Reborn Logic

Chapter 9: Beyond the Elements: The Possibilities of Alchemy

Kallen stood in his dimly lit laboratory, his mind sharp and his hands steady. Two years had passed since he embarked on the path of alchemy, and in that time, his skills had grown exponentially. The lab assigned to him was a testament to the relentless dedication he had poured into his work—shelves lined with potion bottles, each holding liquids of varying hues and consistencies. Some glimmered with life, while others seemed to pulse with barely restrained energy. On the counters were delicate instruments: alembics, mortars, pestles, and intricate distillation arrays, all of which he had painstakingly crafted or modified.

Plants of various types, rare and enigmatic, adorned the edges of the room. Some climbed and moved as if seeking attention, while others remained tranquil, their petals glistening in the dim candlelight that illuminated the space. In glass containers, mice of different colors scurried or lay still—some healthy, others driven mad by the experiments they had undergone, and some on the brink of death. These were not merely animals—they were part of the process, integral to the raw materials of his art.

Kallen stood before a large cauldron, studying a selection of shimmering herbs. The herbs, imbued with ethereal properties, began to gather faint silver particles around them, responding to the intricate gestures of his hands. As they sparkled and gleamed, the light emitted from them shifted in shape and density, drawn toward the heart of the ingredients.

Suddenly, a sharp scream erupted from the caged mice. Their fur bristled, and their eyes shone with an unnatural intensity as the essence of their lives was extracted. Their bodies quivered, torn by waves of pure energy being drawn from them and directed into the chemical solution Kallen was preparing. This process—essence extraction—was one of the fundamental spells in the alchemical path. It allowed the practitioner to pull forth the essence itself, the soul of the material, whether physical or ethereal, and transform it into a usable form.

Kallen's focus remained unshaken as the room filled with the anguished cries. He had long since grown accustomed to the disturbing sound, understanding it as a necessary sacrifice for his work. The herbs began to glow and wilt, and the light now pulsed in time with his heartbeat. As the distillation reached completion, the solution in the cauldron transformed into a deep, vibrant green, gently glowing in the dim light. The screams of the mice quieted, and the nearly lifeless rodents collapsed, their role in this particular experiment coming to an end.

Now it was time for the second phase.

With a fluid motion, Kallen cast Catalytic Conversion, a spell designed to amplify and accelerate the natural processes within the solution. A thin veil of energy wrapped around the cauldron as the liquid inside began to churn and bubble violently. The process of fermentation and crystallization sped up, compressing what would normally take days into mere moments. The air around Kallen crackled with energy as the potion began to solidify into tiny, crystal-like shards that floated above the surface of the liquid.

He scrutinized the results carefully, narrowing his eyes as he analyzed the fruits of his labor. These shards were the key components of the health restoration elixir he was perfecting—an elixir designed not only to heal wounds but to restore vitality on a deeper level, mending fractures in one’s life force that no ordinary healing magic could touch.

Satisfied with the outcome, he placed the potion aside and paused for a moment to reflect.

Kallen had often asked himself why he chose the path of alchemy when the Elemental Path was the true legacy of his family. The Veyrith Family, known for their mastery of the Flame Element, had always expected him to follow in their footsteps. Fire was power, and power was respect. Yet, Kallen had chosen differently.

"Alchemy," he muttered to himself, staring at the potion in his hand, "is the art of transformation, of taking something ordinary and elevating it to the extraordinary."

He could have followed the traditional path, wielding the destructive power of fire as his ancestors had, but to Kallen, that was not true magic. Fire, for all its strength, was a blunt tool. Alchemy, however, was subtle, intricate. It was the path to not just understanding the world, but to reshaping it.

He remembered the conversation with his father—Lord Erlyn Veyrith —at the dining table years ago.

"Kallen, are you still playing with these trivial experiments? The true power is in the Element Path!"

His father's voice, always booming, filled the grand dining hall, his tone laced with disappointment. Lord Erlyn , a man of impressive stature and strength, was seated at the head of the table. His piercing eyes locked onto Kallen, waiting for a response.

"Father," Kallen had replied calmly, "Alchemy is more than just mixing potions. It's about transforming materials into their purest, most powerful forms. With it, I can create objects that surpass the limits of elemental magic."

His mother, alise, who had reached the age of thirty, sat quietly beside Lord Erlyn . Time had begun to steal her youth, as her once-shining blonde hair was losing its luster, and wrinkles were beginning to form around her blue eyes. Her delicate features showed concern, but she offered no words of support. She was a kind woman, but as an ordinary person without magical abilities, she had little say in matters of inheritance.

Lord Erlyn scoffed. "Alchemy is useful for support, but it lacks the combat power of the primary paths. What good is a potion when your opponent can burn you to ashes with a single flame strike?"

Alchemy may be good as a support path, but it doesn't possess combat strength. Compared to the other paths rich with spells and inheritances that combine offensive, defensive, and healing spells, the alchemy path seems limited to crafting potions and formations. Of course, it was possible to create a set of staffs capable of summoning fire or lightning, but their strength and durability were limited by the ingredients, unlike the other paths. That is why few people choose to follow this path.

"Alchemy is capable of more than you think, Father. It’s about possibilities, about surpassing what’s known. Let me show you that."

And he did.

Kallen handed his father a book titled Kallen’s Perspective on Alchemy, which he had written himself. In it, he explained the philosophy of alchemy and its potential.

"If you don't believe in my path, Father, perhaps you should consider having another child," Kallen said, staring blankly into his father's eyes.

Lord Erlyn did not respond. His silence was proof of how significant the matter was.

Though Lord Erlyn had reached the level of Mastery—also known as the Condensation stage—at the age of 40, with a life expectancy of 150 years—made it increasingly difficult to have children as one grew older and stronger . Now, at 60, he looked as if he were in his mid-thirties, with his jet-black hair and only a few wrinkles that added a noble dignity to his appearance. However, he was likely to outlive his wife, alise.

It was ironic that many noble families had disappeared because they failed to produce heirs. Some were even forced to adopt children to continue the family’s legacy.

Late at night, Lord Erlyn sat alone in his chambers, the flickering light of a single candle casting shadows on the ornate walls. Before him lay the book Kallen had given him—“Kallen’s View of Alchemy.”

He turned the first page skeptically. "Alchemy, the most extreme form of magic." The words brought a scoff to his lips. Alchemy, to him, was always a lesser path—one of ingredients, brews, and minor enhancements, not true power like fire and lightning. But curiosity won over dismissiveness, and he read on.

"Traditional magic is limited by mana. It manipulates the world through mana control, whether summoning fire or controlling the wind. Advanced magic allows for influence over the elements, but it still follows the rules of natural laws—energy, entropy, and transformation."

This he could understand. The manipulation of the elements had been his life’s work, after all. Yet Kallen’s tone felt almost condescending, as if dismissing even these incredible feats. Erlyn frowned but continued.

"Alchemy, however, transcends these restrictions. It does not merely influence; it transforms. The essence of life and matter can be manipulated, bending reality itself. If the process of changing life’s essence can be mastered, could immortality be achieved? Could life be given to the lifeless?"

He stopped at these words, feeling a shiver run down his spine. Kallen was suggesting not just controlling elements but playing with life and death, reaching beyond the boundaries of natural laws. The idea was terrifying in its audacity, and yet… it was intriguing. He thought of the power such mastery could bring. Could alchemy truly push past the barriers that elemental magic could not?

His eyes fell on the final section: “Alchemy Without Borders.”

When he closed the book, placing it softly on the polished surface of his desk, he sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as the weight of Kallen’s ambition sank in.

"This is madness," he muttered, yet for the first time, a flicker of uncertainty about his son’s chosen path entered his mind. Could there be something more to alchemy than he had ever realized?

Now, Kallen sat in his laboratory, the memory of that conversation still vivid in his mind. His father had never mentioned alchemy again after that day. At the time, Lord Erlin had dismissed the book as the musings of an idealistic youth, but Kallen knew his father had read it in private. He could tell by the way his father's behavior had changed in the months that followed, watching Kallen’s progress more closely. His decision to pursue alchemy had created a rift between them, but it had also sparked a fire of curiosity in Lord Erlin—one that would not be easily extinguished.

Kallen brought his focus back to the present. The meditation technique of the Veyrith family, which he had inherited from his father, was designed to purify mana within his mental realm, transforming it into spiritual power. As he sat in a trance, the fourteenth golden rune formed in his mind—a sign of his progress. Each rune represented a stage of mastery, bringing him one step closer to his ultimate goal. He was consolidating one rune every two months, a pace considered extremely fast among his peers.

However, despite his rapid progress, Kallen felt constrained. The laboratory, though well-equipped, was limiting. His experiments required more space and greater freedom. Here, in the Veyrith family estate, he was bound by his father’s watchful eye and the expectations of his lineage.

"I need to leave this place," Kallen whispered to himself.

He had to find a location where he could truly unleash his potential—a place where he could conduct his experiments without restrictions. With the right support and funding, he could push the boundaries of alchemy to their utmost limits.

"Soon," Kallen vowed.

Then he stood, his mind calculating the next steps in his journey. The path of alchemy stretched out before him—boundless, filled with promise, and fraught with danger. But Kallen was not one to retreat.