Page 41 of DATE
In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Socrates and Plato philosophically discussed this secret art, creating the widely known "Four Elements Theory" that still influences thinking today.
Everything in the world is made of four elements.
—Air, water, earth, and fire.
"Alejo," Hedy spoke, "grind that white stone into powder, and put some of it in the spoon."
Lorenzo slightly lifted his chin, and the servants immediately released the shopkeeper.
Alejo, though still fearful of witches, complied immediately.
He took the small knife handed to him by a servant and scraped half a teaspoon of the pale white stone powder.
"Add five drops of clean water to the spoon, then place it over the candle flame to heat."
A servant brought over the candle. Alejo took a deep breath, holding the spoon and placing it over the flame, using the outer flame to heat the bottom of the porcelain spoon.
If… if she truly was a witch, not only could Da Vinci be whipped, but he himself might suffer too.
It absolutely had to turn blue.
A miraculous thing happened.
Before their eyes, the solution in the spoon began to bubble as it heated, and the water turned a bright blue, appearing out of nowhere.
The spoon was becoming too hot to hold, and the temperature of the solution continued to rise.
"Take it away—" Hedy instinctively shouted. "If you heat it further, it will turn back!"
Alejo, his skin reddened from the heat, could no longer hold the spoon. He glanced toward Lorenzo with a pleading look, seeking help.
"Take it away."
But it was too late.
The over-heating caused the blue color to fade quickly, and much of it returned to white.
"As you can see," Hedy turned to him and said, "I didn’t deceive you."
"Even if you throw me into the dungeon and make me do it again, the result will be the same."
"Why water?" Lorenzo frowned. "Why does it turn back?"
This question was difficult to answer.
Hedy’s nerves were on edge at this moment, and her back was slick with cold sweat from the intense pressure.
She couldn’t explain the exact molecular changes of water to him, nor could she explain the difference between anhydrous copper sulfate and copper sulfate pentahydrate.
The beautiful young woman took a deep breath and finally spoke.
“When a person loses blood, their face turns pale."
“The same is true for stones."
Lorenzo stroked his chin, suddenly recalling many rumors he'd heard in the palace.
The emperors of England and France had kept many alchemists, some even granted the title of duke.
