Medicine Of Death

Fifteen years before the Gloria airship's fateful passage to the new world.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are here for a grand salute to my academic career collapse" Robert said. On the forest path where Robert went out to test a new experimental firework, there was no one there, he playfully nod to the poplars.

"From this movements, there are no more sleepless nights over retorts and foolish hopes for great discoveries "

The last study he put high hopes on has failed as a dozen of previous ones. This has knocked him harder than he can admit to himself. He was full of energy to drop everything and start a new life.

"Today we say goodbye to Mr. Zakman, the alchemist, and honour Zakman, the magician"

Last year to help himself , he have been performing alchemical tricks at fairs , atleast he was paid for doing them

"Since I didn't become a famous scientist, I have to become a famous actor ".

Robert checked that the fireworks are mounted firmly, light the cord and runaway a few steps , no one has ever added chemical copper salt to fireworks before, it's an experiment, it must be unforgettable.

"Stop wait," The rider who turns out to be a girl, sharply stops the horse and turns her head in confusion.

"Excuse me, what's the matter?" The young lady who had just stopped asked. At that moment, the wick goes out and the firework explode- not shooting a Colorful shower of sparks into the sky but namely exploding.

"Look out" Robert shouted before falling, covering his head. The fireworks was like an artillery battery, beating charges in all directions.

"Ah" the lady screamed.

The frightened horse neighs and gets on it hind legs, the rider , with a gasp , almost falls out of the saddle and grabs the horse mane.

"Help" she screamed louder

"I'm coming, don't be afraid" bending over like a soldier under fire, Robert rush forward. Everything now in smoke, fireworks burn up all around the left and right. Robert rush to the horse and grab it's briddle.

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The fireworks make the final shots and silence comes. Robert stroke the horse mane and it slowly calms down.

"A thousand apologies! I didn't expect anyone to show up here and I definitely didn't want to frighten anyone"

Robert raised his eyes at the girl and get blushed, she's quite young and pretty, for a surprise, such elegant beauty immediately made him feel like a bumpkin and he didn't know what to do with his hands.

"I'm…I'm sorry… I hope you didn't hurt. I mean , you didn't fall, of course, but.." he felt terribly embarrassed because of the way he mumbled, his shaggy hair, the spots on yesterday's shirt. The young lady must be enraged by his trick.

"Oh, no worries, I was not afraid… a little, and I'm burning with curiosity about what you're doing here"

She nimbly jumps off the saddle and heads toward the burnt-out residue of the firework. He stare at her in surprise.

"Hmmm, from the colour and the smell of the residue you've put alchemical copper salt in the firework, am I right?"

It seems like an illusion, such a lovely young lady in the countryside can recognize alchemical salts by the colour of the residue?

"Yeah, you're right"

A genuine enthusiasm burn in her large, bright eyes framed with bushy lashes.

"Unbelievable! I've read about it, oh please, tell me that you are an alchemist"

Robert flush up with pleasure, he has never met a girl admiring his profession so much. He wondered whether to boast or feel embarrassed.

"No, no! I'm not an alchemist but at university… maybe" The hard look and interest on his shy person made him embarrassed and he hide his eyes

"Have you finish the university? Are you a graduate alchemist? I've dreamt of meeting you for long" She said grinning.

She grab his hand, her eyes flame. Something in her eyes , in the turn of her head brings back memories that are faint and elusive to him.

"Really, I'm not who you think I am" Robert say. But the girl was no longer listening: she kneels down in front of the firework residue and he joined her.

"Please, tell me everything, was it an experiment? What did you want to achieve?"

"Yes, I had an experiment. A little , I expected the alchemical copper could change the colour of the flames"

"Oh, I see, there can be no frivolous use for real science "

The further he spoke, the more she mistakes him for a real scientist. Nevertheless, Robert seem to be doing his best to argue her out

"You see, it has turned out badly. I don't understand the reason"

She frowns her eyebrows and a wrickle runs across her smooth forehead making his young companion look charmingly serious.

"I don't even know, could the powder have reacted with the brass tube when heating?" She asked. Robert could hardly stop himself from slapping his forehead. What a foolish mistake! That's why the fireworks got twisted and went off right and left

"It could have happened"

"It's awfully interesting. My parents had thought university was something inappropriate for a girl" she said, "I wonder why a scientist would leave the urban and choose to live in the hinterland " she added.

He choose his words sorely so that he doesn't lie firmly to the girl and save his face"

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To be continued, watch out for the second part