Violet seemed quite satisfied with the answer apparent from the fact that no other questions came forth. And Violet always asked. Wilbur recalled how Priest Ferdinand had once reprimanded her for asking too many questions, explaining how some things must remain 'unquestioned', like the existence of God. She had just looked at him like he was some newly discovered species found recently from the usual familiar fauna around, and had replied, "But I did question his existence, and see what happened. He revealed himself to me! Maybe you didn't get a chance to see him for you never asked." Wilbur had laughed then, as the priest left with a look that exposed how he was then questioning his own beliefs. One thing was firmly established in the event, Violet *always* asked.

Sir Triston started pacing through the room, looking at the twenty, "Now that you know how alchemy was discovered, you can understand with clarity what it is."

His hands were behind his back. He looked up at the ceiling and said, "There are two points. Alchemy is something that can help you generate substances from nothing." Wilbur knew that as well; he had seen Rhugh do it. He had increased the weight of his sword in mid battle.

"Another, alchemy can be used to convert one element into another." He had heard tales of how people transmuted one element into another, many had tried rare metals. Only the occasional one succeeded, and Wilbur had assumed that his or her skill must reach exceed usual bounds.

Sir Triston's sharp eyes now turned towards them, "The two points I just told you are completely incorrect. If you believe them you are gravely mistaken, my friends."

What in the name of Gladin?

The looks on the faces of others betrayed the same. Sir Triston gave a short laugh in reply.

"Yes, it is impossible to create something from nothing. All a human can accomplish is manipulating, or translocating a substance to a particular extent."

The ground beneath started rumbling. Wilbur saw a circular platform rise in front of him and the other nineteen, the size of a plate. His voice cut through the rumbling, "That is stone. What I did here is, I took some stone from the Earth below and relocated it here, in the shape and place I desire. So this stone is borrowed from the Earth near us."

Wilbur was starting to understand. After the stone platforms were built in front of their seats on the floor, Earth started forming shapes on top of it. The shape soon solidified to that of a bowl, an uneven one.

"Now many have tried to create rare metals from nothing, like Gladinstone, gold and silver. But it isn't possible. You cannot call them, simply because they are rare and exist not in the ground around. We can only call or manipulate it when near a mine or such, but then if you are near a rare metal mine, just simple extraction is much more profitable. Any con artists who claim they can, are just near a rare metal mine. You can only call what is already present in the Earth in a small radius around you. Then the misconception about conversion has also led to countless people spending time on trying to accomplish it."

He then lifted a bucket of water and started filling the bowls using a mug. "Alchemy is the study of relation between humans and elements. And manipulation and translocation are some major applications. Its some energy within you that powers this process, and everyone has this energy, irrespective of birth, race or otherwise. Mother Nature sees no difference in her children."

As the bowls were full with water, Violet seemed at the brink of asking another question about the same. Sir Triston gave her no chance, "The little arrangement in front of you will be your first step in learning alchemy. All you have to do is will some change in the earthen bowl placed directly in front of you. Even the slightest change will cause a ripple in the water. Remember, alchemy is the translocation of elements from the earth so more you are in contact with it, the easier it is, so touch the bowl with both hands."

Everyone did as instructed. "Wilbur you have already performed alchemy, manipulating Gladinstone that is. This process is the same and should be easy enough for you. All you do is will it!" He moved to from student to student as he continued, "You will have doubts, you will have worries. And you should, for they constitute a part of learning. But remove the age old barrier that restricts your mind and tell it that alchemy cannot be done. It can be. You will prove it to yourself within the next few hours. Place your faith not in me but the nature around you. She is your Mother.

"Tell me, has a mother ever not loved her child?"

Wilbur recalled his own mother again. How he wished he was back in that small shackle they called home and that small garden he so hated. How that hatred turned into a merry image of home was beyond him.

He channelled his concentration at the bowl and recalled how he summoned the blade.

I have done it multiple times. I can perform alchemy. I have been chosen.

He looked at the bowl and willed it to change. After about ten minutes passes Violet became disturbed and took a sharp breath expressing her exasperation at the seemingly unfruitful process. Thralin sitting next to him seemed to retain his attention through it all.

Sir Triston said, "Patience child, it may take up to hours."

Wilbur closed his eyes and tried to recreate the feeling he got when he was manipulating his sword, that tingling sensation. He imagined himself doing the same on the bowl. He called for the Earth.

Wilbur opened his eyes and tried to perform what he had just imagined. But the ripples only came after the forth repetition of the whole process. Wilbur felt the familiar vibrations resonate through the earthen bowl.

Sir Triston exclaimed, "Splendid! As expected of Wilbur. All experience with your sword aids you." Wilbur looked around to realize he was the first to have accomplished it. Thralin followed next. "You picked it up quite quickly son," remarked Sir Triston. Although no effect of the praise was seen on Thralin, Wilbur beamed with pride as he ruffled the boy's hair, "Well done!"

Sir Triston continued, "The more intense your concentration the faster the process will be. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, clear all thoughts and then attempt again.

"Alchemy is an art of the mind as much as that of the body. There are no limitations, and once you master it, you will never forget, you can only improve."

Another hour passed as every one of the twenty had managed to finish the given task. A single question remained in Wilbur's mind when the lesson came to a conclusion. He could not help but ask, "Sir Triston, will you not teach everyone in the order rather than just twenty?"

Sir Triston smiled as if expecting the question, "No I will not." Before Wilbur could respond he continued. "But you will. Each one of you will pick a group of students from among the order, and instruct that batch of about fifteen students. As you teach, you will simultaneously learn for such is the nature of teaching. And that remains your task I give you."

Wilbur smiled as he looked up to Sir Triston.

Why did that thought never occur to me?