A little experimenting goes a long way.

Professor Fernando, Alchemist Professor at the Lyceum, school of the arcane arts and beyond. If you're one of those board directors responsible for funding, PLEASE message me. I need a word with you.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

You there! Student!

YES! YOU! You youngsters, can't even turn tail when asked to sometimes. I swear. You're new here aren't you? I'd thought so, given that utterly clueless look on your face.

Let me introduce myself then, I am Professor Fernando. And I am your Alchemist teacher here at the Lyceum... and you, are late. How do I know you're in my class? Simple. You've been standing at my door for five minutes now! I'd never forget the look of a clueless student. The rest of your classmates are inside...

Asking questions is the key to knowledge, young one! And a simple, " is this the right room? " will do you WONDERS... nevertheless. I'll excuse your tardiness for now. But next time? Speak to a professor if you're lost... or really, any of these rusted guards will help.

But now that you're here. Let me bring you to speed, then.

The rules of my classrooms are simple, follow these and you'll do nicely:

> Listen - That's the biggest necessity in alchemy, you can be clumsy to the moon and back, and I'd forgive you. But if you're ignorant on purpose? You're out of this class.

> Always ask permission to touch the lab equipment IF it's outside of lessons - These things are EXPENSIVE. And frankly I've argued with the board too many times to go another round of it.

> Accidents happen. Don't hide it, it won't do you any good - Come to me, immediately, especially if one of you got hurt.

> There are NO stupid questions - If you're confused, ask me anything. Even if it's the basics. Some of us need a little refresher, and that's okay.

> SAFETY FIRST - It doesn't matter how important your project is, if you're even remotely in danger trying to grab it? Leave it. You can always do it again, you on the other hand only have one life. Wasting it on a grade isn't worth it.

> Finally, respect and kindness above all else - The teachers, the equipment, and ESPECIALLY to your peers. I will not tolerate disrespect in it's ugly form.

Now, off to your seat. Lessons will begin shortly.

___________________________________________

Tags:

Alchemist inscriptions <- Thoughts/lessons

After hours <- Interactions

Classroom inquiries <- Questions

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Fernando, here is the ghost essence you have requested. I will be unable to harvest any more from the graveyard for some time, so do use it sparingly.

(@professor-zorya)

Ah! Madame Zorya, a pleasure, truly!

Look at this... Pure ghost essence, right on my fingertips. I frankly didn't think I'd be able to have this request fulfilled! I know such an intimate ingredient isn't so easily plucked off the yard. So worry not! This will be handled with the utmost care...

Though! I do have another request for you, if you don't mind it.

You are free to decline it of course! But worry not, it doesn't involve any form of harvesting. I just need a more, analytical eye to help with my predicament. Now, of course, I don't want to waste your time with this. So if you have something you must do first, I'm more than willing to wait.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Wait...

AGH! THIS WAS THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO DECK THAT DISASTROUS DIM WITTED VICE RIGHT AT THE JUGULAR! WHY DID I WASTE SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY?!

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

FINALLY! THE FINALS ARE OVER...

And more importantly, the students are recovering from the travesties. They don't deserve all the nonsense that's come about, not at their age.

Who'd thought this semester would bring about an entire conspiracy? Syndicate ties? Corrupted higher ups? Far too complex for my paycheck. But! Now it's all over, and I can finally sit back and relax...

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Empty again... Hm. The last time you heard of him, he was with a healer, something about his throat getting scratched up. He didn't even take the time to turn the lights off.

Click.

Well, it's the least you could do.

Everything looks the same, the smoke has cleared, so has most of the ruined equipment that came from that explosion you heard about. Surprisingly, the teacher's desk is still intact. That's good, at least.

There's nothing more for you to do here.

Unless...

Theres nothing more.

Voting ended onFeb 21

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

A certain student nailed someone their alchemy test with fying colors and got themself a decent amount of gold, with sizes no bigger than a slit pea. They did not think of how to spend the gold they just made, money doesn't matter to them, people are.

Tiny gold pieces started to appear randomly in the campus afterwards.

One found it's place in professor Fernando’s crucible!

Sip...

HRK—?!

COUGH— COUGH— WHEEZE. ACK—

THUD

As the loud thud echoes from his body hitting the floor, the lesson for today settles in clear. Don't use your crucibles as coffee mugs...

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

[A young student nervously rounds the corner into the alchemy classroom, shoulders tight with preemptive worry as they wander up to the desk. A roughly braided mane of light green hair reaches the back of their knees, the plait uneven in places where anxious fingers have tugged it loose again and again. Or perhaps such a length of hair can simply never be truly tamed--as the flowers growing between locks with the occasional twig stubbornly poking out might suggest.]

"Um, professor Fernando? About the jumping beans...I tried to use them like you said, but I just couldn't get them to calm down--I mean, deactivate--like you said."

"I found it more effective to, um, listen - to them, like I said before?"

- Lyceum!Verdant @magister-verdant

Death, death, death... what could possibly correlate to deaths and roses? Loss of a loved one, surely. But no symbolism besides that, especially not one with color so bright! Oftentimes roses in death terms yield a darker tint, this one doesn't, and not to mention the coldness of its magic still lingers, like the flower itself is frozen in time. Time, time, time. The rose feels distant, even in my hands.

Fascinating, truly fascinating! It's not like anything the books described! What I would GIVE to have my custom set back, if I could just put even a petal through my filter, who knows what results it could bring? Just a small petal... but would that be rude to whoever gave it to me? Whoever it was, it was surely a tease, either way!

But... agh! Fernando, you need to stop yapping and THINK, off with the daydreams—! Focus on the properties, what you're good at, think of the potions that this one flower could yield! The magic analysis! And—

Finally, after a long, long time talking to himself. He finally turns enough to be able to see...

VERDANT—?!

Flustered, his hand swiftly moves downwards, hiding the rose back in his drawer, safely kept.

AHEM— What is it that you need?

Ah... listening to the beans again, are we? Well, if you find your own methods more effective, then do what you need to. But remember, you need to be able to use these plants, Verdant. We've talked about this. They're ingredients... and listening to plants is more of an, archaic botany lesson.

At least tell me you've actually used the beans, instead of letting them go this time. You're a kid with a special talent, but that could hinder your progress in alchemy if your attachments to the ingredients continue...

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

*A single red rose appears out of thin air through a faint green magic glow that feels slightly off cold. The rose keeps hovering in the air and a paper appears with the following message:*

Hey,

it's been a very special day, that made me realize how much I love (to endure) your presence. Wish I could watch you spend eternity with me right now. Sooner or later, we shall united! I'll always be there to catch you. Whether you currently want to hold me close or break my neck - I will wait for you. Don't keep me waiting! ;-)

Yours eternally,

Death

(@afkj-morgan)

Now... That should be the last of my list, if I could just—

What in—?!

By Dura's name... A rose and a letter, straight to my class. Though, this magic feels unfamiliar. Cold, almost distant, somehow. Fascinating.

He reaches out, taking the rose carefully into his hand, the green magic dissipating the moment he touches it.

Let's see what it says here.

...

If this is a joke, it's quite elaborate! But if not. No, surely not. It's a tease at best.

As nice of a thought as it would be, it isn't remotely possible. It certainly doesn't add up to anyone I know! The magic is cold. Unfamiliar... Incredible in nature alone. I need to study this.

It isn't an accident, but, it isn't possible either. I need to ground myself in reality... I'll keep this in my drawer, at least. It's a gift after all, and a gift I'll cherish.

Oh...Fernando. You're hopeless, I tell you!

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

*Hands him a few now small trinkets and ingredients for his class.* Here, Professor, a little something on Valentine's Day, a tribute to our shared love for the Arts of Alchemy! <3

!

To take the time to find me, after yesterday has passed. I can't say I've ever had someone give me a gift in that regard, before.

I'll cherish these greatly. Thank you.

There, these should fit here just nicely...

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

why is professor petras alchemy classes so much better than yours

That, dear student, is what we call an opinion! My classes aren't for everyone, and that's something teachers and students need to accept. Professor Petra is a wonderful instructor, and an overall decent person. I have no qualms over "better" when it comes to our teaching methods.

But you aren't even in my class so its an odd little move to come here and say that. Is that the only reason you've graced me with your presence? Or do you need something?

If nothing else, your words are noted, off you go then.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

We know who you are. We know what you did.

No, odd ominous threats won't delay the exams either.

You've had more than enough time to study, youngin, now shoo! I'm still cleaning the last bits of this mess.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

"Professor, BEFORE YOU GET MAD I DID FIX THE PROBLEM, but I accidentally turned one of the lab fish into a minor hypofiend again after an ingredient mixup with some personal alchemy components (⁠─﹏─⁠|⁠|⁠）. The fish is back to normal after some research, but if it acts weird then it's probably because of me."

- Cifera ( @abyssal-illusionist )

Step back, Ms Cifera... The classroom isn't safe for students, at the moment.

If the fish is fine now, then you aren't in any trouble. But what did we say in regards to this? No personal components near school regulated ingredients. Everything in the classroom is categorized, and adding your personal stash brings unpredictable results! And unpredictable is DANGEROUS.

Even my KITS ARE DAMAGED? No no NO!

...

Apologies, Cifera. I'm... dealing with a few things, at the moment. I need to list everything that's been damaged by the explosion. And figure out just how much I need to spend replacing it all...

I suggest you keep the fish at your dorm... it isn't safe here right now.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

The moment Fernando and the students arrived at the classroom, they would be taken aback at the state of it.

Completely nuked. All the expensive equipment Fernando had haggled and begged the Board for fundings, absolutely obliterated by some kind of experiment whoopsie that somehow bypassed all security measures. Protective ward or not.

It doesn't matter. It's all ruined.

My...classroom.

Right. Everyone, step back! Put a cloth over your noses, and make sure none of you are too close to the rubble! I can handle this. Ensure nobody inhales whatever is left, and if you feel lightheaded? Go to the healers IMMEDIATELY. I will NOT tolerate incompetence in safety! Shoo!

They're gone. He braved himself to enter the room, he's spent years of his life trained under the fumes of his passion projects, whatever was in here wouldn't bother him. Not anymore.

Everything... Everything's gone. My extracts, my beakers, my TONICS!

Dura knows how long it would take to get this all back! Oh the humanity! Some of these were from my own POCKET!

EVERY SINGLE GOLD COIN USED FOR THIS, GONE! JUST LIKE THAT!

... It's fine, Fernando. This happens. You need to tackle through the biggest issue first.

Why didn't the protective ward work? It was enchanted by leymar himself, no explosion could have been big enough to bypass through that! And these things are on 24/7. Even if it was a firesurge, at least HALF of these would have survived! Unless...

Someone deactivated the wards.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

After about thirty minutes of going back and forth with yourself about the ethics of opening a professors drawer, you decided to leave it alone for now.

Tomorrow is another day, after all.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Well, that's the time. I just need to pack everything up, and then get some rest. Or honestly... a coffee would do nicely.

But before that, a certain owl-bear is deserving of another visit. I'm not letting him rid of my chances of revolutionary research that easily. If I can get close enough, I can snatch a few strands. But he needs to be in his form for that. Maybe if I act tired enough I can get an hour or two laying on the fur this time? Yes, yes, that's it...

Then when his guard is down, I can finally get my hands on his fur... Then, I can FINALLY go forward with my notes on hybrid species transfiguration! I can just imagine it now!

(Fluffy...)

No. No! Focus, Fernando! You can't let such fluffy temptation get the best of you. Research awaits!

Click.

As his footsteps fade off into the distant hall, the classroom falls silent.

. . .

You find yourself wandering into the room, curiosity overtaking you as you watch him fade out of sight. Gaze locking back towards the now empty room containing the shelves, tables, seats, and his personal desk with less "state of the art" alchemy equipment. Every other teacher you knew personalized their classrooms one way or another, but he seems to have no other personality besides his love for alchemy. You wonder, what kind of person is he really? An old coot? A mad scientist? Or just... your teacher? A part of you knows better than to snoop around, after all it could be nothing more than a few books and notes on the subject. And if there is anything, it isn't anything you should take. He's been a respectable professor so far, and taking anything could be a ticket to ruining his trust. But something else, curiosity, a part of you that you try to bury so deeply guides you to step forward. Hesitant as you may be, you continue. Your sights fall onto the desk, one of the cabinets seem to be unlocked, slightly ajar. He seems to have forgotten to close this one. Peek inside?

Yes, maybe there's something in here, blackmail?

Yes, maybe he left something important in there?

No, it would be a breach of privacy.

Voting ended onFeb 12

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Do you have a favourite student, professor?

A favorite student, hmmmm?

I might, if anyone's foolish enough to get me a piece of that feather-fur Professor Hepler has!

ALL THE YEARS I've known him, and he still denies me even a cut of it! His body his covered in that stuff! How can he not realise how crucial this is for further research? Hmph! Selfish, if you ask me.

[lyceumalchemistprofessor]

Hello Professor, I am DESPERATE in need of help.

When attempting to make energizing potion, I had followed your steps with adding a moderate amount of firedust powder, but when I recreate it on my own, it seems to make a healing potion instead. Which isn't terrible, but obviously isn't going to help me with studying.

Please help, my roommate is laughing at me 😭

Sascha Ivanovna

@alexivan77

A healing potion? Now how in Esperia did you manage that? Certainly an interesting turn of events.

You weren't all quiet and focused, were you? A fun little fact, firedust properties shift depending on its environment! If there isn't enough hustling or bustling about, it could dim out it's "sparking properties", and instead apt for a more alleviating effect. That COULD be why your potion changed mid brew...

Of course, it could also be a quality issue. Ever since Leymar's been off in the shadows, doing dura knows what! The boards been cutting corners! The quality in supplies they give you kids have dropped significantly!

How stupid do they think I am? They think I don't notice? Of COURSE I notice!Does NOONE respect the art of quality control anymore?