Alchemy, an ancient term steeped in mystery.
And within the scope of my common sense, this sort of thing was basically tied to feudal superstition. Even in Kivotos, seeing something like this felt far too strange.
Could it be like the Ninjutsu Research Club that Izuna joined, an unofficial club that never passed approval…?
Because of Shanhaijing Secondary School's closed and conservative school culture, I could not find much related information online. I only learned that it was indeed an official club, yet surrounded by many intimidating rumors.
For example, that they only developed suspicious drugs, that there was always a sharp, nose-stinging odor inside the building, that screams often came from the laboratories, and that the club's purpose was to research the legendary elixir of immortality…
Taken together, with little actual evidence, they all looked like urban legends at first glance.
Among them, however, the most solid and credible piece of information was an old news article:
"The net of heaven is vast but leaves nothing out. The president of the Eastern Alchemy Society, 'Five-Dust Macaque' Shintani Kai, has finally been captured and brought to justice!"
After that came a vague and unsavory scandal, stating that this student named Shintani Kai, on the very day I first arrived at Schale, escaped from the Correction Bureau together with six other serious criminals.
What kind of club was this supposed to be? It even produced one of the Seven Prisoners. Was it really reliable at all?
Fortunately, I did know students at Shanhaijing who could answer my questions.
The instructor of Plum Blossom Garden, Shun, enthusiastically explained things to me, and only then did I learn more detailed information about the Eastern Alchemy Society.
Being named "Alchemy" did not mean they were actually still researching alchemy. Rather, it was because the club had a long history, passed down continuously since ancient times. Although the members were still accustomed to calling it "alchemy," in reality it had long since become a modern medical science with a mature system and rigorous methods.
The one who posted the advertisement was a genius inventor renowned throughout Shanhaijing. It was said that she had already obtained six degrees back in elementary school.
Although her personality was somewhat eccentric and she occasionally caused trouble, overall she was indeed a technically solid and trustworthy medical expert. Whenever the children at Plum Blossom Garden fell ill, Shun often asked her for help.
As for Shintani Kai of the Seven Prisoners, it seemed that she had already cut ties with the Eastern Alchemy Society long before being wanted, so there was no need for excessive concern.
I politely declined Shun's offer to make time to accompany me the next day, and instead contacted the student who had posted the advertisement online by myself. After learning that she was still in the laboratory researching new medicine, I decided that since the day was already chosen, I might as well go right now and investigate in person.
The research institute where the Eastern Alchemy Society was based was located near Plum Blossom Garden. I found it without much trouble, though the internal layout was somewhat complex.
Even so, it was already close to late night, yet there were still quite a few students inside the institute. I easily asked around and found the correct route.
However, after learning my purpose, those students all showed varying degrees of pity, and some even subtly hinted that it would be best for me to turn back.
My already uneasy heart was further shrouded in anxiety.
That genius girl's medical expertise was certainly not in question. If her skills were not up to standard, the conscientious Shun would never have entrusted the children's health to her.
So… it really was a matter of personality, then.
Recalling the tone and self-address she used on momotalk, as well as her excessively outstanding talent, I could not help but worry that the person I was about to deal with might be very difficult to get along with.
What if she harbored ill intentions, coveted my good looks, and secretly swapped the medicine I wanted to try with something strange?
At last, I arrived at the laboratory deep within the institute.
After knocking on the door, a voice from inside said, "Come in," and I took one final deep breath before pushing the door open.
"You…"
I had only just begun to speak when the girl with her back to me, operating an obviously expensive apparatus filled with various colored liquids, interrupted me:
"Don't talk yet, be quiet! This great one is at a critical moment right now!"
Was she genuinely busy, or was she trying to give me a show of authority?
I felt it was probably both.
Finally, the various liquids converged and mixed in precise proportions, dripping into the final container and being sealed.
The white-haired girl picked up the vial, examined its color, nodded in satisfaction, affixed a yellow toxic chemicals warning label, and placed it on the display rack. Only then did she turn around, freely looking me up and down, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile.
"Hehe~ coming to see this great one at this hour, you must be the new guinea pig, right?"
The girl before me had messy white hair and narrowed red eyes. Her slender yet well-developed figure was clad in a blue-and-white qipao, her arms crossed as her posture and demeanor radiated confidence.
But the most eye-catching features were the large, round mouse ears on her head and the mouse tail swaying behind her. On her left ear were the letters "SA," along with a tag-like ornament marked with the number "53218."
Judging by appearance alone, she looked like a cute kid, but her inner self…
I repeated in confusion, "Guinea pig?"
"You didn't properly introduce yourself on momotalk, right? So I'll just use this as your temporary nickname."
Wouldn't it be easier to just call me a volunteer?
The girl walked up to me and gazed at my face with interest. "Even though this great one is a magnificent genius, when an outsider saw such a suspicious ad of unknown origin and still contacted me saying they wanted to be a volunteer for new medicine, even I was shocked."
So you know that ad was strange too?
And to call herself great without the slightest embarrassment, while completely skipping honorifics when speaking to an adult she had just met. Even if she truly was a genius, that arrogance was plain to see.
Of course, aside from her natural disposition, it was also possible she was doing this to close the distance between us.
Then she extended her right hand toward me in an open and confident manner, wearing a silver mouse ring. "This great one is Yakushi Saya. And who might you be?"
I shook Saya's hand and answered honestly. "Hello, I'm a Sensei from Schale."
"Oh my, so you're Sensei. How rude of me."
Even so, Saya's tone remained casual, with no sign at all of regaining a respectful attitude.
Since I had anticipated this, I did not mind it too much.
I asked, "It's already quite late. Shall we get straight to the point?"
Hearing this, Saya laughed. "Hahahaha~ that's true. You're the first one, Sensei, to be so proactive about joining my experiments. Just like the rumors say, you're a really interesting adult!"
Sigh, even a quirky genius ended up taking a liking to me right after meeting me.
That only made me worry more about whether I might be given some strange drug.
"Then, without further delay," Saya said, "let's begin the experiment."