Mira walked out of the shop on her way home. She had spent the last few days in the Alchemist Guild branch here in the Southern District. It was located too far from the Frey Clan to come back at night since it was near the Overseer's palace. While some shops that acted as extensions of the guild were easily accessible, the assessment center was in the branch office.
She swept her dark hair behind her ears and revealed the newly adorned silver badge with a 2 on it. She was very happy with her results this time. She had been working hard to keep progressing in alchemy not only for her own sake, but for her beloved son.
The thought brought a stunning smile to her cream complexioned face. Any passerby, man or woman, would instinctively turn to see such radiant beauty. Mira was wearing the crimson robes of her clan but there was no further lining, yet the color allowed her badge to stand out distinctly.
Any fool that thought to stop her fell back from that badge alone. There were a few that kept staring at her dark green eyes that seemed to sparkle from whatever thoughts were passing through her mind. Her body was mostly hidden but it was clear this was a beautiful woman by any measure.
Mira was aware of some of the attention, but she had long put it to the back of her mind. The one advantage of being an alchemist, especially a Grade 2, was far less hassle on her errands. The bags in her hands held a present for her son whom she missed dearly. His eyes, so like her own, had relit with hope after the Grand Mistress of the clan had allowed him to be more helpful.
Mira felt pride flare at how good her boy was. He still got in trouble from time to time, but he did not throw many tantrums compared to other gossip she had heard from other mothers. Still, at times, she saw him holding back questions. The incident with Tian had no doubt prompted many questions but Lind had only asked if he had done something wrong. He truly had not, but at the same time, Tian's anger was not wholly unjustified.
She wanted to wait longer before explaining to Lind why people were angry at him. Why he was different compared to other members of the clan. That thought led to painful ones, but Mira pushed them away. The walk home was not the place to shed tears.
She looked around the littered streets with a frown. The Southern District of the Lotus Empire was not known for being lazy or dirty, yet the last few years had seen a decline in the quality of care for certain areas. The 3 clans took up some of the burden, but it was unrealistic to have them carry it all. Still, it was rumored that the son of the Imperial Overseer had been getting more involved in the allocation of resources to the district.
A deep frown marred Mira's face at that rumor. The Overseer was not directly responsible for it, but the fact that nearly 7 years ago she had put her value to the test due to his actions still angered her. Mira again pushed the old memory aside and thought of Lind.
What had he been up to? Did he make any friends? She hoped so. She hoped Lind could be seen for the lovely boy he was. He was trying so hard for her and the Grand Mistress. It was clear he was desperate for love and to be useful. Even when he learned to walk, it had been to hug her. He always seemed to know when she was frustrated.
The vivid red roofs of the clan finally came into sight and Mira smiled wider. She would see Lind soon. It was the first time they had been apart for more than a day. What stories would he tell her? What adventures might he have had? Grasping the bag closely, Mira began to move a little faster but maintained her dignity as an alchemist.
If it were up to her, she would be running the last mile to the clan door to see her son that much faster.
****
Lind was in his own world. The metal puzzle reminded him of those interlocked circles or shapes that if you slid the right pattern of parts, it would easily become separated in your hands. The pressure from the old man and his words faded away and Lind felt the joy of puzzles he had not felt in years.
Birthdays and Christmas were odd times for people around him. He loved books and movies like others, but the gift that would put him over the moon were puzzles. Word, jigsaw, or 3-dimensional puzzles did not matter, so long as it was a puzzle. He could never properly articulate his love of them, but it was obvious to all.
As soon as he opened a puzzle gift, the world just fell away and Lind focused on them. Oftentimes his mother or other relatives would chide him about ignoring company but just as often Lind heard he drew people in by his aura when solving puzzles.
This puzzle had rings, rods, and something else. Lind could not fully grasp it, but he trusted his instincts. He did not immediately try to move things around. He carefully observed the assembled pieces from all sides. The jangling of metal on metal did not distract Lind and he still felt there was something more to this puzzle beyond the pieces holding it together.
Lind allowed his small hands to carefully feel the surfaces of each piece for any trick bumps or lock pieces but found nothing with what he could access. It should be a simple slide and unlock puzzle but again, Lind's mind insisted this was not so. He then closed his eyes and looked at the puzzle he had figured out in his mind.
The courtyard from behind finally entered his mind. It was the herb garden he had helped his mother with for nearly 4 years in his own small ways. The feeling of the wind to the chirp of some birds seemed to flow into the virtual area of Lind's mind. He felt like this was what he was missing! The flow of nature somehow completed the setup of the puzzle and Lind felt confident at last to begin.
He opened his dark eyes and slowly moved one of the rods up and to the right. He was so focused on the puzzle, Lind did not notice the dark eyes of the old man widen in surprise. It was so fast many would miss it, but the feeling of pressure from the old man increased. Lind noticed none of it as he continued to manipulate the puzzle.
****
Mira returned to her courtyard through the complex hallways of the clan. The main entrance had a massive opening for allowing guests to arrive and servants to assist in any unpacking or guidance needed, but the interior of the clan from the main hallways was a maze to any who did not live there.
One could pass several gardens to some good open air cultivation centers. She noted a few of the young members of the clan meditating as they cultivated. She could tell most of them were newly in Soul Realm. Her own cultivation was in the mid tier of the Soul Realm. She had been delayed due to giving birth to Lind, but afterwards her foundation was incredibly stable.
Still, compared to others of her generation, she was barely even. Body Refining Realm was both the easiest to enter and easiest to mess up, but Mira's had been excellent. She had been praised for her ability to breeze through the first realm of cultivation. The Soul Realm was where true prodigies are discovered and again, she had been praised. She had awoken 3 elements and they were perfect for alchemy.
She worked hard and had been on track to be a prodigy of her generation until 7 years ago. She made a rash choice some would say, but she did not share that view. She made the only choice she could and would not trade it for anything.
Mira turned a corner and went from a wide smile to feeling ice in her veins. The Grand Master of the Frey clan, the ruler of their clan with the Grand Mistress, was standing over son! His white hair was the only major indicator of his age. What made her break out into a sweat, however, was the pressure from him! He was a World Realm cultivator!
Why was he here? What had Lind done? Panic was on her face but the pressure she felt kept her silent. Her arms began to shake but the only acknowledgment she received was an approving nod from the Grand Master when he saw her new badge.
Mira looked down and saw a metal item in her son's hands. She felt shock and fear at that sight. She knew what that puzzle was used for! It should not be in a 5 year old boy's hands at all!
It was a test from the Lotus Emperor given to all clans and major powers to test the potential of Body Refining cultivators. It was generally an indicator if a pupil was worth resource investments. It required immense patience and diligence to even partially solve it. A little boy, who was denied even a basic manual of cultivation, should not be even attempting it.
What was going on?!
****
Lind was at a critical juncture. He could tell the complexity of this puzzle was based on odd ideas but it was fun! He was having a blast. What seemed like a very complex and difficult puzzle, actually became simpler if you took a step back at certain points and realized it. This was not meant to be done in one go nor in one pattern, yet all of it together became very simple.
It was as if someone had taken particle physics and broken it down into easy to understand pieces for the common layman to grasp. The person would still not be an expert, but the basics could be grasped to build up the complex subject in their minds. What was once complete mystery and jargon, now had a glimmer of understanding.
Lind was impressed. He was actually pushed to his limits and his small hands had been a problem. He had to be careful as at times he had to hold the critical piece in place so he could unlock the next step. He had wished for 3 to 4 hands at times but he carefully persevered.
At long last, he moved one of the rings up and over the rods sticking out to the left and the whole assembly fell apart easily in his hands. The rings ended up in his left hand and rods in his right. He had done it!
The sound of something dropping followed by gasp made Lind whip his head to the source and he smiled wide. His mother had come home! She had her hands over her mouth as a bag had been dropped by her feet. Lind ran to her and embraced her leg.
"Mom! I solved the puzzle, did you see it?!" He was near feverish it seemed like but he was just glad to see her. Unlike his expectation, he did not hear praise but he did feel her arms embrace him and pick him up. She was looking at him oddly, yet there was a tremulous smile.
"Lind!" She only said his name as tears came down her face. Why was she crying? Did he do something wrong again? He reviewed his memory and only one thing came to mind, but she should not know about his little white lie yet. He hoped to explain but that could not be the cause yet. So what was going on?
"Surprising, truly surprising. You have done well Mira." The old man spoke now and the feeling of pressure had long vanished Lind suddenly realized. What had that feeling been? He saw his mother become solemn and bow low after putting Lind down. "There is no need for that. Lind has done a great service and has excellent potential. Clearly."
The old man stroked his chin as he looked sharply at the now completed puzzle. Lind offered up the pieces and the old man retrieved them.
"You may now add Frey to your name again Mira and to his own as well. You understand what I mean?" Lind was floored. His mother was once of the clan, not just hired by them? He had heard many customers called by their full names but realized they only ever called his mother 'Mira' or Lady Alchemist.
"T-thank you Grand Master. Thank you so much!" His mother was now openly weeping as she swept Lind into her arms. She had collapsed on the ground. The bag she had brought was knocked open and Lind saw a true silken coat. It was not crimson, but golden in color. It would complement his hair color and skin tone well. It was not, however, too fancy compared to the clothes Lind had seen since leaving the courtyard.
"He will have clothes made for his new duties. He will start after his next birthday, I will assign him to Garnt as well. Good day to you both." The old man was about to turn away but Lind suddenly reached out and caught both adults' attention.
"Um, are there any more puzzles like that one, it was fun!" Shock flashed for a moment and Lind wondered what he said to make the old man look like that before his lips twitched. It was only a few more moments before full throated laughter filled the halls.
"A-any more puzzles like that, he said! I can see why Granny likes you boy!" The old man walked off while laughing and Lind felt down not to get an answer. He really liked that puzzle. Lind felt his mother's arm tighten but he was happy. He was Lind Frey now, of the Frey Clan. He was part of this place and not outside of it anymore!