Intermediate alchemy

Upon entering Professor Schwartz's class, you find a lab with workbenches for two. You decide to take a seat closer to the front as you find alchemy quite interesting. You place your things at an empty desk and dig out your supplied alchemy ring from your bag.

Soon the classroom fills and you are surprised to see the cute brunette girl from the house sorting. "Hi. I'm Parisa." She extends a hand.

"Hi. Pleased to meet you." You say shaking her hand.

It's then you hear the familiar deep toll of the bell. Professor Schwarz takes his place at the head of the class and begins with a lecture on the history of alchemy. It's used in both the transmutation of matter as well as advanced potions. After an impressive display of transmuting some material into a flaming sword, professor Schwartz explains. "Alchemy is about breaking down the structure of source material and rebuilding it into a configuration to suit your needs. Once you understand the basics of it, you can then begin to experiment by adding other magic into your new creation. Many charms and wands are created this way as well. Today, however, we are going to start with something easy. At your work stations, you will find bowls and a pitcher of water. Each of you take a bowl and split the water with your partner. We are going to keep it simple and turn the water into ice."

Students began to remove the supplies from their workbenches. Parisa was kind enough to take out the bowls and split them between you two. You took out the pitcher and filled each of them. Professor Schwartz continued. "Don't forget to put on your alchemist's ring. Everyone has theirs? Good. Now I want you to focus on the physical structure of the water. When you are ready, channel through your ring and imagine the water getting harder and colder. See it in your mind as the water begins to solidify and turn to ice."

Many students stared at their bowls as if they were unsure of what to do. You looked over at Parisa. She had managed to form a small round ball of ice that was floating in the remaining water. She looked like she was still trying to focus. You decided to just give it a try even though you didn't fully understand. With your ringed handheld over the bowl, you began to think of the water. It's physical structure and fluidity. Feeling almost connected to the water through your ring, you could see it's structure in your mind. You imagined it turning thick and slushy before hardening into ice. As if in response to your thoughts, the water began to turn into slush. Obeying your will but on a short delay. You were amazed at how easy this seemed with the ring. Before the slush could turn to sold ice, you imagined it as fluid water again and the slush melted back into a liquid. You tried again. This time, you imagined the surface of the water turning into slush then forming into itself into a small boat, floating on the surface. Just as you imagined, the surface turned to slush and compacted to form a tiny boat.

"Cool." Parisa exclaimed. "How did you do that?"

You looked over to see she had managed to turn her entire bowel of water into ice. It was so cold a vapor was forming above it. "Wow. You did well yourself. I just thought of a boat and wanted to see if I could do it." You explain. Looking around the room, you notice most of the students have managed to form at least some ice. Only two students have been unable to do so.

Professor Schwartz walks around the room inspecting the work. "Very good Parisa. Oh, and it appears we have an artist." He laughs when appraising your boat. "Have you had much experience with alchemy before now?" He asks you.

"No, sir. This is my first time." You answer.

"Well, most people don't have that level of control with so little experience. Especially on a first try." He informs you before moving on to the next workbench.

"Glad I got a good partner. I usually get stuck with some jerk that expects me to do all the work." Parisa laughs. "I know you're a Phoenix but maybe we could study together sometime?"

"Yeah. That would be great." You smile at the cute girl.

Soon the bell tolls and everyone begins to pack their things. Your lunch period is next. You are supposed to go meet Ophelia but Parisa seems interested. Maybe you could talk her into having lunch with you.