The Alchemist's Guide to Flesh and Blood Ascension

The name Juniev Sol has become a frequently used word in the Tuss Academy.

"It's such a shame you didn't go to watch that assessment! That punch... it practically made the entire judging hall tremble!"

"But he didn't have a staff, or even cast a spell... This is completely against the rules!"

"Rules? When have alchemists ever talked about rules? Aren't their rules just their own minds and their novel understanding of the world?"

"Besides, the review committee has already given their final answer! The badges for the official instructors have been sent out several days ago!"

The voices converged into two opposing torrents, one being students like Lane Jeter who had long been captivated by the Heisenberg Pharmacy's miraculous potions and revolutionary courses.

The other group consists of senior professors and traditional families who cling to their own little corner of the world and cannot accept the rise of a "new star" that threatens their position.

However, Ionev himself ignored these discussions, simply pinning the lecturer badge to the left breast of his black robe, and tirelessly traveling between the "Heisenberg" laboratory and the library every day.

……

One evening at dusk, the aftershocks quietly transformed into substantial compensation.

Marcus Palamere, the old professor did not inform him in advance via the communication crystal, but instead personally waited at the door of the "Heisenberg" laboratory.

He looked more tired than the last time we met, with droopy eye bags, but his eyes were filled with a sense of relief and a hint of guilt.

It wasn't until Ionevoy returned from the library that he saw him.

"Mr. Eunice, regarding the arrangements for the evaluation and assessment... I apologize again for my rash act of acting first and informing later."

The old professor got straight to the point, his tone full of apology, his voice hoarse.

"I have placed my personal desires above your wishes, which is not the conduct expected of a scholar who seeks the truth."

He bowed to Yonivore, his eyes fixed on Yonivore's right arm, which was wrapped in bandages and slung across his chest.

"Professor, there's no need for that..." Yunevo said helplessly, and had no choice but to invite the old professor into the laboratory to sit down.

Professor Marcus took out a flat, square object wrapped in dark brown oil paper from his pocket, untied the mithril thread wrapped around it, and placed it on the experimental table piled with notes and manuscripts.

"I've heard that you... have recently been quite interested in the 'Colossus of Justice' in the basement of the school history museum."

Eunice nodded, without denying it.

"This is a portion of a late professor's private research manuscript. He was one of the key figures in the Stamock side of the 'Colossus' project, although he ultimately strongly opposed the project's future direction..."

The old professor got up and closed the door, his voice very low.

"It contains some previously unpublished on-site records, as well as the original sealing design drawings... and his personal speculations."

He paused, then took out a silver key with tiny star-shaped sapphires inlaid along its edge and gently pushed it in front of Yonivore.

"This is a temporary access key to the deep forbidden zone of the 'Library of the Stars,' which can be used for about three months... With it, you can freely access most of the top-secret files, or some ancient magical theories."

Yunevo did not immediately take the manuscript, but instead sighed: "Then... what is the price? Alchemists have always followed the principle of equivalent exchange."

“There are no additional costs,” Marcus said with a wry smile, then added, “This is just compensation within my personal purview. Tuss Academy… or rather, those who are aligned with my faction, all wish to maintain a good relationship with you.”

"If we really have to talk about the cost, we hope... that you can get rid of that strange thing, because the academy's higher-ups have to spend a lot of effort on sealing it every year."

The old professor stood up and nodded slightly. "The special seal on the manuscript can be removed with your lecturer badge, so I won't bother you any longer."

Yunevo sighed, shook his right arm which had almost fully recovered, and looked at Iseria to the side.

"Can I take off the bandage? My left hand is so hard to use..."

"No!"

The black-robed alchemist sighed and picked up the key from the table...

The two set foot for the first time in the "Library of the Stars," a forbidden zone located beneath a crystal foundation, eternally illuminated by ancient magic.

The key was inserted into a hole in the stone wall, and a stone door slid open silently, revealing the obsidian wall behind it.

The bookshelves here are much older, and the books on them have no titles, only numbers and very simple descriptions.

Yonivore's goal was clear—to reach a specific snowy area based on cross-references in the manuscript.

Iseria's eyes shone, but she kept Yonivo's instructions firmly in mind. She only occasionally helped him take down a few relatively tall books, but spent most of her time sitting with him, silently looking at the words.

The two sat in a corner, spread out the copy of the manuscript, and compared it with the other books they had found...

According to the literature, the relationship between the gargoyle and the core of the anti-magic stone was not "symbiotic," as the former could never fully accept the mutations brought about by the latter.

"And with the other explanations, it means... the gargoyle's armor is removable, right?" Yunevo whispered.

……

As they left the restricted area, in the relatively well-lit upper floor of the library, an unexpected yet predictable figure was lingering at the exit.

Tedes Cole, the genius Tide Mage.

"Lecturer Saul... excuse me for waiting here," he said, taking the first step with a standard monk's bow.

"I think... there have been some errors in the path I've been adhering to. If you don't mind, may I ask you some other questions during my free time? From the perspective of a fellow traveler seeking to broaden my knowledge and seek the truth."

"Of course, the Heisenberg Laboratory welcomes you, as long as I'm not busy doing any... dangerous experiments."

Tedes gave a genuine smile, thanked them, and quickly left the library, his steps much lighter.

Iseria poked Yunevo's back and whispered, "Yunevo... that punch of yours was really powerful."

"It's not just about power... there's something else, I can't quite put my finger on it." She tapped her head, then suddenly remembered something, and her expression turned serious.

"From now on... you're not allowed to use those scary moves so easily!"

"Alright, alright... Little ancestor, whatever you say goes."

Yunevo shrugged and looked at the glowing crystal tower outside Starmoke.

The plan to hunt "gargoyles"... can finally be put on the agenda.