When the plot-skips players into the game world

Yulia tilted her head slightly with a puzzled look while holding the bag.

"Open it and take a look,"

Isabel encouraged softly.

Actually, she was somewhat nervous because she was not completely confident about the gift she chose—even though Aiwass had assured her that it was something Yulia would like.

But Isabel still thought it was too strange. Why would a fifteen-year-old girl like these things?

Yulia opened the bag and found three thick books inside.

"Triumphal Chariot of Antimony," "Metal Evolution Theory: Unique Reagents and Modified Metals," "Lower Realm Astronomy."

"This is—"

Yulia's eyes suddenly lit up, and she became excited.

All three books were very famous works on alchemy, and they were not available for purchase through normal channels in Avalon.

"Triumphal Chariot of Antimony" was the sacred text written by Valentine I, the founder of the Kingdom of Star Antimony, while "Lower Realm Astronomy" was an alchemy overview by an ancient alchemist—it considered alchemy as "Lower Realm Astronomy," corresponding to the actual "Upper Realm Astronomy."

Evolution is an alchemy term. It refers to the process of one substance being changed into another, one element being transformed into a different one... such as transmuting specific base metals into silver or gold.

In this process, a reagent of mystical nature is required. It is the "Unique Reagent," which consumes only a small portion to perform extensive material modification. The type, synthesis method, and amount of the Unique Reagent required differ for different alchemical processes.

The legendary "Philosopher's Stone" is essentially the ultimate Unique Reagent—needing only a bit to turn hundreds of thousands of times its weight of base metal into gold. This is one of the three ultimate goals alchemists seek.

Equally renowned are "Creation of Life" and "Universal Solvent." The latter refers to a solvent capable of dissolving all matter in the universe, reducing them to their basic properties, thereby allowing any substance to be included in alchemical processes.

These three books explain the three major directions of alchemy: "Sublimation of the Mind," "Material Modification," and "Conceptual Projection," which can be said to encompass the foundation of modern alchemy.

These are not the kind of popular science readings for laymen, but rather serious materials for Transcendents starting research in alchemy.

Although they are not Codex Books, if one could fully understand these three books, they could acquire at least three Mystical Skills and thereby change profession to become a true Alchemist.

Yulia already had a version of "Triumphal Chariot of Antimony" in the Star Antimony language—that was Professor Moriarty's collection. She had almost worn it out... flipping through it at least a dozen times, and she could recite many chapters from memory.

But ultimately, she did not understand Star Antimony language very well.

Even if she repeatedly consulted the dictionary, she could not comprehend some of the obscure words, alchemy terms, and neologisms in the book. She often asked Professor Moriarty for help in interpreting the words and paragraphs she couldn't understand.

The other two, not even the Professor had in his collection—the former was too elementary for him, though it recorded the Mystical Skill "Material Transmutation" essential for changing profession to an alchemist.

The latter was another realm of study that even the Professor had not researched... akin to prayer and ritual, it used divine names and concepts for mystical alchemy.

These books were simply unobtainable in Avalon; they were completely forbidden.

The library of the Royal Law University had them, but books had to be returned after reading, which Yulia was reluctant to do. Moreover, since Aiwass also had his own books to read, Yulia did not want to use her brother's quota to borrow the books she wanted.

Upon skimming through them, Yulia was surprised to find that they were not typed, but hand-written in full!

These books were written in Avalon language, with vigorous and powerful handwriting. The content included some annotations, corrections, and conjectures—

Clearly, these were the "first draft translations" of these books into the Avalon language.

"...You must be Princess Isabel, right?"

Yulia dared not pretend anymore that she did not recognize the other party, and even hesitated, "Can I really accept something so precious?"

She loved them dearly. But precisely because of that, she could feel the books' value—she even felt somewhat reluctant to accept them.

There was a feeling, as if by accepting these books, she was selling her brother...

"It's okay,"

Isabel said with a smile, "This set of books was a gift from the chancellor of Milton University to my grandmother... It was because her educational reforms back then made alchemy no longer a taboo. To support this policy, he sent his translations of eleven alchemical works to my grandmother, so they could serve as the basis for compiling textbooks at the University of Law in Avalon.

"After the textbooks were completed, these books became part of grandmother's private collection. Later, when I showed no talent for the Path of Authority, grandmother gave them to me.

"I also thought about studying alchemy at one point. But it turned out to be too complicated for me. Aiwass said you like alchemy... It's wonderful that you do, so the knowledge won't go to waste. It would truly be unfortunate for such good books to sit unread.

"Please keep them without worry, Yulia,"

Isabel said gently, "Work towards becoming a great Alchemist."