Little Chemists

Amierto was done with preparations; while looking at those items, he said, "Ok then, let's start." He started by putting herbs on burning charcoals; it released white smoke followed by a strong yet soothing smell.

Amierto moved and untied a string; the fabrics attached to it dropped. It was hanging with lower stitches, revealing a tiny hole acting as a window.

Fresh air along with golden light entered the room; under the influence of the smoke, golden trails were visible. Light fell on those three; it felt like nature was giving them blessings.

Amierto walked back; in front of him, there were three bags, and from each one, he pulled a silver needle. Those needles were filled with fine patterns.

After confirming names, he balanced the needles on their respective bowls; those bowls were filled with dark green liquid.

Using one of those needles, he started stirring that liquid. While stirring, he said, ”Change into clothes you can throw away."

His students nodded their heads and went back to their rooms; within a few minutes, Velieuo arrived followed by Eyion. "Velieuo, sit down," Amierto said while he was still stirring the last bowl.

Velieuo sat down, crossing his legs; his back was straight and his arms were resting on his knees. He closed his eyes and started taking controlled breaths.

Amierto turned his head and saw Rentio coming. ”Observe this carefully,“ Amierto said while carrying one bowl with her. He sat in front of Velieuo and pulled that needle out; with a gentle tap, the excess liquid was removed.

While speaking in an unfamiliar tongue, he tapped the needle on Velieuo's left knee; with a little pressure, he made a tiny crater which was filled with oil dripping from that needle.

Within a few seconds, that oil disappeared, leaving a few stains behind. He put that needle into the oil and repeated the same for his right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder.

He put that needle into the liquid while closing his eyes.

When he closed his eyes, Eyion said, "Which language was that? Do you understand that tongue, Rentio?" She replied, "A little. He was doing some kind of prayer. When he was tapping, he said words like 'protect' and 'pray.' I think, but I am not sure."

"Looks like Teacher is resuming," Igaar said. Amierto held Velieuo's hands and started taking controlled breaths, matching with him.

After continuing the same for a while, he opened his eyes; using that needle, he made a tilak on Velieuo's forehead. It was there for a while then disappeared.

Eyion turned his head towards Rentio. "Same; 'pray,' 'protect,' and maybe 'head' too," Rentio answered while focusing on the ritual.

Velieuo was covered in sweat; as for his clothes, they were soaked in sweat along with a few stains of that liquid. ”Now go take a bath," Amierto said. Velieuo simply nodded his head and moved. He continued, "Rentio, bring your named bowl and sit here."

Roughly half an hour had passed; Rentio and Eyion went to their respective rooms for a bath, while Velieuo was sharing his experience with his junior.

"How was it and..." Igaar said. "I felt like warm energy was flowing in my body, especially in those tapped areas."

When they returned back, Amierto said, "From now, you are full-fledged chemists. Congratulations to you three!"

They started celebrating. ”Igaar, if you need any help, just come to Chemist Eyion," Eyion said with a satisfactory smile. "I will, Chemist Eyion, I will," Igaar replied, forcing a smile onto his face.

“Congratulations, Chemist Velieuo," Eyion and Rentio said, while he replied the same with a smile, ”Congratulations to you too, Chemist Rentio and Chemist Eyion."

“Congratulations to you three: Chemist Velieuo, Rentio, and Eyion. These are proof that you are chemists," he said while giving them scrolls.

He continued, "When this fight is over, get yourself registered with the Chamber of Medicine and Magic; those needles will identify you after that."

They nodded their heads and started reading their scrolls with smiles.

He moved towards his remaining students and said, "Don't be sad. You two will become chemists soon; just study and take proper rests."

He continued, "You two are deserving enough to be called healers, so from now on, you both shall be healers."

Their ceremony was quite simple with a few promises. He handed them their scrolls. After talking for a little while, he continued, while handing them the bags he had prepared.

Velieuo opened his bag and saw it was filled with herbs and medicines; along with it, there were a few pouches and boxes. He turned his head and saw all five of them had similar faces.

He opened one box and saw a pile of silver and copper coins; next, he opened a pouch and saw a few gold coins. "This is too much; we can't accept this, Teacher," Velieuo said while giving the pouch back along with a few rare medicines and herbs.

After a while, they arrived at an agreement; his students returned several gold coins back while keeping the herbs and medicines.

"Okay, enjoy your day. Before you go, remember not to take on work beyond your current abilities."

They nodded their heads and started to head out. "Teacher, where are you going?" Velieuo asked. Everyone turned around and stopped in their places.

At first, he refused to admit it, but after their constant pressure, he started talking. "I am going on a journey to improve my skills and find a cure for Neil; his condition is getting worse day by day and I am having a bad feeling about it."

"Teacher, when will you be back?" Velieuo asked. "I am not sure. Anyway, now you know the reason, so take these back," he said, throwing those pouches back at them.

"Teacher, but you..." Velieuo was saying something but was cut off by him. "No buts." "Teacher, take us with you," Eyion said with a few tears in his eyes.

"No, you are not ready for this kind of adventure yet. Anyway, give your teacher a farewell hug, will you?" he said. Eyion rushed towards his teacher and gave him a powerful hug. "What about you all? Come," he said, looking towards his other students.

After a while, he said, "Okay, Rentio, I need to talk with you; the rest, you can go." When only the two of them were in the tent, she asked, "Teacher?"

“Rentio, you are well aware of Neil's condition. I can't name anyone except you who can handle him while I am gone. Can you do this favor for me? Can you please take care of Neil for me?” Amierto said while kneeling down.

“Teacher,” she said, running towards him and lifting him. “Teacher, please don't do this. You and Neil both are important to me.” She added, “I will not let harm reach him.”

Amierto's face had a smile of relief. “Very well then.” He stood up and started searching for something in his bag. After a little while, he pulled out a badge and put it in front of Rentio.

Rentio saw it was made of some strange, gold-like thing; it was filled with intricate patterns, and in the center was a beautiful snowflake.

“What is this, Teacher?” she asked. “This will help you a lot. You might not be aware, but controlling Neil is very hard. But when I got my hands on this, my life became a little less stressful.”

After talking for a while, Rentio moved out; as for him, he moved inside the tent. After 10 to 20 minutes, he changed into new clothes and moved out.

Meanwhile, while this was happening here, near Neil's tent, one of the soldiers was running away. He entered an empty tent; after ensuring no one was there, he opened a tiny, golden, circular box from his pouch.

He once more checked his surroundings; when no one was around, he opened the lid. It was empty. He poked his finger with a pin; he put a few drops of his blood inside that box.

As soon as the blood touched the base of the box, it glowed in a golden light. He said in satisfaction, “Yes, this is working.” He extended his mouth towards the box and started muttering, “Commander, it has started again. Commander Neil cannot fight.”

While all this was happening here, the Neothaliyan army had covered a lot of distance.

“Neothaliyan soldiers, stop right here,” a commander said. ”Will the Commander join the fight?“ one of the soldiers asked. "Yes, he will, if we are unable to face the enemy forces. And make sure of one more thing: if you want to live a long life, better not address him so casually.“

That soldier was covered in fear and said in a trembling voice, ”Sorry, Commander, this will not be repeated.“ ”You better not,“ the commander said, observing the location.

“Almost three hours have passed. What are you planning, Neil?” the commander said while looking towards the high grounds; it was split in two because of the path passing through it.

Those high grounds were several meters high, perpendicular to the ground. While observing them, he continued with a smile, “Whatever you are planning, we are ready for it.”

Neil is in no condition to fight, but his enemy is already making plans to win.