Was it possible to reach a purity percentage of 100 per cent? Practically, it was still impossible. There was always a small unmeasurable percentage of impurity at a level where filtration could not be carried out further. That was the conclusion that alchemists had come to after years of attempting to create a pure potion.

The purity of a potion was tested using a switch stone. The purer a concoction, the closer it came to a perfect theoretical ratio of magic to solvent. A switch stone dropped into a vial of potion would react to the presence of magic in it and change from a white to a blue colour. Through a process of trial and error, and tedious calculations, alchemists had come up with a switch scale that could identify the level of purity to a very precise degree.

Theoretical alchemists studied the mathematical aspects of potion-making and had deduced the formulas that calculated the purity of a potion based on the weights of the ingredients used, the final weight of the potion, and the shade emitted by the switch stone. An almost perfectly pure potion was said to be 100% free of filterable solute and was highly concentrated in magic - the ratio of which differed for each branch of potion speciality. Thus, at their current level of science, alchemists were still discovering that potion purity was a bar that kept moving higher with more advanced methods of filtration.

Altaire was one such potion maker who tapped into the precision that mathematics allowed rather than just relying on his innate and freakish talent for potion-making. Syryn's expertise was split between medicine and alchemy while Altaire was a mathematical alchemist. It meant that his potions were always 99% and higher in purity, a feat that Syryn hadn't achieved yet.

The teen wasn't interested in the creation of potions with a purity percentage that was higher than 97% because, at that point, the effort expended into the brewing of such a high-grade potion outweighed the benefits of it. Who had time to memorise that many formulae and calculate everything so precisely? Only at a 99% purity was there an enormous leap in benefits but Syryn wasn't inclined to become a mathematical alchemist like Altaire. The man was a freak, a perfect being born with intelligence, innate understanding and passion for both alchemy and mathematics. Syryn was just as jealous an alchemist as he was a fan of Altaire.

"Syryn, you look really different," Luci said from the bed he was sitting on.

The alchemist had put on one of the colourful sets of Nuan wear he had found in the closet. It was a coral background ensemble with a turquoise sash around the waist. Autumnal gold chrysanthemums and pink goldfish captured the eyes of anyone that looked his way. It was bright, loud, ostentatious, and perfect for annoying some uptight Nuans. Syryn tied his hair in a loose style that gave off an air of indolence. Put together with the way he left the chest area exposed in a v that fell to his waist - as inspired by Akida's open chested style of wearing his robes - Syryn looked like a flashy incubus out to seduce some willing victims.

"I know what you're doing, Syryn," the redhead smiled at his big brother. "And I think the impact will be stronger if you take off the illusion."

"Good advice, Luci," Syryn replied. The illusion was powered down and Syryn went from looking ostentatious to breathtakingly glamorous.

"Are you out of your mind?" Akida asked when he caught sight of Syryn.

"What? What's wrong?" Syryn asked.

The avian was chewing on a piece of pickled radish. His eyes stopped at the open chest and shook his head. At Syryn's age, marriage was already an option for the ready maidens. And Syryn wasn't exempt from being coveted by older men and women. "I'm a simple man Syryn. I see you dressed like that and my mind will automatically think about what the rest of you looks like under that robe." He spoke in a flat tone, not as a flirtatious comment, but a statement of fact.

"You're not entirely wrong but aren't you the same? You're just as exposed as I am," the alchemist replied.

"It's not the same thing," Akida defended, thinking about how to keep Syryn safe from hands that strayed too close. "You're still young enough that you look androgynous when you dress so. I will never mistake you for a girl but no man is as pretty as you are. Do you understand?" Akida told the teen while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yes. But-"

"Cover your chest, Syryn. Unless you're using it as a distraction tactic against your enemy."

"He's done it on purpose because Nigh'hart is an attention whore like that," Red who had finally woken up, added to the conversation. "This is his show and he's unwilling to be upstaged by Altaire's probable attendance."

Red and Luci had both correctly interpreted Syryn's actions. Altaire was a better alchemist than he was. If the man showed up to watch the test, Syryn would have his thunder stolen. The tiny amount of insecurity that had crept in had led to this. Now no one could look away from him and marvel that Altaire was amongst them. Was the mathematical alchemist a good looking man? Nobody knew. He always had on a mask.

"I'm assuming you're the other Lucien," Akida said to Red.

"Correct," Red replied. "Let's get along well Akida." The redhead's smirk was on the sly side.

Akida very wisely remained silent. He polished off the last remaining slice of pickled radish in a shallow white bowl. Syryn had told him to be careful of the other one. He was starting to see why.

----

Along the way to their destination, the bright and attractive alchemist was an eye-catching sight for the citizens of Nua. Heads turned, fingers were pointed, whispers exchanged. He took it all in stride because Akida was a veritable wall between him and potential perverts.

When they arrived, without incident, at the amphitheatre, it was fully crowded. Avians were standing outside the building hoping to catch a glimpse of the excitement though they couldn't enter its doors.

"Looks like all of Nua decided to show up," Red commented. "Wait till they see you."

"What do you mean?" Syryn eyed the redhead.

"Nothing. Don't get kidnapped by a pervert, Syryn."

A few heads turned and then many more. Akida frowned at the way the crowd was pressing closer. Why did Syryn have to cause him so much unnecessary trouble? The troublemaker in question was as carefree as a bird. Of course, he had nothing to worry about when Akida was around.

"You're finally here," Utsui remarked when they got through the crowd and entered the doors of the amphitheatre. The young healer had been waiting at the doors for Syryn who had turned up almost half an hour late.

Utsui spoke more formally and his eyes were focused straight between Syryn's brows. "You made everyone wait."

"That's fine. Good things are worth waiting for," Syryn answered. "Did Altaire show up?"

"I think not," Utsui answered. He was still a little stiff around his shoulders.

Syryn was neither very disappointed nor happy about it. His objective was to make some old men throw up blood and have fun while at it. Altaire was a non-issue as long as he didn't steal Syryn's thunder.

-----

Syryn's entrance was solo. He walked alone towards the stage where the old alchemist was already seated next to his worktable.

Two work tables were occupied by neatly arranged ingredients. Three small cauldrons each were lined up next to the pile of ingredients.

Avians who had never seen the foreigner were astonished at how stunning he was.

"Why did nobody mention to us how gorgeous he is?" An avian girl whispered to her friend.

"He's just as pretty as Nua's heart feather," a man told his companion after sucking in a shocked breath. "Look at that face and tell me he isn't as beautiful as Keira."

Elder Toka who was sitting beside a masked man shifted uncomfortably. When did the troublesome boy get so attractive? He also didn't like how confident Syryn was looking. The teen had pasted on a vague looking smile as he climbed the steps that lead to the stage. It was the same smile he'd seen on Syryn's face when he had humiliated him during the lecture.

"Master Altaire, that's the nitwit boy I was telling you about. He makes a mockery of alchemy and the hard work that experts like yourself put in. Nua will teach him a hard lesson that he won't be forgetting anytime soon. I hope you enjoy it."

Beneath the mask, Altaire's lips curved up a fraction. He had never seen someone so pretty, so eye-catching, that one couldn't look away. It was unfortunate, he thought, that the boy had to be an idiot; if the old man's words were to be trusted.

Syryn was unaware of the great patronage sitting amongst the audience. Every single gaze in the crowd was focused on him alone. His opponent was ignored for the crusty middle-aged man he was. The avians had come to hate on Syryn but his looks had already won them over. Such was the privilege enjoyed by those born with unparalleled beauty. The teen smiled with satisfaction and allowed his eyes to slowly take in all the faces that were turned towards him like flowers towards the sun. And that's when he noticed the masked man who was also obviously watching him.

Syryn's heart stuttered just a little before he found his bearings. He had to spread out the sudden onslaught of stress he was feeling.

"Hey, do you see that man in the crowd? The one wearing a mask." Syryn asked him.

The middle-aged man squinted. "Yes. Is-is that-" his eyes widened comically.

"Altaire," Syryn grinned at seeing how panicked the man was getting. "Don't fuck up too hard. Your idol might end up despising you."