The four initiates were summed after Mr. Ling had finished her report, and she told them that now the real training would begin. Bending matter, turning objects invisible, healing, and all the other skills of the alchemist were drilled into them. They read books, performed practice exercises and underwent tests. When they wanted to sleep, Ling said: “Remember the energy draught I gave you? If you can make that potion you won’t need to sleep.”
Hansel laughed. “Can I at least have a coffee?”
Having not drank coffee for some time, they discovered that when the knowledge of alchemy and herblore were applied to the traditional recipe, it made a fine drink indeed!
They eventually lost track of how long they had trained, but by the end of it all they could cast nearly flawless ‘shadows’ and disappear when the conditions were right – Sam became the undefeated hide-and-seek champion. Hansel often got in trouble for transmuting office stationary into tiny weapons. One day they went into the city and reformed the many statues to have funny faces with large eyes and tongues poking out – they actually got into a bit of trouble over that one.
With true alchemy at their disposal, they became a mischievous lot, but Mr. Silver looked upon them proudly. He had not seen so vibrant a smile in quite a long time. He believed deep down that happiness and The Truth could not coexist, and yet these students of his gave him hope. He turned to Ling. “Give them the last potions test. I think they’re almost ready.”