After getting into our compartment, I’m immediately barraged by questions about alchemy.

“Do you have an example of your countries transmutation circles? Also, what sort of matrix do you use to transmute items? You previously mentioned that you worked in medicine, does that mean that you used multiple elements to make brews and used that? What sort of properties did you find for “ I have to stop them there.

“Woah Woah Woah, hold on. I’ll answer your questions just. Give me a moment.” Is this what I’m like? No… I’m much better than this.

“First of all, my face mask has an example of one of my transmutation circles. I also have two more gloves with them in Zigs bag. Zig do you mind grabbing those and showing them?” He gives a short nod before searching through our stuff.

“Speaking of transmutation circles. I can’t help but notice that you don’t use one. Is that part of alchemy?” He gives a nervous look back at Al.

“No, I’m just that skilled. That’s part of why I was hired as a state alchemist. I understand things well enough that I’ve sort of become the transmutation circle for my alchemy.” That’s… interesting and it sounds familiar it tickles that same part at the back of my mind.

“Well, that’s certainly interesting. Are alchemists rare here or something? I noticed that you hold a lot of respect from the people here but as you mentioned have only been in the military for around 2 months. So state alchemists that important?” He scoffs at that and starts laughing.

“Of course, state alchemists are important. Very few people learn the secrets of alchemy and when one of us signs up to be a dog of the military they want us to be nice, fat, and happy until they put us out in the front of their war. I just want to research to get our bodies back.” Interesting so they are military assets.

“Why not just buy the knowledge from an alchemist and spread that to their troops so you can have legions of alchemists?” He shakes his head at that too.

“I’m not sure how it is in Xing but not everyone here can understand it. Good luck finding an alchemist that’s willing to share their secrets with everyone too. The amount of learning and dedication required takes years! Hell me and Al have been learning since we were what 7?”

“But you just mentioned it takes years? When was your first transmutation circle?”

He hesitates for a moment. “When we were around 6 or 7. We made a little bird out of wood.”

“Exactly, imagine if more kids could do that!” He shakes his head at the idea again.

“Wouldn’t work, people would start abusing it and start trying to hurt each other. Currently, we have a balance in our society.” I can see where they are coming from but also, I disagree. I feel like there should be lessons on lessor none combat stuff but I’m sure there’s no reason to argue.

“I couldn’t help but notice you also managed to create large walls of stone and repair complex objects. How do you do that? Is that something to do with your alchemy? When I visualize every single atom within the structure it becomes way too much if I have to do large scale or complex objects.” He just stares at me wide-eyed.

“You visualize every single… how? I just visualize the final outcome and it morphs to that!” Ah… that, that makes a lot more sense now. It’s probably why others were able to make large-scale things without me but could never replicate some of my more complex chemicals.

“How do you even know what its structure is? Our fathers’ notes were the only way we knew about a lot of the different properties of elements. We haven’t found anything else that contains molecular structures.” Their father was able to write down molecular structures? That’s impressive.

“Well, I’d like to see these notes if possible. Can I meet with your father?” They make strained faces as Zig finally pulls out the gloves that had made their way to the bottom of the bag.

“No sorry, he left a long time ago and he never returned. As for the notes… we sort of… burned down his house?” Haaa if I could I’d facepalm. The one person that could actually have a better understanding of chemistry here and they lose him and burn all of his notes…

“Well, whatever. Regardless here is the basic transmutation circle from Xing. Using the five-pointed start we tap into the dragon’s pulse. This allows for us to feel the life’s energy within everything and direct it to change how we want.” Edwards's eyes go wide.

“What is this dragon’s pulse? Is it like using the tectonic plates beneath us or something? That’s what our alchemy uses.” Huh, they use tectonic plates? How? That has nothing to do with the energy within everything?

Questions for later. “No, the dragon's pulse is the energy that flows through all life. It’s like the soul of the world? It flows through everything from the highest peak to the lowest parts of the ocean. This flow is ever-changing and so we can guide it to help with our Alkahestry.” He looks a little lost still.

“For example, we can use it to break down ingredients and combine in the way that we need. Most from my homeland just mix a bunch of herbs together and call it good. Using Alkahestry primarily as a mixing bowl. Others use it to close wounds feeling the life within someone and stimulating it to close the wound. Others use it to help themselves grow.” With that last statement, I have Edwards's full attention.

“Alright… now how do we access this dragon’s pulse? Is it just using the start in the transmutation matrix of the circle? How do I make it affect me? Cause I’m not going to use human transmutation just to grow a little that will just kill me.” Right, most chimeras just die because of the lack of medical knowledge leading to those cancerous growths.

“No no, we do have a ritual though that helps you feel the Chi within you though.” At this point, Zig clears his throat. “My lord, sssshould you really tell them all of that? It issss an empire secret… There can be problemssss if word sssspread that you told an outssssider.” I just shrug.

“I don’t really care about what the emperor thinks. He’s probably going to die without my medical help now. After that, I can just give the new emperor something that they can’t get anywhere else and they won’t be able to touch me.” Zig hesitates with how much I just stomp on our culture but relents none the less.

“Now usually the method to learn this is only given to the royal family and their honored bodyguards. So, what do you offer in exchange?” Edward looks over at his brother and they meet each other’s eyes for a moment.

“I’ll tell you about how to transmute stone, all the metal I know, and wood. I’ll also help you with any future research you have? I’ll even owe you a large debt so long as it works…” Interesting, alchemy trade deals bargain based on material and research assistance.

“Hmmm okay, I’d like some lessons on this countries alchemy and large-scale alchemy transmutation so that works for me… I’ll also need some funding for that research. I also have another deal for you.” He looks slightly interested

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Hmm how about a philosopher's stone? In exchange, once I have my arms back I’ll start teaching you how to make a body from the ground up.” His eyes get a dangerous glint to them.

“Now why should I believe that you can deliver on that?” I shrug again.

Leaning back in my seat enjoying the cushions I respond much more casually. “Because I’ve already started researching it. Honestly, it’s a lot easier now that I’ve seen the truth. I just time with a human body while operating on the pieces little by little. I mostly just need my hands so I can perform my version of alchemy.” He grits his teeth.

“And you believe that once you do have your hands you might be able to fix us?” I’m honestly not sure.

“Well, how did you even lose your arm and leg anyways? Car accident? House fire? Hell, how did your brother lose their whole body? Or how did you even bind it to the armor?” He looks a little hesitant to answer.

Al finally speaks up a little. “Go ahead and tell him, brother… I think he might be able to help.”

Edward nods. “We performed human transmutation… we wanted to try to bring out mother back. In the process, I lost a leg. Al lost his whole body. Bleeding on the floor I couldn’t let Al go so I brought him back with that circle you’ve seen in that suit. I won’t tell you how exactly until after you start helping us out more.” Fair enough. Interestingly though, they also lost parts of themselves because of the bargain.

“Well, I can’t restore bone but I can restore flesh little by little. I can also make a copy of your other limb and restructure it to be an opposite that way when I surgically attach it to you it should have all the same feeling.” His eyes go wide.

“But what about Al? Do you know how to help him at all?” Honestly? I have no idea.

“Well, you said you bonded him to the armor right?” He nods. “Why not make a body for him then bind him to that? It’s sort of what I did with Zig over there.” Edwards's eyes go wide.

“But no one has ever made a full-body before! You mentioned making limbs like it was nothing but how do you expect to make a whole body? It’s so complicated that it’s impossible for any alchemist to create!” I mean normally that would be true. But analyzing will let me learn the structure of something I’m touching. If someone is touching me while I transmute I should be able to replicate the parts that I’m looking at through that skill.

“Well, let’s just say I learned some interesting things when I lost my arms and eyes.” Edwards's eyes go wide.

“You went through the gate of truth too didn’t you?” I nod.

“What did you learn! I… I saw so much but I couldn’t remember half of it! It’s how I transmute now. The intrinsic parts of how to transmute and use my body as the circle is ingrained in me now somehow. As part of my soul knows even if my mind cannot explain it.” Oh boy. How do I explain this to him… hmm maybe I’ll just fudge something a little bit.

“Well, when I went through the doors, I learned something different. I learned how to learn the chemical makeup and structure of anything I touch. But I also lost my hands and eyes, so it made using that ability a little bit difficult.”

“B-but that means… that means you can learn how to transmute anything! You can make… you can actually help us can’t you!” His smile is so wide.

“Of course! For the price of one philosopher stone of course.” His smile falls just like that.

“But… but if you can help us why not just…” Ah, he doesn’t seem to understand.

“I could yes, but I also have no reason to. As you’ve mentioned I will eventually be able to transmute anything. So, what do you have to offer for something that the last time I did it cost me my eyes and arms? There is a potential risk here for me as well.” Edward grits his teeth glaring at me. Obviously trying really hard not to scream insults on the chance I just decide to leave.

“Very well… I guess we should start working on that… while you’re getting your new arms. I and Al have another lead on another person that brought someone back… I’d offer you to join us but I’m sure Wenry and the old granny will want you laying down for the better part of the procedure. It took me the better part of a year to get mine done.” That long? Holy… I mean they do look nice.

“Can I see your arm?” He looks a little surprised but rolls up his sleeve. “Huh? Sure, I guess?”

Looking at it everything is fully articulate. “Can you bend your fingers one at a time for me then all at once?” He gives me an odd look but does it. Fascinating.

“What’s the power source?” He gives me an odd look.

“PowerSource? It’s powered by the electricity from my nerves. That’s how all automail is powered.” Wait what? That’s… that’s bullshit science.

“Yeah no… your nerves don’t have that much electricity running through them.”

“But after the nerves are connected to the artificial ones you regain movement. It’s a bit hard at first, it’s what took so long. The actual connection and making the thing only took about two weeks.” Huh… so it takes a long time to establish a connection between the body and it. Is it? I slowly lean down and press my nose into it. I can tell Edward wanted to pull back but doesn’t.

Slowly I gain more and more of an understanding of the structure. I also notice something else. Chi is flowing through it like it’s a normal limb. That’s what’s powering the limb not some bullshit nerve connection that’s just where the Chi is coming from.

“Interesting, your friend is quite the genius. What sort of medication do you take for the anti-inflammation from tissue rejection?” He looks at me confused again.

“I don’t take any sort of pills. What do you mean by tissue rejection?” Do they not know about that? I guess he isn’t exactly a biology specialist and this country is a bit behind what I’m used to.

“What do you mean? Normally the human body doesn’t like metal or other foreign bodies invading it. It gets inflamed and causes problems. Why aren’t you suffering from that?” Pressing my nose into his palm again. I look specifically at the joining point between the nerves and the rest of the arm… what is that? It’s a special blend of… no… that’s… but it’s so simple? Does that really stop tissue rejection?

Looking up at Edward who’s face is red and looks like he wants to get rid of the hand I’d been pressed into. “Where does your friend buy their parts?”

“Uhm she makes them herself?” I have to meet them. They must own some large company. I’ll be sure to carry on this method into future lives. If I can revolutionize prosthetics that will help so many people. It could change the lives of so many.

“Are there any real downsides to having an automail arm over a normal one?” Edwards scowls at that.

“What do you mean? Obviously, there are. I didn’t ask to lose my limbs like this! Al didn’t ask to be without his body either!” Okay, that’s a bit of a soft spot.

“Yes, but are there disadvantages such as joint pain, metal poisoning, loss of balance, etc… you're just sentimental.” He attempts to punch me in the face but Zig pulls me out of the way by the scruff of my jacket.

Edward raises his fist at me and is glaring hard. “Listen here you asshole! We didn’t ask for them. We can’t even feel the warmth of people through the cold metal. I want my original body back! I also want to bring my brother back too!” I can’t help but feel confused.

“But seriously why? You have two hands. Just hug with the other one?” He tries to hit me again but this time I just kick him back into his seat.

“Brother!” Al catches him… that probably hurt worse than if he’d landed on the cushions.

“Relax! What the hell is wrong with you Edward? I was just asking some questions! I get it you lost your arms because you and your brother messed up and thought you were smarter than the entirety of your civilization’s alchemists. You thought since you were the smartest people around you could bring back the dead. When your recipe was so far off, you’d probably bring back a black mess of bones and skintight flesh.” Al has to hold back Edward. But I can also see his face flush with embarrassment.

“That’s not our fault! We measured everything exactly! Our notes were flawless they were our dads!” I shake my head at that.

“Then your dad is just as at fault as you are. Besides, you can’t bring back the dead. Do you know what a brain is?” He stops in his thrashing to seriously think about my question.

“Of course, the brain is where we store all or knowledge and information.” Eh, basic biology education.

“Yes, but also far more than that. It’s where everything that makes you, you is stored. Through a series of small intertwined electrical impulses and connections, all your memories are stored there. Do you have the structure of your mother's brain memorized?” He can’t answer that.

“No! but we used our blood and pictured her really really hard! That’s how alchemy works. Equivalent exchange, visualizing and the circle will correct things.” Oh god, he's an idiot...

“But if your formula is so wrong that you can’t make anything, then the circle can’t carry it all.” He blushes at that too. He lets out a humph and tries his best to ignore me for the rest of the ride.

I still chat with Al for a while. We discuss how to improve his armor to make it less dangerous for him to be out in the rain. Edward was shocked to hear that his brother would just die if he got his seal wet and started freaking out. I guess we are going back over the circle with his blood when we get to their friend’s place.

After six long hours on the train, we finally end up in a little town close to where me and Zig entered this country.