Alchemy is mostly basic chemistry with some magic involved. He’s probably asking how to form copper sulfate crystals. Crystals are valuable for magic manifestation, they are used as a medium for energy to pass through and physicalize as focused magic. Though natural and raw crystals are preferred for practicing magic due to their durability and natural affinity with mana, they are an expensive and rare resource so artificially made crystals are more commonly used. And the crystals that are of the best quality made through alchemy are activated copper sulfate crystals.

“To make copper crystals, sulfuric acid is warmed and large amounts of copper are added to the solution, after mixing them together, the copper is removed and the remaining solution is heated again till it is reduced to half the volume, and is left for evaporation. After a week or so, the mineralites are fused and detoxified by purification magic, which results in the large activated copper sulfate crystals used for magic manifestation.” Although it is a basic chemistry experiment, science is a fairly underdeveloped field of knowledge, so alchemy is mostly science done purely based on experimentation and luck. There are no foundational laws that are known in this world for them to truly understand how chemistry works. Matter and energy is explained through the understanding of magic so to apply scientific laws are incomprehensible in this world, people literally believe things work the way they do just because that’s how it is, they don’t question the mechanisms behind the functions. So to even know about this experiment is something to be proud of.

“Why.. low success?”

“People have the misconception that the low rate of success for this experiment is because of the copper being used, people believe that pure alloys of copper or the form of the copper will change how successful the experiment is but that’s not the case. The form or type of copper does not matter but rather the quantity and age of the copper.”

“Age? Old copper?” asks Kalei.

“Yes, but more specifically how much the copper has degraded.” Ezra’s eyes light up.

“Dirty dull copper… does produce better results. Why?” Ezra asks curiously.

“I can tell you why but that would ruin the mystery for you too soon don’t you think?” I smile coyly.

“Tell me.” Ezra says, a bit annoyed. Beg me if you're so desperate.

“I do hope you understand what you are asking of me, brother. You wish for me to tell you the secret for achieving a 100% success rate for producing copper crystals, do you know the ramifications of such a secret being exposed? I would help the Empire to gain a massive upper hand on our production of crystals, our economy would flourish as a result, and that too with little for me to benefit from, it seems to be a rather unfair proposition.” Ezra’s eyes widen and an abrupt laugh comes from the Emperor.

“Haha! My my, it seems the princess is becoming more of her blood. If what you say is true about the success rate of the experiments, then would you be more inclined to tell us if we struck a deal?” The Emperor smirks in amusement.

“And what would this deal entail your Majesty?”

“Tell us the secret to the experiments and we shall test out your theory, if it proves to be true, I will give you any one thing you desire.”

“Anything?”

“Anything you wish for. That is if you prove to be correct, if your theory is wrong, you will be thoroughly punished for misleading us and wasting our time.”

“Punished?”

“Death seems reasonable.” In what way is that reasonable?!

“Your wager, your terms. I shall accept.”

“Then do tell us this secret you speak of.”

“The secret is… oxidized copper. You may not know this but copper is dulled and dirtied in appearance by prolonged exposure to oxygen. The aged copper is actually a new form of copper called copper oxide. The more copper oxide that is present, the more effective the experiment will be, and to achieve the best results, there must be an excess amount of copper oxide in the solution.” Ezra sits up straighter in his seat and listens attentively to my every word.

“Ezra,” Father calls out to him, ”commence the experiments to test this out in the Alchemy Tower.” Ezra nods. The Alchemy Tower is Ezra’s domain within the palace, it’s where all the scholars of the Empire gather to discuss and work on Alchemy, with Ezra as the master of the tower.

“Well then, do inform me when you would like to meet me afterwards, for my wish.”

“Arrogance is not befitting of you.” Kalei says out of spite.

“Would I dare be so foolish to show arrogance in the presence of such honourable and esteemed individuals such as yourselves? Though I am confident of my claims, arrogance is only suited for the rash and low-minded. (Such as yourselves.) I was only stating that I shall be awaiting his Majesty’ summons if the opportunity arises. Until then, I would, regretfully, like to excuse myself early. It seems I am still not in my best health from my illness, I will retire to my palace.” I say this with feigned distress and rise from my seat.

“Do take care of yourself sister, we wouldn’t want you to die earlier than expected.” Alphonse sneers with a villainous smile. Earlier than expected? As I thought, subtlety is not his strong suit.

“I pray all the more for you as well, dear brother.” I waddle my way towards the large door and it opens gracefully. I leave the palace with my entourage in tow. Once I reached the palace, I ran towards my bedroom to strip myself of the uncomfortable dress. I ordered the maids to bring some food (because I barely ate anything in front of my family), while June and Linda helped me change into a more comfortable dress. I ate ravenously and began to think about what I would wish for from Armand. I know I will win the bet, much to Alphonse’s chagrin, but what could I ask the Emperor to give me? Land? Authority? Power? Should I just ask him to dethrone himself and make me the Empress? No, he’ll probably execute me for treason. I have to ask something that won’t endanger him or his precious sons but will still benefit me. Something that could help me bring those maniacs under my control. As I thought it through, time went by quickly and two weeks passed. As expected, I received a summons from the Emperor to meet him at the Ruby Imperial Palace.

The same ordeal as the day I met Armand for breakfast occurs by the maids. I get escorted by some knights to the throne hall this time, which is multiple times grander than the dining hall. The throne hall is not only bathed in gold, from gold statues and gold vases filled with roses, but it is also decorated with all sorts of rubies impeded into the walls in a quilted pattern. At the centre and end of the hall, there on the dais, Armand is sitting with all his glory on his scarlet throne. I walk forward and curtsy a distance away from the dais.

“So. Mia.” I winced at his voice, he has never called me by my name before. “What is it that you wish for?”

“Your Majesty–”

“Father.”

“Huh?”

“You may call me Father.” What has gotten into him?!

“Uh, F-Father, if it may not be too much of me to ask, I wish for you to give me something of utmost importance to me,” I looked up to see his eyes, anticipating his reaction. “I wish to become your apprentice.”