The Alchemist's Guide to Flesh and Blood Ascension

"Sigh, has your Alchemist Guild... really degenerated to this extent?" The old dean complained to Yunevo as he sat at the large oak table.

"After all, most alchemists are after the immortality of the Philosopher's Stone, which is an exchange without any 'cost'... They'll go with whoever offers the highest price," the latter shrugged.

The old man chuckled, took a stack of parchment that had been magically solidified from the drawer, and placed it on the table: "The evidence is almost ready. Dark's manuscript, the assassin's confession, etc... are enough to convict the squad outside the city of multiple crimes, including illegal intrusion and the murder of Lecturer Tus."

A councilor who was standing guard by the door took over the conversation, his tone serious: "Lecturer Yunevo, after discussion at the General Assembly... we suggest that you temporarily leave Starmok and go to the Mage Tower in the Southern Territory for refuge."

"And we will take this opportunity to carry out a swift and decisive purge of the church branches outside the city, and even the church forces in Hart City."

The dean nodded, twirling a tuft of his beard, and looked at Yonivore: "This is the safest option. The Church has suffered such a huge loss... Uriel will definitely not let it go, and you, who are in the open, will be the first to bear the brunt."

"Excuse my bluntness, but to temporarily avoid confrontation... is not in line with my style," Yunefu laughed.

"I understand what you all mean, because the church wants to kill me... so I should hide and let others solve this problem for me."

The councilor exchanged a glance with the dean before saying softly, "This is the most reasonable strategy; you shouldn't take the risk..."

"They've wanted to kill me for a long time, but unfortunately, two idiots... let me escape death," Yunefu said, his fingertips resting on his neck.

"It's a matter of life and death between me and the Church. The seeds they sowed should be borne by me," the black-robed alchemist said calmly, but with an undeniable weight.

He glanced at the two men, the three badges pinned to his chest gleaming slightly.

"Instructor Eunice... This is not the time for personal feelings. There are at least thirty Purifiers, three Templar Knights, and Sister Olivia outside the city..."

"You can hide for a while, but you can't hide forever, can you?" Yonivore retorted.

The young councilor seemed to want to say something more, but the dean raised his hand to stop him—the old man's eyes held a hint of appreciation, and his smile was kind.

"Okay," the dean said, offering only one word.

"Dean! This..." The young councilor opened his mouth, his face filled with astonishment, but he couldn't bring himself to say the rest of the sentence.

"Starmock will not let his hero fight alone. He will notify the Oversight Council to assemble another squad of high-ranking battle mages... In addition, he will notify the combat wing of the academy that all instructors of rank five and above are to volunteer..."

"As for Alchemy Street... never mind, no need to notify Alchemy Street."

The councilor accepted the order, sighed helplessly, and looked at Yonivore again: "Remember, since you want to end this matter yourself... then you will lead the way, but remember, this is not a suicide mission, but a complete victory."

……

But the truth couldn't be hidden forever... Miracle Alchemy Street was in an uproar because of it.

Commoners and mages who had received the grace of Yunevo, or alchemists who had been persecuted by the church and had no choice but to come here to make a living, all showed their faces.

Arcane craftsman Dark was sitting in the shop, arguing incessantly with the ratman Nehta. As soon as he saw Yunevo return, he quickly got up and dragged over the heavy metal box that was in front of the door.

"The good stuff left over from the school history museum project..." Dark wiped the sweat from his brow, "'Siege' crossbow bolts that can automatically lock onto specific magical fluctuations."

Across the street, an alchemist, completely covered up, shouted, "Brother! I have plenty of alchemy raw materials in my warehouse. If it's for the church... take it or leave it!"

Further away, an old baker from a bakery pushed a cart full of freshly baked bread through the crowd—his daughter, who had been suffering from the Magic Disease, had also been cured thanks to the medicine.

Yunefu smiled and responded to everyone. After quickly entering the shop and tidying up, he headed back to the academy.

In front of the academy's council hall, the Tide School, led by Tedes, was the first to raise their hands to join the battle. Behind him... were five Tide Mages, also dressed in dark blue robes, his classmates, and his teachers.

In the corridors of the Elementalists' Department, more than a dozen lecturers had gathered, clamoring that they couldn't let Yunefu, an alchemist, steal the limelight...

At noon, the sunlight was just right.

Several students who had taken the basic course on Eunhav alchemy tried to sneak into the expedition team, but were dragged out by the ear by the professor in charge of discipline.

As always, Yunevo wore his black alchemist's robes and looked at the growing crowd in the square with a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including nostalgia or reflection).

The twelve sixth-tier mages dispatched by the Supervisory Council stood in silent ranks, while about twenty lecturers volunteered—all formidable figures with top-notch combat abilities.

Representatives from Alchemy Street also arrived, crowding around the edge of the square, next to the arcane artisans led by Dark... A box with its lid open revealed strangely shaped arcane devices inside.

Most civilians were kept outside the academy gates; the vast crowd resembled a silent black tide.

"It's been so many years... I haven't seen a scene like this," an elderly councilor standing next to the dean exclaimed.

The dean did not speak, but instead turned his gaze to the figure in black robes in the center of the square.

Yonivore raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent instantly.

"I won't say much. My battles are mine to fight, my enemies are mine to kill, and I will walk my own path."

"Those who are willing, let's go... those who are not, protect Starmock," he turned and walked toward the exit.

Iseria followed quickly behind him, followed by Tedes... Nehta, and the group of lecturers and mages.

On the terrace, the old abbot suppressed his smiling expression, took a small step forward, and bowed to everyone in a monk's salute.

The procession crossed the college square and passed through streets crowded with ordinary people...

There were no words spoken, only the undulating footsteps symbolizing the determination to depart.

The civilians along the way lined both sides of the road, some removing their hats to bow, others praying in hushed tones... paying their respects in silence.

The bronze city gate slowly opened.

Outside the city, on the boundless plains, one could vaguely see the tent peaks of the church camp, and the faint glow of holy light.

Yune stopped at the city gate and looked back one last time.

The light from the Starmok Crystal Tower was exceptionally dazzling, and the city walls were crowded with people, while the mages guarding the city floated in the air...

They saluted the team again.

Yonivore turned around and looked at the church camp at the end of the plain, the city gate slowly closing behind him.

This time, he... didn't leave the city because he was fleeing.