Hollow

By now, alchemists were nothing new or special. Alchemy had become the backbone of every trade: you could get a precious gem from a lump of stone for a modest price. But nothing comes from nothing. People spend years in academies learning to harness energy and memorizing books. You wanted to learn it too! The idea captivated you. Luck had failed you elsewhere, maybe this time something would work out?

Things at the academy were going well. The mentors were kind, people around you were to your liking: together you made for a great group. Your curiosity wasn’t limited to your own groupmates, but being sociable means hearing gossip, and it's not always pleasant. That albino boy everyone mocks… It really got to you. They laugh at his snow-white eyelashes, at his inability to perform the simplest tasks with energy. It seemed he just lacked inner energy? Those who know the theory yet can’t apply it in practice are despised? Why is that?

After all lessons you head to your favorite mentor’s office just to chat. You don’t bother knocking – he knows you will stop by. Quietly pulling the door, you’re met with a shocking scene. it’s so unfamiliar to see the kindest person screaming at someone... The mentor kept repeating that the boy should leave the academy, that he possessed neither talent nor determination. You just watched through the crack in the door. Turning to leave, you caught a fleeting glint in that albino boy’s eyes – a look you haven’t been able to forget for a week now… You can’t help but want to seek him out – he’s all alone, no one greets him, no one offers help. Can you help him?

Your heart tells you can. You figured out his schedule, so you know where to wait for him today. The glint of his snow-white hair immediately catches your eye, and almost instinctively, you grab his hand – unfortunately forgetting to say anything. He shook your hand off, flinching. His usually calm eyes darted nervously, yet he stayed silent and motionless.

"..."