We can drop the whole Ex Miscellanea idea. I can see that concept is dead as a doornail. I'm looking now at alternate builds.
One idea is to play a Bonisagus who belongs to a Mystery Cult that will ultimately allow Philosophic Alchemy. If I do that are the Green Cockerels the only MC that has that mystery virtue?
Another idea is to play a member of one of the MC houses (not Verditius, since we have two of those). If I do that are initiations back on the table since those would be within my House's mysteries?
I'm not trying to be difficult. Really I'm not. 
I'm just trying to figure out what the build rules are.
Really, there are a lot of possible character concepts. I liked my first one, it's true. But there are plenty of others out there that will probably cause less trouble.