Last Gun Alchemist

Although the number of students taking the optional course was far smaller than that of the General Studies classes...

The classroom was far from ordinary.

Nearly every student seated inside was amongst the ones with the best talents in their year.

Several names were already well known throughout the first-year students of the Royal Academy.

Grace Evergrey was one of them.

She sat quietly in the front row on the right side of the classroom. The moment her eyes met Ezra’s as he entered through the doorway, she offered him a small, graceful wave.

Ezra politely inclined his head in return before continuing toward the center of the classroom.

Not far away...

Page Laverdale sat comfortably with one leg crossed over the other beneath her desk. Several noble girls surrounded her, chatting about the morning classes while occasionally laughing among themselves.

Page rarely started the conversation.

Instead...

She calmly listened, only adding a few comments whenever she found something worth saying.

A few seats farther away sat Elena Galehart.

Ravenor Burnwick had also already arrived.

Unlike the others, he wasn’t speaking to anyone. A notebook rested open before him as he quietly reviewed several diagrams that had already been drawn across the pages.

The classroom itself remained peaceful.

Small conversations drifted from one corner to another while students patiently waited for the professor to arrive.

Then...

The classroom door opened once more.

Several students instinctively looked toward the entrance.

The three girls who entered together immediately became the center of attention.

Willow Derlis.

Vera Ashenlocke.

Diane Bergwyn.

The three walked into the classroom in a strangely familiar formation.

Willow walked in front with her usual elegant posture, every movement carrying the natural dignity expected of Britannia’s Flower.

Beside her...

Vera walked with one hand tucked inside her blazer pocket, her expression as calm as ever.

There wasn’t the slightest sign of nervousness on her beautiful face.

Behind both of them...

Diane quietly followed.

She gently held onto the backs of Willow’s and Vera’s shirt with the tips of her fingers, almost as if she were afraid of losing them in the crowd.

Her half-closed eyes made it seem as though she might fall asleep while walking.

The unusual sight caused several students to smile helplessly.

However...

No one dared to approach the trio.

The atmosphere surrounding Willow and Vera naturally discouraged unnecessary conversations.

It wasn’t hostility.

It was simply the overwhelming presence both girls carried.

As they continued walking...

Willow finally spoke.

”You’re truly unpleasant to listen to, Vera.”

Her tone was calm.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of anger.

If someone closed their eyes while listening, they might even mistake it for an ordinary conversation.

Vera slowly blinked.

Then...

She placed one finger lightly against her lips.

”That’s surprising.”

She spoke with a thoughtful expression, as though she had just heard something completely unexpected.

”Especially when it’s coming from someone whose speech and attitude resemble those of an elderly lady.”

She paused briefly.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

”Perhaps... You’re actually an old woman who reincarnated into the body of a beautiful young noble lady.”

Her black eyes calmly observed Willow.

”It would explain quite a few things.”

The sarcasm in her voice was so dry that several nearby students almost couldn’t tell whether she was joking.

Willow quietly looked at her.

Her brows lowered ever so slightly.

She didn’t answer.

The silence between them somehow carried more pressure than an actual argument.

Several students immediately lowered their voices.

”That’s dangerous...”

One boy whispered while carefully avoiding looking directly at either of them.

”They’re Lady Willow and Lady Vera... The two most frightening Flowers of Britannia.”

The student beside him nodded repeatedly.

”I don’t even know where to look.”

”They’re both scary in completely different ways, but very attractive that one can’t stop themselves from looking.”

A nearby group quietly joined the discussion.

”Lady Willow gives off the feeling of perfect nobility. Strict. Mature. And the kind of person who could silence an entire room just by looking at you.”

Another student glanced toward Vera.

”But Lady Vera is different. She’s elegant... but every sentence she says feels like she’s calmly stabbing someone. She smiles so little that it’s somehow even more intimidating., but for some reason, it’s that presence that makes it impossible for anyone to stop looking at her.”

Someone else scratched his cheek.

”Do you think this class is going to be alright?”

Several students couldn’t help wondering the same thing.

Their relationship remained one of the academy’s greatest mysteries.

Sometimes they walked together peacefully.

Sometimes they spoke to each other with words sharp enough to start a duel.

Yet somehow...

Neither of them had ever crossed that final line.

No matter how sharp their exchanges became...

They always stopped there.

No one could understand it.

Vera slowly looked around the classroom before pointing toward a row of empty desks.

”Let’s sit here, ladies.”

She gestured toward the center row on the left side.

Her gaze casually landed on Ezra.

A faint, smug smile appeared on her face.

Small and cute.

Almost teasing.

Ezra noticed it.

His expression didn’t change.

Nor did he feel bothered by the fact that the three girls had chosen seats beside him.

As they approached...

He politely inclined his head.

”Good afternoon. Ladies.”

Willow returned the greeting with equal courtesy.

”Good afternoon, Ezra Ashenlocke.”

Her voice remained composed.

”I hope you don’t mind us sitting here.”

Ezra gave a small shake of his head.

”Not at all.”

Without waiting another moment...

Vera sat in the seat beside him.

She folded both arms comfortably before leaning back against her chair.

Diane quietly took the seat beside Vera.

She raised one hand in a small wave.

”Hi, Ezra.”

Her sleepy voice sounded barely louder than a whisper.

”Hello.”

Ezra nodded politely.

Diane also lifted her hand.

”Hello...”

She greeted him again, softly.

Her sleeping eye cover rested on top of her head, pushing her bangs upward.

She still looked as though she might fall asleep at any moment.

Willow remained standing for another second.

Her eyes settled on Ezra.

Although her face remained serious...

There wasn’t any stiffness behind it.

Instead...

She simply looked dignified and confident.

The kind of noble who had long grown accustomed to carrying responsibility.

”Ezra Ashenlocke.”

She spoke calmly.

”I still have to apologize.”

Ezra quietly looked at her.

”For my stupid brother’s behavior toward your maid, It fell below the standard expected of our family.”

Her voice never wavered.

”As nobles... We’re expected to show proper etiquette toward everyone beneath our station. What my brother did failed to uphold that standard.”

She lowered her head slightly.

The apology was simple and sincere.

There wasn’t the slightest hint that she was merely apologizing because etiquette demanded it.

Ezra answered plain as ever.

”The past is already behind us. There is no need to dwell on it.”

”Ehn...”

Vera slowly turned her head toward Ezra.

Her dark eyes quietly met his.

”Is that really true?”

She asked dryly.

The slight sarcasm hidden beneath her calm tone was unmistakable.

Ezra looked toward the front of the classroom.

”The professor is here. We should focus.”

Vera glanced toward the front as well.

”...Fair enough.”

She ended the conversation without another word.

At that moment...

An elderly man entered through the classroom door together with his teaching assistant.

Both walked toward the front while several conversations naturally died down.

The professor wore a warm smile that made him appear approachable despite his age.

”Good afternoon... Children of Royal.”

His cheerful greeting echoed through the classroom.

Several students immediately responded.

”Good afternoon, Professor.”

Others politely bowed from their seats.

Ezra reached into his spatial bag and removed a brand-new notebook.

Unlike his previous classes...

This notebook would be dedicated entirely to this course.

To him...

Alchemy Circle Conversion wasn’t simply another subject.

It was one of the most important fields of knowledge he intended to master.

The sound of pages turning quietly spread throughout the room.

Beside him...

Diane slowly opened her eyes after hearing the professor speak.

She covered her mouth with one hand before letting out a tiny yawn.

”...”

Willow immediately noticed.

”Diane.”

Her voice remained calm.

”I expect you to stay awake throughout today’s lesson.”

Diane slowly turned toward her.

Her sleepy eyes blinked once.

”Willow...”

She answered weakly.

”I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Without waiting for a reply...

She obediently faced the front of the classroom.

Whether she truly intended to stay awake...

Only she knew.

At the front...

The professor looked across the classroom with the same bright smile.

”I can already see quite a number of distinguished students here.”

He slowly walked forward with both hands behind his back.

”Many of whom are already recognized as geniuses within this particular field.”

His gaze eventually stopped on Ezra.

”Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke. When I reviewed the construction plans behind your Phantom Rolls... I reached a conclusion.”

He smiled approvingly.

”The complexity of several structural components makes manual construction highly impractical. My belief is that you relied upon Alchemy Circle Conversion to create the casting models for some of those parts.”

His smile widened.

”It was truly impressive work. I’d even say you’ve already stepped into the Intermediate Level of Alchemy Circle Conversion.”

The classroom instantly became restless.

Ezra politely lowered his head.

”Thank you, Professor.”

Whispers immediately spread across the room.

”Intermediate?”

”Already?”

”Alchemy Circle Conversion is one of the hardest fields to learn... And he’s already reached that level?”

”I’m still struggling with the beginner level...”

The surprised murmurs continued growing louder.

The Professor raised one hand with a helpless smile.

”Alright. Alright. Quiet down.”

The classroom gradually became silent again.

”Mr. Ezra isn’t the only talented student here.”

He calmly pointed toward Vera.

Many students nodded in understanding.

That revelation wasn’t particularly surprising.

The professor then pointed toward another student.

”Miss Page Laverdale. According to the reports I’ve received... She’s also approaching the Intermediate Level.”

Page simply smiled politely without saying anything.

The Professor returned to the podium.

”To be honest... I doubt there’s much I can teach some of you regarding the fundamentals.”

He chuckled lightly.

”Several students I’ve yet to mention already possess an excellent understanding of this course. But... You chose to attend my class. So, for the sake of everyone here... We’ll begin from the very foundation.”

He looked around the room.

”My name is Professor Giggs Ryan.”

He then gestured toward the young man standing beside him.

”This is my teaching assistant. Morgan Cage.”

Morgan stepped forward and bowed politely.

”It’s a pleasure to work with all of you.”

Several students returned the gesture.

Professor Giggs smiled before turning toward the holographic screen.

Morgan had already finished preparing the lesson.

A gentle blue light spread across the transparent display.

”Now... Let’s begin.”

He raised one hand.

”The course, officially known as... Alchemy Circle Conversion.”

He slowly moved his hand across the holographic screen.

A blank white display appeared beside the first.

From his pocket...

He took out an unusual pen crafted from dark stone ore.

Its tip glowed with faint black light.

With smooth movements...

He began writing across the screen.

”It is also known by several other names.”

He neatly wrote the first.

. Alchemical Circle Engineering.

Beneath it...

He added another.

. Circle Engineering and Formula Design.

Finally...

He wrote the last title.

. Applied Alchemical Engineering.

After placing the pen down...

He turned back toward the class.

”The reason I’m introducing these names first...is because in case you encounter one of these names. Whether inside the academy library... Or while researching through Skynet. They all refer to the same field.”

Several students immediately copied the names into their notebooks.

Professor Giggs moved back to the first holographic screen and swiped toward the next slide.

The course introduction appeared across the holographic display.

”As many of you already know...”

He smiled.

”Except perhaps those learning this subject for the first time. I doubt we have many of those. Right?”

Before anyone else spoke...

Willow politely raised her hand.

”Professor Giggs.”

She stood gracefully.

”It’s entirely possible. Many modern young Alchemists only study the manuals provided by their families to learn how to perform Alchemy... without truly understanding the theories behind the Alchemy circles themselves.”

Professor Giggs slowly nodded.

Grace Evergrey followed.

”I actually do know several young Alchemists in our first year who can activate Alchemy Circles... yet have no understanding of the formulas hidden beneath them.”

Ravenor calmly added,

”Well, in their defense, It’s an incredibly difficult field. And even among those who choose to study it... Many never truly understand it.”

He looked around the classroom.

”Even now... Many students avoided this course simply because they believed it was too difficult to pass.”

Several students quietly nodded.

There was no shame in admitting it.

Alchemy Circle Conversion had earned its reputation for a reason.

Professor Giggs folded both hands behind his back.

”Sadly... That is precisely where this generation has begun falling behind.”

He looked around the classroom.

”The Alchemists of the Arcane Era...Also known as the Golden Era... Possessed a far deeper understanding of these principles, that’s why they were in a bigger stage of Alchemy than even my generation.”

He paused, then smiled.

”But... I believe things are about to change.”

He spread both arms toward the classroom.

”Recent research into the fluctuations of Cognis among your generation... suggests that your generation possesses talent equal to... or perhaps even greater than... the Alchemists of the Golden Era.”

His eyes shone with excitement.

”So, who knows?”

He laughed warmly.

”I may very well be looking at the next great Alchemist Scholar... or even the next Alchemist Sage.”

Before the excitement in the room could settle...

A calm voice interrupted.

”No, Professor.”

Ravenor slowly stood.

His scarlet eyes remained steady.

”I don’t plan on settling in those ranks... I plan to devote everything I have... to reaching the Mythical Rank.”

He paused.

Every student looked toward him.

”The Philosopher rank.”

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in his voice.

Only unwavering determination.

Even Ezra quietly turned his head toward Ravenor.

His expression remained as unreadable as ever.