Does alchemy actually work?

The question that lingers in many minds is, does alchemy actually work? For centuries, alchemists have been striving to turn base metals into gold, seeking the philosopher's stone that would grant them the power to transmute matter. But does this ancient art truly hold the secret to such miraculous transformations, or is it merely a mystical pursuit with no basis in reality? As we delve deeper into the world of alchemy, we must ask ourselves: have any alchemists truly succeeded in their quest, or is this all just a grand illusion?