As soon as students arrived at the square, they saw many first-year students there. While most of the students looked at the 2-meter platform in front of them, Theo looked at the marble buildings around the square where busy teachers and elder students appeared from time to time.

He already noticed something when Leonardo patted him on the shoulder.

“Someone is on the platform,” said the boy as Theo shifted his glance there.

It was the short, old man with gray hair and dressed in a robe with academy insignia on it. Though he was old, his movements were energetic. Playful flames gleamed in his eyes.

The square turned silent when most of the students saw and realized who it was. Though they saw him for the first time, rumors they heard were enough to identify that old man as the headmaster.

Satisfied with the silence, the old man smiled as he threw his glance at the students below.

“Greetings, my students. I am the headmaster of the academy, the Great mage Urick. First, I would like to congratulate you on your enrollment in our academy, I have high expectations from your generation and expect many talented and strong mages and knights who will protect this land,” said Urick with a smile on his lips while his voice traveled to every corner of the main square. “I know that you all have similar questions because of recent changes in policy. Since most of you are here, I just wanted to confirm and add a few details. Beginning from today, first-year students will take one compulsory course from the opposite department. Prospect mages will learn the basics of inner energy and swordsmanship, while prospect knights will learn basic information about spells. Besides, the punishment for cheating students is also true. There won’t be mercy. You are all equal in the academy.”

As soon as he finished his speech, a stern gaze landed on the few dissatisfied groups in the noble outfit. A rapacious smile appeared on his lips.

“Of course you can try to change my mind. But, you better talk with your elder students first and ask for advice,” said Urick as he looked right at those few students.

As if feelings something, those students quickly changed their expressions, making Urick widen his smile.

“Since I am done with the boring part, let’s move to the interesting one,” said Urick as he looked at a few teachers to the side who nodded at him.

A moment and all marble buildings lit up with enchantments, attracting the attention of the gathered students.

“Some of you already know what is happening. But, I would like to explain to those who do not know. Besides the previous change, all first-year students can take a minor for the period of their studies earlier than before. Minors like alchemy, enchanting, scouting, geology, taming, blacksmithing, and many others are available for you. We dedicated each building to a particular minor. Teachers and students are also there, you can talk with them,” said Urick as he watched how the crowd slowly became thrilled. He knew it was time to end. “Academy encourages you to choose a minor, but make a careful choice, now you can proceed, have fun.”

As soon as he finished his speech, the old man slowly left the platform while students rushed towards unique buildings. There was small chaos, and it divided Theo and Leonardo from Zed and Felix before teachers and students calmed down in the crowd.

They were already inside a certain pavilion with pills drawn on its signboard. It was an alchemy pavilion, and they moved, following a small crowd towards an elder student who was loudly explaining something.

“We divided the alchemy pavilion into several zones. The left side is about non-combatant alchemy. Pills, alchemy resources would be there. You can also take part in the small test on the knowledge of medicinal plants for the small reward. The right side is about battle alchemy. Alchemy puppets, battle use of alchemy flame, and a small arena are there. A few puppets will show their capabilities. The central part is an enormous hall for alchemy history and basic information needed to enroll in the course. Our headmaster will provide an honor as the free lecture. If you already wanted to enroll, I don’t recommend missing that event,” said the student in the green uniform as he watched how sizeable the crowd already gathered in front of him. “You can enroll in the special areas where my colleagues in similar uniforms sit behind tables with many documents. Don’t worry, it won’t be hard to find us in any zone.”

As soon as the elder student finished his speech, he gave a signal. The gate opened, allowing the crowd to pour inside. Theo and Leonardo moved together with the current until they finally released themselves some distance away from the frontier gates, where the crowd finally dispersed in different directions.

Leonardo looked dissatisfied with his current situation, while Theo was deep in his thoughts. A certain scene in which he spent an enormous sum on one pill didn’t leave his mind.

‘Hmm... It will be worth learning it. Extra skill is always good.’

A cursing boy interrupted his thoughts.

“Doggone! I wanted to go to the different pavilion,” said Leonardo as he hit a nearby column before he turned and looked at Theo. “Will you stay here?”

“Yes, I would like to listen to alchemy. What about you?” asked Theo.

“I will go look for the blacksmithing department. I have always wanted to learn it since childhood. It’s a marvelous chance,” said Leonardo.

“Then, our ways part here. Till next time,” said Theo as he stretched his hand for his friend.

Leonardo whiffed his hand and rushed to leave until it was still possible.

...

..

.

Theo sat in his seat somewhere in the middle section of the hall and looked at the platform in front of him. More students entered the hall with each moment. The hall was already filled, but those students preferred to stand, but listen to the vital information needed for enrollment.

A short time later, a tired old man with red eyes appeared on the platform. One elder student assisted him by holding him on his shoulder. The man looked like he could fall asleep at any moment. Everything about him told that he was very exhausted and appeared here by mistake. But only a few noticed how a medical scent arrived in the hall together with that man.

Some students showed amused expressions, while Theo looked at the certain dirty badge on his clothes. It was an official badge of the Great Alchemist. People like that were among those to who he gave his treasures for their service. Even a few intact memories were enough to make his heartache from pain. Theo clenched his fists as resolute flames appeared in his eyes.

‘This time, it will be different. No more exchanging tons of coins or artifacts for their pills. I will become self-sufficient.’

While Theo was in his thoughts, the old man quickly took a pill and swallowed right before the audience. It took only a few moments for him to straighten his back, wipe his eyes, and make a total transformation. He was no longer an exhausted old man, but an energetic one with a clear passion on his face.

“I am the Great alchemist Davos, the headmaster of the Alchemy department. I am glad to see you all here, dear first-year students,” said the man as a bright smile appeared on his lips. “I know that you all want to move to further areas of our pavilion. But, before you become a prospect alchemist, you must learn about our history and prove that you take it seriously. So, the sooner we start, the faster you will go to other zones.”

Raising his hand, several objects started appearing in front of him as he placed some of them on the nearby tables, provided by the elder students. Some stood on the floor just like small puppets while elder students put training, medical pills, sword, and other things on the different tables on the stage.

For most of the students, his actions looked weird because those objects were too ordinary, and only a few of them made understanding expressions when they looked at the representatives of each alchemical sphere, starting from medical alchemy, training alchemy, battle alchemy, and blacksmithing.

When Davos finished, he clapped his hands and let his assistants leave before looking at his audience. His smile widened when he caught several confused glances, addressed for his actions.

“I could have made a mysterious expression and made you strain your brains to guess why I put this puppet dedicated to hunting rats together with other objects. But, I won’t do that,” said Davos as patted the puppet and showed his alchemy badge to the audience.

“This is my badge, the badge of the Great Alchemist, which holds great power and influence almost everywhere on the Continent. Wherever I go, I will get respect from people and pleas to make something or sell something. Today, alchemy is as important as enchanting in our daily life. Alchemy is everywhere, even in some places you do not know,” said Davos with a proud expression. “But, sometimes this badge was just a metal, holding no influence.”

Davos paused for a moment and released a bitter sigh before continuing his lecture.

“Long time ago, when alchemists were just inner-energy users, experimenting with their powers, creating basic and weak medicines, poisons, and other things, nobody still knew about alchemy. First alchemists were just a bunch of weirdos, doing strange and useless things. Their medical inventions looked bleak compared to the ordinary priest from any local church or their outpost. But, as time passed, those weirdos pushed forwards, experimenting with new things. Eventually, after many years of constant work, the first alchemy flame came to this world. It was the beginning and the birth of today’s alchemy. Of course, with a new way of increasing their pill effectivity and properties, it became possible to realize those things which looked impossible before. It didn’t take long for the appearance of the first basic training pill. Of course, it looks bleak compared to today’s ones, but a higher chance to evoke inner-energy source and increase its future energy reserve before evoking, and with no side effects were different for the people of that era. It was a revolution which shocked the whole Continent and launched the Golden age of alchemy.”

Davos once again paused for a moment before taking a bunch of pills from tables to show to the audience.

“This is the basic pill which can fasten your evoking rate, increase its reserves, strengthen your body a bit, and provide some medical help for your body,” said Davos with a proud expression on his face. “Even now, when such pills are vital for any potential warrior or knight. Imagine how it was back then when there were only a few people who knew how to make such pills on the whole Continent.”

As soon as he asked them, a total silence descended into the hall. Many students made thoughtful expressions, thinking about his words.

“When they continued to experiment, they created more and more medical training pills and resources. Some of them created new flame techniques, allowing them to blend metals to change their properties. Others started taking disciples to share their wisdom and talents with the world. It was the first time when those weirdoes got an appreciation for their efforts, and it didn’t take long for them to become influential and respected. Their alchemy should and names traveled all over the Continent, making them forget who they truly were, a bunch of talented in alchemy, but ordinary in battle capabilities,” said Davos as he released a bitter sigh while a sad gleam appeared in his eyes.

“As usual, greed and envy started the Dark age. A sole, insignificant, but arrogant king who enslaved dozens of respected alchemists was enough for the precedent and launch the catastrophe,” said Davos as he took a certain tissue from the table and unfolded the banner with a green flame, burning on the hand.

While most of the students once again showed confused expressions, Theo raised his brow, recognizing that banner. It was the banner of the whole Alchemy Guild. But even the knowledge itself couldn’t explain to him why the old man showed it right now.

“War came to the alchemists. Following the precedent, it took only half a year for many influential forces to destroy mercenary groups, protecting them and most of the alchemy schools, enslaving many alchemists, and forcing founders to kill themselves or hide in the distant forests or mountains. In such a manner, it was enough to send the alchemical world near extinction and make alchemists wanted preys and slaves all over the Continent,” said Davos while a single tear fell to the ground while the banner behind him started flopping as if wind hit it in full force. “But, even though those people almost destroyed the alchemy for decades, there were still those who continued what the founders started. With an unknown amount of effort, a young genius invented an object which you all know. The first puppet appeared on the Continent and proclaimed the start of the Alchemy wars.”

As soon as he finished his phrase, several puppets with shields and swords entered the platform and stopped behind the flopping banner.

“Unfortunately, that genius died,” said Davos with a clear pity and sorrow on his face. “But his knowledge reached other surviving alchemists who started gathering in groups after decades of the constant hunt. In such a manner, groups of like-minded people started their preparations, and the first puppet legion appeared on the Continent, plunging it into the blood, chaos, fire, and war. It was the war for survival where alchemists fought for their rights and lives.”

Davos turned from the audience and approached the banner, taking it into his hands.

“Many people and alchemists died in those wars. Rare prodigies lost their lives during them, many unique manuals, techniques, and methods disappeared together with them, making future generations string their heads to decipher or understand them. Of course, it’s a high regret for all of us they died, but when the dust settled, and the Alchemy Guild appeared on the south part of the Continent, and when this banner and alchemy badge once again became a sign of respect proved they weren’t wrong when they sacrificed their lives,” said Davos as a banner in his hands started glowing with green light as if it was a real flame, attracting attention. “So, any prospect alchemist should remember why, and for what they fought. This is the least you should do for those brave people.”

As soon as he said those words, Davos smiled and gave the signal to several puppets, which quickly took the banner and disappeared while he approached the edge of the platform.

“This is the end of my lecture. Now, you all know the basic information about alchemy history and it won’t be hard for you to pass our enrollment exam if you listened carefully. By the way, those who pass the exam will get this pill from the department,” said Davos as he pointed at the basic training pill before he turned and left the platform.

When the old man disappeared and several elder students appeared to take the tables and alchemy objects, other elder students, responsible for registration, gave a signal and newcomers started registration, by taking papers and answering five different questions in front of the elder student.

Of course, it took some time, but Theo eventually visited other zones of the alchemy pavilion. His focus was on alchemy and enchanting pavilion where he saw enchanted weapons, armor, and golems, but he also visited other pavilions where he saw tamed beasts and his small sister Lucia, watching after fluffy animals in the Taming pavilion, different swords and shields at the blacksmithing pavilion and other stuff.

As a result, Theo returned with a smile on his lips to his carriage together with his sister and several of his guardian knights.