Dec 1, 1912
"You have chosen to take the exam?" Roy said.
"Of course I'm taking it!" Ed said. "I've come this far!"
"The rest of us are taking it too!" Kuri said.
"Well aren't you all bold." Roy said. "Very well, you'll be studying with the Sewing Life Alchemist, Shou Tucker, at his estate. "He's the foremost authority on creating living bodies."
"Is that so?" Al said.
"Two years ago Mr. Tucker created a chimera that could talk. That is how he earned his certification."
"It could talk?!" Ed said.
"Sounds horrible." Kuri made a face.
"Sounds interesting!" Ed's face lit up.
Roy rolled his eyes. "Mr Tucker has a four year old daughter, so behave."
Ed opened his mouth to protest and was tackled by a dog.
Kuri laughed.
"Daddy there are people here." Nina said.
"Ah..." Kuri stared at the little girl.
"Nina get the dog, alright?" Tucker said.
They headed inside and sat at the table for tea.
"Well if you want access to my books, I need to know your secret first—equivalent exchange, and all that." Tucker said.
Ed explained about the transmutation.
Kuri and Reiko were playing with Nina and Alexander.
After that, Ed and Al were led into the library, where they buried themselves in books.
Dec 18 1912
The day of the test finally arrived.
Kuri and Ed came out holding on to each other looking weary, and Reiko and Al came out a second later looking happy.
"We didn't finish." Kuri said.
"We did...but we're still unsure." Reiko said.
"Next comes the interview!" Nina said.
Xxx
"Your brother shouldn't take the interview. They will discover about the transmutation and then that will be it for you." Roy said.
"But—" Ed said.
"Brother he's right." Al said. "I don't want to stand in the way."
"You worked so hard!" Rei protested.
"At least one of us can make it." Kuri said.
"Shut up. You're coming with me." Ed said.
xxx
"A golden three-legged stool? Why doesn't it fall over like that?" Kuri said.
"Take a seat. If you are a true alchemist, the chair will not refuse you." Fuhrer said. "Alchemist, at no time allow yourself to be afraid! Very well. So then, let's hear your motivations for taking the test."
"L-it's because..." Kuri said.
"It's because...?" Fuhrer said.
"An it harm none, do what ye will!" Kuri recited.
"What?" Fuhrer was puzzled.
"I want to use my powers for others and not myself!" Kuri clarified.
Xxx
"Al... We chose the right path, didn't we?" Ed said.
"I don't know. But the one thing I am sure about...is that I want to touch you once again, Brother." Al said. "It's strange, huh? Here we are, always so near each other, but I can't even remember what it feels like to touch you, or the warmth of your body."
Xxx
And then, the morning of the practical skills test...
"I'm off!" Ed, Kuri, and Rei said.
"Big Brother and Sisters...!" Nina said.
"Nina..." Kuri said.
"Big Sister, here. It's an incantation, to grant your wish!" Nina said.
"Thanks, Nina!" Ed said.
Xxx
"We now offer you all of the matter that exists within these premises. Please make use of it to transmute whatever you like." Roy said.
"Whatever I like? What on earth should I do in order to pass?" Kuri said.
In the practical course of the exam, the first man makes a huge pillar, but is so exhausted he rests in front of it. The next man uses water and trees to make a hydrogen blimp. However, the pillar causes the blimp to puncture which also causes the pillar to break, and Ed, Rei and Kuri rushed to the rescue. Without the use of a transmutation circle, he reversed the falling pillar and blimp before they could crush the people underneath, Kuri sucked the flammable hydrogen into her Pentacle and Rei turned them into flower petals. This put them at the level of State Alchemist.
Xxx
"Al...I'm going to stop all my wavering! I'm going to just look straight ahead and race forward!" Rei said.
"If I dead-end, I'll deal with that then." Kuri said.
"Someday, no matter what, I'm going to return you back the way you were!" Ed said.
"Mm-hmm! When you do, Brother, your body will be there with me!" Al said.