The Alchemist's Chronicle

“The new shipment of books has arrived!!” Naomi yelled excitedly into the phone.
I was about to snap at her for having no care for my eardrums but the news she brought made me so happy, I was able to forgive her.

It may sound impossible if I say I’d read all the fiction- books in the library, but it was true. The librarians all liked me(at least most of them) and usually alerted me when there were new additions to the local library. But for months, there had been no new books and I had to re-read all the books. Over and over again till I was bored out of my mind.

I suppose I could have downloaded e-books but I’d never been a fan and preferred the brown-paged and musty-scented paperbacks. Overwhelmed with boredom and blooming exasperation, I contacted my friend, Naomi, who lived a stone’s throw from the library to look out when the promised new shipment of books. And now, they were here.

The library was several miles from where I lived but I didn’t mind as I hopped a few minutes later into my bicycle and pedalled the whole way there. I saw the books as they were being loaded in and ventured to get inside but I was stopped by the head librarian, Matilda.

“No, Miss April, you can’t get in till we’re done with the book arrangements. Perhaps tomorrow?”

I resisted the urge to fix her with a scathing glare and gave her my brightest smile instead.
“I have been waiting for more than six months, Miss Matilda. Don’t worry, I’ll wait here till you guys are done. I can even help out if you want.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “I think we’ll manage just fine Miss April. You can wait here.”

Five hours later, it was all settled. I barreled in and practically sprinted to the fiction section. I felt my eyes glow as I took in the new books. As I ran my hand through their bridges, I noticed one that didn’t seem to be placed properly. It looked older and more worn out than the rest so it stood out.

I picked it up and muttered to myself, “The Secret Alchemic Magic of Coffee.”
Was it a fiction tale? The title seemed too direct to be a figment of a person’s imagination. I quickly leafed through. Nothing drew me in as deeply as coffee. Even with how excited I was, I didn’t leave the house till I’d taken two cups.

I was engrossed in the first page and immediately alerted the librarian that I’ll borrow just it today. She was surprised that I needed just one book contrary to the three books I usually borrowed.

I got back home and brewed another cup of coffee, reading the book alongside. I was transfixed as the words jumped at me. It was clearly not fictional. In the early sixteen century, the town’s alchemist discovered that there was more to coffee than just a soothing aromatic liquid. He had come back from his day job as a farmer and absent-mindedly poured his brewed cup of coffee into one of his chemical caps and then drank it.

He noticed that the taste was somewhat different and looked at his cup in horror. He fell dizzy and slumped. Waking up, he noticed that his skin was smoother than a baby’s and his perpetually aching joints had loosened. He immediately proceeded to try other liquids like tea and freshly squeezed fruit but none had the tremendous effect. He deduced then that the elixir only worked with coffee.

He cured so many people, but then a rival alchemist wanted the same and made a plot to loot his home, get the secret formula and kill him. The alchemist got wind of this at the last minute and with the book he’d written containing everything that made up the healing coffee elixir, he set his home on fire and disappeared.

---

_{Majabel_Creaciones}

---

I halted and held the book to my chest, knowing that the next chapter would contain the formula for the Alchemic Coffee Mix. I picked up the note tucked in and read the excellent penmanship.

“Dear Present or Future Alchemist, if you are reading this now, you must already know my story and the magic that transpired to create this healing elixir. As you may have deduced, the next chapter contains the formula for creating this powerful coffee mix. But I must warn you. This is knowledge that comes with a price. And you may have to live in hiding all your life after now. There’s magic and power in this knowledge. And your life may just change forever. My advice to you is that if you choose to gain this knowledge, use it wisely. I hope you discover more than I could. All the best in your magical journey.

I was filled with trepidation. But taking a deep breath, I opened the next page. My eyes widened with each line. When I was done with the book, I was drenched in sweat but my spirit felt light. I was in a fix. What would I do now? I thought of how purposeless my life had been leading till now. And how the only thing that gave me a bit of adventure was books but read the alchemist’s note again.

Was it worth a try?

Picking up my phone, I called my friend that had asked if I could have her lab as she left for another country. The offer was still open and she assented. I packed my bags slowly and with the Alchemist’s book tucked tightly in the crook of my arm, I took the long route, cycling back to the library. Throwing it one last look, I muttered a prayer to be able to return one day to it. In one piece.

Till then, it was a whole new life for me.

---

---