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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s power system revolves around the usage of Alchemy, which is described as a metaphysical mystical art of manipulating and altering matter by using natural energy. Although there are a plethora of characters in the series who are capable of using Alchemy, only a few have managed to gain mastery over it to a greater extent.
Edward is one of those characters in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, who is renowned for his immense proficiency in Alchemy. He can perform complex Alchemy without the need to draw a Transmutation Circle, which is a necessary symbol that initiates the alchemical transmutation. Despite the unparalleled proficiency in Alchemy, no one can master this ability.
Why Edward doesn’t need to rely on Transmutation circles to perform alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Edward didn’t voluntarily acquire this ability, but he did indeed pay a huge price for it, which was also done without his consent. Back then, when the Elric brothers were trying to reincarnate their dead mother, Trisha Elric, with the Human Transmutation Alchemy, it turned into a total disaster.
Not only did it strip away Alphonse’s body and infuse his soul into a soulless, inhumane creature, it also took away Edward's left leg as a price for crossing into god’s domain. This catastrophic event played a major role in giving Edward the ability to use Alchemy without the need to draw a Transmutation circle as he and his little brother entered the Gate of Truth.
Although Alphonse too has seen the Truth, he forgot everything, which is why he was incapable of performing Alchemy without a Transmutation circle. From a young age, Edward possessed a tremendous knowledge of alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. To save his little brother’s soul he offered the Truth his right hand in return for the latter’s soul.
Alphonse’s soul was bound alchemically using Human Soul Binding Alchemy to an antique suit of armor with a Blood Rune by Edward. After regaining consciousness, Alphonse carried his brother's body to Rockbell’s house, seeking Pinako’s help. Edward remained in a pitiful state for days, blaming himself for everything that had happened to his brother.
However, everything changed when Colonel Roy Mustang came to persuade Edward to join the State Alchemist Program. Edward agreed in an instant as he found a slight hope of restoring his brother’s body by finding the Philosopher’s Stone. He later underwent an operation to attach a custom-built Automail, which helped him overcome his disability.
With his new Automail arm, Edward just has to touch his palms together to bypass the need to draw a transmutation circle and channel the energy with his own will. Using his instant alchemy, he can transform his Automail into a sword or a gatling gun with ease.
There are others like Van Hohenheim and Izumi Curtis who are capable of performing Alchemy without the need to draw Runes in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Izumi also suffered from a failed Human Transmutation, which injured her body a lot. However, Van helped Izumi by rearranging her organs.
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