Thursday arrived, ushering in a new day of routine for Alder. After a few hours of rest, he attended his morning classes before heading to his specialized classes. Today, it was his turn to visit the Department of Alchemy. The building, similar in structure to the Department of Rune Research, received less attention than the previous day's class, evident in the smaller number of students congregating in its auditorium.
Alder and Lucas found seats in the spacious yet partially empty auditorium. Unlike previous classes, the entrance of Professor Cedric Darnell was less theatrical, almost subdued. Surrounded by a few assistants, the air around him lacked the usual dynamism seen in other presentations.
With a serene yet clear voice, Professor Darnell began his introduction: "A warm greeting, dear students. Today, I will talk to you about the science of alchemy, a vast and profound field that I doubt we can fully cover in a single session. However, I will do my best to summarize the essence of what this department has to offer."
The professor paused, adjusting his position in front of an auditorium that, although less crowded than in the magical combat demonstrations, was attentively listening. "Alchemy is one of the oldest sciences of humanity. In the past, it was considered little more than a collection of fantasies for its obsession with the impossible. Today, with the advent of Ether, the impossible has become possible. Of course, alchemy has not remained static; it has evolved and adapted to current knowledge and technologies."
He continued explaining: "Contrary to what many believe, alchemy is not limited to potion creation. It is, in reality, the science dedicated to the study and utilization of magical resources. Now, what is a magical resource? It is any element that has been irradiated by Ether for long periods or in large amounts. Many of these resources come from Altera, though increasingly they are beginning to appear on our planet."
The professor pointed to some images on a screen behind him, showing examples of these magical resources, some glowing with a light that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the earth. "We have even begun to synthesize some of these materials artificially. Although their production is costly and complex, it has proven to be a tangible possibility."
After the images were shown, Professor Darnell continued with his presentation. "Although it may seem simple, I regret to say it is not. A magical resource can be derived from the same element. For example, if I irradiate an apple with ether for a standard time at a standard density, I will obtain a magical apple useful for creating a potion that helps me quickly recover the ether in my soul. However, the problem lies in the fact that both the time and the ether density must be exact. An error in any of these calculations could result in a magical apple useless for the desired potion."
The professor paused, allowing his words to settle among the students, who listened attentively. "This presents us with numerous dilemmas. Resources obtained from Altera, for example, cannot be determined at the time of their harvest. We can only study them once they are in our hands. Therefore, an alchemist must not only master theory; he must also be creative in many aspects."
Pointing to a series of complex diagrams and data tables, he continued: "Although I can obtain many types of magical apples by varying the time and the density of the irradiated ether, what really matters is the final use I give them. The apple is a basic resource for many options and, by combining it with other resources, I can achieve thousands of different results."
With each explanation, the professor illustrated how alchemy, far from being a simple science of mixing ingredients, required a deep understanding of the magical and physical properties of each element.
Despite the enthusiasm with which Professor Darnell explained, most of the students soon showed signs of drowsiness amidst the lengthy dissertation, full of technical and theoretical details. This lecture turned out even more monotonous than those presented in the Department of Rune Research, causing many students to struggle to stay attentive under the deluge of information. Nevertheless, the professor continued his presentation, apparently indifferent to the growing disinterest of his audience.
"Resources do not come only from organic elements," he continued with renewed vigor, as some students struggled not to succumb to sleep. "There are also hundreds of magical minerals and alloys that, under the right conditions, transform into magical resources. With these, we can manufacture everything from magical tools to weapons designed to defend us from our enemies. Although we are venturing into topics that belong to other specialties, it is important to note that to create magical artifacts or any runic device, the raw material must first pass through the hands of alchemists."
With a sweeping glance around the room, noticing some students barely managing to keep their eyes open,
the professor concluded: "Therefore, one might say that alchemists make up the foundation of the society in which we live today." With those words, Professor Darnell bid farewell to the students, leaving behind a murmur of conversations as the young people began to leave the auditorium, some relieved by the end of the class and others pondering the underlying importance in the professor's words.
Alder had managed to stay awake throughout the entire conference, even finding himself intrigued, enough so that he ignored his surroundings. When the conference concluded, he was surprised to see Lucas asleep on his desk. It was the first time since they had known each other that Alder had to wake Lucas; usually, it was Lucas or Eön who had to shake Alder from his frequent naps.
Alder gently tapped Lucas's shoulder to wake him, and Lucas, yawning, looked around confused. "Come on, man, how could you endure that whole boring exposition?" asked Lucas jokingly. "Half the auditorium was asleep, and you, who are known to sleep through half the classes, managed to stay awake."
Alder smiled, feeling a spark of pride. "I think something the professor said really caught me. It made me think about all the possibilities that alchemy could offer for our studies and projects."
Eön, who had been notably quiet during the class, chimed in with his typical humor. "I almost fell asleep too, but I realized that if I fall asleep, I miss the opportunity to annoy you a bit," he commented with a mischievous smile.
Lucas rolled his eyes, still incredulous. "I hope this new fascination doesn't distract you from our adventures. Don't turn into one of those alchemy nerds, eh?"
After their brief chat, Alder and Lucas parted ways; as usual, Lucas went to take care of his own business, while Alder returned to the workshop in the Department of Rune Research. Despite the intensity of the week, he had found no time to rest properly, as he had been working until late hours. Each day, he delved deeper into his research.
Initially, he had struggled with the rigors of writing a scientific article, but over time, and after several mistakes, Alder had significantly improved. He was convinced that he would soon complete the task assigned by Professor Oliver. Walking towards the workshop, Alder felt tired but determined, aware that each effort brought him one step closer to finishing his work.
Friday quickly arrived, marking the time for the last introductory lecture at Gryphon Academy. This time, it was the turn of the Department of Artifacts and Enchantments. Unlike the other specialized department buildings, this one seemed the smallest, yet it compensated with several huge-capacity warehouses. In fact, the lecture was to be held in one of these spacious warehouses that had been specially adapted for the event. As usual, Alder, accompanied by Lucas and Eön, hurried to find a good place and enjoy the lecture.
Professor Viktor Chen made a much more spectacular entrance than Professor Cedric Darnell, even rivaling those of other specialized departments. Accompanied by a retinue of students, who carried several boxes covered with cloths, the group moved towards the stage, carefully organizing their contents in preparation for the presentation.
Once everyone was in place, Professor Chen began his speech with contagious energy:
"I am sure that most of you have attended the introductory lectures of the other departments of our venerable academy. Each one has its relevance and plays a crucial role in the structure of our magical society. However, let me point out why our department not only participates in this structure but actually propels it into the future."
Pausing to ensure he had everyone's full attention, he continued:
"While it is true that we work with the products that come from those dedicated to the study of runes and alchemy, we are the ones who really give meaning and purpose to those creations. We do not just transform theories and substances into practical tools, but we embody innovation and the practical application of magic in everyday life."
Professor Chen gestured towards the covered boxes on the stage, his voice filling the space with a mixture of passion and promise:
"Our work here in the Department of Artifacts and Enchantments focuses on turning esoteric knowledge into tangible wonders. We create artifacts that not only enchant and amaze but also solve real problems, enhance lives, and, in some cases, change the course of history."
As Professor Viktor Chen continued his speech, the team of students proceeded diligently to remove the cloths covering the boxes on the stage. With a wave of his hand, Chen invited the audience to focus on what was about to be revealed. "I understand that words alone cannot fully capture the essence of our work, so let me show you a practical demonstration of our recent achievements."
As the contents of the boxes were unpacked, various metallic parts reflecting the auditorium's shine were revealed: arms, legs, hands, feet, a torso, and a head, all with a
human appearance but clearly made of metal. The professor began assembling these pieces like someone solving a puzzle, forming the figure of a humanoid while explaining: "What you are seeing take shape is a golem, a creation whose technology we have perfected over the last 20 years. Although we still face challenges for its mass production, it is undoubtedly one of the great milestones of our department."
As the golem's pieces were assembled, Professor Chen continued his presentation, "The material with which this golem is made was created by alchemists; we, the artificers, shaped it and the runes you see were carved by rune masters. But it is we, the artificers, who harness these runes for their practical function." Once the assembly was completed, the golem was presented with a finish that mimicked a samurai armor, covering the skeleton adorned with symbols and runes.
With a satisfied look at the audience, the professor added, "So far, I have shown you what we achieve in the field of artifacts, but let me explain why we are also a department of enchantments." Following this, Chen inserted a glowing stone into a compartment within the golem's torso and closed the lid. He placed his hand on the golem's head and closed his eyes in concentration.
After a few moments, the professor sat down on the floor, closed his eyes again, and seconds later, the golem began to move. Although its movements were rigid and mechanical, each step resonated with a heavy and significant impact. A robotic voice emerged from the golem: "As you can see, to operate one of these golems, we use a method known as enchantment. This involves the use of words or thoughts to impart instructions, which generally only work with specialized runic matrices."
The golem continued moving across the stage, demonstrating the functionality of the programmed instructions. "Currently, there are few artifacts capable of receiving enchantments, but what you are witnessing is a preview of what the future might hold for us," concluded Chen, with a tone that mixed pride and promise.
Some students in the auditorium showed interest in the innovative ideas of the professor, while others remained skeptical. After all, Professor Chen had admitted that the Department of Artifacts and Enchantments was the most recent and still under exploration, which did not convince everyone. Most students leaned towards the traditional, preferring the promises of strength and skill offered by the Department of Magical Combat.
As the auditorium reflected on the week's presentations, Alder watched the stage intently. However, his interest was not due to a decision about which department to join, nor was he particularly moved by the professor's words.
Eön, who also watched the slow movement of the golem attentively, could not contain his curiosity and asked, "Alder, do you see it?" Alder nodded silently, lost in thought. Eön, excited, added, "So, does this solve our problem, right?"
Suddenly, Alder stood up from his seat, although the conference had not yet ended. Lucas, surprised by his friend's abrupt behavior, looked at him with confusion. Without stopping to explain in detail, Alder began moving quickly towards the exit while bidding a hurried farewell: "Sorry, Lucas, I have to go. It's urgent."
With those words, Alder hurried out of the auditorium, heading towards the rune research workshop where he had spent most of the week. His mind was flooded with possibilities, catalyzed by what he had seen in the golem demonstration, and he knew he could not waste another minute.
Alder did not stop to chat; he merely nodded at the guards of the workshop and quickly pulled out his portable equipment. He opened the document he had invested most of his recent sleep hours in and, without hesitating, deleted it to start anew, muttering to himself, "How could we have been so foolish, Eön?" Eön could only sigh at Alder's self-reprimand.
As Alder started a new document, he continued speaking aloud, reflecting on his recent epiphany: "After all, it was foolish to try to find a way to make others see what we see. It's not necessary. We just have to demonstrate it in another way."
Alder had learned to ignore his perceptual ability, but during each conference he had attended, it had activated unconsciously, allowing him to capture details others did not perceive. Although it had been fascinating, it had so far been just another curiosity for him. However, what he saw during the golem demonstration at the Artifacts and Enchantments conference had been different. To others, the golem was simply a mechanical artifact, but Alder had seen something more: a symphony of perfectly tuned frequencies, where each engraved rune and each piece of the golem contributed to a greater whole. Although it was not perfect and some nuances were lost, it was the first time Alder witnessed something so complex.
More revealing was the moment when Professor Chen used what he
called an "enchantment." Alder could observe how the professor's soul frequency integrated with the complex symphony of frequencies of the golem, allowing it to move.
This observation provided Alder with a new perspective: instead of seeking a way for others to perceive what he saw, he decided he should demonstrate his theory in another way. With this new clear direction in mind,
Driven by his revelatory observation at the conference, Alder decided to embark on the ambitious task of developing a revolutionary runic system. His goal was to address the deficiencies of the current system, where possible combinations were overly limited and rigid. Inspired by the functionality and precise coordination observed in the golem during the demonstration, Alder conceptualized a runic system that would function similarly to an alphabet. This new system would allow for more structured and versatile runic matrices to be built. He envisioned each rune not just as a simple character in its form and design but also capable of combining more complexly and fluidly with other runes of the same system, similar to how individual notes combine to create a symphony.
In addition to the structural reform, Alder planned to integrate a numerical dimension into the system, incorporating principles similar to those of a decimal system. This component would allow for specifying distances and executing precise controls, turning the practice of runes into something akin to programming software, where the limit would be set by the user's knowledge and available energy.
On the other hand, Alder also worked on developing a compatibility table for runes with different elements. The idea was to use this table to demonstrate his theory about frequencies, predicting rune compatibility with a variety of materials. This theory was based on the premise that the frequency of each object depended on certain fundamental physical properties, such as atomic mass and density. With the observations he had made, Alder was convinced that his theory was not only plausible but had the potential to redefine the understanding and application of runes in modern magic.
Determined to legitimize his innovative approach, Alder set out to create a detailed compatibility table, modeled on the periodic table of chemical elements, which had been adapted and expanded with the emergence of magical elements. With these tools, he sought not only to demonstrate the viability of his system but also to provide a practical and scientific framework that could radically transform the field of rune magic.
On the other hand, Alder also worked on developing a compatibility table for runes with different elements. The idea was to use this table to demonstrate his theory about frequencies, predicting rune compatibility with a variety of materials. This theory was based not only on certain fundamental physical properties, such as atomic mass and density but also on the ether density contained in the object. With the observations he had made, Alder was convinced that his theory was plausible and could contribute significantly to his current task. He was focused on fulfilling Oliver's assignment and putting his ideas into something concrete and useful.
While Alder delved into his recent epiphany, the other students also applied themselves to their tasks. It was Saturday, and the most dedicated began to study autonomously. Although the academy imparted certain teachings, such as the rudiments of handling and raising a spiritual beast, it did not provide complete training in this area. Nevertheless, from an early age, every human spiritually linked learns to meditate, an essential practice for accumulating ether and sustaining their spiritual companion. Even Alder maintained a daily meditation routine to feed Eön.
Many students took advantage of this day to focus on meditation, trying to deepen their concentration and improve their control of ether. This training technique not only served to nourish their spiritual beasts but also to refine control over their own magical abilities, making it a fundamental tool for their personal and academic development.
In one of the green areas of the academy, a group of first-year students had formed a circle to practice group meditation, a practice known for its effectiveness in accumulating ether due to the synergy created among the participants. Lucas, carried by an uncommon impulse of dedication influenced by Alder's stories about Oliver's rigorous project, decided to join this group. Despite not being the most studious, his sociable nature allowed him to integrate easily.
He quickly found himself settling among the others, closing his eyes, and following the instructions of a more experienced student who was leading the session. However, the calm was interrupted by a female voice, clear and authoritative: "Hey, you, your name is Lucas, right?"
Lucas and the other students abruptly opened their eyes, finding themselves confronted by Helena, who was observing them with a somewhat annoyed expression. She had her arms crossed, and her right foot was tapping impatiently. Her beauty was undeniable, with piercing eyes and wavy hair that reflected light, but her character was known to be less than kind. Despite this, Lucas, always sociable and carefree, responded politely: "Yes, my name is Lucas. To what do I owe the pleasure of your dazzling presence?"
Helena frowned at the comment. "Save your flattery for someone who cares," she replied coldly. "I just want to know where your friend is. I always see you together; it's weird seeing you without him."
Lucas smiled with a mischievous expression. "If you mean Alder, he's probably in the Rune Research department. But I doubt you'll be able to find him; Oliver must be working him hard." His tone was mocking, but changed to a more malicious, insinuating one. "However, if you need an introduction, or if you want to send him a secret message, I'm your man."
Helena's gaze became even colder, sharp as ice. "Just tell your friend that I would like to speak with him about a private matter," she said seriously, before turning and walking away, leaving Lucas and the group of students confused and surprised. Lucas thought, unable to imagine what private matter Helena might want to discuss with Alder.
Although Lucas continued the training session, he did not forget to send a message to Alder. However, he did not receive any response. Alder, for his part, had not even checked his phone, completely absorbed in finishing his work. He was like a machine, unable to stop, writing tirelessly late into the night. Finally, with a stretch of his body and a soft moan of satisfaction, Alder murmured proudly, "Finished."
The accumulated fatigue of more than a full day of uninterrupted labor finally hit him. With difficulty, he managed to crawl to his room and fell into his bed, where he fell fast asleep instantly.