Year 1711 On the Atlantic Ocean Aboard a passenger ship called Advena Avis---

Alchemy.

Knowledge and techniques originating from Ancient Egypt and, at the same time, a culture.

Starting as an Egyptian art, it mixed in with Greek philosophy and , then passed through Arabia and slowly seeped into Europe's Renaissance.

Pursuit of this art is to turn cheap metals into gold, or to create life without the help of God's hand. But the ultimate goal is to gain eternal life... No, even this doesn't count as the "ultimate". What alchemists seek is limitless. They would bury themselves in research to the end of their days in the all important task of turning the impossible possible. But if this were to pass, it would become "possible", and the ultimate goal would fade away. Until then they are likely to continue pursuing the impossible, drowning themselves in hope and knowledge, or another way of putting it- lose themselves in the mission.

Times change constantly. In the chaos of the real world, alchemists could deeply appreciate the qualities needed by a hero- at times they were hindered by obstacles on all sides, and other times they were the target of others' envy; all the while they had to push the boundaries of their art. But this kind of work was not fruitless... the alchemist Newton discovered gravity. Modern day scientists make all kinds of contributions to society. Alchemy is definitely not a fake academia.

But sometimes---- alchemy is called magic or divine skill, and there were also some who tried to blur the distinction between alchemy and science, wanting to merge the two into one entity.

Generally, it's easy for ordinary people to mix alchemy and magic together, but in reality the two are completely different things. Among alchemists, there are those who snort at "external powers that cannot be explained by science", which rely on magic and prayers as a medium... but of course there are others who dabble as an experiment.

Whether it be magic or demonic arts, if its existence can be confirmed then it is also possible to transform it into the "possible"- it's just a question of opening that "impossible" toolkit.

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This passenger ship was cloaked by the darkness of night.

In the darkness... they listened only to the "voice".

They were alchemists, far away from home, seeking uncharted lands.

They were the ones who finally succeeded in summoning the 'demon' into the human realm, aboard this passenger ship.

"Did you call me a 'demon'? Ah, it's all right. But have any of you have seen God or angels? A word such as 'evil' only exists from the contrast of comparison for the first time. ; 103 years have passed since I have been specially summoned. It would have been wonderful if this happened 3 years earlier, but ... well, no matter. Ah, 'well, no matter' is my pet phrase. Don't pay it too much mind... I am directly transmitting my voice into your brains, so this thing about pet phrases is a little strange. Well, no matter."

This super long-winded 'demon' kept his pledge, and agreed to a contract of passing down the "forbidden knowledge" to the alchemists who were directly responsible for summoning him.

Alchemists said the following: "We want to learn everything about immortality."

"This request... does it not suggest that you secretly wish you were immortal? Well, no matter."

On the ship's deck... a utensil brimming with liquid was placed in the middle of the group of alchemists.

"You only have to drink this to become immortal. Everything that happens afterwards is up to you all to decide. I may be immortal, but my thoughts on this are completely different from yours... Wait, wait, calm down and listen well... I am generous, so this elixir is more than enough for all the present members. Stop squabbling. ......Now then, if you ever tire of immortality and truly desire death..."

The 'demon' started teaching the alchemists how immortals can die.

"... You need to find others who have also drunk the elixir of immortality. After being found by one such fellow, place your own hand on the head of the one who wishes to die and think 'I want to eat'. Well, wishing hard for it is enough. This way, the fellow who seeks death will be sucked into your right hand and their life will end. This 'eating' is just a way to receiving all knowledge and abilities from the other party. The last one left will have accumulated all the knowledge and experiences of the thirty-odd people in here... If that last person too tires of immortality then summon me again. At that time, I will 'eat' them. Then I will obtain the knowledge of 30 people... Then, a word of warning... there are risks. ...Those who have drunk this elixir will lose the ability to use 'false names'. It will be a mental constraint... If it's just giving a temporary introduction to ordinary people, then there is no problem. But you will use your real name when conversing with fellow immortals, and your body will reject establishing a false identity in this world. ...If I don't do this, you will never be able to find each other..."

The alchemists mulled over it a little, then everyone shared the elixir of immortality between them and drunk it. The elixir had the scent of alcohol.

"Hm, that's right... We still have the contract of teaching everyone... Though I'm not sure what you mean by everything, in any case, I will teach you the recipe for the elixir just now. But I won't tell everyone here, but only the alchemist who summoned me. If the others want to know then ask him afterwards."

Once the formless 'demon' said that, he gave the 'Knowledge' to the alchemist who summoned him. The youth didn't know what had happened. But he understood the 'Knowledge' he didn't know had just been implanted into his memory.

The demon's voice faded until it could no longer be heard.

The man who received the 'Knowledge' spent the entire night thinking.

He decided to tell the secret of immortality to his younger brother, who was also aboard the ship. He had reached only halfway when a sudden thought occurred to him.

And the next day, he declared:

"... I plan to seal this knowledge forever."

Although all the alchemists objected to this proposal, his decision was final.

And that very night, it happened.

The man with the knowledge stayed. In the middle of the night, he sensed someone's presence and opened his eyes............ Standing at the center of the room was one of his friends.

The friend's hand was placed on the head of his brother, Gretto (!), who was sleeping opposite him...

In just this instant he was already fully awake but it was too late. His own brother was, his friend... No, it was in that moment, like magic, his own brother was sucked into his comrade's right hand.

"... Can't be, I didn't expect it to happen so quickly."

While watching to the scene, the 'demon' muttered alone, somewhere in the darkness.

"I was the one who fanned the flames but... this is why humans are a greedy race. Watching this is enjoyable but..."

The existence labeled as the 'demon' continued in a slightly melancholy voice,

"This time, definitely, it'll happen."

The voice of the 'demon' couldn't be heard anymore. What was left was nothing but dark emptiness, as though the demon had never been there.

And thus, time flowed on.