Last Gun Alchemist

Vera quietly entered her Royal Steam Carriage, stepping into the warm interior while Rose stood beside the open door and held it for her.

The noise around the Mix Arena became softer the moment Vera entered.

She moved toward the cushioned seat and sat down without wasting any time, crossing one leg over the other before folding her arms across her chest.

"I already sent Miss Nina and Mr. Nate ahead of you, since they had been waiting patiently."

Rose reported the matter in her usual respectful manner.

"Thank you, Rose."

Vera replied dryly.

Rose gave a polite bow.

Once she made sure her lady was properly seated, she closed the carriage door before walking around the vehicle and entering the second seat beside the driver’s position.

The driver waited until Rose was settled.

Then he started the Steam-Furnace engine.

The familiar mechanical hum spread beneath the carriage, followed by the soft movements of its internal components as the Royal Steam Carriage slowly pulled away from the Mix Arena.

Outside the window, the academy grounds passed by little by little.

Vera remained seated with her arms folded and legs crossed, her black eyes following the scenery without much interest.

"Father should tear that marriage proposal."

She suddenly spoke.

Her voice remained plain, as though she were talking about a troublesome document that had been left on her desk rather than a marriage request from the Second Prince of Britannia.

Rose glanced toward her through the driver’s mirror.

"It isn’t a decision the Duke can simply make, though, my lady."

Rose answered carefully.

"Especially after the King made that request."

Vera remained quiet.

Her eyes continued following the academy buildings passing beyond the carriage window.

"Sometimes..."

She finally spoke.

"...I wish I hadn’t done what I did back then."

Rose listened without interrupting.

"Or maybe if I’d seen the King earlier, I would’ve known what would happen before I acted that way."

Vera’s voice remained as dry as before.

There wasn’t any obvious frustration in her expression.

She wasn’t pouting.

Nor was she angrily complaining about the situation.

Even when talking about something that clearly affected her future, Vera sounded almost as though she were calmly examining a mistake she had made during an experiment and wondering which earlier decision had led to the current result.

Rose watched her lady’s reflection in the mirror.

"Well..."

Her expression softened.

"It has already happened."

The Royal Steam Carriage continued along the academy road, gradually carrying them toward Vera’s residence in the West Wing.

"But I’m sure it doesn’t mean much to you, my lady."

Rose’s eyes remained on the mirror for another moment.

Vera’s face was reflected there.

Still plain.

Still difficult to read.

And her attention remained on the window.

Rose eventually looked ahead again.

Neither spoke.

The Steam Carriage continued forward, its wheels rolling steadily across the road while the warmth inside gave a relaxing vibe of the ride.

Several minutes passed that way.

Rose remained quiet for most of the journey.

Yet there was something she had been thinking about for quite some time.

Something she had noticed even before the rumors began spreading through the academy.

She hesitated to speak first, then finally decided to ask.

"My lady..."

Rose spoke calmly.

"I have to know something."

Vera’s eyes immediately shifted, but she didn’t move her head at first.

Her gaze simply landed on the back of the seat Rose occupied.

Rose waited a moment.

Then asked the question.

"Do you truly love Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke?"

"..."

Vera didn’t answer.

Her black eyes remained fixed on Rose’s seat for a few seconds.

Then she slowly turned back toward the window.

Her reflection stared back at her from the glass.

Love huh.

Vera quietly looked at herself.

That word was difficult.

Then again, most feelings were difficult for her.

Happiness.

Sadness.

Anger.

Affection.

She understood what those feelings were supposed to mean.

She could recognize them in other people.

And she could even understand the actions they caused.

But when it came to expressing those same feelings herself, everything became far less simple.

So how was she supposed to answer a question about love when she couldn’t even properly identify whether that was what she felt?

Vera continued staring at her reflection.

There was one thing she understood.

The way she saw Ezra wasn’t simple.

That much was obvious even to her.

Rose remained silent in the front seat.

She didn’t pressure her mistress for an answer.

Instead, she quietly thought about the question herself.

She understood why her mistress had originally become interested in Ezra.

Their Similarity.

That had been the beginning.

Ezra was different from most children their age.

The way he behaved.

The way he thought.

The things he created.

There were parts of him Vera seemed to recognize within herself, and that similarity had caught her attention.

However...

That was precisely why Rose had asked the question.

If Vera remained around Ezra only because she found someone similar to herself interesting...

Then could that truly be called love?

Perhaps not.

Perhaps what Vera felt was simply fascination.

Interest.

Nothing more.

Rose quietly released a breath through her nose.

So, it must only be interest.

That seemed like the most reasonable answer.

Then...

"Rose."

Vera finally spoke.

Rose’s attention immediately returned to her.

"Yes, my lady?"

Vera remained facing the window.

"I do find Ezra interesting."

A brief pause followed.

"Really interesting."

Another.

"Super interesting."

Rose blinked.

"Mega interesting."

The corner of Rose’s lips moved slightly.

"Undeniably interesting."

Vera finally stopped.

Her expression remained completely plain despite the ridiculous number of times she had just repeated the same point.

"That much is obvious."

She continued after a short silence.

"Since I’m always waiting for the next big thing, he’ll do..."

Her eyes lowered slightly toward her reflection.

"...something that’ll amaze me."

Rose listened.

"But..."

Vera stopped again.

This pause lasted longer.

Her eyes remained on the girl reflected in the window.

Something about the question had forced her to look at her own actions differently.

Interest explained why she wanted to see what Ezra created.

Interest explained why she enjoyed watching his mind work.

Interest even explained why she wanted to understand the strange ideas he constantly produced.

But...

There was something else.

"Since when..."

Vera’s voice came out quieter, though it remained dry.

"...did I start wanting to know more about him than what he shows me?"

Rose’s expression changed slightly.

Vera continued looking at herself.

Not at Rose.

Not at the passing academy grounds.

Only her own reflection.

"Rose..."

She spoke again.

"I don’t truly know my answer."

She admitted it without hesitation.

Since there was no reason to pretend she understood something she didn’t.

"But I do know one thing."

Rose waited.

Vera’s black eyes remained still.

"I want to be the one who knows him more than anyone else."

The carriage became quiet again.

Vera didn’t add anything.

She didn’t call the feeling she had love.

She didn’t call it affection.

Nor did she even attempt to explain why she had begun feeling that way.

She had simply said the one thing she knew was true.

Rose stared through the mirror at her lady.

A pleased smile gradually appeared on her face.

I guess I was wrong.

The thought brought an unexpected happiness with it.

She turned her attention back toward the road and allowed Vera to return to her silence.

The Royal Steam Carriage continued toward the West Wing.

***

The next day arrived with snow falling gently across the Royal Academy.

White flakes drifted from the cloudy sky, gathering along rooftops, stone paths, trees, and the open grounds surrounding the academy buildings.

Despite the weather, students were already making their way toward the Mix Arena for their first full day of club activities.

Ezra arrived at the Craft & Research Seekers clubhouse earlier than most.

By the time he entered, only Latisha and several upperclassmen belonging to the club’s directing committee had already arrived.

Today, however, there was one major difference.

The President was present.

And so were most of the third-year members.

Ezra entered the meeting room with Lucy following behind him.

"Good morning, seniors."

His voice remained plain, but he gave the older students the respect expected from a first-year.

Several heads immediately turned toward him.

"Good morning."

"Morning, Ezra Ashenlocke."

"Good morning."

A few upperclassmen waved.

Others simply nodded.

Lucy stepped into the room afterward and bowed politely.

"Good morning."

After greeting them, she moved toward the section prepared for attendants, where several others were already waiting for their masters and mistresses.

Latisha noticed Ezra almost immediately.

"Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke."

She walked toward him with her usual bright expression.

"Please come over here."

Ezra followed without question.

Latisha brought him toward a young man standing among the third-years.

"President Luke Andrew..."

She gestured toward Ezra.

"...this is Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke."

Then she turned slightly toward Ezra.

"Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke, this is Luke Andrew, the President of the Craft & Research Seekers Club."

Luke looked at Ezra with clear interest.

"The creator of the Phantom Rolls."

He extended his hand.

"It’s my pleasure, and this club’s pleasure, to have you here."

Ezra looked at the offered hand before accepting it.

"Thank you."

Their hands met in a firm shake.

Luke’s smile remained friendly.

"Please, make yourself comfortable."

He pointed toward the chairs already arranged throughout the meeting room.

"Yeah, Ezra."

One of the upperclasswomen nearby immediately joined in, wearing a bright smile.

"Make yourself comfortable."

Another upperclassman looked toward Ezra with anticipation.

"I can’t wait to see what you’ll add to the club."

Several of the older students clearly shared that curiosity.

Whatever their personal opinions about Ezra might have been, the fact remained that a first-year student responsible for creating something like the Phantom Rolls had joined a Craft and Research club.

Naturally, expectations would follow.

"I’ll do my best."

Ezra replied simply.

He walked toward the arranged chairs and took his seat.

More students gradually began arriving afterward.

The quiet meeting room slowly filled with conversations, greetings, and the scraping sounds of chairs being moved.

Vera and Diane eventually appeared.

Unlike Ezra’s quiet entrance, the two girls entered with what almost looked like a small flock surrounding them.

Boys.

Girls.

First-years.

Second-years.

Even the remaining third-years.

Some were simply interested in speaking with them.

Others wanted to build connections with two girls belonging to powerful Duke Houses, while a few seemed genuinely interested in becoming their friends.

Vera walked through the crowd without appearing bothered.

Diane looked like she would rather have remained asleep.

The moment the two entered the meeting room, Luke approached them personally.

"Lady Vera Ashenlocke."

He greeted her politely.

"Lady Diane Bergwyn."

His gaze moved between them.

"Thank you both for joining our club."

Vera gave a small nod.

Diane remained silent.

Her sleepy eyes moved around the meeting room as though she were searching for the nearest comfortable place to sit.

Vera didn’t leave her to choose.

She took Diane with her.

Then she walked directly toward Ezra’s section and sat nearby.

Diane followed.

More students arrived afterward.

Cyrus eventually entered alongside Kane Casper.

Maxwell and Cherry came in behind them, followed by several other students.

The room continued filling.

One group after another arrived until nearly an hour had passed.

By then, the meeting room was packed with club members.

Conversations overlapped from different directions.

Some first-years were still getting acquainted with their seniors, while older members discussed projects they had already begun before the first-years joined.

At the front of the room, Luke finally stood.

"Now..."

His voice carried across the meeting room.

"...let’s begin."

The conversations gradually stopped.

Latisha moved toward the Glass board and switched it on.

A soft light spread across its surface before the first holographic slide appeared.

Large words formed above them.

THE CLUB TOURNAMENT

Luke waited until everyone’s attention settled on him.

"The Club Tournament, as all of you already know, is very important for every one of us."

He gestured toward the information displayed behind him.

"Performing well allows us to increase our Academy Points, and because of that, every club in this academy has already begun preparing since the start of the academy session."

Several first-years listened carefully.

The second and third-years were already familiar with most of this information.

"Practice."

Luke continued.

"Planning and Strategy. Every serious club has already begun working toward the tournament."

He pointed toward the date displayed on the slide.

"And as all of you should know, the Club Tournament will take place during the final week of the fourth month."

A few first-years immediately checked the date.

There was still time.

But not enough time to waste.

"So..."

Luke looked toward the older members.

"...as your second-years already know..."

He moved one hand.

Latisha swiped the holographic display.

The first slide disappeared.

A second appeared.

Two large sections were displayed.

CRAFTING

&

RESEARCH

"We’ll be grouping everyone."

Luke explained.

"Some members will focus primarily on the Crafting side of the club."

He pointed toward the first section.

"Others will focus on Research."

His finger shifted toward the second.

"But don’t misunderstand the division."

His tone became firmer.

"We’re still one club."

The room remained quiet.

"Every team will work together to seek deeper knowledge about whichever subject they’ve chosen."

He looked toward the Crafting section.

"For the Crafting teams, you’ll decide on the particular invention your group wants to create."

Then toward Research.

"For the Research teams, you’ll decide which research subject you want to study and eventually bring to light."

Several first-years immediately began whispering quietly among themselves.

Ideas were already forming.

Luke allowed the whispers for several seconds before continuing.

"When your projects reach the proper stage..."

He placed both hands against the table before him.

"...we’ll bring everything together."

His gaze moved across the students.

"Every Crafting project and every Research project. We’ll compare them and determine which works are best suited to represent this club."

The authority in his voice became more noticeable as he continued.

"The final selection won’t be made by one person alone."

Luke pointed toward himself.

"I’ll be involved."

Then toward Latisha.

"Vice President Latisha will also be involved."

His hand moved toward another section of the room.

"The assistant to our club supervisor will take part in the decision."

He paused.

"And, of course... our supervisor himself. Professor Nine."

Several first-years immediately understood the weight of the selection.

Luke straightened.

"Together, we’ll choose the best work for our presentation."

The holographic screen remained glowing behind him.

Luke looked around the meeting room.

Some students were thoughtful.

Some already looked excited.

Others were clearly beginning to calculate which side of the club suited them better.

Crafting.

Or Research.

Luke smiled faintly.

"So..."

His eyes swept across the room one last time.

"...any questions?"

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