"Alright."
Hel fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
After all, forcing a scholar to play politics really was asking too much.
But that did not mean Hel had no other way to solve the Alchemy Academy's problem.
So she reached into her spatial ring and took out a transparent vial.
Inside was a small pile of red grains of sand.
Judging by the amount…it was perhaps only about one gram.
Hel tossed the glass bottle to Albert and said,
"Take a look at this."
"This is…"
Albert carefully caught the vial and examined it closely.
At first, he didn't think much of it.
He only felt that the substance looked unusual.
But the moment he extended his spiritual perception into it…his expression changed completely.
To his shock, the matter inside was constantly shifting and transforming in response to his spirit.
"T-This is…"
Albert froze.
An absurd thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
It was said that within the field of alchemy, there existed two supreme creations.
The first was the Philosopher's Stone—capable of allowing any spell to be performed without cost.
And the second…was the legendary Prima Materia, a substance said to be able to transform into anything.
And what lay inside this vial…was identical to the Prima Materia of myth.
But…was such a thing even possible?
Someone had, in a single day, produced both the method for creating the Philosopher's Stone…and a vial of Prima Materia.
Was this the descent of the God of Alchemy?
Or…could this girl be the legendary Alchemy Witch herself?
For a moment, Albert didn't dare think further.
He feared that touching upon some unspeakable secret would cause him to lose this once-in-a-lifetime chance to overturn his fate.
But Hel did not notice Albert's thoughts at all.
After handing him the vial, she continued calmly,
"Since you cannot influence the academy's political decision, then help me with something else.
This vial contains Prima Materia.
I need you to find a way to summon all of the academy's upper leadership—excluding the dean.
With this vial, that should not be difficult."
"No problem."
Albert immediately agreed.
But then, looking down at the vial in his hands, he hesitated.
"Gathering the academy's leadership is not difficult.
What you have given me…is not equivalent to such a task, so…"
At this point, Albert paused.
He suddenly felt like some shady old man tricking a little girl out of candy.
But after glancing again at the vial…he gritted his teeth and spoke anyway.
"So I want to know…what price must I pay…to obtain the method of creating the Philosopher's Stone, and this Prima Materia?"
Hel blinked, momentarily stunned.
By normal reasoning, wasn't handing him the vial already granting him disposal rights?
Even if Albert secretly skimmed off a bit, it wouldn't have been surprising.
Yet Albert still insisted on equivalent exchange.
So this was the unique obsession of alchemists…
Hel smiled and shook her head.
She hadn't expected cooperation with Albert to be this easy—she didn't need to worry at all about him playing tricks.
After thinking for a moment, she said,
"The exchange condition for the Philosopher's Stone formula remains unchanged.
Don't rush to reject it.
Right now, you may not be able to influence the academy's stance…but once you gather the upper leadership, the situation may become completely different.
As for this Prima Materia…that will be part of our next transaction.
The content of that trade—I will tell you once everyone has arrived."
"…Alright."
Albert nodded.
Then he clenched the vial tightly, terrified that something might happen—that it might slip from his hands.
He gave Hel a firm nod, then pushed open the laboratory door.
Under the stunned gaze of the students outside…he personally started up his alchemical antique automobile, and went one by one to invite the academy's high-ranking figures.
Hel did not wait long.
When Albert returned, several carriages followed behind him.
Aside from the dean, and three old professors stationed outside the city at the alchemical formation camp, all remaining senior leadership of the Alchemy Academy had arrived.
At first, when they saw Hel sitting in the laboratory…they all froze.
They hadn't expected the mysterious person holding Prima Materia…to be a young girl.
However, a few of them, upon noticing Hiness beside Hel, did not look very pleased.
But for the sake of Prima Materia…they said nothing.
They simply pulled up chairs and sat down.
Fortunately, the rest remained outwardly polite.
They nodded to Hel and Hiness, then, under Albert's guidance, took their seats.
As Albert's usual laboratory and lecture space, this room naturally lacked no chairs.
And so, a circle of scruffy, bearded old professors…sat surrounding the sofa where Hel and Sinis rested.
Among them were two professors Hel had once encountered outside the city.
They looked startled upon seeing her.
But recalling her almost miraculous alchemical skill…they quickly understood.
After greeting her politely, they sat in the closest row, waiting quietly.
Once everyone had arrived,
Hel cleared her throat and looked across the room.
Albert had already informed them on the way here.
They all knew that Hel was the person capable of changing the Alchemy Academy.
Thus, even those who were dissatisfied with her…had the sense not to speak foolishly.
Meanwhile, those who were friendly toward Hel…were already staring at her with shining eyes.
Just like Albert earlier, they were desperate to confirm whether Prima Materia was real.
So Hel did not waste time.
She directly took out another vial of Prima Materia.
Compared to the first, this one contained far more—nearly half a bottle.
In terms of weight, at least a hundred grams.
The effect it could display was far greater.
And it also proved that Hel had the ability to provide much more—not merely a pitiful trace.
Hel casually tossed the vial to the professor nearest to her.
The old man fumbled in panic before finally catching it.
Only then did Hel speak unhurriedly:
"Prima Materia—I have no shortage of it.
The Philosopher's Stone—I have that as well.
I can even provide you every month with sufficient quantities of both Prima Materia and Philosopher's Stones.
But…"