“Huh?” Det couldn’t stop the sound from escaping his lips.
That couldn’t be right. Det’s brain almost shorted out at Caustic’s statement. He’d failed by attempting more than twenty percent of the test. How did that work now?
“I’m sure you’re asking yourselves,” Caustic said, like she was reading Det’s mind—and probably every other ReSouled in the room—“how you failed by attempting more of the test. The answer to that is both complicated and simple.
“First of all, Cups,” she said, turning to the man on the left, who had his arms crossed within the sleeves of his loose robe, “tell me, how did you do academically on Earth?”
“I was a straight D student,” Cups said somewhat proudly.
“And how about you, Majordomo?”
“B’s in the arts, C’s in everything else,” Majordomo said, also with a look of pride on his face, leaning slightly forward.
Caustic looked at the fourth person down in the instructor’s area. The one who’d delivered the tests to the desks in front of the cadets. “And how about you, Rosebud?”
“I never graduated high school or university, ma’am,” the woman named Rosebud said. “I had to start work young.”
“No shame in that,” Caustic said. “Like you, I don’t even have a high school degree. In fact, I barely finished junior high school. Or, what some of you may have called middle school.
“That, oddly enough, is one of the reasons I’m so good at alchemy. You see, out of all the skills you may choose to learn in your second and third year with the Mistguard, alchemy is the one that most defies what you think you know.
“If you answered more than twenty percent of the test questions laid out in front of you, that means you tried to apply Earth knowledge to an Elestar process. I’m sure some of you dredged up old chemistry lessons to employ; some of you maybe even used cooking skills. Math, science, home-ec, all of those could have been applied to these questions, and each and every one of them would have been applied wrong.
“Majordomo, can you give us an example?”
“Of course, ma’am,” Majordomo said, and walked over to a small set of drawers sitting near the board at the front of the wall. Once there, he opened the top drawer and pulled out two small glass jars, each with an item inside. The first kind of looked like a chili pepper, except it was blue. The second was, in fact, a pinky-finger-sized flame floating within the glass bottle.
“These two items,” Majordomo said, “were both ingredients listed within the exam. The first section, to be more precise. This item,” he held up the blue chili pepper, “is called a Frostflake Pepper. I wouldn’t suggest you try eating it unless you want to experience losing your tongue. I speak from experience.
“This item,” he held up the bottle containing the small flame, “is called a Spark of the Destroyer. An intimidating name, for good reason. This spark will attempt to consume anything it comes in contact with. You would expect, for example, were you to pair this spark with a piece of wood, that it would burn the wood. That would make sense if you were using Earth logic.
“However, this flame does not behave that way. In fact, while it would consume the wood, it would not relinquish any of its heat. Instead, it would absorb the properties of the wood itself.
“Now, this Frostflake Pepper, on the other hand, possesses a surprising amount of chill within it. Pure cold. The bottle it’s in now is specially treated to contain that cold. But, were you to put it in a normal bottle, for example, well, first off, if you touched it with your bare hands, you would instantly get frostbite and potentially see your fingers turn solid before falling off. Then, if you managed to get it within a glass jar, you would get to experience the glass shattering as the temperature rapidly dropped. That’s just when you touch it. Consuming it, let’s just say it’s far worse.”
“Don’t recommend,” Cups interjected.
“Now, if we were to put these two items together,” Majordomo said, holding the bottles out in front of himself and then gently bringing them together so that the glass clinked, “you would very much not get the reaction you would expect. I’m sure those of you who answered more than twenty percent of the test would assume heat would move, thus, the fire would also move. In this case, it is the opposite. The flame will consume the pepper and, in turn, take on the chill property.
“This combination, oddly enough, transforms the Spark of the Destroyer into what we call the Spark of the Creator. You can ask me about the lore behind the name changes later. This is also just one example where Earth knowledge will interfere with alchemy.”
“Yes, with that, Oligy—” Caustic began.
Oligy’s hand shot into the air. “Now that you’ve explained how those two ingredients interact, won’t that override our Earth knowledge? Can’t we just memorize?”
“An interesting question,” Caustic said. “Through past cycles, we have seen some ReSouled who have been able to do that. Who’ve been able to, let’s say, supersede their instincts from what they knew on Earth. Most of the time, however, it doesn’t work.
“Yes, you may be able to memorize some interactions, and your ReSouled minds will definitely help you with that. I’m not sure if some of you noticed, but as you reviewed the exam, you may have noticed it getting easier and easier to understand the questions. They were specifically written in riddles that your minds would be able to unravel, given enough time and effort. That is just a perk of the test, and something we will discuss later.
“As for right now, what we’ve found is that people who rely on the logic of Earth have a very difficult time moving away from continuing to do that. You will be able to learn specific recipes, but it is unlikely you will ever be able to innovate when it comes to alchemy. While that’s not the end of the world and you can still succeed in this first-year class, it does very much limit your options in second- and third-year classes, where we emphasize research and development and not just rote memorization and the crafting of established potions.”
Well, shit, Det thought to himself.
And apparently, Caustic caught the look that must’ve crossed his face at the same time.
“Cadet,” she said, looking at him and even going so far as to point, “does your dream of creating a potion of teleportation live on?”
Det looked at her, a little annoyed at being called out in front of the entire class, then shook his head. “I’m probably going to have to outsource,” he said, which got a few chuckles. Some of them were sympathetic—likely from others who’d answered large portions of the test—while others just generally found it funny.
“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” Caustic said. “Where one door closes, another opens. The enchanting option isn’t one that you’ll get yet until second year, but where we find those with Earth knowledge that struggle with alchemy, can instead excel.”
A little bit of the disappointment and frustration in Det’s chest vanished at the statement. Enchanting, huh? That sounded a little closer to his wheelhouse than alchemy did. And if he could somehow combine it with his ink-wash magic, well, that would be two birds with one stone.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Now, since this isn’t an enchanting class, let’s continue talking a bit more about alchemy,” Caustic went on. “Thank you again, Majordomo, for the example. As always, it was an excellent one.
“I’ll also say, there are literally a million more like it. Things that, coming from Earth, you would expect to work, will instead do something completely different. Sometimes the opposite, or sometimes nothing at all. Don’t expect two ingredients to combine in a way that chemistry would predict. You’ll get it wrong every time.
“Yes, like Cadet Oligy suggested, memorization is one possible avenue to pursue, and it will be what a number of you need to do to get through this first-year course.” She trailed off, looking, of course, to the hand raised. “Cadet Oligy, you have another question?”
“Can we fail this class?” the cadet asked.
It was a good question. One Det hadn’t even really considered. By the way the people to his left and right perked up, he wasn’t the only one. Calisco seemed particularly interested.
“Yes and no,” Caustic said. “This is not the only test you will get during the course this semester. But the goal of the classes here at the Mount Avalon Academy isn’t to fail you. It’s to train you. You are the next generation of warriors the Mistguard needs. To that end, our job as instructors is to prepare you for that. To prepare you to stay alive. With that in mind, living is passing. Dying is failing.”
Caustic paused to let the words sink in to the cadets. After a moment of silence—Cups and Majordomo nodding seriously beside her—she finally continued.
“I was perhaps being a bit melodramatic with the statement, but it is not untrue. We are training you to survive. At the bare minimum, when you leave this class, you need to be able to craft basic healing potions. If you’re able to create moderate or greater potions—which we will certainly attempt to do—all the better.
“For your reference, we have discovered at least thirty-seven different recipes that will result in a minor healing potion. Something that will at least close wounds to prevent you bleeding to death. After your first week here, I am sure some of you think that to be impossible. Let me correct that misconception right now.
“It is possible, and it has happened. Every time has been a shame, and a failure on somebody’s part to properly prepare. On us, for not instilling the necessary skills or mindset. On the ReSouled’s part for ignoring their wounds, or not bringing a healing potion with them.
“Healing potions—and knowing how to craft your own—will literally save your life. Better yet, we hope many of you will be able to even create potions that can mend broken bones, allowing you to return to the fight immediately.
“As you get stronger and move up the Ranks, potions with those effects will not lose their value, though you may need to create more powerful versions to remain effective on your bodies. Still, should you ever lose a limb, having a potion to staunch the blood flow could prove the difference between life or death.
“As an added benefit, many of these potions will also lessen the pain you feel, and in turn make it easier for you to concentrate on the fight. Those of you with aptitude will even be able to craft potions to regrow those lost limbs right before your eyes.
“Being able to craft a healing potion isn’t the only goal of this class, and it’s one of the reasons that Cups is a member of our faculty. While healing potions are useful, as I mentioned, the weaker ones can have limited value to ReSouled as you progress. Your body will naturally stop bleeding and suppress pain. With enough willpower and focus, you can even ignore broken bones and torn muscles. At least in the short term.
“The other thing we want to ensure you’re able to do is create buffing potions. These are the types of things that your magic may not naturally be able to do for you. Things that could increase your strength, your speed, or even vision and hearing. For those of you who will take on the role of Vanguards—as the scouts of the Mistguard—being able to spot your enemies before they spot you will be an incredible advantage.
“We even have potions that will lower your weight, making your tracks less visible, or another that will let you stick to walls. Yes, like the superhero. No, please don’t make the twhip sound, then throw your hands out in front of you. We’ve seen it a dozen times. It’s not funny anymore.”
More than a few of the cadets had a guilty look on their faces, obviously just about to do one or all of those things.
“Finally,” Caustic said, after the little aside, “There are even greater potions. Things like flight and haste. I probably don’t need to explain those two. If you’re able to create those after a first-year course, you are an alchemical genius. Most students will create their first versions of those in second or perhaps third year. Both are acceptable.
“Again, the goal of this and the future alchemy courses is not to fail you. It’s to prepare you.”
A familiar hand shot into the air.
“Yes, Cadet Oligy?”
“So what happens if we’re not able to create a minor healing potion by the end of the term?”
“Then you will continue in supplementary classes on top of your other classes until you’re able to.
“As ReSouled, we all have our drives. It is unlikely that yours will let you easily fail. With that in mind, we as instructors will make sure we do our part to feed those drives. We want you to succeed. We need you to succeed. You will be given every opportunity to do that.”
At those last words, Caustic, Cups, Majordomom, and Rosebud all smiled.
“On the topic of opportunities,” Caustic continued, “as the headmaster has explained, those of you who do better will have more opportunities. While we want all of you to be able to achieve at least the bare minimum, each of the four of us is also personally looking for both assistants and protégés.
“If we see you have a knack for alchemy, you will be given the opportunity. The offer to assist us with our personal work. This is not something that will go to people who can barely combine two ingredients. Our drives won’t allow us to compromise on that.
“What do you get out of it? Nearly unfettered access to rarer ingredients that you will be allowed to use to create potions for yourself and your friends, as well as unrestricted access to our knowledge. Believe me when I tell you, this is an advantage.”
Almost surprisingly, it wasn’t Oligy’s hand that went up with the next question, and Caustic looked at a cadet Det didn’t recognize. From the way Calisco leaned forward, though, she knew the man. And unlike her usual dismissal of anybody who wasn’t her, there was an uncommon look of focus on her face. Whoever the man was, she not only knew him, but she had some level of interest in him.
I should probably find out who he is.
“Yes, Cadet?” Caustic said, pointing at the new man’s hand.
“If it’s such an advantage to be your protégé, and your goal is to help us succeed, why don’t you just give this knowledge to everybody?”
“Time,” Caustic said simply. “While we are instructors for the three years you are here at Mount Avalon Academy, for the following seventeen years in this cycle, we will be like you. Active on the front lines, defending against the Corelands and any other threat that rears its head against the Nivelhime Kingdom.
“With that in mind, we have our own preparation and work to do. We don’t get to sit idle while we’re instructors. In fact, our time is even more limited. Not only are we expected to prepare potions for the ReSouled on active duty—a task our protégés would help with—but we must also continue research into new potions with the rest of the alchemy team here on Mount Avalon.”
“So, we get the bare minimum, and you get to call that a success?” the cadet said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.
“As cutthroat as it may sound to you,” Caustic said, “it is what history and experience have proven has the highest cost-to-benefit ratio. You have three years to continue learning and improving your skills while you are here within the safety of Mount Avalon’s halls. Hundreds of other ReSouled fight out there right now, at this very moment.
“The wars do not take a three-year pause while you take classes. The potions we get to the armies now will make a bigger difference in the grand scheme of things.”
Despite the rebuke from the instructor, the cadet uncrossed his arms, leaned forward like he was really listening to what she had to say. Caustic didn’t continue speaking, and let the cadet work through his own thoughts. About fifteen seconds later, he nodded at her.
“I’m sorry for my outburst,” he finally said and leaned back. “Thank you for explaining it to me.”
“Of course, Cadet,” she said, then looked over to Rosebud. “I think that about does it for the introduction to our class. Rosebud, my dear, would you mind bringing in the textbooks for our students?”
The younger woman nodded and exited through the door she’d come in from, while Caustic looked again to the cadets in front of her.
“There are no more pass-or-fail tests,” Caustic said, “but there is a lot of learning to do. And for that, we will begin with reading. Don’t worry, as we progress through this semester, your ReSouled minds will help you devour the content I put before you.
“For those of you who answered more than twenty percent of the test, I will warn you now that you may struggle with this part. What you read will conflict directly with what you think you know. My advice to you is to accept that. Take the parts that you can understand, and build on those.
“If you need help, ask your roommates. Don’t try to struggle through this by yourselves. You will also have the four of us to offer assistance during class time and our office hours, which are included as an insert in the textbook.
“Now then, let us really begin our first lesson.”
