The Alchemist's Guide to Flesh and Blood Ascension

"Gathering... Younevo said, is it like gathering fine sand to form a strong fortress?"

Iseria tilted her head, her previously flustered heart calming down considerably as Yune sat beside her.

"Idiot, that's called 'many a little makes a mickle'..."

"They're all the same!"

"Then, why do most mages need to chant to complete this step?" Marcus looked at the two of them, chuckled, and then posed a second question.

"Because communication requires connection. You said it's like not being able to speak the same language means you're not on the same wavelength or something..."

Straightforward, yet precise... Marcus looked at the two with admiration—and of course, he looked at Ionevoy with even more reverence.

"Two more questions: Why is a standard magic barrier hemispherical?"

"Because the force is distributed and evenly distributed in an arc shape... and a hemisphere can cover a larger volume with less magic!" Iseria replied, pouting.

"If... I were to create a spell, a spell with extremely high temperature but a very small range—the theoretical model of such a spell would be..."

This is the content of an elective course for third and fourth year students at Tuss College... It is of the level of "final assignment" or "final exam".

Iseria blinked, bit her lip, and pinched her cheeks with one hand, clearly deep in thought.

Marcus felt a slight sense of relief; it seemed even this child had his limits...

"Is...is it a laser?" Iseria looked at Yunevo uncertainly, and the latter nodded slightly.

"There needs to be a 'power source,' or a magical source that has been extremely compressed and is at a critical point... There needs to be 'constraints,' allowing them to erupt only in one direction..."

A completely "Eunicevo-esque" answer... in terms of manner, word choice, and even perspective.

Iseria took a breath, her gaze becoming focused. She stretched out her hand, palm up—no sparks ignited, instead the air became distorted.

It wasn't the distortion caused by a heatwave scorching the air; it was more eerie, more concentrated...

In Marcus's eyes, the source of the demons was converging in an impossible way—without incantations, without gestures.

All that could be seen was a fleeting, blinding white light... and a terrifyingly high temperature that left one with lingering fear!

"Like this..." Iseria wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, calmed her somewhat disordered breathing, and then said.

"Finally, try to block all heat from passing through as much as possible... but it's so hard, they just won't listen." She puffed out her cheeks.

Marcus glanced at Iseria, then at Yonivore, his mind buzzing.

A revolutionary understanding of alchemy, a genius girl far surpassing her peers... and both of these point to the young alchemist sitting quietly.

"Mr. Eunicevo...can we talk further?" His voice was a little hoarse.

……

It was another conversation, but one with a completely different atmosphere.

Marcus Palamere sat down opposite the two men, but remained silent for a full minute.

"Excuse my bluntness, but this young lady's talent... and the way you taught her, are creating a 'god' living in the world."

"No one will be a god; what we need to do is be a 'pioneer.'" Yonivo did not directly deny this.

"The other perspective you've given..." Marcus suddenly laughed, but the laugh was mixed with shock and fear.

"Do you know how many people are fighting tooth and nail over this so-called 'other perspective'? If the professors at Tuss College saw what just happened, half of them would want to burn you alive, and the other half would kneel down and beg you to give a lecture."

"Haha... I'd prefer the latter. Truth shouldn't be held by only a few." Yonivo chuckled, his tone relaxed.

"I can make it the latter!" Marcus leaned forward, his eyes burning with fervor.

"I swear on my life's honor that you and she will both enter Tus Academy! I will do everything in my power to assist you in guiding this young woman!"

Simple guidance... perhaps Ionevoy wouldn't be interested, but Marcus clearly knew that too.

"You and she will have the highest level of laboratory access! Unlimited supplies of materials! And access to the depths of the library!"

Yonivore tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, making no further move.

"You will also serve as a special advisor and auditor...attending any course, using any facilities, and...giving several lectures each semester to share your 'perspective,' and of course, you will receive corresponding compensation, far exceeding the revenue of your shop!"

The terms are too generous... Yunefu frowned.

"For what reason?"

"For the sake of truth... as you said, truth should not be held by only a few." Marcus's expression turned serious.

"I've studied pharmacy for half my life... I thought I was getting close to the truth, but everything today tells me... I haven't even gotten to the door."

"Moreover! Astrologers have said that a catastrophe is about to occur in the not-too-distant future... a clash between greed and forces not belonging to this world..."

"People can no longer be shrouded in darkness... They need the truth, for themselves and for the world."

"You... and this young girl, are the only sparks of prairie fire I have ever seen." Marcus lowered his posture and bent over.

"We need time to consider," Yunevo finally replied. "I need to discuss it with Iseria."

A smile flickered across Marcus's face as he walked out of the store with a slightly lighter step, without looking back.

"Mr. Eunice, I don't know where you come from or where you are going... but if your pursuit is also to 'spread the truth'..."

"Tuss Academy is one of the best places on the entire continent, where... knowledge itself is worthy of pursuit and reverence."

The oak door closed slowly, leaving only the purple-gold badge that Marcus had placed on the counter for communication.

……

"Iseria, a new answer has arrived. I can go to school with you... but I can't always be by your side during every class."

"Yonev, tell me, what exactly does equivalent exchange mean?" She gently held Yonev's hands.

Yunefu lowered his head, his gaze seemingly scanning through his chest at his "demonic organ"...

From the window, one can vaguely see the bustling crowds on the street, and the figures of monks in their robes hurrying by.

"One is all, and all is one; giving and receiving are constant," Eunicev gave his answer.

"So... can it be understood that a short separation leads to a longer period of companionship?"

"Silly girl, we can only see each other for a little over an hour during class..." Yunevo tapped Iselia's head.

"Oh..." Iseria covered her head and stuck out her tongue.

"If going there can make me stronger, allow me to see more of the 'truth,' and enable me to better protect the people I want to protect... then I'm willing."

"But Yonivore has to promise me... you can't leave me there alone!" Her fingertips were a little cold, and Yonivore could clearly feel the trembling.

Yunevo pinched Iselia's cheek and gave a helpless smile.

"We'll be together, I swear, no matter where we go."

Iseria smiled, a smile more radiant and pure than the morning glow of the crystal spire in Starmoke.

As for teaching students... Ionevoy is happy to be the villain who "tears away someone's umbrella because he got wet in the rain".