In every world, the forces of mysticism, whether real or imagined, often replace words and actions, delivering a more direct impact on people.
This can be seen in the doctrines or rituals of various Eastern and Western civilizations, as well as astrology, witchcraft, and even yoga.
Medieval alchemy, naturally, was one of them.
In another world, alchemy was essentially the early germination of chemistry.
Mentioning alchemy might feel unfamiliar to some, but bringing up Harry Potter or Newton, almost everyone would immediately understand. The Philosopher's Stone in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is "the Philosopher's Stone," the ultimate goal of Western alchemy.
In alchemical legends, the Philosopher's Stone could transform ordinary metals into gold, cure any disease, grant youth, and provide immortality. Acquiring the Philosopher's Stone was said to offer ultimate wisdom, explaining why many, including renowned scientists like Newton, devoted their lives to its pursuit.
Newton spent nearly 30 years researching alchemy and the Philosopher's Stone, leaving behind a million-word manuscript. These manuscripts were auctioned in 1936 and acquired by Cambridge economist John Maynard Keynes.
The concept of the Philosopher's Stone dates back to ancient Greece and was said to be a stone capable of "gaining knowledge from the gods." By the 8th century, the prevailing physical theories suggested that every Aristotelian element (fire, earth, water, air) possessed qualities such as hot, cold, dry, and wet. Adjusting these qualities could allegedly transform metals.
Modern people know that material transformation is possible but incredibly slow—for example, the formation of petroleum and coal. Thus, to complete elemental transformations, alchemists deemed "time" to be the key factor. Gaining the essence of a substance or reaching spiritual perfection required time, often an unimaginably lengthy process.
This is why alchemists obsessed over creating the Philosopher's Stone, which they believed could accelerate these slow changes.
This effort to hasten transformation symbolized the desire to overcome the constraints of time and the projection of a wish to transcend eternity. Materially, acquiring precious metals like gold would represent great wealth, allowing independence from the broader economic system.
Physically and spiritually, escaping the constraints of time embodied humanity's long-cherished dream of eternal youth and immortality.
To catalyze these changes, alchemists had to master numerous technical skills such as dissolving, distilling, refining, putrefying, sublimating, calcining, and fermenting. They also had to learn to craft the required instruments, such as crucibles for heating, distillation flasks, and vessels for collecting alchemical materials.
From a modern perspective, many alchemists' attempts to create the Philosopher's Stone were, in essence, the budding of chemistry.
For example, a German once collected five or six tons of urine, left it to evaporate under the sun for weeks, then boiled it into a thick paste. He extracted the red, oily substance forming at the top, discarded the blackened bottom, and mixed the red substance back in to heat again. Through distillation, he produced a white liquid that burst into flames upon contact with oxygen.
He believed he had discovered the Philosopher's Stone, but in truth, he had merely created flammable white phosphorus.
The mystique of alchemy owed much to the mysterious nature of chemical experiments, but even more so to its extensive use of symbols and elements.
Symbols and elements also seem to define the distinct features of rune forging.
All of this was overwhelming. Kent could only rely on his past experience and guesses to gradually piece together his understanding of the magical world.
The members of the guard squad sitting around the campfire were, of course, unaware of the emerging worldview forming in Kent's mind—one born of the collision of two worlds. They were simply immersed in the earth-shattering idea that "magic could permanently enhance combat strength."
"I have a question, Captain." The always-silent cripple finally spoke.
"To what extent can this magic enhance one's combat strength?"
"Theoretically, it can be continually improved," Kent said. "But for now, the magic I can perform will teach you an ability that boosts your combat strength by 20%."
Everyone inhaled sharply.
On the Red Soil Continent, the progression system for abilities was straightforward: warriors, hunters, and assassins were the three most common development paths.
Take warriors as an example. Their advancement pathway includes five levels: Warrior, Brave, Guard, Knight, and Saint. Each level contains five sub-levels—once a warrior reaches Level 5, they break through to Level 6 and become a Brave. A Brave reaching Level 10 advances to Level 11, becoming a Guard.
The higher the level, the more difficult it is to advance. Most adventurers typically reach the Brave level through exploration and training. Advancing to Guard is rare, and anything beyond is almost unheard of.
Currently, Kent's activation of magical armor had already elevated everyone's combat strength to Guard level.
Who would have thought that this was just the beginning?
"This is incredible, Captain," Dry Leaf said, frowning. "Can magic truly achieve all of this?"
"Of course it can. Let's begin," Kent said with a smile. "We just need a magical agreement."
The magical agreement was naturally Kent's fabrication.
After unlocking the second-level team system's ability to activate "Piercing Formation," all members would automatically gain access to this ability. Kent only needed to teach them how to activate it.
But such simplicity felt insufficient. As someone constantly monitoring satisfaction levels, Kent wanted to incorporate a sense of mysticism and ritual to heighten everyone's sense of accomplishment, thereby earning greater satisfaction.
Everyone straightened up.
The firewood in the bonfire burned bright red, crackling and sending tiny sparks spiraling into the air.
Kent extended his hand, and a blue flame ignited at his fingertip.
In just a few months in this world, it felt as if years had passed.
His former identity could only exist as a memory and source of experience within his mind.
He was Kent—a royal illegitimate child, cast out to the borderlands during the royal succession disputes.
He was also the Spear Hunter's leader, the backbone of the guard squad, a one-year-term leader of the freed slaves in the Free Army, the hope of the Spear Hunter Valley's natives, and a deity in the eyes of the cave-dwellers.
In just a few months, he had transformed from an outcast to a beacon of hope for many.
He had to survive and lead this band of human and non-human companions to live well.
He would build a utopia for them—a paradise on the Red Soil Continent.
This was how he would reclaim the light in his life and create a future worth fighting for.