Today was quite the adventurous day for Noa Vermillion.It was supposed to be just an exciting day, slightly more than her usual days at least, where they would travel to some place and hunt some monsters. She likes to go outside and see new things. More stuff to gather and more stuff to learn. That's what it means to be an Alchemist.She learned plenty from her late mother's books about the outside world, but nothing beats going outside and see everything for yourself. Even her mother said so in those books. From gathering materials, crafting things from the stuff she found outside, and writing it down in your own personal book… those are such learning experiences. She loves being an aspiring Alchemist.And for today, she went outside the City-Kingdom of Aetzer for Field Exam with several other people, including her dearest boyfriend Tenma Kazuki. It was quite a nice trip, although she had to put up with the blonde young man who kept tr
Everyone around the table went silent at that question. Even some people who passed by their table turned in curiosity before looking away.Raiga, looks like he's racking his brain to muster something to say or do. Reina looks at her brother with a mix of curiosity and concern. Sabrina looks solemnly at Tenma, saying nothing but still standing by him, ready to offer support when needed.Meanwhile, Noa looks at him with an expression of understanding, her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He didn't rebuff her this time, to her relief. But all of these people around him could understand that his question might be better unanswered. That's okay.He wasn't actually expecting a reply. He just wanted to make his point, he just wanted to let them know what made him upset. It's okay if people think it's childish or wrong of him to be upset over the death of strangers. It's really not a good impression, but… he just couldn't help it.It's j
Some time before that talk between Tenma and Tachie…"Thank you, Miss McRison. We'll send our men there and fulfill our end of the deal."A man spoke, addressing people across his desk with a cheerful smile.A tall man with shoulder-length ashen black hair, with bright amber eyes. He has a light complexion and sharp facial features. He is dressed in a black suit with white shirt beneath it. He wears a circular glasses.They were in the Headmaster's Office, at the highest floor of Agni Veritas Academy, also known as the Firewatch Tower.The office had two elevators that both featured a fire-shaped emblem above. One is the elevator that the students normally use when they're called by the Headmaster, and the other lead down to the somewhere that's called S.N.M.R.His office was a circular room in red-orange tones below the tower's tip which housed fireball-like spheres. It almost looks like a stove if one were to look from afar. His chair was positioned to face away from the main room w
Years ago…A boy walked through the streets of the City Kingdom with his father in tow, speaking enthusiastically about the sports match they just watched in the nearby arena. His father was a tall and burly man, with a deep voice to match. But he's too gentle, he's not likely to hurt a fly.He laughed at the strange stories his father told him about the things that had happened in that arena, something that he would consider simply urban legends when he grew older. It's just some funny and fantastical stories that he would tell his own children in the far future.They were in such a jovial mood until they passed an alley and they heard some distressed noises. It sounds like a little boy, so naturally both of them got concerned and decided to check it out.There was nobody there but a black-haired little boy lying on the ground, with some bruises and bleeding wounds on his body. They can see some stones around that boy… immediately, they can tell what happened to that boy, but why wou
Tenma watched silently as Raiga passed out from his wounds and exhaustion. Disregarding his own state of injuries and fatigue, he watched as someone jumped down from the stands and approached them. The white-haired girl that he met the other day--Sylvia---passed by him with an apologetic glance and immediately casted a healing spell on Raiga.Aside from raised eyebrows, he didn't say anything. That's fine. Raiga needs more medical attention than him anyway. He got some scratches, bruises and a slightly deep cut on his shoulder… which is basically just flesh wounds compared to what he has inflicted on Raiga.Tenma might have broken some of his bones, and there were some deep cuts on him. He took extra care to aim for non-vital spots, otherwise that would potentially endanger his friend's life. Raiga will walk this off without serious problems, he's certain. He felt kinda bad, though.But above all, he also felt proud for his friend's improvements. As always, his movements were very fas
"Can I talk with you for a bit…?" Tenma said, almost inaudible. Tachie had to listen closely to get what he said."Sure, that's why I asked you. But Kazuki-kun, let's sit down first…"Slightly bewildered, Tachie watched as the tall orange-haired lady put her arm around Tenma's shoulder and gently ushered him to the seat where she was sitting before, without any shred of awkwardness or hesitation. She did all that with a sense of familiarity and a warm smile.The orange-haired lady sat Tenma down on her former chair. He looks oddly compliant. Then she looked at Tachie, and tilted her head curiously."Hey, are you with him?" The lady asked. Gentle, but not weak. Firm, but not unkind.Tachie nodded, for some reason isn't trusting herself to speak in front of this dignified lady. There's something dangerous about this lady, she thinks. Not in the sense that she would try to harm her, but rather… she feels like if she opens her mouth before this lady, she would speak of things that she'd r
Sometime in the past…It was raining. The skies were dark. In an open field where there was nothing but water droplets from the rainfall, two bodies lay motionless. One was a brown-haired woman, eyes closed as if in peace, there was no breathing from her. Next to her, there was a little girl who's crying and ignoring everything else.The other one, a black haired man, was bleeding profusely, his breathing ragged. Next to him, there was a little boy, who's trying his best to stay strong for the little girl."Mister, my mom and dad will come soon. They will help… they can do anything!" He said with shaky voice. "Please, just hold on…"He tried feebly to stop the man's bleeding with his hands, but it was no use. The bleeding did not stop, and the man has lost too much blood…"No… don't worry too much, young man. It's too late for me." the man softly spoke. He was fading quickly. "It's okay. Tell Kaito and Frieda you did your best…""Y-you know my parents…? How did you…""We're old frien
Sabrina sighed as she and Tenma walked casually together towards their school, Agni Veritas Academy. It was still raining, although not as hard as before. They shared a black umbrella together, their shoulders lightly touching. She silently recalled what happened earlier in the morning.They had breakfast together, just the two of them, so they did it on her house since no one else was there.Reina was staying over at Tachie’s dormitory, just as Tenma said. Noa was nowhere in sight, but Tenma looks unconcerned about it so that means nothing bad happened.She didn't ask what happened, but it was still a rare occasion that only happened once in a blue moon. It was a quiet morning that she would always cherish. It really was quiet… but it's not out of awkwardness. Both of them weren't the type that likes to talk too much anyway.“I guess I’ll cook something for our breakfast...” She said.“Nah, let me handle that.” Tenma interrupted. “You just sit there and wait.”“But it’s my home…”“Jus