kscans

Chapter 1 - The Alchemist's Elopement that Shook the Nation. The Apprentice Knows Nothing

"Is there anything you know? You’re her number one apprentice, aren’t you!"

Ariel, the alchemist who was Mireille’s master and parent figure, and Darius, the country’s supreme commander, had embezzled state funds and eloped. It was midday when she first heard the rumor, just as the incident occurred.

The Moonshadow Teahouse, a renowned alchemy shop in town, was a general store that sold everything. The old stone building was filled with Master Ariel’s honest skill and business acumen.

"Master eloped with the supreme commander?"

Mireille shot to her feet.

"Embezzled state funds? That’s impossible! There’s nothing here. It has to be a mistake!"

But her voice went unheard. Officials burst through the shop’s door, confiscating the ledgers, the merchandise, and all the money.

"Confiscate everything. Make anyone who knows anything talk."

Facing the trembling shop staff, Mireille cried out desperately.

"It’s okay, everyone. It must be some kind of mistake!"

But Mireille herself had no idea what was happening.

---

Her master, Ariel, was the finest alchemist in the country. Supreme Commander Darius was the finest swordsman.

Mireille knew they were secretly in love.

Her master, who had found and raised her, was still young at twenty eight but was an alchemist trusted by the nation. The supreme commander, of course, held a high position, and though he was approaching his forties, his skills were still sharp. He was trusted by everyone and would never cause trouble.

It was unthinkable that they would destroy the happiness they had finally found. So why wouldn’t anyone believe it?

---

"Is there anything you know? You’re her number one apprentice, aren’t you!"

They asked her again and again, but she truly knew nothing.

Mireille was not only the number one apprentice but also the only one, and Ariel’s daughter. So she was taken away and subjected to days of interrogation that felt like a lynching.

"I don’t know! I don’t know what you’re talking about! I want to know too!"

Her body was battered, and her spirit was on the verge of breaking.

And then, when she returned to the shop after the interrogation.

The Moonshadow Teahouse, which she had built with her master, was horribly ravaged.

Broken windows. Spilled chemicals. A mixture of smells. The shop was empty, deathly silent.

Seeing the sight, Mireille whispered softly.

"...Master..."

Tears spilled from her eyes.

What should I do? The interrogation was like torture, and my whole body aches. But it’s dangerous to stay here. I feel like someone is still watching me. There’s practically no security.

Just then, among the shattered chemicals, a single, intact Potion caught her eye.

She drank it down. It was sweet and brought a sense of relief. She hadn’t had anything to drink for days.

She stuffed her alchemy tools into a bag and let her blood drip onto the wooden floor.

Her master had told her, "Use this in case of emergency," and this might just be that time.

The magic circle hidden in the floor reacted to her blood and began to glow faintly.

The red blood gradually turned into a brilliant white light, enveloping Mireille before she vanished.

By the time the soldiers noticed the light and rushed over.

The girl, the magic circle, nothing was left behind.

"That apprentice knew something! Hurry, report it!"

As the soldiers’ voices echoed, Mireille was already in a safe place.

This wasn't the end.

In fact, my story was just truly beginning.