Emperor's Reckoning

Two figures were carefully watching the young man in front of them. Standing in front of the golden cauldron the said young man closed his eyes.

It was as if the time had stopped, he heard nothing but his own heartbeat. His breathing was calm and could be heard by the other two. They didn't want to say anything to disrupt his concentration, after all, this was his first time doing it.

In the corner of a shadow, Kyoko and Ryona were carefully watching him. Since Kyoko was also an alchemist, she really took great interest in this event.

"Overseer, what color of soul flame do you have right now?" asked Ryona in low voice. This was a good time as any in her opinion.

"I'm not that good of an alchemist since that was just a hobby to fill my time," replied Kyoko still focusing her red and blue eyes on the young man that set them free. With a flick of her finger, her soul flame ignited, answering Ryona's question.

Ryona opened her eyes wide as she whispered, "Golden? No this is the peak of Yellow Soul Flame, a peak level five soul flame?! Overseer only needs one more step to turn it into level six, the Brown Soul Flame!"

"Refining or making a pill is not just about the level of soul flame one possessed, but also the technique and the quality of the ingredients used," explained Kyoko.

(This, again those feelings) thought Lyon as he tried to stay calm. (This feeling is the same as that time I played zither!) continued his thought.

The true reason he was traveling was none other than finding his own identity, his own past life. What happened to him? What was his purpose? The only clue he got was from Selena, the self-proclaimed first wife of his. Combined that with the arrival of his grandpa the True Dragon, the doubt he had of being reincarnated was erased.

(Interesting, I wonder what other skills I can do) thought Lyon. In his mind, this was probably the first time he did alchemy, but his body, his soul... knew better.

"Hmph!" smirked Lyon as he opened his eyes, "Ignite!"

Kyoko opened her eyes wide before anyone else did.

*boom

Rowland and the princess were blown back by the sudden roaring blaze. After they fell with a thump, the princess struggling opened her eyes only to become wider and wider.

"Y-you are kidding, right?" said Rowland in disbelief.

He saw the young man's hands were burning in a white flame that was flaring to the air, almost hitting the roof. The young alchemist from before was only as big as his own palm but the young man in front of him had both of his hands up to his shoulders. If they were to compare them, then the young alchemist was a chicken and Lyon was a phoenix.

Though they were of the same color, their size, their brightness was different. Lyon's soul flame was in another class.

"G-good niece, who is he exactly?" asked Rowland with a gulp.

Though Princess Aelina could hear his question, she didn't care nor did she had the answer. Her eyes were in awe of the majestic being that filled her vision.

With his lighted hands, Lyon took a bunch of ingredients that even he couldn't name it himself. It was apparent that he didn't follow the basic recipe of making a health potion, he was making something else, something his soul remembered.

Lyon slightly reversed nod as he said, "Go."

The white soul flame moved like a torrent and wrapped the whole golden cauldron.

This abnormal technique made even Kyoko confused. (I've read books about refining and making pills but, this is something else). Normally the soul flame would go under the cauldron, like a fire to a pan.

Lyon could see that the ingredients were beginning to fuse into one piece of light and bits of lights started to fall, indicating the process of eliminating impurities.

"Hehehe, you think I'm done? Break!" shouted Lyon as the white flame made direct contact with the piece of light before breaking them apart to smaller pieces of light.

He took a glance at the cauldron as he furrowed his eyebrows. The golden cauldron was shaking greatly like an earthquake was happening inside it.

There was only one outcome if this was to be continued, the cauldron would break.

Lyon smiled as he noticed what's going on and said, "A race then."

His eyes turned sharp and deep as if the universe couldn't escape his vision. The white blaze was coiling like a torrent inside the golden cauldron, engulfing the pieces of white light.

*crack

The first sign of breaking was heard as Lyon clicked his tongue in response.

"Oh no, the cauldron is going to break, the pill-"

"Not yet,"

Ryona's words were interjected by Kyoko who was watching every single detail. As an experienced alchemist, she knew that Lyon was currently in a race.

Lyon moved his hands as the flaring white flame followed his movement.

*swoosh

The blinding speed of his movements was leaving afterimages that leave even Kyoko in awe.

*crack

Another crack was heard as the golden cauldron was giving Lyon his final checkpoint. However, Lyon's expression was different than one could expect.

He gritted his teeth in a smile as his hands moved even faster. The air around his hands become greenish as the divine aura of a True Dragon slowly showed its prowess.

The tiny bits of lights slowly gathered to the center as Lyon grinned.

*boom

The golden cauldron exploded and its pieces flew to random directions inside the room. The majestic white flame was nowhere to be seen around Lyon's body as he stood still.

*tap*tap

The princess frantically ran to him as she said, "Lyon! Are you okay? Are you hu-?!"

Her words stuck as she saw the thing Lyon held by his right hand.

"Ah! Is that?! Is that a level two grade pill?!" exclaimed Rowland as he noticed the blueish pill on Lyon's hand.