The next morning, I managed to wake up just in time for breakfast. I was never an early riser by nature, though I had forced myself into the habit for the sake of training. Today, however, I had overslept. After a quick shower, I dressed in comfortable, practical clothes suitable for the day's activities.

Despite the practicality, I didn't skimp on appearance. In this world, my handsome face, sparkling blue eyes, and well-built physique would make most models jealous. I chose simple jeans and a white t-shirt, complemented by a silver pendant and a pair of sneakers.

Once I was ready, I called Jin. "I need your help now."

"...Okay," Jin replied, his tone neutral.

Before he could hang up, I quickly added, "You didn't have anything planned, right?"

"No," he answered, a hint of confusion in his voice before he cut the call.

'Was me caring about him that weird?' I mused, a chuckle escaping my lips as I left my room and headed down to the hall.

With my hands in my pockets, I entered the bustling breakfast hall. My eyes quickly scanned the room, easily locating my classmates, who were unsurprisingly split between two tables after last night's events.

Cecilia and Ren sat together, flanking a quiet Jin who had likely been dragged along by them. At the other table were Rachel, Ian, Seraphina, Luke, and Lucifer, sharing a more relaxed atmosphere.

'I can't wait for Jin to develop more as a character,' I thought, shaking my head as I made my way to the buffet to get my food.

The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast filled the air, and the clatter of cutlery and murmur of conversations created a lively backdrop. I grabbed a plate and piled it high with a variety of dishes, eager to start the day despite the underlying tension from last night. As I moved toward the tables, I couldn't help but smile at the dynamics playing out before me.

Jin had potential, and seeing him pulled into the fray of our group's complicated relationships was almost amusing.

I knew Jin would grow into his potential as he matured, having read the novel. For now, he served his purpose.

I approached the two separate tables, sighing before sitting next to Rachel. I could feel Cecilia's scarlet gaze boring into me, but I ignored her and focused on my food.

"Hey, how's the food?" I asked with a smile.

Rachel, as bubbly as ever, responded, "It's great, Arthur! You should really try the dragonfruit!"

If even a princess like Rachel was praising the food, it must be exceptional. I reached for a piece of dragonfruit, its vibrant color inviting.

"You're right, this is amazing," I said after taking a bite. The fruit's sweetness was perfectly balanced, a burst of flavor that was a testament to its quality.

Ian chimed in, "Told you, the food here is top-notch. They really go all out for us."

Seraphina nodded, her cool demeanor softening slightly. "It's a pleasant surprise. The chefs here are quite skilled."

Luke, who had been quietly eating, added, "I think it's the best meal I've had in a while."

"Glad to hear everyone's enjoying it," I said, trying to keep the mood light. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"We have to attend another one of those boring lectures, this time at an alchemy lab," Ian said with a deflated look on his face. "That's on our agenda until 3 PM. After that, we're free to do whatever, as long as we get the professor's permission."

"That sounds like a decent trade-off," I replied with a nod.

"Yeah, at least we get some freedom," Luke chimed in, drowning his pancakes in an unholy amount of maple syrup.

Turning to Seraphina, I asked, "What's your plan for today, Sera?"

"I'll probably go to the market with Ian and Rachel," she replied casually. "It seems like it'll be fun."

Ian grinned, "Absolutely! We're going to sample all the local delicacies."

Rachel nodded enthusiastically, "And maybe find some souvenirs too. It'll be a nice break from all the studying."

"Count me out," Cecilia interjected with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I have other plans for today."

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Ren, sitting next to her, added dryly, "Probably scheming something diabolical, knowing her."

Cecilia shot him a sharp look, but didn't bother to deny it. Instead, she shifted her gaze to me, a faint smile playing on her lips. "What about you, Arthur? Still planning to go to the temple?"

I chuckled softly, meeting Cecilia's gaze with a casual nod. "Absolutely. It sounds intriguing."

The morning air was crisp as we left the bustling breakfast hall behind. Ian, Rachel, Seraphina, Luke, Lucifer, Cecilia, Ren, and I gathered near the courtyard, where a sleek, futuristic bus awaited us. Its silver exterior gleamed under the sunlight, its doors sliding open with a soft hiss as Professor Nero stood by, checking his list of students.

"Alright, everyone on board," Professor Nero announced cheerfully, gesturing for us to file into the bus. "We're off to the Alchemy Tower of this city. Today's lesson will delve into the practical applications of mana synthesis and elemental transmutation."

We shuffled onto the bus, finding seats among the plush, cushioned benches. The interior was cool and comfortable.

Soon, we reached our destination.

The Modern Alchemy Tower loomed before us, a blend of ancient stone and modern glass that reflected the morning sunlight in dazzling patterns. As we entered, the faint aroma of herbs and chemicals greeted us, mingling with the ambient hum of machinery and bubbling concoctions.

Inside, the atrium buzzed with activity. Students in white lab coats darted about, focused on their experiments. Bubbling cauldrons and hissing steam added to the atmosphere of controlled chaos.

Professor Callahan, a jovial man with a white lab coat splattered with colorful stains, greeted us enthusiastically. "Welcome, everyone! Today, we dive into the art and science of potion-making."

We followed him through bustling corridors lined with shelves of different ingredients and rooms filled with bubbling flasks and flickering flames. It felt like stepping into a wizard's laboratory from an old tale.

Entering a large chamber, we were greeted by a towering tank filled with swirling, luminescent liquid. "This is where we synthesize mana essence," Professor Callahan explained, gesturing to the machinery humming behind the tank. "Watch closely."

Ian leaned in, eyes wide. "So, this is where the magic happens, huh?"

Rachel nodded eagerly, her gaze fixed on the shifting colors of the liquid. "It's like a dance of elements."

Seraphina observed quietly, her analytical mind taking in every detail with precision. "Fascinating process..."

Luke scratched his head, trying to grasp the technicalities. "I never knew alchemy was this... intricate."

Lucifer, ever the strategist, asked pointed questions about the practical applications of mana essence. "How does this impact spellcasting efficiency?"

Ren, arms crossed and a skeptical look on his face, observed with a critical eye. "Seems like a lot of effort for something so... ephemeral."

As we moved through the tower, witnessing demonstrations of elemental transmutation and potion brewing, the intricacy of alchemy unfolded before us. Each process was a testament to human ingenuity and the blending of science and magic.

Exiting the tower, the group dispersed into animated discussions, sharing thoughts on what they had seen and speculating on future studies.

"That was intense," I remarked, still trying to process everything.

"Yeah, but cool," Ian added with a grin.

Rachel nodded vigorously. "I can't wait to learn more!"

Seraphina looked thoughtful. "There's so much potential here..."

Luke rubbed his chin. "I think I finally understand why alchemy is so respected."

Lucifer glanced around, his mind already planning ahead. "We should explore more applications in combat."

Cecilia smirked mysteriously. "I have some ideas of my own..."

Ren shrugged, reluctantly admitting, "I guess there's more to alchemy than I thought."

As we all boarded the bus, I seized the opportunity to chat with Rose. We caught up on things, but there was an underlying sense of awkwardness lingering from Cecilia's actions the previous night.

"Sorry about Cecilia," I apologized, scratching the back of my head. "I hope things aren't awkward between us because of that."

Rose smiled warmly, putting me at ease. "No worries at all. Everything's fine. Want to sit together?"

I nodded gratefully, relieved that our friendship remained unaffected by the incident.

Rose and I chatted the entire bus ride back to the Academy, a welcome relief after the dense tour of the Alchemy Tower. The three-hour visit was packed with intricate theories and practical demonstrations, which left our minds spinning.

Alchemy's significance couldn't be overstated—it was the cornerstone of producing various pills and potions, graded from to -rank. However, even the most potent -rank elixirs eventually lost their effectiveness for higher ranked beings.

That's where transcendent elixirs came into play. The first transcendent elixir was attributed to Michael Fuller, a legendary alchemist and the world's first 7-circle mage. He also created the Fuller method that leveled the playing field between mages and astral energy and paved the way for mages to surpass 6-circle.

Transcendent elixirs like those classified as or -grade stood apart from their lower-ranked counterparts due to their historical complexity and uniqueness. They required a depth of history akin to powerful artifacts.

Artifacts beyond -grade were designated as or because they were steeped in myth and legend. While -grade artifacts could still be crafted relatively easily, -grade and higher artifacts were beyond replication.

On this planet, there wasn't a single -grade artifact, and fewer than thirty were classified as -grade.

'No -grade elixir has ever been created or even theorized,' I pondered quietly.

In contrast, demons possessed the knowledge and skill to create such elixirs, underscoring their advanced understanding of alchemy and magic that far exceeded humanity's.

Kali Luna owned a -grade pill from her family, originally a potent heirloom. After the Ogre King's attack, it had been mistakenly labeled as a mere -rank pill capable of enhancing a user's Gift.

That pill had facilitated my rapid ascent through mana ranks. I couldn't help but wonder about the potency of -grade elixirs. Would they have propelled me to -rank by now, enhancing my body and core even further?

But dwelling on it was futile. Without access to a -grade elixir, such speculation remained moot.

It was now time to go to the temple and discover why Luna wanted me to go there so badly.