Usual stuff, Mana Khemia does not belong to me and be prepared for some or a lot grammar miss etc etc.

After Nikki opened the path, they pretty much cleared the Cruise Ship of time and spend a night on it. Out of curiosity, the younger gang asked Nikki about her other atelier-mate.

"You know Flaya. Irresponsible and impossible most of the time. And I won't say this in front of his face, but he has a good eye for people and he actually know more than he let on. He's also really good at reading situation and make a great decision. That's why we keep relying on him as our leader. Please don't tell him that, he'll get a really big head if he do. It's pretty hard to imagine, but he is the brat and the adult in our group. If only he act like a proper adult all the time... Well, that absurdness is what make Flaya interesting though."

"You guys already meet Anna too. She's the serious lady at our group and the one who keep Flaya in line when he's being a brat. To be honest I found her seriousness as really suffocating at first, but later I know that she's just being a good girl. On her bad side, she should really keep her imagination tame. Her over-thinking could be really deadly. We could laze around for a couple of hours and she's already imagined our demise and force us to train like crazy."

"That reminds me of milady."

"Whim..."

"Sorry..."

"Ahaha. Then there's Vayne, the guy we about to see who is also my husband. At the first glance, he's a lump of cheat. He's the son of famous alchemist who also has a ton of talent on alchemy himself, got enrolled to Al-Revis without any effort, has a good look, physically stronger than average people with quite some talent at combat, and not to mention that mana he has... But actually he's anything but blessed. He never really remember his own parents and was left alone in the middle of nowhere with a cat who take charge to take care of him. Everyone in nearby town hate him for no reason and force him to live by himself. That's why he become really timid around strangers. And the first friends he make is not something you could call normal, you see. At least Flaya is not. Thanks to that he's having a difficulties on deciding what's normal and what's not. Beside that, he's really dependable even though he should try harder to say no more often. And he has a great sense of mana. He's currently traveling as a doctor, and sometimes dealing with Flay's world conquer or doing research with Roxis."

"Roxis? Do you mean Professor Roxis Rosenkrantz?"

"As expected from a noble family~ Yup, that Roxis. To be honest I didn't really like Roxis at first. He's saying a lot of mean things and always has somekind of hatred toward Vayne. Turns out that he's jealous of Vayne's talent at alchemy. But Flaya forcefully stick them together and Roxis finally realized that Vayne is nowhere as blessed as he is. Actually even though Roxis keep saying that he's jealous of Vayne, his alchemic skill is somewhere on par with Vayne thanks to his hard work. Though he could use some physical strength as Vayne put it. Currently they're keeping that dangerous rivalry, or as Flaya phrase it, [Men's friendship]."

"Then... maybe some of you already hear about this one woman too. The name is Jessica Philomele."

"I know, I know! I have a lot of her recipes books. The medicines are exceptionally effective and easy to make."

"Fufu~ Looks like you really do your research as the only actual alchemist here. But since you guys already disillusioned about me, let me tell you not so good thing about her too. Actually..."

"actually..."

"For every good book born from her, another 2-5 forbidden book also born at the same time. And actually it's us who did the screening of her recipes before she released her book with our life at stake."

"Forbidden...?"

"It's too dangerous for mankind's sake that we seal it away. She is physically weak because of her illness and has a talent to make everything explode even with non-explosive ingredients like grass, but those medicines of her is feared even by Flaya. Just put her in your list of person not to mess with."

"Next is Pamela Ibis. You may not know her, but she is really iconic among the older alchemists. Literally everyone know her. Seriously. Every single one. Though she's not really known among the younger alchemists. She's really pretty and lady-like, unlike me. But she's also an existence beyond reach. That's why I can snatch out a lot of fans without having to share with her. What I mean? Well, that's for you guys to find out."

"Then... ugh I don't really like talking about him, but there's this guy named Muppy. His full name is Muppy Oktavia... something. It's hard to remember. I don't want to admit this, but he's really great at machinery. Better than Flaya. Actually that mech sword Flaya currently use is his creation. Hm? Flaya said he's not that good at machinery? I said it, he know more than he let on. He's actually really good at it."

"Lastly, there's me. Nicole Aurelius, maiden name is Nicole Mimi Tithel. Job is famous singer and plain average alchemist you can find... not so anywhere too. Haha... I'm good at singing and smashing things. My alchemy skill is not so bad, but nowhere near Roxis, Vayne, or even Jess. As a beastman, I have a good sense of mana too. But not as good as Vayne for some reason."

"By the way, Nikki-san. How do you plan to fly the whole academy up?"

Lily ask out of curiosity. Nikki shift uncomfortably as she try to answer.

"Well… that's… To be honest, I don't really understand myself. You should try to ask Vayne when you meet him."

Nikki shift uncomfortably again.

"Almost forgot, don't ask about Theophrastus to him okay? It's a touchy subject."

They nodded and continue to talk about any other things until sleepiness take over them and they call it a night. The next morning, they continued their journey towards Dragon Graveyard which they pass with ease. They reached near Millennium Forest in no time and immediately head north towards their destination. They soon reached to the entrance of Deep Ruins.

Nikki suddenly stop and turn back at them with a serious look.

"I forgot to ask this, do any of you ever entered this place?"

"No, I'm not" Lily answer first.

"I'm not" Raze followed.

"I'm always with milady." Whim continued.

"I went in to search for Uryu once, but I'm really hurried so I don't really aware what's inside." Ulrika answers.

"And we were trying hard not to lose big sis." Pepperon answered for Ena and Goto, who nodded at his answer.

"I see… Then prepare your heart. You'll see something bad inside."

Nikki put her hammer down and sit in the entrance, blocking their way.

"Something… bad…?" Ulrika ask.

"Alchemy is not completely a good thing. You can say it's an end result of a grave mistake the past alchemists made. It's not like you need to go in. You guys can wait here while I call Vayne out and we can talk back in academy. I won't blame any of you."

They start to hesitate and look at each other for answer. They stay like that for a while before Ulrika suddenly slap both of her cheeks.

"I'm going in. I'm an alchemist too. I need to learn as much as I can even if it's a mistake. I'll learn from their mistake so I won't make the same mistake."

"Uryu, don't like it here. But Uryurika go in, so Uryu go in too."

Ulrika and Uryu give their answer.

"What the past alchemists did have nothing to do with me, I'll just keep doing what I believe. I'll just follow milady's decision for this case."

"I'm the future head of Valendorf family, and so I need the resolve to take everything in. It will do me no good if I run away from the truth before my eyes."

"I'll accompany milady everywhere she goes. I'm her mana after all."

Raze, Lily, and Whim decide to go in.

"We already walk this far. It's pretty much too late to back down now."

"I agree with big bro."

"I don't see the reason not to go."

"Since everyone is going in, then I'll go in too~"

Ena, Pepperon, Goto, and Et decide to go in too. That makes everyone.

"Really… Flaya's eyes are too good for this kind of thing. Okay then. Since we're going in, see for yourself what's in there and don't avert your eyes, 'kay?"

Nikki stands up and walk into the ruins, everyone following her. They walk for a while in silence.

"It's strange there's no monster here…"

Et start to wonder as she disappointedly put her weapon away.

"It's true… Raze? What are you looking at?"

Lily ask to Raze who keep staring into distance.

"Those crystals… there's something in it."

The others start to look at nearby crystals and stare at it.

"Uwaaah it's true."

Pepperon lean his face closer to a crystal.

"It looks like somekind of creature. An animal?"

Goto guess.

"No, it's not an animal."

Ena step back from the crystal he look at.

"He's right… It's… no way…"

Lily cover her mouth with both of her hands.

"Hey, hey. What's in it? Tell me too!"

Et demands.

"Mana… I think."

Raze answer with uncertainty. No, actually he's already sure it's a mana. It's just he can't be sure of what to think about it.

"Mana… like Whim?"

Et's cheerfulness start to dim as she look towards Whim. Whim only sorrowfully look back at Et and nod.

"Nikki-san…"

"Uryu! What's wrong?"

Lily call for Nikki for explanation, but Ulrika's yell demand more priority than her curiousness. They gather around Ulrika and Uryu in no time.

"Ulrika-san, what's wrong with him?"

Lily ask. Ulrika put her hand on Uryu assuringly and shake her head.

"I don't know, he's been acting weird since we get here and suddenly he start to shut his ears hard."

Ulrika pat Uryu a few times until Uryu relaxing his hold on his ears.

"Uryu, can you hear me? What's wrong?"

"Uuu… they keep saying meanie things things about Uryurika…"

"Eh!? Me!? Did I do something bad?"

Ulrika look around to get some answer but they just keep their mouth shut… even if aome of them seems want to say something.

"No. It's not about you, Ulrika. It's about us, alchemists."

Nikki, who keep silent since they entered the ruins, speak as she walk closer to them.

"Alchemists… then, these mana are…"

Ulrika stands up and look at the crystals again.

"Result of the past alchemists' mistake."

"... and that mistake is…?"

Lily nervously ask Nikki. Nikki doesn't answer her question and look at Whim inatead.

"Say, what do you think mana is?"

"Ummm… even if you ask what mana is…"

Whim looks troubled as she can't answer Nikki's question.

"Mana is mana, right?"

Et nonchalantly answer.

"An embodiment of elemental power?"

Ena take a guess.

"My teacher who told us about this place answer something like this. A mana is a being that govern over everything exist in nature. Wind, fire, earth, and water. Light and darkness. Moon and stars. Emotion and soul."

Nikki pause and look at Uryu.

"There are many elements, but it's basically a huge raw power. And the mana we usually see is just a mere vessel of that power."

"Mana is not a mere vessel!"

Raze suddenly yell without waiting Nikki to finish.

"Mana is not a mere vessel… Palt is not a mere vessel…"

Raze repeated himself, seems really upset. Palt appeared to comfort him.

"Raze…"

Lily worriedly call his name. Nikki smile softly and start to talk again.

"Don't worry, I'm just reciting what my teacher said. I'm sure she too just reciting what she knows. Even for me, mana… Dour is a really precious friend of mine. But the past alchemists seems to think differently. They were thinking to extract the power from mana."

"Extracting the power from mana…?"

Ulrika hesitantly ask. In the back, Pepperon whispers to Goto.

"The story suddenly becomes really dark."

"It seems it's our turn to lighten the mood."

Goto seems about to do something, but Ena stands in his way.

"Don't you dare."

The exchange went unnoticed as Nikki continues her story.

"Those alchemists captured thousands of mana and experiment on them, alive. Eventually they succeed on extracting the power of mana. But the power without vessel start to trash around and eradicated everything around. The alchemists become scared and sealed the remaining experimental mana inside crystals."

As Nikki finished her story a realization hit them like a lightning.

"Then, these mana are…"

Lily whispers in shock.

"Alive. and despising us, alchemists even inside their crystal prison."

"Bu-but… they're… we... "

Ulrika look at Uryu hesitantly, as if feeling not worthy enough to be with him. Uryu keep holding his ears and stare at Ulrika with puppy eyes.

"I know how you feel. Even I want to something for them to prove that I'm… we're different from the past alchemists…"

"Uuu…"

Uryu hold his ears tighter again as Nikki speak.

"Uryu? Did they said anything mean again?"

Ulrika crouch down and comfort Uryu again.

"I'm sure they're saying I'm a liar or a hypocrite or something like that."

Nikki smiled sadly. Uryu nodded at her. Ulrika shout at her in reflex.

"But Nikki-san is…"

"It can't be helped. In fact I never do anything for them. All I do is feeling sympathetic for them."

Nikki lift her hammer, preparing to walk again.

"We should move on now. Looking at Uryu's condition, maybe it's better if we turn back."

"Sorry, Nikki-san…"

Ulrika lift Uryu up as Uryu himself still refusing to budge.

"It's okay. It can't be helped anyway. You guys should wait outside while I call for Vayne."

"U… Uuuuu… U?"

Uryu suddenly released his ears.

"Voices… stop suddenly."

Ulrika confused at Uryu's sudden change and let him float by himself. Nikki suddenly hold her hammer with both hand and get ready to strike.

"Be careful. Something coming this way."

The others readied their weapon too.

From the darkness, a figure come closing in. A beautiful woman with silverish long hair with green dress. She has a pointed ears and wings as hand, as if she's a mix between elf and harpy, but she's not even use it to fly as she simply float in the air. They could feel a gentle breeze coming from her way even if she's not moving.

"A wind mana!?"

Raze tighten the grip in his sword, ready to strike anytime.

From behind the mana, another shadow come closer. A few other mana come following her. It's not that many, but still a lot for them to handle.

"You guys run away first, I'll follow later."

Nikki step forward to shield them.

"But, Nikki-san…!"

Et seems to genuinely worried, which is very rare for her.

"I'll stay too. I hate to say this, but this sword is very effective against mana."

Raze step forward to her side.

"No! You ALL go outside. No complain."

Nikki repeated herself, with a stronger voice. As expected, the younger group doesn't really want to left her. The mana keep standing in place. The wind mana who appears first let out a soft chuckle.

"Don't worry, young humans and mana. We're not your enemies."

They relaxed a bit, but still not dropping their fighting stance.

"She's saying the truth. So you can drop your weapon now, Nikki."

Another voice resound from behind the wind mana. This time a male one. Another figure step out from shadow. A man with messy short silver hair and blue eyes. He wears a dark blue coat and carries a traveling bag. Nikki instantly relaxed and dropped her weapon when she see the man.

"Vayne!"

The man, Vayne, smiles and raise his hand to wave at Nikki.

"It's been a while."

A/N For Et's defense, Vayne answered the same thing when Isolde ask them what mana is. And I tried to compile all the ending, including Muppy's which is the reason Nikki is especially pissed at him lol. On unrelated news, I'm almost done with dusk series (Lotte's route is the last) and I see a lot of part that I can (scarily) connect to MK series... beside the battle system in Shallie and Logy's Einzelkampf of course. I'll patiently wait for Shallie+ before deciding if I will make a crossover fic or not. I still got this fic to finish anyway. :3

Later~!