Crossword Genius

What St. Michael became (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alchemist

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'what st michael became' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'st michael became' is the wordplay.
'became' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'becoming' mean this).
'st'+'michael'='stmichael'
'stmichael' anagrammed gives 'ALCHEMIST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alchemist that I've seen before include "St Michael in role of one turning base metal into gold" , "One tried to turn ordinary metal into gold" , "... seeker after stone" , "The St Michael who tried to turn metal to gold" , "one trying to find the elixir of life" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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