To qualify as an Alchemist, one must be able to summon the most basic Red Pill Fire. However, even the Red Pill Fire is difficult to summon and only a small amount of Espers are able to do it.
"First, let me teach you about Pill Fires. To become an Alchemist, you must be able to summon your Pill Fire and the most basic one is the Red Pill Fire. The prerequisite to summon the Red Pill Fire is to have the power of a Level 1 Esper…" Leric explained a piece of detailed information about Pill Fires.
"Eh? Level 1 Alchemists can't refine pills? I don't understand." Janrose stared at Aethelwolf in confusion.
