By the next day, Josh continued with his studies while people kept gawking at him. Rumors began to spread about noises they heard in the woods, like sounds of explosions—probably from Josh’s fight against Lizard Commando—but he decided to pay them no heed.

  Eventually, Josh went to his chemistry class and was busy taking down notes while his teacher, Mr. Harrison, was busy with a lecture about the elements and their properties. But then, perhaps not fully convinced of Josh's change of heart, Mr. Harrison singled him out.

  “Mr. Miller, would you mind explaining and then writing an equation for a basic experiment... or are you just going to show us the latest of your stink bomb concoctions?”

  The rest of the class snickered in response, while Josh just sighed and walked to the whiteboard, grabbing a marker.

  However, when he started, the teenager began mumbling equations so advanced that even Harrison could barely understand him. Josh began drawing diverse diagrams and formulas that looked like they were in a different language… yet seemed legitimate. Then, before anyone knew, Josh mixed a bunch of formulas in a vat, placed an iron bar into it... and it transmuted into a bar of solid steel.

  Mr. Harrison, along with the rest of the class, looked on in amazement. Then the teacher said, “Mr. Miller… did you just… perform alchemy?”

  Josh realized he'd revealed more of his skill than he intended. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head in slight awkwardness... but since he had shown them all this much, he might as well own it.

  "It really is a basic experiment," Josh admitted, addressing the stunned classroom. "I just went the extra mile with all the equations and instructions to show my work. And I stuck with the whole iron-to-steel thing because I didn't want to risk inflation by, you know, turning lead into gold."

  One student, a usually boisterous jock named Mike, raised his hand hesitantly. "You can… really do that? Make gold?"

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  Josh met his gaze with a stern look. "I said, I don't want to cause any inflation." He then turned to Mr. Harrison, who was still speechless. "I can teach you the formulas myself, if you'd like, sir."

  Mr. Harrison blinked, his mind clearly still trying to process the impossible. He finally managed a weak nod. "I… I would be honored, Mr. Miller. Perhaps after school?"

  Later that day, Josh found himself explaining the day's events to Sasha as they walked through the park.

  "You actually made alchemy real," Sasha said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're like… Harry Potter or something."

  Josh chuckled. "I wouldn't go that far. I haven't even used one of the most iconic items of that character yet."

  Sasha's eyes widened, a playful warning in her gaze. "Josh, no."

  Josh grinned, unable to resist the urge to tease her. "Josh, oh yes."

  Sasha rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "You can't be serious."

  Without a word, Josh reached into his trusty hammerspace pocket and pulled out a necklace. A delicate golden chain held a crimson jewel that pulsed with a faint, inner light. A Philosopher's Stone.

  Sasha's jaw dropped. She stared at the stone, then back at Josh, her expression a mixture of shock and exasperation. She tackled him, pushing him playfully to the ground. "You are such a jerk!" she exclaimed, straddling him and pinning his arms down.

  Josh laughed, his voice warm and genuine. "Well, I couldn't help it when you kept going into denial."

  Sasha's anger melted away, replaced by a soft smile. She looked down at him, really looked at him. The changes in him were more than just physical. There was a newfound confidence in his eyes, a quiet strength that radiated from him.

  "I'm relieved," she admitted, her voice low. "Relieved that you're still the same goofball jerk that I know."

  Josh's smile softened. "And I'm glad you're still the same hardheaded, strong woman that I know."

  They stared at each other for a long moment, the playful banter fading into a charged silence. The air crackled with an unspoken tension, a feeling that had been simmering beneath the surface of their friendship for years. A light blush dusted both their cheeks.

  Before either of them could say anything, a loud explosion echoed from the direction of the school parking lot. The ground trembled slightly, and a plume of smoke rose into the air.