Work Text:
Another fruitful day of studies. Professor Ozawa’s lecture was still fresh in her mind, and then there was all the algebra homework she had to catch up on this weekend.
She was grateful nobody would ask about her sudden trips to and from Japan. As long as she got her work done. The excuse of seeing her friends was not only true, but easy to explain. Meanwhile, how could she dance around the missions she’d do with Girls Remix… That would be tricky. Thankfully it had yet to come to that.
Closing her algebra book, Rinne looked outside the window of her dorm room. The sky was gray once again and painted with endless clouds. By this point she had grown accustomed to the weather of London. It didn’t deter her either, Rinne knew what she signed up for when coming over here to study.
If it meant getting a high-class education, both in commonfolk studies and alchemy, it was more than worth it.
University had been going swimmingly. Her English was improving at a nice pace, and making friends had come so much easier now. Her time with everyone back in the Academy had helped her ability to socialize begin to bloom.
The Rinne of old would have sat in the corner, keeping to herself. Now she’d take the time to talk with other students, and even joined the horror movie club. Finding even more kindred spirits who felt similarly to her about ghosts and all things spooky. It was so, so nice to gush with fellow horror enthusiasts. There was nobody back home she could indulge this side of her with. Kajiki loved the occult, but anything actually scary? He’d run with his tail between his legs.
Her more secret studies, with the Alchemist side of the University, also were going just as wonderfully.
Professor Grant had recently told her that she was showing much growth and potential in her alchemic skills. Over here she was getting the challenge and knowledge she craved. Going farther, reaching higher. Flexing her alchemy muscles and creating new ones. Just like she had hoped.
If she wanted to become a Grand Alchemist and surpass her father—pushing herself was a must.
There was only so much Minato-Sensei could teach her. Going to another branch in the Alchemys Union’s lineup of schools needed to come next after graduation. She still remembered the day this dawned on her so vividly.
At first the idea of coming to the United Kingdom was a daunting one. To be in a whole different part of the world by herself, oceans apart from her friends, and needing to speak a new language too. Though the more Rinne thought about it, the more the concept fired her up. With each passing day her determination blazed brighter and hotter.
This was a change she needed in order to further her skills. To move forwards and grasp the future that she wanted to carve out for herself. Making her own rules along the way. It had to be done.
Rinne looked down at her ring, the one with the stone colored by a vibrant orange. Symbolizing the power of Majade, how she was able to fight and carve out that path.
Powers that were given to her by her father.
Over time her relationship with Fuga had morphed into something complex. Deep down, Rinne did still love him. Though those feelings of love were wrapped in layers of anger and grief. A mixture of various emotions that clashed at all times. Possessing such a stormy ocean inside of her was only natural after vanishing without a trace for as long as he did.
Even if she still carried love for him, she wouldn’t grant Fuga forgiveness so easily. Wounds were present still deep in her heart, alongside that sense of love. Since he returned into her life Rinne hadn’t let him live it down. And as long as she drew breath, Rinne would never let him live it down.
To his credit, he accepted this with grace.
She would become a grand alchemist that was leagues stronger than him. Over the course of the battle against Glion, she vowed this to herself.
A small part of this was because of what he did, yes. She’d never deny that. No doubt spite was a powerful force. It had been throughout history.
Not everything was about Fuga though, far from it. The main motivation was Rinne’s drive to become an alchemist that brought joy into the world. The stronger her skills would become, the more joy she could bring forth into the lives of others.
As she’d carve out her own path towards the future, on her terms, with her own rules, Rinne would show the true purpose of alchemy: Making others happy. This aspect of the craft was deeply important to her core beliefs.
No matter what it took, Rinne would do anything to make this dream come true.
She glanced down to her other ring, colored by a striking black and gold. The one that symbolized a friendship that was a driving force all of its own. In due time she’d bring back Atropos too. A promise Rinne had made both to her, as well as herself.
And once Atropos was given new life, Rinne would show her just how alchemy could bring joy into this world.
Atropos deserved to live a full life. One where she wasn’t a tool for a cruel man, and only seen as such. Giving her a life where she could be truly cherished by those around her, and carve out her own path too.
It will happen, and Rinne would stop at nothing to make this become a reality as well.
In order to do just that… it was time to hit up the books! Well, the alchemy books. Professor Grant had provided a new advanced textbook for her. Chock full of new alchemic formulas Rinne had yet to try for herself.
As Rinne took out the book, she quietly hummed.
One day she’d change the world of alchemy in her own way, one step at a time.