14. Alchemy cult and first mission (2)

Chloe sat next to Count Yulian, peeking out from behind her fan to observe him.

Professor Elmeier spoke, “Alright, let’s see. This concept is something you all should have thoroughly grasped through the first-year alchemy basics. Can anyone explain Paracelsus’s Four Elements Theory, the renowned alchemist and father of alchemy? Count Yulian?”

The Four Elements Theory. It was the root of the most fundamental theory shared by alchemists and magic orders alike.

The basic four elements of water, fire, earth, and air. The correlation between those four elements and the Mana that interacted with them.

And memorizing the essence of each element and its transformed states was basic for an alchemist.

But that Count Yulian absolutely shouldn’t know about the Four Elements Theory.

‘As Professor Elmeier said, Count Yulian isn’t an alchemist. He’s never been to our alchemist order’s lectures.’

No, it wasn’t that he had never come at all.

He had attended the first few lectures after entering as a freshman. In the first year, there were common basic lectures for all six orders, not specialized ones. So, students from other orders also participated in alchemy lectures for general knowledge.

‘But all they did was make childish toys using Mana and simple elemental materials. It wasn’t difficult at all.’

Also, alchemy lectures in the first year were particularly popular among the children of nobles.

The alchemist order had many children of high-ranking nobles gathered. Naturally, there were many noble young ladies as well. It was something that could be tempting for the rascal Yulian.

So, he showed his face at the lectures a few times. But there was no way that rascal would have patiently listened to the rather tedious alchemy theory lectures.

He was always late for lectures, and of course, he snored loudly and slept soundly during them. He even brought a separate blanket because he found the lecture seats uncomfortable.

When he was awake, his antics were even worse. He would spread out food at the back of the lecture hall and eat.

When the alchemy order’s professor inevitably pointed out his behavior to proceed with the lecture, Yulian got angry and turned on him.

‘Alchemy is nothing more than a sleeping pill, yet you’re acting all high and mighty! I can’t believe there’s a separate order for such trash lectures. You’re just getting paid for nothing! I’ll petition the President to abolish this lecture! You’re fired!’

The professor in charge at the time was from a noble family, but not a high-ranking one, so he couldn’t say a word against the Count’s abuse.

Moreover, Count Yulian actually went to see the President to try to get the professor fired.

But President Sophia was a reasonable person. She didn’t scold Yulian separately, but she didn’t fire the professor either.

When things didn’t go his way, the Count stopped coming to alchemy lectures. So, Chloe’s assessment of Count Yulian at the time was the lowest grade. No, a failure.

‘Even with that status, he didn’t seem to have any value at all.’

He could have at least kept a foot in the alchemist order for the sake of socializing with the children of Imperial Capital nobles. But then again, if he had that much intelligence, he wouldn’t have been acting like a rascal.

While she was lost in thought, Count Yulian finished his answer.

“…That is the basic concept and overview of the Four Elements Theory.”

“A very excellent answer. It’s not a particularly difficult topic, but you have a good grasp of the standard concepts.”

At that moment, Chloe doubted her ears. Did that Count just answer the professor’s question properly?

“In fact, perfectly understanding the basic concepts is the most difficult part of the theory. Especially, you have a very good grasp of the concept of the earth element attribute. I have high expectations for the future.”

That picky Professor Elmeier even praised Yulian’s answer.

‘Professor Elmeier is from a high-ranking noble family, so there’s no reason for him to suck up to the Count. What’s going on?’

She hadn’t heard the Count’s answer properly because she was lost in thought. But he had definitely satisfied Professor Elmeier.

He, who always had a prickly expression, was unexpectedly smiling.

And the professor added, “Everyone should review the concepts that Count Yulian just summarized in your heads. It’s a concept that must be addressed before starting the second-year advanced lectures. Then, Count, please take your seat.”

The other students seemed to have felt the same way as Chloe.

“Professor Elmeier didn’t point out a single thing. What’s going on? He usually points out even minor mistakes in terminology.”

“Chloe-nim, you were also caught by Professor Elmeier a few times last year, right?”

“But Count Yulian, was he always so knowledgeable about alchemy? He looks kind of cool answering so calmly. Oh my. Now that I look at him again, he’s become handsome too.”

The noble young ladies who were listening to the lecture also said a word each.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Chloe also couldn’t easily adapt to the Count, who had completely changed from his first-year self.

Alchemy lectures, like most theory lectures, were boring. But with the alchemist trait activated, she felt like her knowledge was doubling, so she could bear listening.

「Formal Student of the Pantheon at the Holy Academy」

* Receiving Praise from a Picky Professor

: You have received praise for basic concepts from Professor Elmeier, a master of alchemy theory.

* Acquired Rewards

+ 25GP / 75MP

There were also these small rewards. In fact, answering the professor’s questions wasn’t difficult at all. With the trait activated, the concepts of alchemy were organized in her head like a textbook.

Of course, she might have been stumped by advanced theories. But the professor had asked about basic concepts, so there was no problem.

‘Aylin said that professor is quite picky. I’m glad I made a good impression on him.’

Above all, it wouldn’t hurt to learn the alchemy theory that Professor Elmeier specialized in. No, it was essential for capturing magical beasts later.

Elmeier was an authority on the theory of material transformation containing the properties of the ‘earth’ element.

It sounded a bit difficult, but it was simple. It meant instantly transforming materials made of earth and rock through Mana and alchemy.

‘If we were accompanied by an alchemist skilled in that transformation, the knights’ combat options would be broadened. Knights can’t fly in the sky, but it’s different with the help of alchemy.’

A skilled alchemist could even change the terrain with momentary alchemy.

Considering that the knights’ combat was limited against giant magical beasts or aerial magical beasts, learning Professor Elmeier’s theory properly would add a very good combat method.

The tedious theory lecture was slowly coming to an end.

“Then, let’s have a few students come out and practice the shape and area transformation of rock-based materials that I explained today. Let’s see… First, Chloe, the student representative. And…”

Professor Elmeier pointed at me.

“Count Yulian, who gave a good answer before the lecture started today. You two, come forward.”

At the professor’s words, Chloe and I stood side by side at the bottom of the lecture hall. It was a wide space between the professor’s blackboard and the front seats.

The lecture hall was quite large, so it seemed like they sometimes demonstrated alchemy directly in this space.

“Originally, the graduate student teaching assistants would demonstrate alchemy directly. But there are a few interesting students in this lecture, so let’s have the students do it themselves.”

Chloe, as the student representative, was a given. And it seemed like Professor Elmeier had become interested in me because of my answer earlier.

Professor Elmeier placed a stone in that space. A stone the size of a small melon, a bit too small to be called a rock. It was a common stone that could be found anywhere.

Chloe and I stood facing each other with the stone between us. The stone was placed on a straight line.

“The core theory we covered today is the shape transformation of rock-based materials. Since we haven’t made much progress in the theory yet, I won’t ask you two to perform a very complex shape transformation.”

Instead, Professor Elmeier emphasized, “However, alchemy is only completed on top of Mana. You haven’t been neglecting to practice manipulating Mana during the vacation, have you? Then, based on today’s theory, you should be able to add that Mana and transform the shape of this stone into something quite plausible.”

In other words, while keeping the stone on the floor, each of us would use half of the stone to transform its shape.

It was a kind of tug-of-war using the stone. Since the results would be attached together, it was a very good way to compare each other’s skills.

“Chloe, as the student representative, will be far ahead in theory. But no matter how much theory is the foundation, the right result of alchemy cannot be achieved without high-quality Mana and precise Mana manipulation. Especially as the hierarchy of alchemy goes up.”

Professor Elmeier finished speaking.

“You should have understood what I meant. Then, you two, start transforming the stone belonging to each of you.”

Chloe’s eyes changed very interestingly. Chloe would have a great understanding of not only alchemy theory but also Mana manipulation.

In fact, during the sparring match at the Colosseum on the opening ceremony day, Chloe poured out alchemy relentlessly against Rosette.

Of course, she was pushed back by Rosette. But it would have been difficult for an ordinary priest to withstand that much against Rosette.

In other words, the amount of Mana Chloe possessed was also not insignificant.

So, Chloe was wearing a very confident expression. And she snapped her fan shut and pointed it at the stone.

“Then, shall we begin? Count Yulian-nim!”

The fan was probably a magic tool, not just an ordinary fan. I nodded at Chloe’s confident words.

A few days passed.

Friday. Chloe was at the reserve squad headquarters next to the grand training ground.

It was to receive the reserve squad mission that had to be carried out this weekend.

“You’re late, Chloe. To dare to make someone nobler than you wait. I can’t find any etiquette as a high-ranking noble. Utterly hopeless.”

And in the spacious lounge of the squad headquarters, Count Yulian had arrived first and was sitting in one of the seats.

‘What’s he talking about when he came earlier than the appointment time?’

The time they had agreed to meet here was clearly 2 PM. Chloe had arrived here 15 minutes early, worried that she might get an earful from the Count. But the Count had arrived here first.

“It’s polite to arrive 30 minutes early for an appointment with someone like me. You really are a trivial woman with no basic qualities.”

Chloe hurriedly covered her face with her fan. She almost lost control of her expression again because of that sarcasm. But Chloe bowed to the Count at a 90-degree angle and greeted him politely.

‘Damn it. But there’s no other way.’

Chloe was already far behind in terms of status. So, she had set a trap at the banquet to lead the reserve squad mission at least. But the result was her complete defeat.

And there was a reason why she couldn’t help but feel even more intimidated in front of the Count.

During Professor Elmeier’s lecture last time, Chloe had been completely defeated even in the alchemy competition with the stone between them.

‘I’ve never seen anyone use Mana so recklessly.’

At the same time as Chloe’s words, the two people’s alchemy competition began.

Each other’s Mana delicately intertwined with the stone between them. The transformation of the stone began from the side closer to each of them.

Mana directly intervened in the microstructure of the stone. Sparks of magic power rose on the surface, and the volume and shape slowly changed.

A circuit was being directly implemented in the material due to magical interference. Injecting more Mana into that circuit to maximize the transformation result. That was alchemy.

“W-What is that!”

But the results of the alchemy performed by the two people were completely different. The lecture hall became noisy. There was no trace of the stone left on Chloe’s side of the line.

But conversely, on the Count’s side, a huge stone golem that no one had expected had been created.

Professor Elmeier was also so surprised that his mouth was wide open. It was clear to anyone that Chloe had been completely defeated.

“Why are you standing there blankly? Aren’t you going to receive the mission quickly?”

The Count, who had done that amazing thing a few days ago, was saying this so calmly in front of her.

For a moment, her insides were boiling. But Chloe smiled and said, “I should. Since this is Count-nim’s first time on a reserve squad mission, I will take the lead.”

“That’s obvious. Hurry and guide me.”

Every time he said a word, this Count scratched at her. But Chloe endured it. And this Count Yulian was the person who had given her two great humiliations.

Chloe’s evaluation of the Count was changing within her. She became curious.

‘He’s not the rascal from before. I don’t know why he’s changed so much, but still…’

Considering the Count’s background, if the Count had really changed, his value might be beyond imagination.

She was always desperately greedy for valuable things. Chloe had always been like that. Then, conversely, it was her turn to prove her superiority and value against the Count in this reserve squad mission.

Chloe was really confident.