Haaa as annoying as long transfers are the improvement in quality of life is just so drastic that a peaceful trip on the train is relaxing. No risk of someone just randomly attempting an assassination, if I could get a lab on here with some nice tea, I don’t think I’d even notice the travel.

The first couple of transfers don’t really have anything interesting happen. Zig gets annoyed at a few people that try to enter our compartment and hisses at them until they go away but other than that it’s fairly… calming.

During our last transfer something interesting happens on the platform. There is chatter about people having seen a state alchemist boarding the train. Something about a ‘full metal’ which must be their code name? At least I hope that’s not their legal name.

“Let’s try to find them Zig. They need to be on the train somewhere.” Moving down the carriage one by one. Most of the people look fairly normal… No military uniforms, no old men or people wearing scholar robes like in Xing. Each compartment has two to 4 people… There was one odd compartment with only one person that was just a kid with blond hair and a suite of armor. Likely waiting on their dad to get back from the bathroom or something. The armor looked impressive at least if it’s theirs.

Disappointed we find an empty compartment and settle down for the rest of the trip. It wouldn’t be surprising if rumors got out of proportion or they are talking about the priest we are heading towards.

As we approach Reole it looks quite beautiful. Off in the distance a smattering of houses surrounding the largest cathedral I’ve ever seen. A castle taking up the center of the town… It looks almost medieval which has its own sort of allure.

Getting off the train I see the same kid from before yelling at the suit of armor…

“Al, I told you I’m not a little… I’m not a kid! So, what if I didn’t get to bed until late we use to pull plenty of all nighters before.”

“Ed… I’m just saying it can’t be healthy! You’re not going to grow up without…”

Their conversation starts to devolve into a one-sided screaming match from the kid.

My attention is grabbed by Zig. “Lord… that armor, you feel it too, right?” Using Chi, I can feel it as well. Or rather I don’t feel anything coming from them at all. I can feel Chi from half a city away if I’m paying attention about a quarter mile if I’m idle. Zig’s senses are even sharper than mine and neither of us feel anything coming from it… But yet their moving just the same.

Either that’s an advanced Golem… or maybe it’s someone that’s so advanced at Chi that they can block our senses. The people in the train mentioned the alchemists name being ‘Full Metal’ maybe that’s them? If so, then I can see how a master can perform alchemy… Even if they have their kid with them, I’m sure they will need to show their transmutation circle at some point.

“Zig… keep an eye on them. I have a feeling the one in the armor is very skilled in Chi, otherwise they would have no hope of hiding from us. It’s strange… it almost feels like the armor is hollow…” Zig nods before we start following them around the town. They head to a few places. It must be a training mission since the younger one is taking the lead. Asking questions about the Archpriest of the local church. Supposedly there will be a large sermon ran by him later today.

While they take a drink at a small Café more of the propaganda goes on over the radio.

“God’s children, who live upon this land, pray in faith and ye shall be saved. Those that are lost on their path to righteousness may find it once more through the light of the sun god Leto. Welcome him into your hearts and he can illuminate the steps to the path to a greater life.”

Zig and I have been following them around all morning maintaining our distance but close enough to hear most of what they say… Either the Alchemist is letting us follow as a teaching moment or perhaps their senses aren’t as sharp as we thought? Maybe the armor interrupts the flow of Chi… if so it’s all the more reason to learn what it’s made from.

As they stand up they hit the ceiling of the café knocking over the radio smashing it to pieces.

The short one immediately speaks up. “Sorry, sorry. We’ll fix it.”

A crowd starts to form so I can’t get a good look at what’s going on… Looking around I see a kid on his fathers’ shoulders for a better look. Looking to my side I see Zig and his… tall frame. A quick leap and landing on his shoulders I have a much clearer view despite Zig’s annoyance.

The one in the armor pulls out a stick of chalk and begins drawing a circle on the ground.

Interesting… I was expecting them to just pay for the radio but now I get to see how they perform alchemy. I wonder how it’s different from Alkahestry. If it were me, I’d need to rebuild each individual part then place everything back together… I don’t know all the components of these radios in their exact composition and structure but I’m sure I could figure it out with a few glances.

Once the one in armor finishes drawing a circle around the pile of junk with several triangles in every direction in a sort of pattern… Interesting transmutation circle. There is no star to represent the 5 elements… so where do they draw the power from for the transition of state change?

“Here it goes!” The one in armor crosses their hands and with a shine of blue light the radio is fixed… How? Does alchemy work on a larger Macro scale? Is it able to just work on a general idea and fix things based on the structure of the circle? Was that a specialized circle for repairing radios? Regardless I receive a quest update for learning the circle.

Congratulations! First Chain Side quest ‘Copy Alchemists transmutation circles 1’ Complete!

Reward: 1 attribute point

Next Chain side quest: Copy two alchemy transmutation circles

I drop the point into Endurance. My body is already fairly strong. My calorie intake and stamina are more of a concern for now.

Shouldn’t be that hard. If they have specialized circles for things like radios then I should just need to look at their library of circles. Or follow them around and watch them break stuff.

One by stander speaks up. “Amazing! It’s a miracle! He must have been touched by the sun god Leto like Father Cornello!”

The tall one in armor speaks up. “No no it’s alchemy. Maybe you’ve heard of us? We’re the Elric brothers.” Wait brothers? So, they are close in age?

“Wait… Elric brothers? The fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric! Of course!” The crowd starts to gather around the one in full armor. I guess their name is Edward. Good to know for later.

While ‘Edward’ is being swarmed by the crowd they finally manage to speak up to them. “It’s um not me!” Wait? So the other one is the state alchemist?

Apparently one of the other people has the same question as I do. “You mean it’s the little guy there?”

“Who are you calling little you bean sprout!” The shorter one… Edward? Apparently the one that’s the real state alchemist starts attacking the random towns folk… That’s foreboding if he’s the trained professional then perhaps Alchemists isn’t as good of a job as I thought here.

“My Lord, ssshould we go to them now or wait until after the sssermon from thisss ‘father Cornello’.” Thinking it over they will probably go there anyways. Might as well see if we can’t apprentice under this ‘father’ if he is the real deal and learn both their secrets at the same time.

“We’ll wait until after seeing what the ‘father’ has to offer first. They may also be seeking apprenticeship, or he may have something they want… I’d rather not tip them off to our being here until we learn what it is they exactly intend.” Zig nods and we grab some food before waiting at the front of the church. A large statue dedicated to their sun god stands on a platform a large star upon a pyramid type shape. People have already started gathering despite it being a couple hours before the event. Fanatical whispers being shared between the people of the crowd.

“This ‘father’ sure has everyone here wrapped around their finger…” I can feel Zig nod slightly. Looking down he’s probably slightly embarrassed because I’m on his shoulders again.

“Come on Ziggles you can’t expect me to not get a clear view, do you?” Another huff and a low hiss but he finally let’s out a response. “Of courssse not my lord…”

Eventually things start up I can see the Elric brothers are also waiting for the event. Eventually an older man bald and heavy weight with black robes and a white sash walks out. The moment he does however both Zig and I feel something… like there are dozens of people all on top of the man… like an odd volatile mix of Chi that’s screaming out for help… So much for seeking apprenticeship.

“My Lord… that man he feelsss.” I stop him.

“I know… we will have to investigate this…” He starts his speech to the people. It’s fairly standard fanatic drum up stuff. Welcoming everyone to the grandness that is this place to kiss his ass. The longer I listen to it the more it seems as if he wants them to worship him rather than their god. Something interesting happens though near the end of the sermon… He catches a flower and transmutes it into a crystal spire… That… that shouldn’t be possible. Conservation of mass shouldn’t allow it unless he managed to grab air particle and condensed them? Maybe he had the extra mass from something else he had in his robes?

So engrossed in my thoughts I don’t even notice the quest notification.

Eventually the crowds start to disperse. Zig walks us towards where he noticed the Elric brothers heading. I would have guessed after a sermon like that more people would come into the church to pray. But I guess sometimes people may feel like there is only so much they can do in a day.

We slip inside after the Elrics. We pose somewhat striking figures and with no one else around it’s no surprise they turn around and give us a weary glance before approaching a girl at the front of the alter.

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Edward seems to shrug us off before talking to the girl. “Huh, so this is the all almighty Leto.”

She turns around with a bright smile on her face. A white dress and long brown hair with a lighter patch in the front that looks to be dyed. “Welcome! Are you and your” She glances back at me and Zig” Friends? Interested in Letoism?”

“No, can’t say I am. I’m areligious, though I won’t speak up for those two.”

She turns her expectant gaze towards me and Zig. I let out a chuckle “So Ziggles you interested in learning more about the ‘Lord’” A low hiss gets released before stopping when he can control himself. “No.” Zig just huffs in annoyance at being put as the center of attention. Slightly slinking back to sit at the pews away from the attention.

With that her smile falters slightly. She turns back to Edward. “Well… I’m sorry to hear that. To know God is to know hope! If we believe in divine grace and through him all things are possible. If you believed, I’m sure you will grow taller!”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean!” He immediately start to try to attack her but is quickly restrained by the one in the armor.

“She didn’t mean any harm brother!” Listening to him this closely… the one in the armor seems younger. The pitch and the echo sounds like he’s just a kid…

After a few tense moments Edward finally gives up and sits back into a pew as well.

“What about bringing the dead back to life then? Do you honestly believe that?” Are they not aware of the ritual? I mean it took a lot out of me but it was possible.

The woman at the front smiles and almost looks to pray as she all but whispers. “Yes”

Edward apparently isn’t satisfied by that and pulls out a small manual.

“Water, 35 liters. Carbon, 20 kilograms. Ammonia, 4 liters. Lime, 1.5 kilograms. Phosphorus, 800 grams. Salt, 250 grams. Saltpeter, 100 grams, and various other trace elements.” What the hell is he listing?

The girl also looks confused. “Huh?”

“That list is the complete chemical makeup of a human body, calculated for one adult. It’s been calculated to the last microgram. Still there has never been a single recorded case of human transmutation actually taking place.” I… I can’t help it. I start cracking up in the background.

This seems to annoy Edward since he was having such a serious moment. He stands up and points at me. “Hey! What’s the big idea? If you’re here to worship just be quite while I talk! No need to laugh. This religious crap can’t hold a candle to modern science but you expect me to believe it can do something that science can’t?”

“HA okay okay, sorry just haha you’re little list of ingredients? It’s so far off it’s not even funny.”

“What the hell do you mean? I measured everything myself! Do you have any idea how long it took to actually get that exact of a measurement?” A microgram? I very much doubt they did things to such an exact measurement.

“Did you measure everything yourself from a human body or did you just use something else?” From the previous world I know the ratio of elements needed in the human body… That list? If they tried to make something with it would be a monster.

“Potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfur are all severely less than needed also why the hell are you using 6kg of calcium from limestone? You should only need about 1.115kg if you’re going for the 76kg person which is still fairly underweight depending on the size you have in mind. Then Hydrogen is 7.06kg not 4.391kg that you had. It’s no wonder no one here has successfully brought someone back. You’re all idiots coasting by and thinking you're high and mighty because of it.” I can’t help but chuckle a bit more because of just how stupid the whole idea was. He’s staring at me with his mouth wide open.

The one in the armor speaks up first. “Brother! He might know… he might be able to help us!”

Eventually Edward gets knocked out of it. “How do we know what you’re saying is true? You could have just lied to come off as smarter? Besides I feel like if you had that great of knowledge, why are you missing your arms?” He gets hit across the back of the head by the one in the armor.

He turns back and scowls at them. “Hey watch it Al! I’m just saying if there was ‘such and expert’ we would have heard of them by now.”

“Be respectful, he could be the real deal. Now Sir do you mind showing us proof?” I think about it for a moment. What would the result of a lack of potassium, sodium and chloride look like?

“Well, first of all it seems like your little recipe wouldn’t be able to properly form the bones correctly, it also wouldn’t be able to fully cover the organs or skin… How accurate is your understanding of molecular structure? Like do you know the composition of the muscle tissue and the different soft tissues?”

This seems to take Edward back a step. “Molecular structure? What? No… we just used our blood to bind her to our image and imagined her whole?”

“You were trying to bring someone specific back? Not really doable unless you do it at the exact same time they died. Fast enough to catch the soul before it departs.” His eyes glaze over as he contemplates everything I’ve said. Al the one in the armor seems really excited though practically jumping in place.

Then the girl I’d completely forgotten finally speaks up though. “NO! Lift thy prayers to god! And the requests of the faithful shall be served! If you could not bring a soul back perhaps you are just not as good as the good father. It’s obvious here that even an alchemist cannot know everything. After all he knows more than you!”

I give her a flat look. “Yes but even though I know more I doubt he knows more about souls. They depart quickly. Even then it’s in order to bring someone back it’s better to have their corpse ready… You’ve lost someone haven’t you? Were you promised you’d have them back if you prayed hard enough?”

The girl starts to cry now. Practically screaming out her next few words. “Yes! But father Cornello promised that he could bring him back! He… he said he could! He promised! Others have said they had their loved ones…” That surprises me but then… the souls within him.

“Did you ever interact with the ones brought back?”

“No… no I just heard stories and people say… No! I refuse to let you sow doubt! This is a test of my faith that I shall overcome! I shall not be tempted by your deceit and shall receive my just reward for my faith!”

“I’m just saying… if you never personally interacted with them then how do you know it’s true?”

Edward snaps out of it and settles a glare at me. “How do we know you really know this subject then huh? Did you bring anyone back?”

I smile back. “Yes.” I turn and look at Zig who shifts somewhat uncomfortably becoming the new center of attention. Edwards eyes go wide at the implication.

“Let me introduce Ziggles.” Both Edward and Al seem to choke at the name.

“What kind of name is that?” I start chuckling too.

Zig finally stands up having dealt with this often enough. “My lord, call me Zig in public at leassst.” The slight hiss in his voice causes Edward to stop laughing.

He turns his glance back between me and him. “Is there something wrong with him? Why is he calling you Lord, and all wrapped up?”

“He’s calling me his lord because he’s my bodyguard. As for why he’s wrapped up. That’s just his personal taste.” Edward looks between the two of us for a moment obviously not believing that.

“Yeah… sure…”

Meanwhile the girl practically runs to Zig and places her hands on him.

“You have been to the gates of heaven and returned! What did you see? Did you meet anyone there? Did you see Leto! Is that why you are here?” I can practically feel how uncomfortable the girl is making him as he shifts back slightly.

“No… it wasss dark… there wasss nothing there.” Her enthusiasm dampens immediately.

“Blasphemy! Perhaps you were merely unworthy and found to go to hell! I hear that hiss in your tone. Perhaps you are a monster unworthy of heaven.” She starts to huff and walk away.

Edward seeing, he was losing her speaks up quickly taking a slight bow. “I’m sorry… but do you think that your father Cornello can save one such as myself. Your words have truly spoken to me and I’d love to meet him.” The slight smirk on his face that I can see from behind shows that he doesn’t mean any of it.

She turns to him as well. “Of course! He will accept your repentance at any time! I am glad that these heathens have not tainted your soul with their whispers of bringing back the dead through science! I’ll go ask one of the bishops right away!”

She runs off quickly a smile once more now that she thinks that Edward is considering the faith. Completely forgetting about the conversation with Zig and me.

Now that we are alone Edward turns back to us. “So… you claim he’s come back from the dead huh?”

I smile back. “Yes, it didn’t come without its costs, however. I’m a bit disarmed of late and have a bit of trouble seeing a path forward.” I let out a small chuckle

He smiles too in a knowing way. “Yeah… attempts at that kind of thing have a bit of a habit to cost an arm and a leg.”

“Do you know any good automail engineers? I was told to visit rush valley but I was a bit distracted by the idea of someone being able to bring back the dead without worry about the soul.” They are alchemists they probably know a few things about the country.

He smiles at that. “I can imagine, are you from out of the country? You have a slight accent and practically everyone knows where to get automail if they need it.”

“Yes, we are from Xing. We traveled across the desert. I have my papers somewhere in Zig’s bag if you need to see them.”

“No no it’s probably fine. I work for the military. I can hook you up with a good automail engineer if you help me with a few things. You know equivalent exchange?” He smiles at that.

“Okay? What are you interested in? I know a great breadth of subject… Do you want a recipe for pain medication? Something to help with your understanding of the human body? Something to maybe help you grow taller?” I remember he’s jumped angry at the last two people that have mentioned his height.

“Hey who are you calling little! Wait… you… you can make me?” He seems lost in thought for a moment before coming over on his knees.

“Please show me the way. If you can help… I will be grateful.” I can’t help but chuckle at that. The attitude he was showing before completely gone as he practically begs for my secret.

“Brother! We should ask about our bodies first! Not height. You just need to drink your milk for that.” I quirk an eyebrow.

“He’s right you know calcium is good for your bones and promotes growth though it can be found in other foods that’s the primary one for a lot of people. We can set you up on a diet plan. I also have a few other secrets that I could share but they are hefty ones that would require a much higher price then just prosthetics. Especially when you mentioned practically everyone knowing an automail engineer.” I now had him on the ropes.

“Funding! I… I have funding from being in the military for research! I can pay you?” He smiles up at me.

“I have piles of gold back home. I’m the 9th prince of Xing so while I wouldn’t decline money I don’t really need it.” This causes him to freeze for a moment too. Whispering ‘god damnit I won’t let this chance slip by.’

“I can apprentice under you and do everything for you? Uh um I can help with…”

I smile for a moment. “How about teaching me Alchemy and I teach you Alkahestry?” He looks up confused.

“Alkahestry? What’s that?” I’m a bit surprised they’ve never heard of it before.

“What we study in Xing. It’s primarily used for medicine creation and small mixtures. It requires exact measurements. It’s why I know your little human recipe is so wrong.”

“That makes sense… sure we can come to some sort of agreement. Um… For now though we sort of have a thing going on here… do you want to help? We suspect that the ‘good father’ has a philosophers stone…”

Al cuts in. “Brother! Why are you telling him that so fast? We don’t know him that well yet.”

“Oh, that reminds me. What is your suit made from? I can’t sense anyone inside so it must be some sort of special material.” Edward seems to freeze at that.

“Well… we might show you later… just uh what do you mean by sensing no one inside?” His voice almost hitches.

“I can sense the life of things around me. It’s a minor secret not well known within Xing so I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t share that around. But for some reason I can’t see anything inside of his armor. Is it a special alloy or something?” I start looking him over.

Al obviously slightly uncomfortable speaks up. “brother…”

“No… we’ll uh explain it later. At least that proves that you aren’t just a crazy guy that’s all talk.”

I smile back at him. “Who says I’m not crazy? Just because I am doesn’t mean I can’t know a thing or two.”

After discussing things for a while, he shows me his locket which symbolizes that he’s a state alchemist.

“So, you just need that to prove that you’re an alchemist and practically everyone would fall over for you?”

He smirks again gloating about his research funding amount. “Yep… pretty nice right?”

“I mean… I could easily make a forgery.” He looks surprised at that then remembers who I am.

His face slowly freezes then relaxes slightly. “Well sometimes they ask for your moniker. Each state alchemist has a name that the government knows them as.”

“Yeah, but didn’t you mention you can send someone to withdraw funds by proxy? Can’t I just make a false copy then claim to be a proxy?” He freezes for a moment then quickly tucks his locket away.

“Um... don’t go spreading that around, okay? And please don’t steal from me.”

“Haha! No promises but if I do it won’t be much. Besides! We are going to work together soon. I wonder what’s taking that girl so long.” Finally, a man in priest garb and the woman from before arrive.

“Hello, the Elric brothers I presume?” he looks two Ed and Al.

“Yeah, I also have a couple of guests I’d like to bring along if you don’t mind.” He gestures to me and Zig. The priest seems to want to protest then notices that I have no arms and shrugs. The woman seems annoyed that I will be going along with them.

“Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem. Follow me please.” We walk down several corridors.

As we approach a large pair of double doors I can feel that twisted Chi from the other side of the door… Time to see what that feeling is.