Fullmetal Alchemist LN 1 18

It looked as though the very air around the tile twitched and hardened.
In an
instant, the material of the tile broke apart and reformed. When the invisible
twisting stopped, a wall grew from the ground, pulled upward by Edward’s
rising hand. He pulled until the wall was as tall as he was, then slapped his flat
palm against it, causing the opposite side to bulge. The bulge formed the
material of the wall into several conical shapes—spikes that shot toward Russell
with the speed of Edward’s thrusting hand. As they shot towards him, the wall
grew smaller, like a living thing that had undergone a metamorphosis into hard,
stinging tentacles.
“Fly!” Edward shouted, sending the continually elongating spikes at his
opponent. Russell was no newcomer to such battles, so he would dodge—
which was why Edward made sure he sent a few extra spikes for insurance.
“Impressive! You didn’t even need to draw a transmutation circle!”
Russell was genuinely impressed. But although his eyes shone with
amazement, he didn’t seem flustered. “You really are a State Alchemist,” he
observed as he put his hand onto the courtyard.
Now it was Edward’s turn to be surprised. Just as Edward had done, the
impostor drew a wall of material from the courtyard tiles. The spears that
erupted from his wall struck the ones Edward had propelled towards him, and
as they collided in midair, they splintering into nothing.
The battle ended in a matter of seconds. However, it had been more than
long enough for each combatant to gauge the other’s strength.
Edward fixed Russell with a steady gaze.
They used the exact same methods. Their strength was evenly matched.
Neither used a transmutation circle of power. Both had performed a feat far
above the ability of the average alchemist.
This was no run-of-the-mill dabbler in alchemy Edward was facing. He had
talent, the strength to rival an alchemist many called a genius … Or else …
A light dawned in Edward’s face.
Russell laughed.
“You have it, don’t you?”
In answer to Edward’s half-whispered question, Russell put his hand into his
breast pocket. His fingertips reached inside and dug around, searching. Under
Edward’s steely gaze, he drew something out and held it between his thumb
and index finger.
A red shard.
It was small and so translucent it seemed it might shatter at any moment. It
was a beautiful thing, sparkling in the moonlight.
“The Philosopher’s Stone …”
This was what Edward was searching for. The legendary Stone, able to break
the laws of alchemy. The real deal.
“You completed it?”
“Merely a trial version.”
“And that’s how you can fight me like this?”
Russell’s rudimentary alchemical abilities had been magnified by the power of
the prototype he carried. He glanced at Edward. “Like I said, it’s just a trial
stone. You want it?”
“Of course!” Edward didn’t have to think about his answer. Just imagine the
clues he could wring from that Stone, with a little luck!
“Of course you do. Too bad I’m not gonna give it to you.” Russell put the
Stone back in his pocket.
“I’ve made a bunch of these, but they’re of limited use. They’ll have to be
much, much better before I can make gold that will last instead of crumbling to
dust. That’s why I have to continue my research. And that’s why you need to
leave. Now.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Really? Linger any longer, and Mr. Mugear might begin to suspect
something.”
“Sounds like your problem,” Edward spat.
“Too bad.” Russell sighed. “I suppose this calls for more forceful tactics.”
Edward braced for action. “I’ll take that Stone, and I’ll make you confess in
front of the whole town!”
“I won’t give you the Stone, and I’ll prove I’m better than the real thing!”
Simultaneously, each boy grabbed courtyard tiles that had broken off during
the previous fight. Light from alchemical reactions sparked in the air as massive
stone swords formed in both of their hands.
“I’ll beat an apology out of that big mouth of yours!”
“I’ll have you crying for mercy long before that!”
“Hah!”
“Hah!”
An instant later, they flew at each other and struck.
Alphonse watched, all the while gauging the distance between himself and
the lab. He had hoped to slip by while his brother fought the impostor, but the
chances were looking slim. Russell fought with his back to the laboratory, and if
Alphonse passed him, he’d be sure to take a hit. Even if he got lucky and made
it, he’d be right in Edward’s line of fire, making it more difficult for his brother
to attack. No, with things in such close quarters, it was best for him to just stay
out of the way. Apparently, Alphonse wasn’t alone in his thinking, for when he
took another step back, he ran into Fletcher.
“Oh, sorry,” Alphonse apologized automatically.
Fletcher stepped meekly aside.
“Sorry.”
“It was my fault.”
The boy who was posing as Alphonse Elric was quite small, shorter even than
Edward. He was slender and, unlike his short-tempered brother, had a sweet,
gentle look to him. Alphonse could well have been mad at him for stealing his
identity, but the worried look in Fletcher’s eyes as he watched his brother fight
made Alphonse hold his tongue. He could see Fletcher didn’t want to be here

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It looked as though the very air around the tile twitched and hardened.

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