we’d be helpless… sigh…”

Reflecting on their previous failed attempts to persuade her, Archer let out a long sigh, the very picture of a fallen hero.

“She knows how to play on your sympathy,” Ives smiled. “Just like Lilian—when she whimpers, I’m done for.”

“Heh, it’s not so bad, really, not bad at all,” Archer rubbed his nose with a smile, his words somewhat cryptic.

But Ives and Paidia understood and exchanged a knowing look—a clear sign that, for them, having a little sister made everything worthwhile.

As the three chatted, Benita marched out with an exasperated-looking Theresa in tow. “Come on, let’s go check the results!” she announced to the three waiting by the door.

With her bold, commanding air, it seemed less like checking the lists and more like marching off to battle.

Theresa, helpless against Benita, glanced at the five horses prepared by the main entrance and sighed. “What’s the rush? I’m wearing a dress. I told you I should change into riding clothes, but you wouldn’t listen…”

“Change for what?” Benita shot her a glare. “If I let go of you, who knows if you’ll run straight back to the study to rot away and sprout mushrooms!”

Theresa, silenced by Benita’s sharp look, gazed up at the sky in resignation and guilt.

“It’s no trouble wearing a dress,” Archer said, adjusting his reins. He signaled with a wave to the servants, who dashed off to the stables. In no time, a stately carriage rolled up. Benita, though not fond of carriages, pursed her lips and followed Theresa aboard, determined to keep her in sight. As soon as the door closed, Paidia, smiling, flicked his whip and led the way.