30 Chapter 28 - Hohenheim

I was around 16 years old when I left. I didn't know when I was born and couldn't identify myself so I gave myself a code name when I was exiled.

[Code Name: Kyofu]

[Ethnicity: Ishvalan]

[SAO World Tab]

[FSN World Tab]

[Fma Brotherhood Tab]

[Self Afflict - 16%]

The more I experienced life, I realized that my emotions were growing back. I thought at first my emotions were permanently erased, but no. The truth to the fact was a new body could affect my mentality in some sort of way. Being in the Temple, having Scar and his brother for a few years, I got friends that I could rely on. I made a plan with Scar's brother to later meet up in Amestris to discover the source of it's Alchemic energy, in other words, Father's Philosopher Stone.

We couldn't go out yet. Scar's brother didn't find out the Alkahestric Reverse yet for the Nationwide Transmutation Circle so I needed to give him some time. So without anything to do, I decided to go find Hohenheim, the Philosopher of the East, who helped making Xingese Alkahestry.

It was around year 1874, the same year in which the last Homonculi, Wrath, was made. At this time, Hohenheim already met with Pinako and Trisha Elric was about to be born in four years. With Ishval and Resembool both being at the Southeastern Region, I didn't have to travel much.

'Still. This place is vastly different than Ishval's desert view...' (Zhong Yuan)

It wasn't until 1907 during the Ishvalan Civil War that the town got terrorized by Ishvalan terrorists. So seeing it before it becomes a little town was quite interesting.

"Hello! Young man!" (???)

I look around to see a woman walking around, observing some sheep.

"Were you shouting for me?" (Zhong Yuan)

"Yes! Young man, what are you doing here?" (???)

"Oh, I'm trying to look for someone. Is someone called Hohenheim here?" (Zhong Yuan)

"Hohenheim? Oh yes, this man arrived at out town eight years ago. You can find his house right next to ours. Follow me." (???)

"What's your name?" (Zhong Yuan)

"How rude. How bout' you introduce yourself first?" (???)

"I don't have a name because I've been exiled from Ishvala, but currently my code name is Kyofu." (Zhong Yuan)

"Kyofu, huh? Well, nice meeting ya, I'm Pinako Rockbell and it's kinda rare meeting an Ishvalan here. Say, were you kicked out because you practiced Alchemy?" (Pinako)

"You're pretty observant ma'am. Yes, I do practice Alchemy." (Zhong Yuan)

Pinako's face grew in shock.

"Wait! Aren't you supposed to never touch alchemy according to your religion?" (Pinako)

"We do have a saying to build things with our own hands, but I feel that using Alchemy is like using your intelligence as a means to create stuff." (Zhong Yuan)

"Kyofu... I'll remember your name." (Pinako)

She finally brought me to her house and Hohenheim's. I remembered seeing the Rockbell's house which was two floors high with an Auto Mail sign on the front. And near it, I saw a simple house, but looking at the windows you could see a lot of books being piled.

"Well, thanks for the help Pinako!" (Zhong Yuan)

"Be careful boya! Tell me later if you're going to stay here or leave soon or later." (Pinako)

I went up to the house and knocked, waiting for Hohenheim. He opens up and I see the last remaining Xerxian alive.

"Hello Philosopher! I came here to learn under you about Alkahestry. I hope you can help me out!" (Zhong Yuan)

"...Philosopher? I'm no philosopher. I'm just a normal man." (Hohenheim)

"Normal? Please don't play tricks with me. I know who you are and all about it." (Zhong Yuan)

"Please leave." (Hohenheim)

He then proceeds to close the door. With a slight gap left, I whisper.

"...homunculus..." (Zhong Yuan)

The door stops.

"Let's have a chat. I welcome you to my simple home." (Hohenheim)

*****

So in this short chat, I didn't reveal anything about my origin. However, I did say I was in his side to stop Father from recreating the Nationwide Transmutation Circle like the one he did in Xerxes.

"You can help me? Show me how." (Hohenheim)

"First, I'm a pretty good fighter. And second of all, my team and I found out about the barrier that provides us energy for alchemy and our plans to reverse it." (Zhong Yuan)

"Hoh, you impressed me. What do you have done yet?" (Hohenheim)

"Sadly, we haven't finished it. My partner is still working on it which is why I'm asking for all your knowledge regarding Alkahestry." (Zhong Yuan)

"...Sure, but even though I was related with it's creation, I didn't particularly master it. You can take some of my notes and research and use it. I hope it helps with your plan." (Hohenheim)

"Thanks. Can you give me those for a second?" (Zhong Yuan)

Hohenheim passes the books to me, in which I get out of the house to create two transmutation circles on the ground. I also gather some materials to carry.

"What are you planning to do?" (Hohenheim)

"You know... Messenging it."

I place the books on the first circle and clasp my hands. Placing it, a white light sparks and a copy of it was made. I then clasp my hands again on another circle and a bird made out of light materializes.

"You know? Using this made some Ishvalans think I was a prophet or something. It was quite funny you know?" (Zhong Yuan)

I humor myself on the inside, knowing the fact that Hohenheim in the 2003 anime could do the same. I place a copy of the book on the birds, gave it some commands, and it started flying to the dessert.

"That's pretty applicable. Where did you learn that?" (Hohenheim)

'I can't say I got the idea from him...' (Zhong Yuan)

"You know... Sudden inspiration." (Zhong Yuan)

"Hey... Do you want to by any chance research alchemy together?" (Hohenheim)

I smiled.

"It will be my pleasure."