"It's alright, kid. I've already accepted this outcome long ago. Still, I can't help but blame myself for not having the power to protect my family."
Mond's emotions grew turbulent. For a rational, composed alchemist like him, such intense emotional swings were rare.
But in his eyes, there was nothing but regret and self-blame, a sorrow that ran deep.
"No, Master, you've already done so much. You worked hard for your family, making sure your wife and son never lacked food or clothing. I believe they understand that now, don't you?" Noel tried to comfort him.
"You're giving me too much credit, Noel. I'm nothing but a selfish, narrow-minded man who only ever cared about his own pursuits, ignoring the feelings of those closest to me until I couldn't even take care of them."
Mond grew even more agitated, like a lion with its fur bristled, clinging to his pitiful psychological defenses.
"Whatever others say doesn't matter. That's just the truth of it! I've never asked for my wife or son's forgiveness. Instead, I want to carry their hopes and live on, even if I've been drifting through life aimlessly until now. But your appearance has brought some change to my life."
Mond glanced at Noel, then at the photo of his son on the table. The resemblance was uncanny—the same youthfulness, the same innocence, the same gentle demeanor.
It was as if he was looking at his son again. But was this really okay? For Mond, the truth was clear: he was treating Noel as a substitute for the son he had lost.
He knew it was wrong, but the fatherly love he could never release had nowhere else to go, so he pushed it onto Noel. Thankfully, it wasn't in an extreme or harmful way.
Noel saw the look in Mond's eyes and understood. He picked up the old photograph, its edges yellowed, stains marking it.
He knew those stains weren't from spilled water; they were tear marks. He could feel the sorrow his master felt each time he looked at this photo.
"This is your son, isn't it?" Noel asked, pointing to the photo.
"Yes…" Mond replied quietly.
"I really do look like him, don't I? This fatherly love you're giving me isn't so bad, but I still hope you'll treat me as your apprentice. Your love is too heavy for me to carry, even though I don't dislike it." Noel said gently.
"I will try to treat you like an apprentice, but don't expect too much from me." Mond said.
Noel nodded. He knew that if this man said he would try, then he would, because Mond wasn't the type to say something he didn't mean.
"I'm sorry. I still can't fully control my emotions. But today, I need to finish explaining the branches of alchemy. It's part of the lesson plan."
Mond was always a man of discipline. It wasn't just time management; it was the spirit of keeping promises.
There were two kinds of mages who deeply valued contracts: Celestial Spirit Mages and Alchemy Mages.
Noel was happy to continue. He hadn't had enough of learning yet. Although he had worried at first that he might not understand, he had come to love learning about alchemy.
And alchemy itself was simply too fascinating. It held a mysterious pull that made it impossible to stop once you started.
"Alchemy also has its branches. One of them is spiritual alchemy using aether construction. This method involves using spiritual power to directly create objects from your mind. Of course, this is a very advanced technique, but it's not the best choice."
"Mages who use this method often drain their spiritual energy, so you need to have a strong sense of self-awareness if you want to use it."
"Many young genius alchemists have lost their lives because they overestimated their own abilities when using spiritual alchemy. It's not uncommon."
"Then there's fixed-point alchemy, which involves using instruments to continually transmute materials in a controlled location."
"This is a very traditional but highly respectable craft. Some of its knowledge is outdated, but if you want to create certain special items, fixed-point alchemy is still essential."
"In fact, fixed-point alchemy is the best starting point for beginners, and almost everyone begins their alchemy training here."
"Next is instant alchemy, which allows you to draw energy directly from nature and perform equivalent exchange on the spot, making it viable in combat."
"Alchemists who can use this are the most dangerous, capable of deconstructing and reconstructing their enemies' magic and launching counterattacks. But it requires exceptional knowledge and combat skill."
"And finally, there is Truth Alchemy. Legend says that the Gate of Truth will open for the world's most outstanding alchemist, and the God of Truth will guide them through a baptism of truth."
"Of course, the God of Truth also abides by equivalent exchange, so the price is high. But the rewards are just as great, earning such alchemists the title of 'Law Alchemists.'"
"Alchemists at this level can peer into the essence of the world, and their knowledge and application of magic become incredibly refined."
"So, Noel, which type do you want to learn?" Mond asked.
"My goal is to become a mage, so I should probably learn instant alchemy. But now… I think I've changed my mind."
"If I want to create the Elixir of Life, then I'll need fixed-point alchemy. But spiritual alchemy also sounds interesting… Actually, I want to learn all of them." Noel analyzed calmly.
"You really are an ambitious kid. I didn't notice that before." Mond laughed, but he was pleased. This was how young people should be; he would have been disappointed if Noel didn't have such drive.
"After all, if I want the strength to protect the people I care about, power is necessary. It's the deciding factor." Noel's eyes burned with determination, his whole body brimming with resolve.
"You're not wrong there. Youth is a wonderful thing." Mond sighed softly.
Suddenly, "Cough, cough, cough—"
Mond started coughing violently, unable to speak. It lasted for a whole minute before he finally stopped.
"Master, are you okay?" Noel asked, worried. The coughing had lasted too long. Could his master be sick? But that didn't seem right; alchemists had the means to maintain their health.
"It's nothing." Mond said.
He said it was fine, but Mond knew his body was failing. His coughing fits were becoming more frequent, and he was starting to feel weaker by the day.
It was clear that he wouldn't last much longer. But this child had so much talent. Mond wanted to be his ticket to another world, to let him see what lay beyond.
Just as his own master had once shown him that world, Mond wanted to pass it on. Yet such a legacy felt so tragic.
It was like a curse, one that kept binding them. But for those born with the talent for alchemy, it was undoubtedly a shortcut to power.
And this child was still so young, so pure, unaware of what the world was truly like. Precisely because of that, he needed power—to protect himself, his family, and the ideals in his heart.
Would the boy hate him for this one day? Mond wondered. Yes, he was being selfish. But wasn't this for the best? At least there would be someone to inherit what he had spent his life refining. He couldn't leave without passing it on.