Chapter 746: Secondary Alchemy Paths

The crowd settled down.

The students began preparing their materials for the conference.

Some took out their notebooks, while others opened their Zphone Tablets to type down the information they were about to receive.

The visitors did the same.

A few of them even brought out their Starlixs and Paras, intending to record the professor’s explanations for later reference.

The sounds of people adjusting their seats and preparing their devices gradually faded.

Professor Greg Mayer stood behind the podium, looking across the gathering.

"First...

Good morning, students of the Royal Academy and visitors."

He said straightforwardly.

His hands rested on the podium before he picked up his Zphone Tablet.

He adjusted its position and placed it upright on the podium.

"Since Professor Esther has already explained why we are here and the importance of this conference to our newcomers, I will go straight to the topic."

He tapped his Zphone Tablet a few times.

The large holographic screen behind him changed.

The previous display disappeared, replaced by the written theme of the conference.

Secondary Alchemy Paths.

"Secondary Alchemy Paths."

Professor Greg said calmly.

He adjusted his glasses, placed his Zphone Tablet properly on the podium, and walked away from it towards the front of the stage.

"In the Founding Era of this Kingdom, Alchemists utilized different Alchemy Paths. They didn’t follow just one Path, but several. That practice caused a massive stagnation in the growth of Alchemy, to the point where even breaking through to the Binder Alchemist rank was considered impossible."

He explained.

His steps were unhurried as he addressed the audience.

The subject was an important part of Alchemy history.

Before the principles governing Alchemy Paths were properly understood, Alchemists had attempted to follow several Paths without recognizing the problems that came with doing so.

Their progress suffered as a result.

A lot.

"Then it was discovered that the reason was because the principles of an Alchemy Path brought about changes in an Alchemist’s body constitution. This led to the display of Cognis colouring that you see in a Flame Alchemist, a Frost Alchemist, a Storm Alchemist, and other Alchemists who follow different Alchemy Paths."

He waved his hand as he explained.

The holographic screen changed again.

This time, it displayed the different Cognis colours associated with several Alchemy Paths.

A Flame Alchemist.

A Frost Alchemist.

An Earth Alchemist.

A Steel Alchemist.

A Gun Alchemist.

A Wood Alchemist.

A Glass Alchemist.

And many other Alchemists following different Paths.

The display arranged the different examples for the audience to observe.

Some students leaned forward slightly, while others began writing down the information.

Most of those taking notes were First-Years.

For many of them, this was their first time attending the conference.

They had studied different Alchemy Paths in their general courses and in their own Homes, but seeing their Cognis characteristics displayed together gave them a clearer reference for what Professor Greg was explaining.

A few visitors also took notes, while others simply watched the presentation.

Professor Greg waited until the students had enough time to examine the display before continuing.

"So, later towards the end of the Founding Era, Alchemists began following one Path until an Alchemist in the late sixth century discovered that an Alchemist could balance two Alchemy Paths once they reached the Arcanist Alchemist rank."

Professor Greg placed one hand behind his back as he continued explaining, moving the other hand around while speaking.

The holographic screen changed once more.

It displayed the Mind Realm of an Arcanist Alchemist.

The image showed the five fully constructed Stars of an Arcanist.

The crowd’s attention shifted towards the new illustration.

Each of the five Stars had two different Cognis colours.

One occupied the left half, while the other occupied the right half.

The two colours remained distinct within the same Star, showing the two different Cognis harmonized together.

"Because when an Alchemist becomes an Arcanist, their control and natural body become more deeply connected with their Cognis. An Alchemist can balance two different Alchemy Paths by harmonizing both Cognis within their already constructed Stars and constructing Arcanist Stars."

Professor Greg explained.

"But..."

He paused and stopped walking.

The pause drew the attention of the students who had been following the explanation.

"This Meditation Advancement process is the hardest process in the whole of Alchemy cultivation. This is because you will have to crush your already constructed Stars and begin mixing the second Cognis into them to craft Stars that possess two harmonized Cognis."

He explained.

The process was not as simple as adding another Cognis to an existing Star.

The Alchemist had to undergo Meditation Advancement, breaking down the Stars they had already constructed and beginning the process of incorporating their second Cognis.

The two Cognis then had to be harmonized within the newly constructed Stars.

Professor Greg turned towards the technical team and signaled for them to change the display.

The holographic screen changed.

This time, a list of dangers appeared.

The information was divided into two sections, showing the risks an Alchemist could face during the breakthrough and the consequences of failing it.

***

During Breakthrough

Long periods of constant pain, with the sensation that the bones, muscles, tissues, organs, and veins were about to be erased. The possibility of spending two to six months just to complete the breakthrough.

Failure to Breakthrough

Cognis Reversal, resulting in a drop in Alchemist rank. Loss of body organs or permanent disability. Brain damage.

***

The list remained on the holographic screen.

A few First-Year students stared at the information.

Some stopped writing for a moment, while others continued reading through the listed dangers. The visitors who were new to the subject also examined the display.

A slight chill ran through a number of them.

The thought of spending several months enduring constant pain was already difficult to accept.

But the consequences of failure made the process even more frightening.

Losing an Alchemist rank, suffering damage to one’s body, or even dying...

Those weren’t minor risks.

Meanwhile...

Ezra looked plainly at the words on the screen.

He understood that his own condition would make the process even harder than usual.

And now that he was already a Meister Alchemist, reaching the Arcanist Alchemist rank was something he would eventually have to consider.

The breakthrough wasn’t something he could simply ignore.

He continued examining the list.

"To point out a key point..."

Professor Greg raised his right index finger, looking seriously at the crowd.

"Once you begin your breakthrough, you cannot stop until you are done."

He said firmly.

His raised finger remained in the air for a moment before he lowered it.

"That is why picking your Secondary Alchemy Path is very important."

He gave another signal to the technical team.

The display changed again.

This time, the screen showed different types of completed Harmonized Star constructions.

The illustrations presented three arrangements.

The Left and Right Halves.

The Up and Down Halves.

And the Mixed.

The three structures were displayed separately, allowing the audience to observe the different arrangements of the two Cognis within the constructed Stars.

Professor Greg waited briefly before continuing.

"Another key point..."

He placed both hands behind his back.

"The chosen Secondary Alchemy Path must be related or complementary to the Primary Alchemy Path of the Alchemist."

He said calmly.

A second holographic screen appeared beside the first one.

It displayed the different Primary Alchemy Paths alongside the Secondary Alchemy Paths that complemented them.

The table contained several combinations and percentages of compatibility.

The students immediately began taking notes.

Some used their Zphone Tablets to type out the information, while others wrote it down in their notebooks.

A few visitors also brought their recording devices closer to the display to capture the list.

"For an Earth Alchemist whose Primary Alchemy Path is Earth, has Flame, Steel, Gravity, Flora, Wood, and Glass Alchemy Paths as their most complementary Secondary Paths, with Wind being a slightly complementary option."

Professor Greg explained.

His hand moved towards the corresponding section of the table.

"Flame Alchemists, on the other hand, have Earth, Wind, Lightning, Strom, Light, and slightly Steel as their best Secondary Paths."

He listed them out.

The information remained displayed for the audience to examine.

Professor Greg pointed upwards.

"This table contains all the Primary Alchemy Paths and the Secondary Paths that complement them."

He said.

The students continued writing.

For the First-Years, the list was particularly important.

They were still at the beginning of their Alchemy journey, but understanding the relationship between different Alchemy Paths would help them prepare for the stage they would eventually reach.

The Second-Years and Third-Years also had reasons to pay attention.

The choice of a Secondary Path wasn’t something an Alchemist should make without proper consideration.

"Now, this key note is very important. During your Meditation Advancement, the harmonization process between both Cognis becomes easier and more peaceful when you choose a complementary Path. Otherwise, you will have to face excruciating pain, all because you are trying to blend a Path that doesn’t align with your Primary Path."

Greg said, walking a little forward and looking across the crowd.

The two holographic screens remained behind him, displaying the different arrangements and complementary Path combinations.

The choice of a Secondary Path could determine how difficult the Meditation Advancement process would become.

It wasn’t enough for an Alchemist to simply like another Path or believe that its abilities would be useful.

The relationship between the two Paths had to be considered.

"Even if you manage to succeed, know that your future advancement to other Alchemist ranks would be almost impossible."

He paused, allowing his words to settle.

The hall remained quiet.

Professor Greg had already explained the dangers of failing the breakthrough.

Now he was making another point clear.

Even surviving the process didn’t mean an Alchemist had made a good decision.

Choosing a Path that didn’t complement the Primary Path could create serious difficulties for future advancement.

"I want you all to understand that your Path and growth are very important. They should be taken very seriously and with much consideration."

Professor Greg continued.

He looked towards the younger students again.

"For those who are approaching the breakthrough, think carefully about which Alchemy Path you want. Choose one that suits you, complements your Primary Path, and blends well with your Alchemy Strategy."

Greg walked back towards the podium.

He stopped behind it and looked at the crowd.

"Any questions?"

He asked calmly.