Alchemy

Jien and Olivia seemed to gain a pep in their step as they walked toward the massive domed greenhouse, the others having to increase their pace lest they be left behind. Soon they had reached a building that seemed to sit in front of the massive dome of glass and towering greenery. The building itself was made of pale stone much like all the others in the academy but upon closer inspection was one of four that boxed in the greenhouse from the cardinal directions.

Between each building at the corners were large stone archways with a well crafted leaf motif, looking almost as if a variety of live plants were hanging from the stone and had adapted to it's color and texture. Each of the arched held up a bridge reaching from one building to the other with cast iron caging covering them and a myriad of live blooming vines providing shade for those passing under. A variety of colored flowers spread atop and the occasional berry or fruit dangling from the ropes of green. The variety of vines were those that could survive in the desert heat and enjoyed plenty of sunlight, offering modest protection to those walking the elevated walkways between buildings.

Down beneath the the archways and in the gap between the buildings and the greenhouse were small plazas where benches and tables sat. A single fountain, simple in nature, formed of a pool and a large slab of the same light stone as the surrounding buildings standing tall in its center, water cascading gently over it's surface into the pool to be pulled back up and pour freely once more. At the tables and benches sat a number of students who had likely found this small haven either in prior years here or during the first week they had spent on the training grounds.

Jien's eyes were glowing as he looked at this space, knowing that he too would be joining those that lingered in this area once they all got a bit more used to the new routine that came with life at the academy. He was sure that others would prefer different areas, but he could just feel the pull to this wonderland. Sitting by this fountain in the shade while reading a book freshly procured from the library, the sent of parchment, ink and the flora that hung above. However, this thought was short lived as they drew near the entrance of the closest of the four buildings. Though he may have found an area for rest, he was here for a different purpose at this time.

Two large wooden doors stood open before them leading to a simple lobby area within the building. Withing the center of the lobby stood a large obelisk of simple stone with room numbers and arrows pointed on each side. At the bottom of the obelisk on each side, a map of the greenhouse and the surrounding buildings that appeared to be named after simple plants, oak, ivy, lilac and bonsai was etched into the solid surface as well to allow for even better direction.

Currently Jien and his party were in the Oak building and though Jien had the coordinates and the room number for their lesson he had to once again use personal library to record this map as well before he could finally orient himself correctly. It was brief but Julie, who had been watching him out of boredom caught the glimmer in his eye, similar to the one he had when facing her and in several of their sparring matches. She still didn't know what the phenomena was but it interested her to say the least given that he seemed to use it rather consistently. Still, now was not the time to try and figure it out, and in general it was rude to try and pry into a person's personal repertiore of spells given that it could leave them exposed if they found themselves in danger.

Once Jien had oriented himself he signaled the others to follow him with a simple wave of his hand. It appeared that they wouldn't actually have class in these four buildings after all. The room designated was within the greenhouse itself. Given that The buildings covered the greater area of the ground view of the greenhouse Jien wasn't sure what to expect for the space they were meant to go to but could only move forward to sate his curiosity.

They made their way through the building to the opposite are that they had entered, seeing a pair of stained glass doors with a mural of large oak trees. The glass itself appeared to be made for this exact purpose as even the pieces used to represent the bark on the trees appeared almost life. If it wasn't for the fact that the trees were slightly transparent, letting light through even the bark, and that they did not move in the slightest one may think that rather than doors they were walking toward a forest.

On one of the bark of one of the tree trunks was a simple handle, crafted to blend nearly perfectly with the stained glass. Jien wondered what the other doors looked like, did they too have similarly detailed glass work? He did not know but after this lesson he was determined to find out for himself. He gripped the handle, finding the material hard and cool, likely some sort of metal, perhaps painted. He opened the door with minimal effort revealing an earthen scent and a slightly cool yet damp air.

The others didn't hesitate to walk into the small glass archway leading to the dome. There was no other door on the other end, simply leading onto a cobblestone path into what Jien could only describe as a vast forest. It was hard to even put into thought the beauty of the myriad of plant life that surrounded them as they entered the pathway and walked along it, following signs toward what Jien presumed would be their classroom. The smell of flowers, fruits, herbs used for medicinal purposes and that of flowering trees filled the air in a mesmerizing mixture. The damp air a cool relief from the heat of the desert air outside.

They continued along the paved path until they reached their 'classroom', a large tile platform raised only a few inches above the dirt, surrounded by towering trees, in this case most being oak. Flowers and herbs, vines and other plants even the occasional fruit tree or vegetable filled in along the forest floor. On the platform itself were several long tables with cauldrons and utensils lying on them, seemingly made of cast iron. At the head of the 'classroom' was a large blackboard already filled with many lines of white chalk text and diagrams. To the side of the blackboard were tall wooden shelves filled with a variety of labeled jars of varying sizes and smaller patted plants that exhibited interesting effects on themselves and their surroundings.

In front of the blackboard sat a large wooden desk on which sat a similar set of cauldron and utensils, though of larger scale. To the side of this set were a variety of smaller cauldrons that all seemed to be heated, different colored steam rising above their rims. Beakers and other glassware were strewed about the open spaces, some filled with different substances and others empty and in front of this desk stood who Jien could only assume to be their mentor.