~Chapter 1~
It was a sunny afternoon in East City. The cars zoomed by and people walked the streets in the hustle and bustle of daily life. A young girl walked out of the library, sulking with an upset look in her blue eyes. "Again…," she muttered. "Always the same thing!"
This girl goes by the name of L.E.S. or her full name, Laurin Ellan Saphiran. She was no ordinary girl, for she was one of the few that can perform alchemy, a science that is known and feared by most. As the fourteen-year old walked down the steps of the library, she kept muttering to herself. "I always get rejected…You can't see this, don't go near that, you need military authorization to look at that…ugh!" She walked into the busy street sides, weaving her way through people till she entered a slightly populated sidewalk. She slowed down her pace and she thought. 'Why is it that only military get to see certain things? I mean, I know some things a confidential, but still…' As she strode across the pavement, a man in blue passed her in the opposite direction. A part of her tensed up, though she did not turn to see the man's face. 'He must be with the military…,' she thought. 'I recognize that uniform.' She shook the feeling off and continued onward.
The man looked at Laurin as she walked away, his onyx eyes focusing on her. He stood there for a few moments till he continued on his way. He had a small smirk on his face, his jet black hair flowing as a gust of wind flew through the city.
When Laurin got to a small building, she knocked on the door. After no response, she grabbed the door handle and twisted it, the door opening and squeaking in response. "Teacher?" she asked as she walked into the nearly pitch black room. The only light was the open door and closed windows that offered only a sliver of sunlight within the darkness. "Are you home?" Soon as she had said it a foot came flying at her. She had little time to think as she swiftly ducked by instinct, the foot then disappearing back into the darkness. A fist then swung at her face, causing her block it with her arms.
"Not bad, not bad, you're getting better," a woman's voice replied. A clap was heard followed by a bright flash of blue sparks. The light illuminated the room, revealing the woman's face and a transmutation circle. "Now let's see about your alchemy!" Pillars of wood formed from the floor and flew toward Laurin.
Laurin quickly pressed one hand to the ground, the transmutation circle on her grayish-white gloves glowing. She then formed a fire ball in the palm of her free hand, which extended towards the wooden pillars. The fire then shot from her hand at the pillars, burning them to ashes. A loud chuckling then filled the air.
"Laurin! Dear, you're improving!" the woman exclaimed. The women then walked over to a light switch and turned on the lights, revealing the contents of the house. The transmutation circle and some left over planks of wood that the pillars were made from were laying plain in view on the cold floor. The woman then went to close the door.
"Teacher…you always do that when I come…," Laurin sighed, taking a seat on the couch. The women sat down beside Laurin and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I've told you, you can just call me Carigan, and someone has to keep you on your toes." She gave a soft smile. "So where were you, today?"
Laurin looked down. "Miss Mardison,…the library…again." Carigan's smile faded. Laurin then let her eyes wander around the room. "It's always the same thing…they won't let me read anything about the Ishvalin War that people haven't already known."
Carigan looked at Laurin sternly. "I know what you're thinking, but the military doesn't accept female alchemist. It's just not done!" She then gave a deep sigh. "You know how sexist this world is, let alone this country, and I know you want to find out more about the Ishvalan War and your Father's death…but the closest thing you're going to get to the military is paperwork and secretary."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Carigan got up and stood at the door. "Who is it?" There was a moment of silence then a man's voice replied, "It's military." Laurin and Carigan looked at each other, wide-eyed. Carigan then opened the door seeing a soldier in the traditional blue uniform and hat standing at the door.
"Are you Miss Saphiran?" the soldier asked Carigan. Laurin peeked over from the couch. 'Is that the same guy from before? No…he has a hat on…' she thought."She's in here. What do you want?" Carigan questioned, her eyes staring coldly. The soldier shifted uneasily. "She's been given an invitation to be a state alchemist. As state alchemist she will be given funds for research and allowed to look at private info. With that, she will be called to duty when necessary…" The soldier's words seem to drown out by Laurin thoughts.
'Me? They want me to be a state alchemist?' Those words kept repeating over and over in Laurin's mind. Memories of her when she dreamed of being a state alchemist like her father flashed in her mind. Carigan still wasn't satisfied.
"How do you even know who she is?" she questioned. The soldier gulped. The look she was giving him sent the message, 'One wrong move, and you're dead'. The soldier replied, regaining his composure, "We've seen her, and we knew that the Scales Alchemist and Second Lieutenant Saphiran had a daughter that lived in the area. Are you her guardian?" Carigan sighed. "Yes, I'm Carigan Mardison." At this point, Laurin got up and walked to the door, looking at the soldier.
"What do I have to do to be a state alchemist?" The question rang out, all eyes were on Laurin. "Just tell me what to do." The soldier hesitated, then explained. "You have to take the alchemist exam, which will test not only your alchemic skills, but your fighting and other skills as well. You will be examined by other state alchemists. Do you want me to tell them you want to do this?" Carigan looked at Laurin. "Laurin…you don't have to do this." Laurin remained silent then spoke.
"Tell them I'll be ready when my state alchemist exam arrives. This'll help me for what I need to find out. My Father's death…and to serve my country like my parents before me." The soldier nodded then looked at Carigan. "I should take me leave then, thank you for your time." With that, he walked off into the busy city streets. A silence filled the air. Carigan was the first to speak.
"This isn't right….they don't just go asking kids to go to battle out of nowhere." Laurin felt a smile creep on her face. "Well, they've been needing all the help they can get. There's been a lot of incidents going around, and they need more "weapons". I could use this to my advantage, not only protecting my country and loved ones, but the find out how my father died…And who killed him." Carigan eyes were overcast. "I know, but it could put you in danger of the same fate…You still have a whole life ahead of you, and I don't want you being a dog of the military so young." Laurin looked at her, her eyes looking like cold blue fire.
"Teacher! I've been training for this! I'll do anything to protect my loved ones, even if it costs me my life….I just have to…It's what Father and Mom would've wanted…" Carigan sighed then smiled. "Well, I always knew you were a stubborn pupil." Laurin returned the smile. "Thanks, Teacher." She then gave Carigan a hug. "Just promise me one thing," Carigan said. "Promise me that you won't die before I do." Laurin laughed. "Of course."
A few days passed since that day, and the alchemist exam came around. Laurin felt so nervous, her hands was shaking. She was never good with big crowds, or public speaking, or speaking period. Somehow she made it through all the others tests, including the interview. She still wondered how in the world she got through that. The last test was the skills test, the one where she would show her alchemic skills and powers. She took a deep breath as opened the double doors to a large room with many balconies, all of them filled with state alchemist from all around Amestris. Many looked at her with disbelief, other in disgust, and all of them staring at her. She felt the stares of them all burning into her skin. 'This is it, the final test,' she thought to herself. An older man, who she thought was Brigadier General, stood in front of her, looking down on her.
"This is final part of your state alchemist exam. You will show your valor in your alchemic skills. Do you need something to draw transmutation circles in?" Laurin then shook her head. "No, I'm fine." She then took her grayish-white gloves and put them on her hands, a blue transmutation circle inscribed on both gloves. Whispers and mutters could be heard around the room. "You may begin," the man said then turned away.
Laurin squatted down and thrusted her left hand into the ground, a circle of blue sparks surrounding it. She then held out her right hand out, her palm facing front. A flame then surrounded the right hand, growing stronger after a few moments. She then fire the flame at a random soldier standing in her view. Before the fire could make contact with man, she thrusted her hand to the left, making the flame move in the same direction. The move left the man gasping and looking like he crapped his pants, which Laurin could not help not finding it amusing. She moved her hands around, directing the flame around the large room. The flame took shape of a dragon as it moved, gliding swiftly through the air. She then moved her hands to in a circle around her, the flame following suit, rushing around her faster and faster. She finally balled her fists and stopped, the flames vanishing, though they left a ring of burns around her. An eerie silence filled the tense air. "I-I hope you don't mind me burning your floor a l-little," Laurin croaked. The man then nodded.
"Your exam is now finished, you may leave. We'll tell you if you passed later today. Everyone's dismissed." The alchemists got up from their seats and exited. Laurin nodded, bowed, and walked out of the room. When she was out, she gave a heavy sigh of relief. "Dear God, thought some of those alchemists were going to murder me."
Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, walked out of the room with Riza waiting at the door. "How was it?" Riza asked. Roy gave a hint of a smile. "I think Fullmetal might have some competition, though she might need a little work."
Riza gave a puzzled look. "She?" Roy nodded. "Yes, though we hardly ever have any female state alchemists, she has some promise. She is the daughter of the Scales Alchemist and Lieutenant Saphiran, so we'll just have to watch her." Riza sighed as they started walking. "But that's if she actually becomes a state alchemist." Roy huffed. "I doubt she wouldn't pass, but there is something I want to confirm about her…remember the rumor about the Scales Alchemist?" Riza nodded. "Yes, Sir, but what's that have to do with her?" Roy stopped walking. "Because if it is true, then she could be of the same blood….she could be of dragon blood."