“Alchemy is the craft of turning one material into another. The power to turn a plank of wood into metal. It initially began when the first alchemists funded a lab in a bid to turn lead, a worthless metal into gold, a valuable metal. There are a variety of interpretations and pursuits in alchemy. Some perform their work in cauldrons like me. Using a cauldron, I perform what is called traditional alchemy. I put materials in to perform procedures to mix, catalyze, extract and other such things. There is also modern alchemy. Where traditional alchemists, like me, perform everything in a cauldron, they need a whole laboratory with beakers, test tubes and other complex equipment. Traditional alchemy requires a certain talent. A talent that can’t be learned. So, modern alchemy was created. With modern alchemy, anyone who studies hard enough can perform alchemy. While both have their merits, a lot of people prefer work from traditional alchemists because of an inconvenient fact. As of now, the highest peak of alchemy is a material called the Philosopher’s Stone. Long ago, an alchemist achieved the first goal of alchemy. To turn lead into gold. Using the Philosopher’s Stone, the goal in which alchemy first began was finally reached. The creation of a Philosopher’s Stone was achieved a number of times, but only by traditional alchemists. No modern alchemist has achieved the creation of a Philosopher’s Stone or the means to turn lead into gold.”

  “Cool.” Ren says.

  “Oh!” Lucia says. “Wait, but if there are people who can turn lead into gold, then that makes them really important, right?”

  “Yes.” Feru explains. “They can potentially cause a boom in a country’s economy. The problem is that… well… a lot of alchemists who can kind of… become national assets that become targets for kidnapping, assassination, royal summons that end in death and generally bad things.”

  “Oh.” Lucia says.

  “That’s mostly because the method to produce a Philosopher’s Stone is different for everyone.” Ren says. “They cannot share their methods with anyone. They can instruct them to follow the same steps, but no other alchemist can succeed using that method. So then they are the only ones who can turn lead into gold. When you put too much pressure on an alchemist to do nothing but turn lead into gold all day for the duration of their life, they tend to die in their workshop.”

  “Oh.” Lucia says.

  “Anyway, why are you trying to make an alloy instead of making up a new metal?” Ren asks.

  “What?” Feru gives Ren a confused look.

  “Just make a new metal.” Ren says. “A new metal not on the alchemical table.”

  “I don’t- I don’t think I can do that.” Feru stammers.

  “Why not?” Lucia asks. “It sounds like you can do so much with alchemy already.”

  “Well, making a new synthetic material is hard. One of the hardest things in the world.” Feru shyly trembles. “Hundreds, if not, thousands of alchemists have tried and failed to do something so grand. I’m just a 15-year-old girl. And I’m certainly not going to make a new metal in time for the exhibition.”

  “Did you at least entertain the idea?” Ren asks.

  “Of course not.” Feru says.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  “Can I see your notes and results of your experiments?” Ren asks.

  “Oh, sure.”

  Feru sets a number of notes and documents on a table for Ren’s perusal.

  “I think you should seriously consider just making a new metal.” Ren says. “From what I see, you’re already ahead in the production of a new metal and behind in your alloy idea.”

  Feru gives Ren a very confused look.

  “Wh- what?”

  “Throughout mortal life, blacksmiths only scratch the surface of metalwork.” Ren starts. “They only learned to shape metal as they desire. Whether that’s to shape metal into a sword or a stew pot. They may jump at adamantine and oricalcum, but they can only manage to shape the metal. Their understanding of metals is only what they see on the surface. The truth is, imperfections are what make for a great work. Pure iron, pure steel, pure silver, pure gold, pure adamantine, pure oricalcum and all other metals absent of flaws or imperfections are actually softer metals than ones with a certain amount of impurities. With impurities, a metal becomes stronger. That’s not to say that complete impurity is good. What is most important is to strike a balance. A balance where a strong metal composes the majority of a work, while the impurities support it where it can. Not too much and not too little. Blacksmiths who understand this can tailor their work to specific pieces. It is hard to understand and harder still to put it into practice.”

  “O- okay…” Feru stammers.

  “Let me tell you of a blacksmith who sold his soul to a demon for such knowledge.” Ren continues. “A faraway blacksmith wanted to make the purest blade in all the world. However, no matter how many times he succeeded in hammering away all impurities of a katana, his swords snapped against masterworks. They performed fine as general use swords, but none of them achieved the heights of greatness. One day, an oni spoke to him through the reflection of one of his pure blades. The oni offered a secret in exchange for the blacksmith’s soul. The man agreed and where his soul once was, there was a knowledge that he did not earn. A recipe for an alloy. A mixture consisting of 3 metals, only one of which was iron. But the oni also told him that even that was not enough. To truly make a sword that becomes a legend, he would need to pour himself into the blade. His passion. His emotion. His soul. It’s just a shame that the oni took the smith’s soul.”

  “Woah.” Lucia goes wide eyed at Ren’s story.

  “I- uhh… okay.” Feru stammers. “I just want to double check, what am I supposed to be getting out of this story?”

  “Put your heart and soul into the work.” Ren says in a tone of voice absent of passion. “Just do it with alchemy. The truth is, that’s why the Philosopher’s Stone can’t be replicated. It’s because there is an emotional aspect to it. It’s in the name, alchemists put their emotional and intangible philosophy into it. The key to achieving the whole thing is to stop treating it like a science and treat it like an art. An emotional and philosophical expression. And everyone has different philosophies.”

  Lucia just stares at Ren blankly. Feru goes slack jawed.

  “Wow, that’s cool.” Lucia says. “Wait, so if that’s how a Philosopher’s Stone is made, why isn’t everyone doing it?”

  “Wha- what?” Feru stammers. “I- I feel like I heard something I wasn’t supposed to hear.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Ren says. “It’s just the answer so many alchemists were looking for. It’s not like telling you will make it possible for all the heartless science nerds in the world who want to turn a profit. You, on the other hand, want to make something your own. To pursue bulletproof in your own way. Not using the means everyone else clings to. You are much closer to your own creation than an alloy.”

  “Why didn’t you ask for a soul for that bit of wisdom?” Agnoir asks.

  “I can’t exactly collect a soul as I am now. As far as I can tell, Ren can’t collect souls, nor can I receive souls if they are handed to Ren.” Warumasa sighs.

  “Ugh, dumb soul shit.” Apherward groans at the notion.

  “Shut up, nerd.” Agnoir snaps. “You actually pulled a con like that on a blacksmith? Like, that was real?”

  “Absolutely.” Warumasa speaks with pride. “Gained a good amount of power from it too.”

  “Young or old?” Agnoir asks.

  “Oh, old.” Warumasa chuckles to himself. “It doesn't happen a lot, but some career men get desperate when they start to see their hair greying.”

  “And what's your take on this Feru girl?” Agnoir asks.

  “She makes for a fine emotionally charged and passionate worker.” Warumasa speaks in a low growl. “This girl shall mark the new world with her own passion. Perhaps it is not jealousy or resentment, but it shall make for fine metal, nonetheless.”

  “Yes, have the girl follow you into beating your own demonically manifested body into a sword.” Apherward says.

  “And none shall see me beaten! For my blade is made not with iron, but resentment so fine that it can harm even a god!” Warumasa boasts.

  “Pfft, have you even seen a god?” Agnoir chuckles.

  “No, I do not use eyes to see purely spiritual and intangible beings. Dumbass mortals.” Warumasa snaps.

  “Oh, don’t give me that mortal shit!” Agnoir snaps.