Energy Affinity, Alchemy

Green passed through the dim stairwell and soon reached Lilian's room. He had just raised his hand to knock when her voice came from inside.

"Come in, Green."

Green did not hesitate. He pushed the door open and entered. At a glance, he saw Lilian sitting in meditation, just as she had been before.

"You practiced the Extreme Meditation Method and advanced to Second-Class Apprentice?" Lilian asked quietly, watching him. Her voice was full of anticipation.

"Yes, Lilian. I found the Extreme Meditation Method suits me very well. Practicing it isn't much slower than practicing an ordinary Meditation Method!" Green offered the explanation without a change in expression.

Surprise flashed in Lilian's eyes. But given how quickly Green had advanced to Second-Class Apprentice, she could think of no better explanation.

"Green, by practicing our School's Meditation Method, you've joined my School. You won't need to choose a mentor when we reach the Academy. From today on, I'll be your mentor and guide your studies." Lilian smiled, her eyes bright with pleasure as she looked at him.

"Yes, Mentor." The sudden news caught Green by surprise.

"Now that you're a Second-Class Apprentice, you can study more advanced subjects. My specialties are Alchemy, Life Studies, and Life Modification, though I've also studied other forms of elemental magic. I'll have no trouble guiding you through your apprentice years." Lilian smiled with confidence.

"Come here. Let's test your Elemental Affinity." With that, Lilian rose, took a Crystal Orb from behind her back, and set it on the table.

Has the Wizarding World run out of ideas? Why is everything a Crystal Orb? Thinking of all the tests he had taken so far, Green could not help questioning the Wizarding World's taste.

"Green, focus your mind and look at the Crystal Orb." Lilian's voice reached him, carrying what seemed to be a hint of guidance.

Green found himself fixing his attention on the Crystal Orb. As his focus deepened, the orb seemed to exert a pull on him, drawing his Mental Power completely inside.

"Green, tell me what you see in the Crystal Orb."

As though under someone's control, Green's pupils dilated. "Emerald green. A vast expanse of emerald green fills almost the entire Crystal Orb! There are only a few scattered points of red around the edges!"

"Emerald green? Green, does it make you think of life or wood?"

Perhaps it was his imagination, but Green thought her voice sounded intensely excited.

"Life. It feels like life!"

"Look closely. Are there any other colors?"

"No!"

"Mm. Very good."

Snap! A loud, muffled finger snap rang beside Green's ear, echoing like an ancient bell.

Green suddenly came to his senses and looked around in confusion. "Mentor, what just happened?"

"We were testing your Elemental Affinity! Yours is remarkably pure. Like me, you have an affinity for Life Element, with a tiny amount of Fire Element affinity as well." Lilian's gaze grew warmer. Green's primary affinity was the same as hers: life. He could inherit everything she had to teach.

"Green, Wizards can use every element, but the stronger your affinity for an element, the easier it is to use! Only by making the most of your strengths can you go farther on the Wizard's path. Your Elemental Affinity is the same as mine, so you would do best to study Life Sorcery, Life Modification, and Alchemy." Lilian explained it all to him patiently.

"Mentor, based on what you've said, what should I study now?" Green lowered his head and humbly asked for her advice.

"Green, Wizards are seekers of Truth, and they believe in Equivalent Exchange. Knowledge is precious in the Wizarding World. It is not given away lightly. Remember that when you deal with other Wizards." Instead of answering his question, Lilian gave him a stern warning.

Seeking Truth and Equivalent Exchange? Not bad. Green smiled faintly at the thought, but his mouth did not stop moving. "Yes, Mentor. I'll remember."

Lilian nodded, satisfied with his answer.

"The Academy offers free public courses and has a Library. Once we arrive, you can study Life Studies on your own. But as my apprentice, you may learn one advanced course from me for free."

"I teach three advanced courses at the Academy: Basic Alchemy, Body Modification, and the Life Element Structure Lecture. Choose one, and I'll teach it to you for free." Seeing Green fall into thought, Lilian said nothing and calmly waited for his decision.

"Mentor, what do you think of this? It's a Potion I made." Rather than answer rashly, Green took a bottle from his robe and offered it to her with both hands.

Lilian accepted Green's Potion and examined it carefully. Every so often, she glanced at him as though he were a Monster.

"Green, did you make this Potion yourself? Without the aid of any Sorcery?" Lilian seized his right hand and asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Mentor Lilian. It's a Life Potion I made. I didn't use any Sorcery. I designed an experiment and relied on a Grand Knight's ability to control Life Force to produce it." Green gave her a rough account of his method.

"Of course! You're a Grand Knight too. I nearly forgot! That explains it. With a Grand Knight's abilities to fall back on, making a Potion like this is possible!" Some of the shock left Lilian's eyes, though she still looked at Green with disbelief.

"Green, you have a remarkable talent for Alchemy. As a Grand Knight, what you lack in the other two courses is mostly theory, which you can study once we reach the Academy. Alchemy is different. Much of it comes down to experience in making Potions. I recommend you choose Alchemy. I can provide what you need to get started." Lilian could not help making her recommendation.

Lilian knew she was steering an apprentice's choice, something strictly forbidden at White House Academy. But Green's talent for Alchemy was simply too great. With no instruction at all, he had used a pile of rubbish materials to make a Potion no less effective than a Lesser Life Potion. Lilian could not bear to see him waste his gift studying another subject.

After hearing Lilian's assessment of his talent for Alchemy, along with her almost irresistible offer, Green made up his mind.

"Mentor, I choose Alchemy!" Green told her.

"This is Alchemy Fundamentals. Take it back and read it. If there's anything you don't understand, come straight to me. If you want to make basic Potions, find Bru. He'll provide the materials." Lilian took a scroll from behind her and handed it to Green.

"It's a Runic Scroll. The knowledge is stored inside. Extend your Mental Power into it to read it," Lilian explained.

Green accepted the scroll and tucked it into his robe.

"I understand, Mentor. I'll head back now!"

"Mm. Off you go."

Green bowed to Lilian and left the room.