Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2785 2786: The Origins Of Earthʼs Alchemy

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”Although Franky has achieved true unity with her body parts… I still worry,” Doctor Frankenstein said, expressing his concerns about her practicing Martial Arts with me.

”Hmm, if the young ladyʼs there, I wonʼt mind being torn to pieces now and then! Itʼs not hard to reassemble myself,” Franky giggled carefree. ”Anyway! Dad, letʼs teach her already!”

”Yes, I suppose itʼs time,” he nodded. ”Tell me, young lady, have you read the books I gave you?”

I quickly recalled the titles.

[Thousand Soul Flame Furnace Refinement Art]

[Records of the Man Who Went Against the World]

[Grazing Heaven Philosophy]

[Comprehending the Building Blocks of Matter and the Elements]

[Alchemical Science Studies]

[Abyssal Crimson Codex Grimoire: Volume 1]

[Abyssal Chaos Mana Core Forging Scroll]

[Primordial Abyss Magic Circuit Synthesizing Scroll]

”The books I needed to read were Comprehending the Building Blocks of Matter and the Elements and Alchemical Science Studies, correct?” I asked.

”Yes, you should have read both, right?” he asked, his eyes bright with expectation.

”Well, uuuhhh… Wasp and Medea told me I didnʼt need to read their books right away and taught me other things first…” I muttered. ”So I assumed it was the same?”

”What?!” he exclaimed, furious. ”Young lady! How can you be so lazy and negligent? Alchemy is about studying and understanding concepts! Itʼs not like fighting with your fists or manipulating mana effortlessly! Tsk, tsk! Weʼve already started on the wrong foot!”

”Iʼm so sorry…” I apologized. ”Iʼll read them both immediately. I can read very quickly.”

”Hmph! Well, do so!” he said. ”While you read, Iʼll prepare so we can begin our lessons… Franky, if the young lady finds something she doesnʼt understand, assist her.”

”Yes, Father!” Franky nodded, sitting beside me with an adorable smile. ”Heheh, young lady, this is so exciting! Itʼs like weʼre classmates in school! Iʼve always wanted to attend school!”

”Is that so?” I smiled, intrigued. ”Well, letʼs read.”

I began with [Comprehending the Building Blocks of Matter and the Elements], reading as quickly as possible while memorizing as much as I could, mentally reviewing the content a dozen times to fully grasp and retain it. Franky helped clarify the parts I found confusing.

In summary, the book covered various topics, such as molecules and the laws of physics, similar to a science textbook, but then delved deeply into magic and its interactions with the world and universe, a subject not taught in conventional schools.

It explored the major elemental energies that form and sustain the world, spiritual energy and its connection to existence, the peculiar nature of Mana and its reactions with everything, including souls, the dead, and the living, and provided detailed insights into supernatural creatures.

Next, I read [Alchemical Science Studies], which elaborated on Alchemy itself and how it interacts with the concepts introduced in the first book.

As Medea had explained earlier, Alchemy was the art of using materials and objects infused with mana or other supernatural particles and energies to disrupt the laws of physics and compel Mana to obey the practitionerʼs will.

I was still slightly confused, but an hour had passed, so I decided to let the Doctor explain further.

”So, youʼre done? Very well,” he nodded. ”Letʼs start with an hour of explanations to help you understand how Alchemy works. First, young lady Kireina, based on what youʼve read and observed, tell me, what do you think Alchemy is?”

Doctor Frankenstein posed a question Iʼd heard from Wasp and Medea before…

”Well, what do I think about it?” I pondered. ”I believe Alchemy is the art of manipulating natureʼs elements in various ways to produce a desired reaction. Itʼs like science infused with magic, isnʼt it?”

”Yes, exactly,” he said.

Unlike Wasp and Medea, who described their practice as ”much more,” the Doctor was a straightforward man, a realization that grew clearer as we spoke.

Despite his intimidating personality and appearance, he was highly pragmatic and didnʼt portray Alchemy as an extraordinary spiritual pursuit.

It was simply Alchemy, nothing more.

”You could say Alchemy is an advanced form of science,” he continued. ”While science uses only non-magical objects, Alchemy is a more comprehensive discipline, incorporating elements hidden from ordinary eyes. It is humanityʼs ultimate creation and the greatest art passed down since ancient times! Did you know Alchemy originated in Asia, where China is now located, long before human civilizations existed? Paleolithic humans discovered Alchemy by mixing random magical herbs they found with the blood of a magical beast!”

”I see…!” I nodded. ”So, only humans created Alchemy?”

”YES!” he laughed heartily. ”Humans alone created Alchemy! No other race, whether existing alongside or before humans, accomplished what we did! Some may have practiced medicine or used herbs in certain ways, but they never achieved the complex magical reactions that Human Alchemists have mastered. Why? Itʼs simple! Other races are typically endowed with great power and abilities. Humans, the weakest among them, had to struggle most and use every resource available to survive. Elves and Fairies were naturally attuned to Mana and Spiritual Energy, drawing power from the universe and other planes. Dwarves possessed incredible physical strength and the blessing of earthen spirits. Saurathi were giant dinosaurs, and—”

”Wait, what are Saurathi?” I asked in disbelief. ”Dinosaurs?”

”Hmm? Ah, this isnʼt taught nowadays, is it?” Frankenstein mused. ”Saurathi are the most ancient sentient race known to date. They are sapient dinosaurs, the first to tap into Mana and Spiritual Energy in this world. Their history predates all others, spanning millions of years. Incredible, isnʼt it? Even now, a small family of Saurathi survives somewhere in the world. I believe they settled in the Amazonian Jungles and established a cult there. They also worship their own gods.”

”What?!” I gasped, shocked. ”Thatʼs so cool!”

Although I had encountered dragons, wyverns, and other creatures, a sentient dinosaur species that evolved naturally, not through magical means like in Genesis, was truly fascinating.

”Heheh, the young lady gets surprised and amazed by the simplest things everyone knows,” Franky giggled. ”Saurathi are huge, though, so befriending them isnʼt easy. They arenʼt humanoid at all. They have their own language, but some possess psychic powers, Espers! They can communicate through thoughts!”

”…?!” I was stunned again. ”Huh! Now I want to visit Brazil!”

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