Violet's Perspective
Violet – Jhey, thanks for listening to me again. I'm late for class and still need to call Alícia first. Bye!
Jheysi – Wait, I'm coming with you! We're in the same Alchemy class, remember?
Violet – Oh right! Totally forgot. My head's somewhere else today.
Jheysi – Clearly.
Jheysi looks at Violet, notices her unease, and steps closer.
Jheysi – The great Violet… scared?
Violet – What? No way!
Jheysi – I've seen you take down a whole senior squad before, and now a freshman's got you like this?
Violet – You don't get it, it's all this responsibility...
Jheysi – Oh, but I do get it. Violet, the girl who led the rookie team to win the KeySands interclass trophy possibly the strongest student in the academy, Fionna Caileanach's right hand feeling pressure?
That's a lot to carry, huh?
And you've been handling it for what, six or seven months? Without a single complaint. Not even once.
Violet – You're not being fair!
Jheysi – Actually, I am. I'm literally showing you how strong you are. You just don't see it.
Violet – I... I...
Jheysi – Violet, it's okay not to be okay. And I've told you, I'm here for you. I'm your best friend.
Violet – Jhey, you really get me… but your methods are strange.
Jheysi – You can question my methods, but never my results!
Violet – Let's go.
Violet takes out her phone and calls Alícia.
Violet – Ali? Where are you?
Alícia – Heading to Alchemy class. I'm with Estela and the others.
Violet – Okay, I'm on my way. Everything alright?
Alícia – Yeah, Vi, all good. Want me to wait for you?
Violet – No, it's fine. I'll see you in class not great to be late on your first day.
Alícia – Okay then, Vi. See you soon.
Violet – See you.
Alícia hangs up.
Jheysi – Wait what did she just call you?!
Violet – No time for that, we're late.
Alícia's Perspective
Estela – Alícia, I'll ask Sofy to switch places with you so you're not alone.
Alícia – Oh, no, it's fine. I don't want to bother anyone. You and Sofy already share the desk... (I think). I don't want to interrupt.
Estela – Don't be silly. Yeah, Sofy and I share it, but it's fine she'll understand.
Alícia (thinking): "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh."
Estela – Sofy! Do you mind switching seats with Alícia just for today? She's new, and I don't want her sitting alone.
Sophia – Not at all! It's a pleasure to meet you, Alícia. I'm Sophia Solomon, from the royal Solomon lineage.
Alícia smiles and waves awkwardly, not sure what to say.
Alícia – I'm Alícia Mills. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Sophia Solomon.
Sophia – You can call me Sofy if you prefer. It's easier than saying my full name every time, right? laughs
Alícia gives an awkward smile.
Alícia – Y-yeah!
Sophia: Right...
A man enters the room.
Man – Alright, sorry for the delay. The academy's a mess today.
All students stand and bow. Alícia remains still, confused.
Estela whispers, pulling Alícia slightly.
Estela (whispering) – In KeySands, we always bow to the professors.
Man – Guys, I've told you before, you don't have to do that in my class. I thought Violet, as class representative, had already changed that rule...
Man – Where's Violet, by the way?Mr. Gregor, where is Miss Violet?
Gregor – Urgent business with the coordination. Didn't even have time to eat, Mr. Louis.
Prof. Louis – Damn. She still has the attendance list and the Spring Festival roster, right?
Gregor – No idea.
Prof. Louis – Think she'll show up today?
Gregor – No clue.
Prof. Louis – And Miss Jheysi?
Gregor – Still no idea.
Prof. Louis – Do you know anything, Gregor?
Gregor – I do n..
Prof. Louis – Never mind, we've wasted enough time.
Anyway, as soon as I walked in, I felt an oddly calm aura in here. Usually this room's chaos. So... I'm guessing we have a new student?
Estela & Sofy – Yes!
Prof. Louis – Would you like to introduce yourself? No pressure I understand it can be nerve-racking.
Alícia – It's fine!
He nods approvingly.
Alícia – Hi everyone, I'm Alícia Mills. I'm from here well, sort of. I'm new to almost everything around here. I'll be studying with you all, and I'm open to making new friends.
She sits down.
Estela (whispering) – Did you rehearse that speech?
Alícia (whispering) – I'm terrified. I've been rehearsing it since I walked in.
Estela (whispering) – You did great.
Estela smiles. Gregor gives Alícia two thumbs up. Alícia smiles back shyly.
Prof. Louis – Welcome to our beautiful, prestigious academy. KeySands is proud to have you here.
Alícia – Thank you! I'm really happy to be here.
Prof. Louis – We're happy too.
Alright, class today's topic is quite a controversial one. Alícia, since you're new, feel free to ask questions to me or your classmates. (And just to be clear, only my class works like that. Other teachers lose their minds if interrupted.)
Alícia – Okay!
Prof. Louis – Excellent.
There are two things that have intrigued alchemists for ages. The first a famous stone known as... Marric, what's it called again?
Marric – The Philosopher's Stone, according to rumors.
Prof. Louis – "According to rumors," huh. Sophia, what is this stone supposedly capable of?
Sophia – According to those rumors, it could turn lead into gold, cure any disease, and even grant eternal life.
Prof. Louis – Marric and Sophia are both correct but there's something else, something not found in ordinary books... and that's
Alícia raises her hand.
Prof. Louis – Yes, Alícia?
Alícia (standing up) – Some rumors very dark ones also claimed that through alchemy and its principles, it was possible to create semi-human beings called homunculi, based on human anatomy and the Philosopher's Stone. But the Church saw it as abominable.
Prof. Louis looks at her with pride. The class falls silent for a few seconds before laughter breaks out across the room.
Alícia sits quickly, embarrassed. The lights flicker softly.
Estela grabs her hand.
Prof. Louis notices immediately.
Prof. Louis – Well, Alícia, you're absolutely correct. Ordinary books don't mention that you're probably the smartest student in this room.
Instant silence.
Prof. Louis – May I ask where you learned that?
Alícia – M-my... my mother.
Prof. Louis – Oh, I see. That's alright, don't worry. Let's move on.
A knock sounds at the door. He opens it.
Prof. Louis – Speak of the devil Violet and Jheysi!
Violet (whispering) – Sorry, Elliot, I was talking with Fionna.
Prof. Louis – That's fine, Crawford. I understand your situation. Both of you, take your seats.
Jheysi – Thank you, Mr. Louis.
Prof. Louis – No problem. Go sit down.
Crawford, I need to talk to you after class.
Violet – Okay, Elliot.
Prof. Louis – Now, as Miss Alícia said, she's absolutely right there were rumors about the creation of semi-human beings known as homunculi. They would supposedly be faster and stronger than ordinary humans.
Sophia – That's ridiculous.
Prof. Louis – Yes, it is ridiculous which is why there's no real proof that either the Philosopher's Stone or homunculi ever existed. It's all speculation... up to a point.
Jheysi (whispering) – Alícia's really smart...
Violet (whispering) – Yeah, I know.
Prof. Louis – So, today's assignment each group will use materials from the World Academy of Alchemy to try and create your own Philosopher's Stone.
Boy – But that's impossible! You said yourself it doesn't exist you even agreed with Sophia that it's nonsense.
Prof. Louis – Have a little faith, young one. You might achieve what no one ever has. I just want to spark your curiosity. Bring me something creative.
This weekend's Spring Festival marks the farewell to this wonderful season and if you don't bring anything, your grades might say farewell too. But if you want to present your "stone" at the science fair, you could win the top prize and extra credit for helping organize the event.
Girl – Professor, who do we talk to about joining the organization team?
Prof. Louis – Speak to Miss Crawford. She'll assign the class roles. Understood?
Girl – Y-yes, sir!
Prof. Louis – Good. Now, let's stay focused this is an important subject.
I'll write a little starting point on the board so you don't feel totally lost.
Form groups of one to four no one's forced to work alone, but you don't have to join a group either.
Dedicate yourselves to this experiment; it counts for half your grade.
The whole class groans in unison.
Class – AHHHHH!!!
Prof. Louis – What? I didn't mention that at the start? Too bad! Class dismissed. Have a great day, my little geniuses! Hahahaha!!!