While people were discussing the list of human components and the magic circle, Picca Comics' new issue was finally released.
"Fullmetal Alchemist"
This was the new work readers had been eagerly anticipating.
"Alchemy, huh?"
Daniel held the new issue of the manga, staring at the cover in surprise.
To be honest, when he saw Ren's earlier image, he thought the new work would be about magic. But an alchemist...
He had some understanding of alchemy.
It was the precursor to modern chemistry, often appearing in many fantasy adventure stories. Of course, alchemists usually appeared as minor characters or villains.
For example, poisoning the main characters.
In this world, alchemists often carried bottles and jars.
They'd say strange things like, "Would you like a drink?" or "Shake, shake, shake," or "To shake or not to shake, that is the question," creating an image that didn't match that of a hero.
However...
He looked at the cover again.
A blonde boy and a large armored man stood back to back, with a huge magic circle behind them.
They looked like wizards, completely different from the creepy alchemists he had in mind.
But knowing this work was by the Porter, Daniel felt this was expected. After all, the Porter loved to defy conventions.
Whether in tokusatsu or other works, he always did things differently.
"If that's the case, let's see what it's all about."
Thinking this, Daniel eagerly sat on the couch and started reading.
From the very beginning, he was captivated by the plot.
The former State Alchemist, the Freezing Alchemist Isaac, had turned against the government after the Ishval Extermination War and was now killing soldiers and civilians.
Fullmetal Alchemist Edward and his brother Alphonse were tasked with capturing him.
Though Isaac's true intentions were unclear,
Daniel gathered from his words some hints. Why would someone who was once a hero in the military hate it so deeply now? Why did he call alchemists lapdogs?
What happened during the Ishval Extermination War?
Especially when Isaac confronted Edward and said something that made Daniel even more curious.
What is the main character's country really up to?
What truth could make a former State Alchemist hate his country so much?
"Damn it, just tell us! If you don't say it, how can we know why you're doing this? How can Edward understand you?"
As Daniel read the conversation between Isaac and Edward, he couldn't help but curse the Porter.
After all, blaming the Porter had become a universal truth among fans.
However, Daniel had some guesses.
Maybe the military stole Isaac's credit?
Or perhaps, a returning war hero found his five-year-old daughter living in a doghouse and yelled, "I've had enough!"
These were common tropes, right?
But then Daniel thought again and wasn't so sure. The Porter loved plot twists. Who knew what bigger scheme was in play?
"What the hell?" As Daniel pondered, Isaac killed Alphonse.
But it turned out there was nothing inside the armor!
Not only was Daniel surprised, but Isaac was also shocked, breaking into a cold sweat.
At that moment, Isaac seemed to recall something from the brothers' appearance, leading to the forbidden alchemy—human transmutation!
This made Daniel curious about what human transmutation really was.
The story continued.
Isaac seemed to have hit a sore spot with Edward, causing him to get angry and start beating Isaac, even trapping him in a waterless environment.
However, he forgot one thing—70% of the human body is liquid!
Using his own blood, Isaac performed alchemy to injure Edward and escape.
Before leaving, he shouted, "You don't know anything about this country!"
This made Daniel even more curious about the future plot.
But Isaac still couldn't escape.
He encountered President Bradley and was ultimately killed by him.
The story didn't end there.
At the end of the manga, two new characters appeared—a woman and a large man.
They mentioned unfamiliar terms to Daniel.
Human pillars and the Philosopher's Stone!
They knew Isaac and said, "The show is about to start."
Daniel suddenly had a guess.
Could Isaac have been misled by these two?
Maybe the military wasn't the problem; these two were using Isaac?
With these questions in mind, Daniel opened the second chapter.
This was what Daniel loved about the Porter—he liked to release two chapters at a time.
Much better than one chapter a week.
However, it still wasn't enough.
The second chapter wasn't a continuation of the story.
It seemed to be a flashback?
It showed Edward and Alphonse as children.
They started learning alchemy when they were young, both intact, Edward with arms and Alphonse still human.
But one day, after their mother died, they had a bold idea—human transmutation!
"35 liters of water, 20 kilograms of carbon, 4 liters of ammonia... 3 grams of silicon, 5 grams of iron, plus trace amounts of 15 other elements..."
Seeing the familiar numbers in the manga, Daniel realized that the Porter had been referring to human transmutation!
Unfortunately, as Isaac mentioned, human transmutation was forbidden in alchemy.
Edward not only failed to revive his mother but also lost his brother's body and part of his own.
This chapter explained a lot, showing how Edward and Alphonse became the way they are now.
It also introduced the concept of alchemy and equivalent exchange.
"To obtain, something of equal value must be lost."
This was the fundamental principle of alchemy!
"Damn, the setting alone makes this story fascinating," Daniel muttered.
These alchemists were really cool!
The fight with Isaac showed how powerful alchemists were.
"Just hope it doesn't fall apart in the end."
Some stories start well but fall apart if the author can't maintain balance, with power levels quickly becoming inconsistent.
But considering it's by the Porter, Daniel believed the author could keep the story cohesive.
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating