Great Journey: Whims of Fate

Until I turned 18, I diligently studied and met the requirements for the Alchemist class by crafting potions and compounds. At the same time, I endured the brutal trials of the Phoenix Mage class, which included being burned at the stake like a witch.

It was pure torture, I tell you. 

Even worse, it all amounted to nothing because the Phoenix Mage ability corrupted both the mana and flames of the caster, disrupting the benefits I gained from the Alchemist class. I had no intention of creating cursed potions.

In the end, I earned both Alchemist and Phoenix Mage classes, along with a host of other Mage-type classes. Naturally, I chose Alchemist as my primary class, and this became my new status.

[Name]: Seraphina Phoenixhart

[Age]: 18

[Class]: Alchemist (Rank 2)

[Ability]: Alchemist's Flame

[Rank]: Apprentice

[Level]: 1

[Health]: 58/58

[Mana]: 62/62

[Strength]: 30

[Dexterity]: 65

[Vitality]: 58

[Intelligence]: 62

[Wisdom]: 72

[Charm]: 55

[Status Points]: 1

[Arts]: Alchemy 3, Fire Magic 3, Water Magic 3, Earth Magic 2, Wind Magic 2, Dark Magic 2, Light Magic 2, Staff 2, Cooking 1, Riding 1 

[Skills:]: Fire Bolt 3, Mage Hand 3, Smash 2, Parry 2, Dodge 2, Dash 2, Jump 2, Amplify 2, Analyze 0, Synthesize 0, Extract 0, Vaporize 0, Summon Bottle 0

[Skill Points]: 1

Thanks to years of grueling torture, my Wisdom now ranks at the top. I needed it to bolster my fire and curse resistance to survive the actual phoenix flames, after all. My Dexterity follows closely behind, giving me the speed to run when necessary and, of course, the precision required for crafting potions and other alchemical creations.

I take great pride in my accomplishments in Alchemy, Fire Magic, Water Magic, Fire Bolt, and Mage Hand. I certainly earned them after all the grueling training and study I endured.

Mage Hand, in particular, proved incredibly useful. It assisted me during concoctions and even helped ease the burden of lonely nights. And yes, it feels completely different from using your own hands.

As for the other branches of magic, I will get to them eventually.

Next, I reviewed my new ability and skills.

[Alchemist's Flame]: Grant's fire magic the Creation attribute, increases magic resistance, and increases mana regeneration. 

The Creation attribute should allow my flames to be gentler, reducing the risk of burning my concoctions. It should also increase the effects of potions.

[Analyze]: Knowledge based analysis of targeted material.

Essentially, the more I know, the more detailed the analysis results become. Very handy when encountering new material or checking for fakes.

[Synthesize]: Combine materials based on knowledge.

Basically, I can combine oxygen and hydrogen to create water because I understand the chemical compounds involved in the process. I won't accidentally ignite into a blazing fireball, will I?

[Extract]: Separate compound materials based on knowledge.

The same, but in reverse. I really hope I don't end up killing myself due to my experiments. But it's pretty handy for purifying things. For example, I can dry food by specifically extracting the water.

[Vaporize]: Turn concoction into vapor. 

I can use this in battle by vaporizing a healing potion for allies or poison for enemies. With my high dexterity, I shouldn't have any problems tossing bottles with pinpoint accuracy.

[Summon Bottle]: Summon a potion bottle.

Nice. I won't have to spend a copper coin on bottles anymore. It's great because I can also specify the dimensions and strength of the material based on the amount of mana spent, limited by its level.

Overall, it was as I had expected. 

As predicted, my parents were conflicted with my choice of Class. On the one hand, I was supposed to be a Phoenix Mage. On the other hand, Alchemists are incredibly wealthy. In the end, they punished me by removing my personal guard.

Good riddance.

I studied my butt off and came up with the perfect concoction to protect my brother when his fated death came. It was a mix of Fire Crystals, Wind Crystals, Fireheart Resin, Ember Pearl, and Phoenix Ash.

The result? An explosive made from mostly Rank 1 materials, but boosted to Rank 2 power thanks to the Phoenix Ash, a Rank 2 material I'd begged off my father. Luckily, we had a boatload of it thanks to their summons.

Even if a Rank 3 enemy showed up, the blast would be enough to delay them, just long enough to keep my brother and the other noble brats in that party alive.

But before I could put the plan into motion, I needed a stealthy familiar. So I bought a Summon Familiar skill book from the Mages Guild, then headed to the Tamers Guild to find my perfect match.

Enter: the Shadowmew. A sleek feline with fur like rippling ink and eyes that glowed faintly purple in the dark. It blends into shadows, passes through walls, and silences its own steps. Unlike its dark elemental cat cousin, it counted as a pet and worked perfectly with the Summon Familiar skill. 

Unfortunately, she doesn't have any offensive capabilities, which is exactly why Alchemists rule. I can just train her to be my personal bomb planter.

The next day, while I was gathering the last of my ingredients, I heard a familiar voice behind me that nearly stopped my heart.

"Excuse me, miss," Bastion called out.

Without thinking, I bolted past him and nearly had a heart attack on the way back to my guest room at the palace. I wasn't ready to look into those beautiful blue eyes of his. I would have had an orgasm right there in the store. If Elyra smelled me, she'd know I was in heat instantly, and I would've died of sheer embarrassment.

After forcing myself to calm down and steady my racing heart, I got to work on the concoction. Thankfully, I'd had plenty of practice, mostly from wasting ridiculous amounts of ingredients back home.

In the end, I successfully crafted the explosive and began training my Shadowmew, whom I named Mew, to deliver it to specific locations I pointed out. She was a quick learner.

On the night of the party, I instructed Mew to plant the explosives just behind the palace entrance, timing it perfectly for after the guards abandoned their posts to deal with the attackers.

Then, as planned, I attended the party, mentally steeling myself to face my love and act demure. Guys like that kind of thing, right?

The moment I stepped into the hall, I felt his gaze. Burning. Intense. Focused entirely on me.

Yes, my love. Feast your eyes upon this divine form.

But then… I felt another gaze. Cold. Calculating. It evaluated me, judged me, and then vanished.

My brother dragged me over to Bastion's side, and that's when I saw the source of that appraising look: Elyra. His ever-present shadow.

She had to be his lover, right? So why wasn't she hostile? Wait, come to think of it, she wasn't hostile in the game either. She was always by Bastion's side, entirely devoted. Never a single line of disapproval or complaint.

She looked at me. I looked at her. She nodded. I nodded. Then, together, we turned to admire Bastion's majestic, flowing hair.

In that moment, I knew I'd just made a best friend for life.

We exchanged another glance, shared a faint smile, and I saw it. That spark of recognition in her eyes.

Yes… we are best friends now.

You adorable little mutt, welcome to my harem!

Hehehe…

"And who is this lovely lady?" the prince asked, breaking my moment.

I took a good look at the prince, and honestly, I wasn't impressed. Sure, he was attractive, but there was an arrogant glint in his eyes that I knew all too well. My tormentors wore that same look, and I had no intention of ever marrying someone like that.

"That would be my sister, Seraphina, Your Highness," Cyrus replied.

"I don't suppose you are already betrothed?"

"I do not plan to marry, Your Highness," I replied.

I just hope this was enough to stop my betrothal to this asshole.

It certainly worked on my horny brother, he actually proposed to me after an orgy with his personal guards. Sure, I'm just as horny, but I'm not that desperate. I made that very clear to my own personal guard, Zharak.

He was supposed to be my lackey, but he had all the charm of a schoolyard bully. Tsunderes might be cute in anime or games, but in real life? They're just assholes.

This was the advantage of a strength based society. They cannot insist on anything against those with potential because they might come back with a vengeance in the future. 

The conversation carried on until Bastion brought up the day I ran from him. Oh, how I'd love to melt into putty in your hands right here and now, but no, I need to play the long game. Men like a chase, don't they? It certainly worked for Aurelia.

Then Bastion asked Elyra for a dance. As they turned to leave, she glanced back at me, pity flickering in her eyes.

I know, little doggy. Just enjoy your dance. I'll have my turn eventually.

The party continued as I refused Damian's invitation to dance and chose to dance with Cyrus instead, as compensation for bringing me along. I'd steal glances at Bastion and Elyra dancing around us and imagine myself in her place.

That lasted until a sudden tremor rippled through the hall, silencing the music. A moment later, a massive explosion shook the palace, shattering windows and toppling fixtures.

I reached for my remaining explosives, bracing for any oncoming demons. But minutes later, the doors burst open as the Captain of the Guard stormed in, leading a team of soldiers.

I exhaled in quiet relief. My first objective was a success. My precious baby brother was safe and alive.

The next two years of my life passed in a blur as I attended one social gathering after another while rejecting all marriage proposals. 

With this, I am ready to go to the Royal Academy to kick some demon ass.

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