"What's happening!!??"
In a dark alley of Cindralis, a strange event occurred.
A young man, too deep in his thoughts, saw a man crouching on the ground, lying in a pool of blood.
Next to him, another man, who seemed to belong to the bourgeoisie, stood with blood on his mouth.
"Wait please, I promise I won't say…"
The young man was immediately eliminated.
Such was the vision of Henry Lancaster, who was not far from this alley, watching the young man from a distance.
Henry advanced calmly, playing with his cane.
As he entered the alley, the vampire was about to attack the young man, and Henry stepped between the two, blocking the creature's claws with his cane.
"Good evening, Maximilian. You have made my job easier.
As a witness of what I've seen, I must arrest you. Please do not resist, and you will be treated with respect."
Maximilian immediately understood who he was dealing with and tried to flee in smoke… Unfortunately, a barrier had already been placed around the perimeter, cutting off any escape.
Henry straightened his hat and introduced himself.
"Please forgive my lack of respect. It's not every day I speak to a bourgeois.
Henry Lancaster, at your service."
Suddenly, Maximilian was captured by another hooded person.
He was sealed inside a small cube.
Henry was surprised by this visitor.
"I didn't think the Order would send someone to support me.
It's been a long time, Léandra."
The two stared at each other until Léandra noticed that the young man had been injured while Maximilian tried to escape.
He was losing blood rapidly.
"Oh, he's not well."
Henry applied first aid, but it wasn't enough — they had to take him to the Order to treat him, if that was even possible.
"Léandra, quickly, the carriage!"
The trip was fast; the horses were galloping.
All the splendor of the city was visible — from the busy commercial streets to the markets and the plaza.
Once they arrived, Henry carried the boy and hurried into a cellar hiding an elevator.
Between screams of pain and fever, Henry understood that the poison was about to reach the heart.
Once they arrived, he ran toward the medical section under the surprised looks of his colleagues.
He burst through the door.
"Alice! Karl! We need you!"
Very quickly, the two doctors started working, trying to save the young man from certain death — or transformation.
The operation was long, and Alice came to see Henry waiting outside the room, playing with a coin to hide his stress.
"Henry, we did what we could, but the poison damaged too much of his tissue…"
Henry's face turned pale.
"However," Alice continued, "if he drinks the potion, he can survive. It's just that—"
Henry knew that if he drank the potion, he would have to join the Order or be killed.
"Can he talk?"
"Yes, he's stable."
Henry entered the room and saw the young man lying down, awake but confused about where he was.
"Listen carefully, my friend. You're in a hideout of the Order, and you must listen to me well."
The young man, troubled by Henry, didn't know what to expect.
His memories of the attack were blurry.
"A vampire poisoned you, and the poison has destroyed a lot of your tissue.
Unfortunately, you don't have much time left to live."
The young man turned pale. Everything he had hoped to accomplish — putting his family to safety, becoming a sailor, living without fearing tomorrow — was shattered.
"However, there's a chance…
The Order fights against these creatures and other monsters, and if you agree to join us, the Order can give you a 'potion.'
It will heal you and enter your subconscious. It will grant you powers, so to speak."
The young man didn't hesitate for a second — he wanted to see his family again and live.
"I accept!"
A smile appeared on Henry's face as he signaled Alice to bring the potion.
The Order's potions were different from others, made by alchemists.
These potions had a will of their own.
Once drunk, they fixed everything wrong in the body and then moved to the brain to take place within the host's subconscious.
"What's your name?"
"Edward Morel."
"Perfect. Do your best to survive, Edward."
The potion he just drank took effect immediately.
The traces of the vampire's claw and the damaged tissues healed instantly.
Now it was the subconscious's turn to react.
The brain naturally rejected the potion, seen as a foreign body — that's where the battle began between the immune system and the potion.
"Arghhh!"
As Edward began to shake, Henry told him to let go and endure the pain, or he'd be destroyed from the inside.
Edward was pulled into his subconscious, where he saw an unfamiliar being.
"Uh… where are we?"
The being had a female voice but didn't show her face.
"We are at the deepest part of your being — where I now reside."
A bit embarrassed, Edward looked around. Everything seemed dark; the ground looked like a vast dark ocean.
"So… what do you want?"
"Me? Nothing. You are my master, after all. It's you who must want."
Edward understood that the woman was the materialization of his potion and remembered Henry's words — that the power depended on the user.
"So, how does my power begin?"
"Hmmm…"
The woman thought, showing Edward an infinity of possibilities, where only she had the final say.
Then she stopped on one: poisonous plants.
"You will be a master of poison — controlling roots, flowers, and toxic potions.
After all, you survived the poison of a vampire," she said with a sly smile.
"Well then, you can leave now. We'll talk again when necessary.
Goodbye, Master — for now."
Edward woke up dizzy. Around him, his new comrades were happy he had survived.
They all looked at him until a man entered the room.
He radiated authority; everyone stood to salute him.
"Nice to meet you, Edward. I am Captain Arthur Kingsley.
Welcome to the Second Brigade of the Order of the Scarlet Eclipse."
Edward didn't understand much and had many questions.
"Thank you… but I have some questions."
"Don't worry," said the captain. "I'll assign you to an instructor who'll teach you everything."
A woman entered the room, elegantly dressed and remarkably serious.
She would train Edward in the coming days.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Catherine Thorn, Second Officer of the Second Brigade.
You'll be on my team."
"Thank you, Miss Thorn."
Henry approached Edward to formally introduce himself.
He tipped his hat respectfully.
"I'm Henry Lancaster, Third Officer of the Second Brigade."
"Thank you for saving me."
"Don't mention it, hehe."
Edward's recovery went well.
He left the Order's hideout two days after joining.
He was officially responsible for everyday affairs in the Saint-Orren district, working under a subcontracted agency of the city hall.
He returned home, where his family — his brother, sister, and father — lived.
"Hey, it's me!"
His sister, worried about his disappearance, rushed to him, slightly angry.
"Where were you? We were worried sick!"
"Guess what? I've got a new job, Sophie."
"Excuse me? You're working now?"
Her surprise was genuine — he who once dreamed only of becoming a sailor now had a real job.
"I work for the Urban Management Directorate.
Basically, I handle everyday administrative affairs for the Saint-Orren district."
Sophie was shocked to see him at a bureaucratic job, he who always preferred being outside.
Compared to her brothers, Edward and Thomas, Sophie was studious, pursuing accounting to secure a better future.
Coming from a poor family, her brothers had chosen to work to help pay for her studies.
"As for my pay, I earn about four florins a week — enough for our needs and Father's medicine."
Their father was a former soldier, wounded in the last war.
A head injury had left him paralyzed, relying entirely on his children.
Edward went to his room, filled with books from the Order, to study their missions and structure.
"The Order has several brigades, each with a specialty… and there are others in different cities.
Each one oversees a region."
The Order of the Scarlet Eclipse was connected to the government through its companies across Cindralis — like the Urban Directorate and the Transcontinental Trade Company.
Through these, the Order maintained stable funding, supported by the crown.
As for the enemies of the Order, Edward learned about creatures known only from children's tales:
"Specters, revenants, werewolves, chimeras… and vampires.
According to Miss Thorn's book, vampires are the rarest — and the most dangerous.
But that Maximilian was a noble… meaning they live among us."
"It's good to review that," he muttered.
Edward, lost in thought, was suddenly interrupted by someone entering through the window.
Startled, he stood up quickly.
"I don't think we've met."
The man smirked and stepped closer.
"Leonard Cimbel, my dear friend. I'll be the one teaching you how to use your potion's power."
Edward frowned. "I thought Miss Thorn was supposed to train me."
"She will, but since she's a high-ranking officer, I replace her when she's on mission.
Now, get ready — we're leaving."
Edward put on his uniform provided by the Order and joined Leonard at the door.
They got into a carriage that took them to a training camp in the industrial district of Cindralis.
The camp was protected by a permanent barrier, invisible to outsiders.
Once they arrived, Edward observed the surroundings, amazed at the shimmering barrier.
"These barriers are made by our alchemists," Leonard explained.
"So they really exist…"
Ordinary people only knew of alchemy through newspapers; exhibitions were rare and cost more than 100 florins — far beyond what Edward's family earned in a week.
As Leonard prepared the field, Edward examined the barrier closely.
He noticed that people outside couldn't see them — they were cut off from the city.
"What power did your potion grant you?"
Edward saw the silhouette of the woman who now resided in his subconscious.
He smiled faintly, remembering he had no choice.
"From what I know — poison. Manipulation of plants and such."
Leonard looked impressed. "My friend, you're lucky.
Only a few in the Second Brigade have such a specific power — especially one with affinity for alchemy."
"What do you mean?"
"Generally, powers are linked to a person's subconscious desire.
For example, my power is tied to a current — just like yours."
"Currents?"
"There are three types," Leonard explained. "Physical, spiritual, and alchemical.
Everyone is unique — it's rare for two people to have the same power."
Edward began to understand that the three currents were often tied to personality.
"So if I understand right, my power belongs to the Alchemical Current?"
"Exactly. And if your current develops a physical variant, you'll be a great asset to us."
Leonard seemed pleased to see a recruit with strong potential.
He set up practice mannequins.
"Now, try to visualize your power. You said it's poison. Approach the mannequin, touch it, and we'll see what happens."
Edward approached and placed his hand on the dummy.
Suddenly, he was drawn back into his subconscious, facing the woman again.
This time, the space had changed — no longer a dark ocean, but a vast garden of flowers.
"Uh, what should I call you?"
The woman laughed softly. "You're the master — you choose."
"I'll let you choose."
Surprised, she bowed gracefully.
"Then, from today, I'll be Eleanor, to serve you, Master."
Edward blushed, embarrassed by her gesture, waving his hands to stop her.
Suddenly, she appeared behind him.
"So, my current is the Alchemical one?"
"Exactly. However, thanks to the vampire's poison I absorbed, I gave you the ability to control vines.
Not as strong as physical users, but useful enough."
Eleanor demonstrated how to materialize his power.
With his right hand, he could create potions — some brewed in a lab, others instantly formed before him.
For now, that was all he could do — he would need to train more.
Edward was astonished by his new abilities.
Suddenly, he returned to reality and placed both hands on the dummy.
His left hand summoned vines wrapping around it, while his right created a potion that melted its arm.
Leonard's eyes widened. He applauded loudly.
"A genius! Truly a genius!"
Edward gasped, exhausted.
Leonard grinned. "Well done, my friend. Let's go back to headquarters and register you officially as an alchemist."
They returned to the Order's headquarters, hidden beneath the Urban Management Directorate.
They descended to level -30.
Once below, they approached Hanna, the secretary of the Order.
She looked half-asleep, staring into space.
Leonard gently tapped the table. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. We have two guests."
Hanna jumped up. "Sorry!"
"It's fine. This is Edward Morel. He needs to be registered as an alchemist."
"Of course. Edward, sign here."
Edward signed and officially became an alchemist serving the Order of the Scarlet Eclipse, authorized for field missions as support.
He realized it was probably thanks to his vines.
"There you go, Miss Hanna."
Hanna chuckled. "Just call me Hanna — we're colleagues."
Leonard whispered behind him, "But for the captain and the five officers, call them by title."
Edward, now an official member, was given a tour — from labs to meeting rooms to the Artifact Hall, where powerful relics were stored.
"Only the captain and the first three officers can enter here," Leonard warned.
"Unauthorized entry means severe punishment."
"Not my style," Edward thought.
— Not my style, he thought.
They went to the lounge for tea. Members socialized, surprised Edward could combine alchemical and physical powers.
— Never done alchemy? Usually potions reflect skill. Hanna didn't drink a potion but knows a lot.
— I don't know, but I don't mind.
— Edward, ready?
— Ready for what?
— Alchemy training. You'll be with Conrade.
Conrade, an expert, trained all Order alchemists. He was eccentric, passionate, and dedicated.Conrade appeared, smiling. He ignored Alice and walked to Edward, grabbing his hands.
— Hello, Mr. Conrade?
— YES! It's been so long since I had a student!!
Everyone chuckled.
— Come! From today, I'll make you the greatest alchemist in Cindralis.
They left for the lab.
— Alchemy is easy to master if desired.
Edward nodded. Conrade donned a lab coat, gave Edward one, and laid out books and vials.
— First, basics. Civilian potions anyone can buy.
Conrade placed ingredients on the table. He prepared a healing potion called "The Scar Balm."
— Mainly for workers and guards. Use within two hours to prevent infection.
Edward listened carefully.
— Now, practice. Ingredients are here. Go ahead.
— Alright, Professor.
— Mix arnica oil, beeswax, and white clay powder. That's half the potion.
Edward added ingredients and ethanol, causing a small reaction. Let it simmer for five minutes, then add the rest. He opened a book and saw a chimera with ingredients. Conrade took the book away.
— Not for you… not yet.
Edward stayed silent, perplexed.
After five minutes, he added plantain extract and distilled herb water.
Finished, he presented the vial. Conrade pricked his finger, drank it, and his wound healed instantly. He applauded.
— Well done, Edward. Keep going, and you'll achieve great things.
Edward and Conrade spent the entire afternoon crafting potions, each one a step forward in Edward's mastery. Conrade's keen eyes quickly recognized the young alchemist's extraordinary talent, and it became clear why he had been called a genius. In that moment, it was undeniable. Edward was destined for greatness.