Dorian took one last look at himself in his mirror before heading out and he saw a tall, lean teenager with bad posture caused by years of looking down at his feet and avoiding people.
"What a weak build, there is work to be done if you wish to become an alchemist," OT remarked
"I didn't know alchemist needed to be physically built, I guess they need strong arms to stir their brews" Dorian replied, walking toward the carriage waiting for him in front of the house's gate
"Perhaps you would like to give up? I don't mind slumbering for another 1111 years if it means I don't have to deal with a whiny candidate."
"Thanks for the encouragement, OT." Dorian's sarcasm cut sharp
The servants bowed as Dorian stepped into the carriage, they paid no mind to OT reating him like he wasn't there and that was because OT was visible to only Dorian and he noticed this fact.
"You are the only one who can see me," OT answered before Dorian could ask
"I see.Tell me about this true alchemy, what do I do? Where do I start?"
"Tell me about the alchemists of this era, I need to know what I am working with," OT asked in a demanding tone
Dorian rolled his eyes but ignored it, "Alchemy nowadays isn't much to write home about, in the past they were responsible for making pills and potions which had various effects; most of it were health related, the minority were pills that gave temporary status effects like enhanced agility, mana boost, invisibility and the likes.
But these days, alchemists have been replaced by physicians in the health aspect and when it comes to special pills and potions, magic arts have now developed to the point that any special effect an alchemist's pills and potions might promise has a spell that can achieve the same effect.
In conclusion alchemists now have no real value, most of them make a living by selling pills and potions to people who can't afford to purchase a one time spell book and old people who believe anything other than alchemical treatment is devil's magic." he explained
"Unacceptable!" OT exclaimed the moving carriage shook and the horses neighed, anger was evident in his voice but beneath was a trace of sadness.
"It is very much acceptable, especially in the capital. You would see an alchemist practically begging you to buy his pills, especially the ones that sell aphrodisiacs…very shameless lot,"
OT's normally expressionless face slightly creased into a frown, "This is worse than I anticipated, we do have a lot of work ahead of us,"
"This is the part where you tell me about the true alchemy and what I have to do to walk the path," Dorian asked with a serious expression, "Auremis said that I needed the emerald tablet to guide me but it was nowhere to be found when I woke up. I have a feeling that since I have you with me, I wouldn't need the tablet,"
"You're technically right, because I am the emerald tablet. I took on this form because it is familiar to you, my job is to guide the chosen candidates to complete the great work. And the reason you couldn't find my physical manifestation is because I am now anchored in your soul space." OT paused as if expecting some kind of applause
"The great work, the Magnus Opus of true alchemy, is the transmutation of the base self into a higher and more precious state of being, a state truly free from the constraints and laws of this mortal cage. There are no special requirements to be an alchemist, anyone can be an alchemist if they put their mind to it.
To set yourself on the path of true alchemy you must first craft a philosopher's stone, upon completion of the stone, if done correctly you should be able to transmutate and free yourself from this world."
Dorian listened attentively as OT explained, it sounded like a rehearsed speech perhaps it was due to the fact that he had explained the same thing to several candidates before Dorian, 'A higher state of being? Free from laws of the world? This is for sure not the alchemy I know'
"And this 'Philosopher's stone' , how do I make one? There is some sort of recipe, right?" He asked
OT scoffed, "The creation of the philosopher's stone begins the same way as all alchemical processes; with the Prima Materia, Azoth."
"Azoth?,"
"Azoth, the first matter, the source which all things across all existences are created from and the final source where they will return to. To create your philosopher's stone, there are four steps: first, you need to first learn to feel and manipulate the Azoth, then purify and break it down, third step is to recombine and refine it into something more stable and pure. Finally, the last step is to manifest the perfected substance and undergo the ultimate transmutation.
For previous candidates, the first stage is usually the hardest or the easiest depending on their ability to accept the reality that all their knowledge about alchemy and the world was utterly lacking in all aspect,"
Dorian's brow furrowed, the thought of having to forgo all his painstakingly acquired knowledge had him worried. To fully assimilate this true alchemy he had to let go of it all and dive head first into a completely unknown territory where his only reference material was a rude, sentient tablet.
'This might just be far harder than I thought it would be, forgoing all I knew and thrust myself into this new and unknown territory,'
OT noticed Dorian's worried gaze, "Worry not, candidate. You have me as a guide, who better teach you how to sense the prima materia than a being made entirely from the prima materia?" OT reassured him
Dorian's frown thickened, "While I appreciate you offering to help, I would appreciate it more if you stopped reading my mind,"
With an indifferent look and tone OT asked, "Why? You're a candidate, it is my duty to help you learn as much and as efficiently as much as possible and knowing what you're thinking helps a great deal,"
"Why? Privacy thats why, my thoughts are my thoughts for a reason," He shot OT a fierce glance
OT didn't reply to him, instead he simply scoffed and looked away with his nose in the air. After a moment of deafening, awkward silence, "So, when do I start creating my philosopher stone?", Dorian asked, breaking the silence
OT folded his arm, "The beginning stages of creation are very sensitive, they can make or break and alchemist, a secluded space without any interruption is required,"
"I guess the creation would have to wait until we get to the capital," Dorian said, "We still have 2 days and some hours till then,"
OT slowly began to fade before Dorian's eyes, " Call on me when you have found a space to start," He said
"What's going on? What is happening to you?"
"Worry not, I simply have to rest. Being a vessel for master Auremis' essence took quite a toll on me," OT said before completely vanishing
Dorian smirked, "Alchemy is sure interesting, this version at least. Just what do I do for the rest of the journey, no book seems interesting enough after all that." He soliloquized, his voice filled with traces of excitement that he tried to hide.