Alchemy oh my
Throughout my world hopping adventures and shenanigans I came across a world I had recognized, not from becoming a god and gaining understanding beyond that of mortals. No, it was from a world I recognized due to Manga. Specifically it was the world of FullMetal Alchemist. I will admit I geeked out a bit. I had never seen one of the many parallel worlds in the FMA multiverse. It was an entirely novel experience, so I decided to stick around and change things up a bit. I decided I would become an Alchemist.(not before popping in to see Truth and tell them about what I was doing of course )
(Central city)
Now, I must confess I had decided not to start from scratch for this, after meeting Truth and explaining my plan, I simply popped into Central and for lack of better words. "FIT" it was if I had lived there all my life, neighbors said hello and thanked me for my help, I had papers and an apartment. The whole works because I honestly couldn't stand being a baby again.
(I have dealt with that far too much for my liking)
Now, my first step was to go to a library, sure I could simply just "KNOW" as all major gods could but that would be boring. During my studies I checked in on little Edward's soul. And after about a year, the taint of Truth could be felt on his soul.
Studies were slow. I'll be the first to admit I was never the best of students but that was fine.
(so what if I cheated a little with the stuff to difficult to understand)
Now around the time Edward did Human transmutation for the first time I decided to take the State Alchemist exam. And boy did I blow their minds
(maybe I did a little too well now that I think about it.)
(Exam)
"Hello my Führer, My Name is Marcus I have passed the other tests and have gained an audience with yourself, what shall I do my king?" I ask confidently.
The king looks at me with his eye and says. "Your specialty, I want you to give it your all, that will give you the best chance of passing, Amestris is always in need of more Bright Alchemists." The words are so fake it honestly hurts to hear.
"Of course my Führer, I shall do as you command." I put on my glove with my Circle inscribed in red velvet on the black leather. With it I snap my fingers and suddenly the water in the air condenses and freezes into several sharp needles, with my other gloved hand I raise a stone shield out of the ground. I nod and snap both hands, the water breaks apart and disperses back into the air while the shield Re-Merges with the ground. With that I nod my head towards the king.
The king looks somewhat impressed. With me and whispers to the person next to him at the table. She hurries out of the room and the king turns back to me.
"Marcus, I hear by name you, the Hailstorm Alchemist. Go down to the front desk and get your watch, make sure to prepare for the certification exam." The king nods and then waves me off.
Now, I'm not usually one to celebrate, but the thought of being a state Alchemist has been living rent free in my mind for a few centuries now. I finally got to do it. So to celebrate this occasion I went down to a pub. There I met one of my favorite characters, Hughes, the best father in all of history(that I know of) I decided to have a chat and have a bloody good time.
"Hello sir, seat taken?" I asked with joy in my eyes. The man smiled brighter than I've ever seen.
"No it's free, what can you do for you?" The man hasn't even heard my name and he's already offering help. Goodness he's so much better in person.
"Just fancy myself a bit of some ale. celebrating passing my State Alchemist exams, just about an hour ago in fact."
The man grins, "how long have you been studying for?" A question with no ill intentions. A rarity most everywhere.
I pulled out my watch and I'd card. "I'm the Hailstorm Alchemist, Marcus at your service. What about you?"
The man smiles brightly "Captain May Hughes, nice to meet you." The man grins and raises his glass and yells out.
"Everyone raise a glass, let's welcome in our new State Alchemist, The Hailstorm Alchemist, Marcus!" He downs the shot and Everyone cheers. This man really is a Jewel. I decided then and there to save this man. He will not make an orphan of his daughter on my watch.
He looks over at me and says "first glass on me Major?" He pauses waiting for a last name.
"Peverell, its Major Peverell, Captain Hughes." The man grins.
I wave down the bartender. "This man's paying for my first glass so I might as well make it a good one. Give me 2 shots, old fashioned." Hughes pats my back. Suddenly he asks me a question I didn't expect.
"Do you have anywhere to stay?" Kindness and worry are clear in his tone.
"Ehhh, I was planning on selling my apartment, I figure I won't be around much, might as well save my cash." The man grins.
"I've got an extra room in my house used for storage and it's got an extra bed in it, how does 3,500 sound per night food included sound" that's, honestly a steal, that's like 19 pounds(or around around 24 dollars for you American savages).
I scratch my head. "I'm sorry but I can't accept prices that low. I won't go lower than 4,000."
The man grins, "you know what, Bartender, get this man another glass, straight Whisky this time!" Hughes slaps down. 6 of the 100 cens coins and the bartender pours me a glass of straight whisky. After that glass I discreetly sober myself up and follow Hughes home. As soon as we reach his house he goes for the door knob but the doors doesn't open.
"Ah, it's locked, let me get my key." He starts to rummage through his pockets but comes up empty. He sighs and says
"Ah to hell with it." Suddenly he knocks on the door, three knocks, one knock and then another three. Suddenly a woman opens the door.
"Welcome back sweetie. I see you brought a guest?" Hughes nods.
"Yes, he just passed the state Alchemist exam and decided to sell off his apartment, I decided to rent the storage room to him to sleep." Hughes' wife smiles.
"Your kindness strikes again dear. How much did he make you pay?" She asks suddenly
"Ah, he tried to get me to pay 3,500 but I wouldn't settle for paying him any less than 4."
Suddenly Hughes' wife introduces herself.
"You're a fair bit kinder them most, my name is Gracia Hughes, welcome to our home for however long you stay." I nod my head before shaking her hand.
I decide that to make up for paying so little I'll help around the house.
"Do you have anything broken that needs fixing?" The woman stops in thought. Suddenly she reaches into a cabinet and pulls out some wooden crates.
"Could you use your Alchemy to fix up a bed frame for me?" I once again nod. Hughes hugs his wife and leads me upstairs.
"I know just what bed she's talking about." After a short walk we end up in the master bedroom.
Suddenly Hughes lays on the floor and points at one of the legs.
"The leg snapped in half, we've been propping it up but it's quite wobbly, it's difficult to sleep on." I nod and discreetly summon chalk into my pocket using my Divine power.
With that I start off on drawing a wood transmutation circle just as I remember, with a flash of blue lighting the bed is fixed.
Hughes once again pats me on the back.
"Why don't you take a rest while my wife cooks dinner, we can eat at the table together and you can meet my Precious Daughter!" Ugh, as nice as he is, he's quite obsessed with his daughter. He might be a bit overbearing but at least she's protected.
I nod and go to my room, as I open the door I realize what Hughes meant by storage, the room is littered with boxes and trinkets. I decided to do the man a favor and organize it. With a snap of my fingers Everything is cleaned and sorted.
After around an hour I hear a knock on my door.
"MARCUS, DINNER IS READY!" I startle awake, my currently mortal vessel giving in to its restrictions.
I open up and goes down stairs. I spent time talking with Hughes and his wife. After a few more days of the routine I moved on, I shook hands with Hughes and right as I turned my back I heard him call out.
"The offer stands whenever you need it." Still walking away I wave back, this is the start of my new adventure.