Year 2114 Xangyu month…
The day finally arrived, the day of the alchemy exams. Kel hastened up, putting on his best robes, one that he had reserved just for this day: a plain white robe, subtle and loud at the same time. He ran through his books, recalling important details and the most important transmutation arrays, he was not going to throw a young man's dream away.
"Alchemy is just chemistry with a hint of magic." He told himself as he stepped out.
"Kel," a voice called out to him, he knew that voice. It was Tentina. She waved at him by the well, "Do not forget! Heaven's luck on your exams." She cried.
Kel almost turned red at the spot. He simply nodded, feeling quite too shy to give a proper response. It was strange, he had been entirely calm and collected the other day.
He left the building and navigated his way to the busy streets of Pate, awaiting a public cart to take him to his destination. After five minutes of waiting, one pulled up to him.
He stared curiously at the animal pulling him.
"A Chesnet." He spoke. The creature that was four times larger than Kel looked swollen with fur, like a hairy mass of walking clouds. It dragged its belly across the ground almost slithering, and yet it was fast, stylishly avoiding people and objects along the path.
The morning was bright with the sun out, tall buildings with sharply cut roofs stood sharply by the busy streets. Hawkers screamed their wares, and artisans displayed their items, this was Pate, a city with a heart for markets.
Eventually, Kel got to his destination.
"That will be two douries." The rider announced, and Kel handed him two copper coins.
His grand white robes remained unblemished. He stared at the large building before him, letting out a sigh of relief, he had gotten here just in time.
The alchemy house stood tall by the almost desolate street, wide steps leading up to a front lined with tall stone pillars. Its walls were dark and solid, commanding authority. Halberd wielding men in uniforms stood guard as people approached.
A line was formed, and details were inquired of the participants. They were pried for their credentials, and Kel had to show a scroll telling of his registration as a participant of the exam. He was let in.
Kel had visited the Alchemy house twice over his short stay at Pate. The building stood as a structure championing the noble art, it was where the city's alchemists gathered to deliberate, where ingredients found wide and far were stored, and where the city's alchemy exams were hosted for aspiring alchemists such as Kel.
He got into the monumental building, its bronze doors were open leading to a hall that contained hundreds of people, all present to take the exams.
Rai felt Kel's fear and anxiety but he quickly steeled himself, he could not remain just a boy from a small village anymore.
He looked across the massive hall. The large space held a tall statue of bronze at its center—Youke Hongyo, the greatest alchemist the city had ever produced. Rai could feel Kel's sense of admiration, and he had to admit it, the statue did look impressive. It stood at 7th feet like a sculpture of a demigod clad in swaying robes, holding a book in his left hand, and holding a small rock upright in his right.
Immediately, Rai thought of the jade rock. His mind had been so occupied by the exam that he had forgotten to take a look at it. He was keen on observing any changes that might have occurred and that meant he had to look over the rock every day. He did not this morning.
His attention was drawn away when he spotted an eccentric looking man in front of him. This strange man wore golden robes and walked in a regal manner, he was blonde and tall but those were not the strangest things about him.
'His eyes!' His eyes were green and slitted, like that of a reptile—an evil snake. The strange man walked by him, and Kel immediately gave way to him. Perhaps it was not strange to find uncommon people like him in the city as no one he observed seemed to bore a reaction similar to his. Enorh was an industrial city, though they worshipped gods, and believed evil and evil beings existed, they were too far off the city to do any harm. Hu fan—Kel's village could never boast of such an eccentric individual.
A few people stood out to him aside from the snake-eyed blonde. A lady clad entirely in black stood by the statue, staring at the statue of Youke Hongyo. There was an air about her, and when her eyes met his, forcing him to look away, he could tell, the woman was dangerous.
He immediately spotted a man, one that looked incredibly aged. White long hairs flowed from his head and his scalp like suspended sand, and a large wooden bottle laid strapped by his flank. Kel just could not take his eyes off the man, and it was not just him, those around had their eyes glued at him.
"What is that?" He squinted his eyes further, a strange energy enveloped this old man, something Kel had never seen before. It wavered and moved like a tempered flame, and it was strangely magnetic.
"Good morning everyone." A powerful deep voice bellowed across the large room. All across the room stopped their small talks to listen.
"We understand that you all are present to take the exams. The alchemy exams take place every four years, the empire is keen on recruiting masters of the craft, and so if you do not pass these ones, you could take them once again in the next four years. Remember, these exams do not necessarily indicate your ability as an alchemist, you could be strong in other areas that would not be explored today. I wish you heaven's luck." he announced, walking off the elevated platform.
A door to the right that had not seemed present until now suddenly opened, and the crowd was urged in.