✦ Chapter 25 – Socrates (3) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
“Cough, cough… Ahem!”
A cough flared from deep within his chest.
Flamelious, the aging alchemist, sighed, aware that his days were numbered.
Throughout his life, he had prided himself on his achievements.
As an alchemist, he had set a commendable example and produced many excellent disciples.
With diligent research into ancient knowledge, he had also achieved significant results as a scholar, achieving a level of academic success that few could rival.
However, no matter how many apprentices he trained, no matter how diligently he poured over ancient texts, there was one thing he couldn’t achieve.
It was the ultimate aspiration of every alchemist, since the very dawn of the profession—
To create the legendary Philosopher’s Stone with his own two hands.
“Know thyself. The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
He murmured the words, like a magic spell, as he closed the book.
Alchemy in the empire was entirely based on the knowledge passed down through ancient tomes.
To alchemists, young and old, the wisdom of the past was an absolute truth.
And having spent his entire life studying these ancient texts, Flamelious firmly believed that he was destined to be the one to finally unravel the ultimate secrets of alchemy.
However, reading Phantom’s Lesedrama changed his perspective.
He couldn’t help but see a reflection of himself in the Sophists—so quick to boast of their wisdom, yet failing to acknowledge their own limitations.
…Of course, Flamelious couldn’t completely relate to the situations depicted in <Dialogues>.
While the sophists’ discussions were primarily metaphysical and spiritual,
…the knowledge alchemists dealt with was much more concrete and physical.
Nevertheless, the philosophical quandaries presented in <Dialogues> sparked a new way of thinking. And once his thinking shifted, he began to see things he’d been blind to before.
“………..….”
He removed all the ancient texts that had once symbolized his lofty ambitions, his heart heavy with newfound humility.
The accumulated knowledge he’d once revered was now meticulously dissected, scrutinized with a critical eye.
Relying on his own intuition, he began peeling back the layers of “truth” he’d passively accepted for so long, embracing a path of true intellectual exploration.
He was no longer bound by the conventions of the past. He challenged inconsistencies.
And, like Socrates, who’d relentlessly questioned the Sophists’ complacent wisdom, he dedicated himself to the pursuit of a single, objective truth.
Time passed, and his hair turned from gray to snow white.
“Ha… Hahahaha…!”
He gazed at the liquid bubbling within the transparent flask, its vibrant, crimson hue reflecting in his tear-filled eyes.
“I… I actually did it!”
He knew, instinctively, that he had achieved everything an alchemist could possibly dream of.
He no longer felt the need to cling to this mortal life. He could depart with dignity, with peace.
“Thank you. Thank you, Socrates. And thank you, Phantom.”
The old alchemist, his nose buried in a handkerchief, whispered words of gratitude to the two figures who’d illuminated his path, guiding him out of the darkness.
He picked up the quill resting beside him and began to write on a piece of aged parchment, meticulously outlining the advice he needed to impart to his beloved successors.
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“I… I’m sorry, what was that again?”
I asked, digging my finger into my ear, sure I’d misheard.
But the alchemist who’d come to visit me at the Killgrewber Theater Company stood firm.
“Please, accept this gift. The Philosopher’s Stone. The ultimate aspiration of every alchemist.”
The young man, insisting he needed to fulfill his master’s dying wish, had pleaded to meet me. He held out a transparent vial filled with a viscous liquid.
“My master, Flamelious, passed away after completing this. He said Phantom deserved this gift, that it was thanks to you he was finally able to achieve his life’s ambition.”
“Ah, well… May the deceased rest in peace. But… the Philosopher’s Stone? Are you saying… this is that legendary Philosopher’s Stone?”
I pointed at the vial, watching the liquid inside sway gently; it was reddish, almost like fresh blood, giving it an unsettlingly ominous feel.
Was it because I had watched too much anime in my past life?
Because the name immediately conjured up images of that one thing… from that one show…
If memory served me correctly, the ingredients required to create the Philosopher’s Stone in that anime were… well… rather numerous…
“Rest assured, the Alchemist’s Guild strictly prohibits the use of any dangerous or unethical ingredients. Such practices are considered evil deeds that stray from the principles of alchemy.”
The young man, sensing my unease, quickly dispelled any misconceptions.
Rumors of alchemists conducting dangerous research with dubious materials seemed to be widespread in this world as well.
“Philosopher’s Stone, Philosopher’s Stone. Even someone like me, who is quite ignorant of alchemy, has heard of it often…”
I cautiously took the glass bottle, asking.
For some reason, I had a feeling that mishandling this strange potion might cause it to explode or something.
“I’m not really familiar with its effects, though. Could you explain them to me?”
In my original world, the Philosopher’s Stone was a catalyst that transformed base metals into gold.
In popular media, it was often reinterpreted as a mysterious elixir granting immortality.
So, what did the Philosopher’s Stone in this world actually do?
“The Philosopher’s Stone is a substance that can permanently alter the structure of matter.”
The young man gestured towards the vial, pointing at the Ouroboros—a serpent eating its tail—etched onto its surface.
Pointing at the symbol, the young alchemist began to explain.
“All things in nature have a specific structure. Altering this structure can change the properties of a material. For example, applying heat or cold to liquid water transforms it into gas (steam) or solid (ice).”
“Indeed.”
“And, broadly speaking, humans are also composed of matter.”
Placing his hand over his chest, the young alchemist’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
Reflecting on the infinite possibilities before him, he continued.
“The Philosopher’s Stone can change the ‘properties’ of the one who consumes it into their most desired form, granting them mysterious abilities. The criteria for ‘desire’ can be functional needs or simple personal wants.”
“Altering properties and granting mysterious abilities? That’s quite intriguing. Is it possible for a human to transform into an elf or a dwarf?”
“Hahaha, nothing quite so fanciful as that! Creating life is the domain of the divine. We can only tinker with existing structures. It’s impossible for a mere man-made potion to alter the fundamental nature of a living being.”
“Hmm… That’s a shame.”
A bit disappointing.
I had briefly hoped that I could turn small animals into movie monsters.
Godzilla, King Kong, Mothra, King Ghidorah…
It was every boy’s dream to raise a giant monster, wasn’t it?
“If you’re curious about what abilities might manifest, you can try it after I leave. My master, the greatest alchemist, has thoroughly tested it for safety, so there’s no need for additional concerns.”
“Yes, about that… Why did your master decide to hand over his life’s final masterpiece to me? I’m merely a literary professional with no ties to alchemy.”
In response to my perfectly rational question, the young alchemist smiled warmly.
He reached into his robe and retrieved something familiar—
— a first edition copy of <Dialogues>, worn and weathered from countless readings.
“The play you wrote, <Dialogues>… It inspired my master. It taught him not to blindly follow outdated authorities but to blaze his own trail in the pursuit of knowledge.”
“Is that so?”
“My master, Flamelious, wanted to officially acknowledge the impact your work had on his final achievement. He never would have completed the Philosopher’s Stone without the inspiration he gained from your play.”
“……….….”
“To respect the knowledge of the past, but not be shackled by it. To think for yourself. That is the wisdom you’ve bestowed upon all alchemists. On behalf of the entire Alchemist’s Guild, thank you.”
…So, he was saying that because of Socrates, his master had unlocked the door to truth and achieved his lifelong dream?
For a split second, I almost burst out laughing, picturing a pristine, white-clad, bald philosopher shouting, “That’s right, alchemist!!”.
But I managed to suppress my amusement, knowing it would be incredibly rude.
It’s his master’s memento. It would be pretty messed up to giggle about anime right now.
To be honest, I was struggling to connect the dots, but it wasn’t entirely absurd upon closer inspection.
The foundation of medieval alchemy was based on the theories of the philosopher Aristotle.
And wasn’t Aristotle’s own teacher Plato, Socrates’s most devoted student and follower?
Sure, they’d eventually parted ways, their philosophical pursuits diverging, but if you traced their intellectual lineage far enough back, they both shared the same root, deeply influenced by Socrates.
…Still, something didn’t sit right with me.
“Are you sure it’s okay to just… hand over something this valuable to me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you said that the ultimate goal of an alchemist is to create the Philosopher’s Stone, right? Did your master pass down the recipe?”
“No, he didn’t. He left behind a few hints, but that’s about it. He wanted us to figure out the rest on our own.”
“Then wouldn’t it make more sense to use this finished product for research? So the knowledge can be shared for the advancement of alchemy? Even if your master wished for you to give this to me?”
This was like inventing a superconductor and then giving it away to some random person! And without even sharing the blueprints!
Logically, the entire alchemical community should be in an uproar over such an action.
“…That won’t be necessary. After all, as Socrates said in <Dialogues>, a life lived without questioning, without contemplation, is a life not worth living.”
The young alchemist’s resolve was unshakable.
He looked at me with an expression of reverence, as if gazing upon a legendary sage.
“All alchemists have read <Dialogues>, your lesedrama. And it’s made us realize something. The true value lies in the journey of discovery—in uncovering hidden truths through our own efforts.”
“……………”
“We will find our own way to create the Philosopher’s Stone, just like the great Flamelious. You have the elders’ blessing, so please, accept this gift. Consider it a token of our gratitude to the candidate for Hero of the Pen, the one who enlightened us.”
The elders have approved…
Well, that settled it. As an outsider, it wasn’t my place to argue.
Refusing a gift offered with such sincerity would be incredibly disrespectful.
And so, as a candidate for Hero of the Pen, I accepted the Philosopher’s Stone and returned to Bronde Academy.
— End of Chapter —
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Translator’s Notes :-
Just got rejected from an Interview I went for today…Life truly sucks (sigh) I was hoping to make it. Didn’t feel anything back then but kind of feeling sad now! BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!
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