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墨書 Inktalez
Miraj felt quite complicated inside at that moment. Initially, she didn't have much fondness for Newton; after all, he was just a stranger. However, as he helped her understand that her transformation wasn't into a demon but rather a manifestation of magic, it lightened her heart considerably. While it might not seem significant to others, Miraj was genuinely grateful to Newton. Moreover, during her battle with Doff, Newton had shielded her from an attack, which stirred a complex mix of emotions within her.
At this age, when young girls often experience budding feelings of affection, Newton had acted as a savior, helping her resolve her inner turmoil and even sacrificing an arm to protect her. This deeply moved Miraj.
Yet perhaps it was precisely because of that lost arm that she hesitated. If it hadn't been for that incident, she might have confessed her feelings directly. But seeing the arm Newton had lost made her feel responsible; it was because of her that he had sacrificed so much. Thus, while she harbored feelings for him, guilt overshadowed those emotions.
"Let's have some snacks first; it's almost evening. What would you like to eat?" Newton said as he brought out the sliced fruit.
"Don't you hate me?" Miraj asked.
Newton paused for a moment before chuckling at her.
"Why would I hate you? In fact, I should be asking you that. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been captured by the Dark Guild, and you wouldn't have gone through all that torment—let alone die once."
"But you lost an arm to save me!" Miraj exclaimed passionately.
"Do I look like someone who has lost an arm?" Newton replied with a laugh, shaking his head. She really did tend to take everything upon herself.
"And that arm has nothing to do with you; it's just the price of my magic," he added.
Newton was right; repairing Miraj's chest had only used a small portion of his arm's elements. The majority remained on the other side of the door as a cost of accessing it. However, it was through that door that Newton gained knowledge related to body transmutation, enabling him to mend Miraj's chest. So did it relate or not? At least Newton wasn't planning on telling Miraj about it.
"Here," Miraj said firmly, extending one of her arms toward him. "Since you can use one arm to repair my chest, surely you can use my arm to fix yours?"
"I told you already; my situation is due to magic and can't be repaired like that. If it were that simple, I would have fixed my own arm long ago," Newton replied helplessly. The main issue was the exchange of knowledge; unfortunately, what he had gained this time was only related to Human Transmutation. The remedies he truly sought—Panacea and the Philosopher's Stone—remained elusive.
Panacea could be a medicine that cures all ailments, just as its literal meaning suggests. The Philosopher's Stone, on the other hand, is capable of transcending equivalent exchange, achieving god-like abilities through souls filled with resentment and vitality. While Newton had once managed to create gold from the earth, that was merely refining gold from beneath the ground to the surface. True transmutation would involve turning stone into gold, fundamentally altering the original material structure and breaking the principle of equivalent exchange in Alchemy. These three items could represent the highest level of Alchemy.
Among them, what Newton desired most was the method to create the Philosopher's Stone. After all, he couldn't take the door with him, so he had to pay the price himself. However, if he possessed the Philosopher's Stone, he could use it to pay that price.
"Still, what would I have to give up for that?"
Newton found himself lost in thought.
"Hey? Hey!"
Miraj, who initially felt quite guilty and was prepared to sacrifice an arm, became irritated when she noticed Newton zoning out. Miraj was not truly a docile person; it was already impressive that she could speak so softly in front of Newton. But seeing him dazed now made her lose her patience.
"Smack!"
Miraj slapped Newton on the back of his head.
"What was that for? Why did you hit me out of nowhere?"
Newton looked at Miraj in confusion.
"You..."
Looking into her clear eyes, Miraj didn't know what to say and could only sigh.
"I..."
"Oh right, you must be hungry! I'll go cook right away!"
Newton could easily tell that she probably wanted to repay him somehow. However, considering their two lifetimes, he was already at an age where it would be awkward to let someone who could be his daughter repay him.
But when it came to advising others, Newton truly wasn't skilled at it; he could only escape into cooking.
"Do you even know how to cook?"
Miraj lacked the courage to continue the conversation but found the smell wafting from the kitchen utterly unbearable.
"Well, that's quite a technical question you've asked. I think we can..."
Newton really didn't know how to cook. He usually focused on mysticism and mythology, so he rarely had the chance to prepare meals. A piece of bread and a box of instant noodles were usually enough for him. Sure, he could fry an egg without any trouble, but he was nowhere near Miraj's level.
Since the three of them started living together, Miraj, as the older sister, had to take care of her younger siblings' daily needs. While her cooking skills might not be the best, she was quite proficient in making some home-cooked dishes and had her own unique culinary techniques.
Miraj took off the apron from Newton and tied it around herself. She opened the refrigerator and began searching for ingredients.
Newton watched as Miraj chopped vegetables and prepared the ingredients, feeling rather strange about it all.
What was with that virtuous wife and mother demeanor? She was only twelve or thirteen years old! Was it really okay for someone so young to act like such a model sister? Damn, three years of bloodshed for this... no, it should be a minimum of three years, with the maximum being a death sentence.
Newton was mentally ranting to himself, of course. Even if he voiced his thoughts here, no one would get the joke anyway.
"Hey, you usually don't take on missions. How come you have so many good things?"
Miraj was a bit surprised because some of the items in the fridge were things that her siblings could only afford to eat once a month.
"Did you forget that I used to be a merchant?"
Leaning against the doorframe, Newton watched Miraj's figure and felt a warm sensation in his heart. Counting both lives, he was almost thirty now. The chances of returning to that world seemed slim. But if he followed his father's advice from back then—finding a wife by thirty... Newton tilted his head as he looked at Miraj.
"Hmph, Alchemy really does pay off. Did you buy this house yourself?"
Miraj took a bite and nodded in satisfaction before reaching out toward Newton.
"Try this and see if it suits your taste."
Newton leaned over to take a bite of her dish and nodded appreciatively.
"It's quite good; I've never eaten anything this delicious in my life."
Miraj felt pleased but still huffed in a proud manner, turning her face away shyly.
"Should we call your siblings over?"
Newton felt that having dinner with just two people was quite awkward, especially since it was nighttime. Although they were just twelve or thirteen-year-old kids, it still felt strange. Suddenly, he recalled some enhancement potions he had once created.
Shaking his head, he became more certain about the idea of calling Elfman and Lisanna over.
"I'll go find them..."
Newton was quick, as his home was not far from the Guild. He soon brought Lisanna and Elfman back.
"Sister."
As soon as Lisanna entered, she dashed into the kitchen. The sound of her cheerful laughter mixed with Miraj's playful scolding suggested they were sharing some private girl talk.
Elfman, on the other hand, appeared much more reserved. He sat on the sofa with a posture as straight as a student’s.
"Don't be nervous; have some snacks."
Newton smiled at Elfman, noting the stark contrast in personalities among the three siblings.
"Oh, thank you."
Elfman nervously dropped a cookie onto the floor and immediately tensed up.
"It's okay."
Newton casually picked up the cookie, brushed off the dust, and popped it into his mouth before handing another one to Elfman.
"How's your magic coming along?"
Newton decided to engage in conversation to ease Elfman's tension.
"Um, I can already connect with some ordinary animals, but I still can't connect with magical beasts."
Elfman responded like a student answering a teacher's question, leaving Newton feeling utterly helpless.
"What kind of magic is involved in connecting?"
"Well, it's about receiving the characteristics of other beings by incorporating them into oneself. However, if one lacks control, it can lead to a complete loss of control."
"Is that so?"
Newton nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you have something on your mind? I want to ask you a few questions."
"Um, no, nothing in particular."
Elfman looked a bit puzzled but didn't inquire further about what Newton wanted. He simply nodded in agreement.
"Alright, the food is ready~"
Lisanna proudly entered the living room with a platter of dishes, playfully glancing at Newton.
"This is my sister's masterpiece~"
"Lisanna!"
Miraj shouted at Lisanna while wearing an apron and carrying more dishes.
"Alright, alright, you two sisters."
Newton chuckled as he stood up to help serve the food, while Elfman assisted in setting the table.
"I'm digging in."
The four of them happily began to eat.
"It's delicious."
Newton said to Miraj.
"Hehe, don't be fooled by how my sister dresses like a delinquent; she's actually a great wife and mother! She's skilled at cooking and housework. If you marry her..."
Lisanna proudly promoted her sister.
"Smack!"
Miraj's hand came down sharply on Lisanna's head.
"What are you doing?"
"Heh."
Newton chuckled and shook his head, then seemed to notice something and reached out to wipe the vegetable leaf from the corner of Miraj's mouth.
"Uh..."
Miraj froze for a moment, her face instantly turning bright red.
"Oh my gosh..."
Lisanna teased from the side, causing Miraj to immediately start bickering with her, which helped to cover up her embarrassment. However, when she saw Newton put his finger, still smeared with vegetable juice, into his mouth, her face turned even redder.
"It's not bad."
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