It had already been a year since Noel began working as Mond's alchemy assistant. Over this year, his days had become increasingly busy—not only did he have to study, but he also had to assist Mond while studying.
Yet the rewards were substantial. Mond's experiments grew more complex each time, and with each new experiment, Noel gained different techniques and invaluable insights.
After this year of intense training, Noel had grown into an alchemist capable of handling things independently.
But today was different. Unlike usual, Mond was extremely solemn.
Noel had never seen Mond approach an experiment with such seriousness, and he had a strong feeling that today's experiment was exceptionally important.
"These are the blueprints for today's experiment. Take a look. I need your help today, so do your best." Mond handed over a thick stack of blueprints and drafts.
Noel was stunned. There were so many notes—more than double the amount they usually had for any experiment.
He now understood why Mond was so serious. This experiment could very well shock the entire alchemy world.
Noel skimmed through the blueprints, but the more he read, the more confused he became. These diagrams were fundamentally flawed.
There were over a hundred magic circles, but the interactions between them were problematic. Most critically, there were basic mistakes that even a beginner would notice.
Lines in the patterns would suddenly break off in places, making the entire design impossible to function.
Not to mention the hidden dangers—if something went wrong during the experiment and the vast network of circles caused an explosion, it would be catastrophic.
"Master, isn't there something wrong with these notes?" Noel had never questioned Mond before, but this time, he needed answers.
"Are you doubting me? There's no problem. Just follow the instructions. I'll handle the main process, you handle the minor tasks."
Mond was visibly upset. His apprentice was finally defying him—perhaps a sign that the boy had grown stronger. But for Mond, this decision weighed heavily on him, and the pain showed in his expression.
Seeing Mond's anger, Noel decided not to argue further. Pushing the issue wouldn't help. His master was a renowned alchemist; if he said it would work, there must be a reason.
Noel's job was to assist. Deep down, he hoped this experiment would teach him something new, helping him reach realms he had never touched before.
He realized he had spoken out of turn. He couldn't let his doubts delay the experiment.
Strangely, today, Mond had cleared the entire laboratory, moving everything out until only an empty room remained.
Apart from a few materials stacked nearby, there was nothing left—just the two of them.
Mond moved as if possessed, drawing magic circles across the floor—one after another, filling the entire room.
Noel, following the blueprints, helped fill in the supplementary patterns.
The workload was so immense that it drained Noel more than running a small experiment by himself.
Suddenly, Mond stopped, surveying the room filled with arrays with an appreciative gaze, as if admiring a piece of art.
"Master, is it ready now?" Noel asked curiously.
"It's perfect. I've simulated it in my mind countless times, and this is exactly how I envisioned it." Mond's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"But Master, this array is strange. Isn't there a risk something could go wrong?" Noel finally blurted out, unable to hold it in any longer.
"What could possibly go wrong? My master prepared this once too."
Mond suddenly began coughing violently, blood splattering across the floor.
"Master, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Noel's voice trembled as he saw Mond covered in blood.
"It's nothing, just an old illness. I'm glad I held on until now. There's something I need to tell you—it's not right to keep it hidden." Mond smiled, eyes full of warmth.
"Don't worry about me. This is a ritual passed down through our lineage." Mond's tone was calm, almost gentle.
"A ritual for alchemists? Why have I never heard of it?" Noel asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Because I never let you see those books. If you knew the price of opening the Gate of Truth, would you still want it?" Mond asked weakly.
Noel had heard of the Gate of Truth as a topic before and knew it required a price, but he had never studied it in depth, so he truly didn't know.
"The price is one's body and soul. Do you understand now?" Mond looked at him seriously.
Suddenly, it clicked for Noel. If irregular energy were forced into the broken patterns, the entire magic array could still function.
"The Ultimate Secret of Alchemy—The Gate of Truth." Mond finally spoke the words slowly.
Mond's body began to dissolve, starting with his limbs, then gradually his torso and head disappeared.
A stream of blue energy emerged, being drawn into the Gate.
Noel couldn't be certain what the blue energy was, but it was likely Mond's soul. Noel's own body began to feel a pulling force, drawing him toward the Gate as well.
"Child, you're here." Mond's form, now just a wisp of cyan light, spoke softly, prepared to reveal everything.
"Why are you doing this?" Noel's voice cracked. What was the point of this so-called 'inheritance'?
"You're still too weak to understand, but one day you will. In this world, power is always necessary, and I want to give you this opportunity," Monde replied quietly.
"As your master, it's my right." Mond's tone held a hint of pride.
"Have you ever considered how I feel?" Noel choked, tears filling his eyes. "Why are you being more selfish than me? Don't you know this will hurt me?"
"I've been beyond saving for a long time, Noel. Not even the Water of Life can help, and that belongs to you anyway. Unless I could craft the Panacea, but I no longer have the strength to pursue it."
"But I'm grateful that you stayed with me during my final days. It made me happy, so don't be sad."
"Do you know, after death, people turn into stars in the sky? When you feel lonely, just look up. The brightest star you see will be me, watching over you from above."
Even though he could no longer see Mond's form clearly, Noel could feel that Monde was truly happy in that moment.
"But I just want to stay with you until your very last moment. I don't want anything else." Noel sobbed uncontrollably.
"Honestly, I was already at my limit earlier. Just standing was a struggle, and drawing all these arrays was only possible because I forced myself. If it weren't for your company, I wouldn't have made it this far. Consider it a final gift."
"Every alchemist takes pride in offering their soul to alchemy. I'm honored to have made it to this step."
The ancient lines on the Gate began to glow, dark at first, then gradually brightening, guiding Noel toward it, as if beckoning him to open it.
Noel didn't want to open the Gate, but his body moved on its own, like a puppet pulled by invisible strings.
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