Repairing the Alchemy Table was no challenge for alchemists who kept replacement parts on hand, and reconstructing the complex Ritual Array was hardly difficult for the three of them. As for the Life Crystals, they were now stored in the Black Castle's material repository, where even Matt could requisition them freely.
With an experienced alchemist like Alopha helping this time, things were bound to go more smoothly. Still, Mulan and Matt had to explain the principles to him in detail as they repaired the Alchemy Array.
"We believe Human Transmutation shouldn't involve directly creating a human body and then transferring consciousness into it."
"Yes. Something like gestation and hatching in living creatures, or a butterfly's cocoon stage, would be more suitable."
Holding the complete alchemical schematics, Alopha watched the two repair the Ritual Array with alchemical materials and spoke.
"Considering this Avenger's original form, gestating an infant is clearly unsuitable, so you chose the cocoon approach. But what about the soul? An Avenger's soul should be imperfect too. An empty shell would be prone to failure."
Mulan pointed to the table nearby.
"The third issue of Truth and Magic has the answer. Although the contributors must have held something back, the published portions alone have been immensely useful to us. They perfectly resolved the Ritual Array's shortcomings."
"Yes, exactly!"
Matt grew even more excited at the mention of this.
"Professor Alopha, do you know? Professor Jonester never should have chosen the Radiant Knight path. He's simply a born alchemist! He was the one who tried modifying this part and incorporating it into the Ritual Array. It's absolutely perfect. If only he could devote his energy to alchemy!"
Alopha gave Mulan a searching look. "Paths aren't absolute"-Jonester had said those words to his students during class as well. Apparently, he hadn't