The Alchemists

Now that the problem is behind our lovely couple, I would like to show you glimpses of what will happen in Volume 2. The second volume will focus on Aleksis, Finland and Caspar's daughter who was raised as the dauhgter of the most powerful and richest family on earth - the opposite of her mother.

You will see how the pampered daughter of Caspar Schneider tried to live as a commoner and found love. We'll get to see her siblings, her mom and dad, and uncles (Lauriel, Jean, Aldebar) around her, while she met the love of her life.

Enjoy!

PS: This text is not yet edited, so please bear with the grammar mistakes ^^

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Aleksis walked eagerly in long strides following Mr. Miller's secretary into his office.

Her tanned face, having spent so many months in the Caribbean, looked rather disheveled and her long, messy hair did not diminish her distinctive beauty. Her blue and green eyes this time didn't attract much attention because she covered them with glasses like Uncle Rory used to do.

Aleksis was a very beautiful girl who was used to making herself appeared messy and nerdy by wearing big glassess and old fashioned clothing or torn jeans and oversized shirts so as not to attract men, who would certainly make her bodyguards react badly. At first glance one would think this girl is just a nerd who didn't deserve a second glance.

"Please sit down, Aleksis ..." Mr. Miller welcomed Aleksis kindly and invited her to sit on the sofa. "We don't usually accept student transfer suddenly like this, but Mr. Van Der Ven contributed to the construction of the new library and we must appreciate his good intentions in sending his niece as an exchange student for one year."

"Thank you sir." Aleksis smiled happily. She knew Kurt Van Der Ven, her father's right hand, could take care of everything she wanted easily. She just needed to ask. "I'm excited to start studying here."

"Good. Students may live in dormitory or look for apartments outside of campus. You can contact Ms. Lauren outside if you need help to arrange accommodation. Lectures start next Monday."

Aleksis listened to some advice from the university director in earnest before excusing herself to take care of her move to the dormitory.

Ms. Lauren welcomed her well and gave Aleksis several documents to study.

"So, do you want to stay in the dorm or outside?" asked Ms. Lauren after Aleksis signed several files.

"I want to try living in a dorm," Aleksis said quickly. "I want to have many female friends."

"You didn't have any female friend in your previous school?" asked Ms. Lauren who was astonished.

Aleksis shook her head. She was almost 20 years old, but until now Aleksis did not have a single female friend. All her life was spent adventuring with Uncle Rory or joining her parents around the world. You could say her best friends are her mother and her two younger siblings. They were very close, but it was really not the same as having normal friends.

After feeling satisfied exploring the world, now she was longing to be like other girls who went to public university and made friends with people from all walks of life.

St. Mary University became her choice because of its location in Singapore and was very strategic to explore Asia and Australia, so it would still be easy to go on adventures if she wanted to, and her brother Terry also studied there and was almost graduating. At least she didn't need to worry about adjusting because there are already people she knew on campus. Terry majored in Film and she herself majored in Management of Information. The two can meet often because their departments are located close by.

"My family moves around a lot, so I never had close friends," Aleksis said with a slight smile.

That will change, she thought to herself. She was ready to settle for several years and become like a commoner. It would be very interesting compared to the sheltered life she was used to having.

"Oh, what a pity. What do your parents do to move around so much?" asked Ms. Lauren is interested. "Are they in the military?"

"Uhm ... they are researchers," Aleksis answered trying to choose a sentence that had the most obscure meaning as possible. Her mother had a variety of interests and her father had many professions that he could pursue depending on his mood. Currently they were enjoying a honeymoon together for the umpteenth time so Aleksis could get away from home for one year to live as an ordinary girl, and her two younger siblings study with Uncle Aldebar.

"Oh, they are researchers? Very good ..." commented Ms. Lauren, looking impressed. The girl in front of her did look like a nerd, maybe her parents were indeed very smart. "All right. Everything's settled. You can enter the dorm this afternoon and start studying next Monday."

"Thank you, Ms. Lauren." Aleksis got up and excused herself. She came out of the administration building with a happy face and when she arrived outside she breathed in deep fresh air. She couldn't wait to be a regular student and make friends with people her age.

Her hands were stretched and her eyes were closed as she took a deep breath. Unconsciously her lips exclaimed happily, "Yeahhh …!!"

"Watch out for flies. You don't want to unintentionally swallow them," said a voice from behind her, making Aleksis gasp and look away.

A tall young man with long blond hair tied with red string passed by with a mischievous smile. His handsome face was covered in a pair of large black sunglasses which made him look mysterious, he gave off indifferent vibe with both hands in his pockets as he walked lightly away from Aleksis.

"Nicolaeee ... !!" Some of the girls who saw him pass by immediately became hysterical and shouted his name. The young man waved at them and continued his journey towards the library building.

"Watch out for flies?" Aleksis murmured in confusion.

Jeez...

Look at those girls… If I wanted to be like a commoner, should I copy their attitudes? But it's so cheesy ...

Do I have to scream out guys names like them?

"Nicolaeee .. !!" She screamed while pouting her lips with exasperation. Huh ... seriously . This looks dumb.

"Hey ... Please don't embarras me ..." Suddenly a hand patted Aleksis's head and when she looked she saw Terry covering his face while shaking his head. "Don't tell me you're also a fan of that pretty boy Nicolae ..."

Aleksis pursed her lips and hit Terry. I'm not a fan of any pretty boy.

"You're late. I've taken care of the registration myself," she said curtly.

"I was busy, sorry." Terry shrugged, but didn't try to avoid his sister's punch. "Wanna have lunch?"

"Yesss. You're paying." Aleksis's sullen face immediately changed to a sweet smile as she took Terry and pulled him toward the cafeteria. "I eat a lot, you know ..."

Terry laughed and followed Aleksis to the cafeteria and opened the chairs for them.

The atmosphere of the noisy cafeteria suddenly became quiet when people noticed the presence of the both of them.

Aleksis was stunned to see everyone was staring at her in surprise.

"Jeez ... Why are people staring at me like this? Is there something on my face?" she whispered to Terry.

The young man shook his head while rolling his eyes.

"They must think you are my girlfriend ... Don't bother with them." Terry pretended not to see the probing gaze of the girls around them and nonchalantly called the server to order food.

"Gosh? Did they really think my taste is that bad?" said Aleksis in an annoyed tone, while Terry quickly knocked on her head. Aleksis immediately protested, "Heyyy ... I am still growing, you know! If my brain is injured and not fully developed, you must take responsibility!"

Inwardly Aleksis now believed in Terry's words yesterday that her brother was very famous on campus. She could see all the girls around them staring at her with hatred and jealousy because she sat eating at the same the table as Terry. They thought she was his girlfriend.

Her brother was indeed very handsome and being the head of ths student council last year made him highly respected on campus. So many girls wanted to be his girlfriend.

Ahh ... If only they knew that Aleksis was Terry's sister, maybe those girls wouldn't throw her these hateful looks, instead they would try their best to win her heart.

Even though Aleksis and Terry have different parents and different family names, but by DNA you could say that they are both biological siblings.