Chapter 1274: The Fire Stones

Stella returned after washing, her hair was damp, and her clothes were already fresh.

She looked far more comfortable now, though her eyes were still weary after the long study. Ruth and Darlene sat at the small wooden table, waiting patiently.

"So," Ruth began with a gentle smile, "how have your studies been going? You’ve had plenty of time with the alchemy texts."

Stella nodded eagerly, pulling out a stack of notes. "I’ve memorized most of the ingredients listed in the book you gave me. But... I noticed something strange. Some of the names don’t match the ones used here in Breeze Town. At first I thought I was making mistakes, but then I realized that it could have names in other regions. Anyway, another book from the orphanage helped me cross‑reference."

Darlene leaned forward. "Different names?"

"Yes," Stella said, flipping through her notes. "For example, this one... in your book it’s called Alger Grass. The villagers here just throw it away. They call it Blindweed, because it grows near fences and is considered useless. But according to your text, it can cure blurry eyes if prepared correctly."

Her voice was filled with excitement... "I couldn’t believe it. Something everyone discards could actually heal vision problems."

Ruth chuckled softly. "That’s the value of old knowledge. Sometimes names change, sometimes people forget. The book we gave you is kinda old... ancient. It may use terms that aren’t common here anymore."

Ruth lied as she couldn’t just say that it came from a different realm.

Stella’s eyes shone and nodded. "I tested a small sample. I didn’t brew it fully, but when I applied a diluted extract to my own eyes after hours of reading, the strain eased. It really works."

Darlene exchanged a glance with Ruth, impressed. "Good. That means you’re not just memorizing... you’re experimenting really well."

Stella smiled shyly, then turned another page. "Here’s another one. In your book it’s called Silverleaf. But here, people call it Rustweed. They think it’s only good for feeding goats. But the text says it can be brewed into a tonic that strengthens the lungs. I tried drying it and inhaling the steam... my breathing felt clearer."

Ruth nodded approvingly. "Silverleaf... yes, I remember. It was used by healers to treat soldiers with smoke damage. You did well."

Hearing the price, Stella couldn’t help but ask for more guidance.

"And one more," Stella said, her excitement growing. "This plant is called Moonstem in your book. But here, they call it Gravevine. People think it’s cursed because it grows near burial grounds. But according to your text, it can calm fevers if boiled properly. I tested it on a villager’s child who had a mild fever... it worked. The fever broke within hours."

Darlene raised her brows. "You’ve already started healing people?"

Stella nodded quickly. "Only small cases. I didn’t want to risk too much. But... It’s amazing. These herbs are everywhere, ignored or feared, yet they’re powerful."

Ruth was satisfied with this development... It showed Stella’s skill in Alchemy wasn’t "That’s exactly why you chose Alchemy. You see potential where others see nothing. Knowledge is the difference between life and death."

Stella’s voice softened. "I still don’t understand why the names are so different. It feels like the book came from another world."

Ruth’s smile didn’t change... "It’s simply old. Don’t think too much of it... Languages shift, traditions change. What matters is that the pictures guide you. As long as you can match the herbs, the names don’t matter."

Stella accepted the explanation, though her curiosity lingered.

She carefully placed her notes back into order and nodded. "I just want to learn more. If Alger Grass can cure eyes, Silverleaf can strengthen lungs, and Moonstem can break fevers... then what else have we been ignoring?"

Darlene placed a hand on her shoulder. "That’s your path now. To uncover what others have forgotten. And with the fire stone, you’ll finally awaken your Alchemist Body. Then your studies will truly begin."

Stella’s eyes widened at the mention of the stone.

She looked at Ruth, who held the burning crystal in her palm. The glow reflected in Stella’s gaze filling her with hope.

"Are you ready?" Ruth asked quietly.

Stella nodded, her voice trembling but determined. "Yes. More than ever."

***

Ruth held the burning crystal in her palm...

Unlike the usual red or orange of flame, this stone pulsed with a deep black fire...

"This isn’t ordinary fire," Ruth explained with both reverence and excitement.

"This is Nightmare Fire. It’s rare, dangerous, but powerful. If you can endure it, you’ll awaken as a true Alchemist who can command this flame itself."

Stella’s eyes widened. "Black fire... I’ve never even heard of such a thing."

Ruth nodded. "Most haven’t. I’ve seen other fire stones before. There was the Eternal White Flame... pure and radiant, said to burn without consuming. The Azure Frostfire... cold to the touch, yet it burns souls. The Crimson Pyre that was wild and destructive, a flame of war. And the Emberheart Flame... It was gentle, nurturing, and used by healers. All of them are remarkable. But this..."

She lifted the Nightmare Fire higher, its dark glow casting eerie shadows across the room. "This excites me more than any of those. It’s unpredictable, but if you master it, you’ll wield a flame that bends to your will in ways others cannot imagine."

Stella swallowed hard, her hands trembling. "And... you want me to take this trial?"

"Yes," Ruth said firmly. "You’ve already proven your resilience. You survived the Philosopher’s Elixir. You’ve studied diligently. Now it’s time to see if you can endure the fire."

Darlene placed a reassuring hand on Stella’s shoulder. "We’ll be here. You won’t face it alone."

Stella took a deep breath and nodded...

Soon, she stepped into the circle Ruth had drawn earlier... Then, Nightmare Fire was placed at its center...

Her heart pounded as she knelt before the stone.

"I’m ready," she whispered.

Just like that, the black flames appeared, reaching toward her, wrapping around her body like living shadows!

"T-this..."