Everyone fell silent at Finn's explanation. They could hardly believe what they were hearing. How could this young man possibly have created such a remarkable pill? An eighty percent success rate! And even if the probability fell when taken by a more power Adventurer, it was still an extraordinary treasure.
While everyone was lost in thought, Brien suddenly let out a loud, raucous laugh. The younger adventurers could only watch as he continued laughing, thinking that perhaps he had finally gone mad from defeat.
A few moments later, he finally stopped and shot Finn a vicious glare. With a cold smirk, he spat, "Do you really think you can deceive everyone here? If you truly had the ability to concoct this pill you speak of, then why are you still stuck at the 1st Scarlet Gold Rank? Moreover—" he raised his chin arrogantly "—you're nothing but a Scarlet Gold Rank, and it's impossible for someone at your level to refine a Rank 5 pill!"
Those who heard Brien's words nodded slowly. He did have a point. If Finn truly possessed such skills, surely he wouldn't still be languishing at the lower ranks. Besides, everyone knew that Scarlet Gold Rank alchemists lacked the qualifications to produce Rank 5 pills—only Profound Rank alchemists were said to be capable of such a feat.
But rather than bristle at Brien's challenge, Finn simply smiled back and spoke in a calm voice. "Everything I said about the pill I created is true. As for why my level and rank is still so low, surely you all know I come from a humble clan. The resources and ingredients I have access to are limited. In fact—" he spread his hands in a modest gesture "—this is the very first Advance Scarlet Pill I've ever refined. And regarding my ability to create a Rank 5 pill…"
His smile grew a touch sharper. "Perhaps it simply means I'm more talented than you are. Besides—" Finn lifted a hand, a faint blue-green flame flickering at his fingertip "—I possess a legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. That alone may be the reason for this result."
A murmur rippled among the onlookers. While none of them were alchemists themselves, they felt an instinctive envy at such a rare flame—though compared to the envy boiling in the hearts of the alchemists present, it was nothing.
Morris and Alicia stood in tense silence. Unlike Finn, they only possessed Orange Alchemy Flames. Their advantage lay in rank and experience—but when it came to potential, it was clear neither of them could compete with the likes of Finn or Brien. Though Finn's words pricked their pride, they kept their thoughts to themselves.
"Hah!" Brien barked, unable to restrain his disdain. "And who would believe you came from an Ordinary Clan? How do you explain your Top-tier Rare Armament cauldron? Don't tell me your faction doesn't know you're an Alchemist—because if that's true, there's no way they gave it to you themselves. Are you even truly an Adventurer of this kingdom?"
The hall erupted into uneasy whispers. Brien's accusations were meant to sow doubt, and he was succeeding.
In the corner where Noah and Marcus stood, both men's faces darkened. Noah took a step forward and declared in a voice that brooked no argument, "Brien Latter! I have personally investigated Finn Doria's origins. You have no right to speak such reckless accusations against a member of my Cloud Soaring Sect. He is, without any doubt, a citizen of this kingdom."
When the Sect Master himself spoke, the speculation ended at once. No one dared question Noah Vildar's word.
Brien turned toward Noah and forced a 'respectful' smile. "Forgive my impertinence, Sect Master Noah Vildar. Perhaps I was too hasty in asking such worthless questions."
Gasps broke out among the younger Adventurers at the mention of Noah's full name. Vildar—there was only one family with that surname: the Royal Clan itself. That meant…Noah was a scion of the Royal Clan!
Hearing their murmurs, Finn realized the same thing. Even so, he remained composed, merely studying Brien's face with cool amusement.
"And since you've brought it up," Finn said with a polite smile, "I have a question for you as well, Brien Latter. You're nothing but a Rogue Adventurer with no clan to back you—how exactly did you reach Sixth Level Scarlet Gold Rank? Isn't that suspicious in its own way?"
Brien froze. He hadn't expected Finn to turn the scrutiny back on him, much less in front of everyone—even with his master watching. He had been so sure that he could chip away at Finn's credibility, but now the knife was pointed at his own throat.
His jaw clenched, and he glared. "I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an abandoned cave filled with treasures. I used them to attain my current strength."
Finn let out a soft laugh. "Then we are not so different. I, too, discovered an abandoned cave full of trials. That's where I acquired this cauldron…and a certain book on alchemy."
Brien's face twitched as Morris narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
'A book on alchemy? That must mean it contained secrets and formulas…'
Finn had mentioned it deliberately, hoping to capture Morris's interest.
"Hmph," Brien grumbled, running out of arrows in his quiver of insults. "Then I have nothing further to say. But I still don't believe in the efficacy of your so-called pill!"
He fell silent, unwilling to humiliate himself further.
"If you still doubt my creation," Finn said mildly, "then let your teacher judge both our pills side by side."
He was determined to disgrace Brien in front of every adventurer here. Finn could endure insults directed at himself—but no one would malign his clan. He would make sure everyone learned that lesson.
Scowling, Brien nodded curtly. He began stowing his tools into his interspatial ring before walking over to stand beside his master. Finn did the same.
As he passed Tiffanya, Finn shot her a cold, mocking smile.
Tiffanya's expression tightened. She could hardly believe how far this detestable boy had come. She had always known he was an Alchemist—she'd seen his flame—but she hadn't realized it was the fabled Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. Her rage and Guhen's had blinded them back then to what they were dealing with.
And now that Morris had seen Finn's abilities firsthand, the situation for Tiffanya and the entire Nine Ice Family was growing perilous. If Morris decided to value Finn and his clan, then the Nine Ice Family might soon find themselves standing at the edge of extinction.
The hatred between their clans was past the point of reconciliation. Sooner or later, one side would pay the ultimate price.
"Teacher," Brien murmured deferentially.
"Association Master," Finn greeted Morris respectfully.
Morris nodded to both youths. He couldn't yet decide which of them was more worthy of his regard. Finn was undoubtedly gifted—blessed with a legendary flame and a mysterious alchemy book. His future was limitless. But in the end, Brien was his personal student, and loyalty still carried weight.
The two young men presented their pill bottles to Morris, who accepted them gravely. He opened Brien's first, inhaled the fragrance, and a wide smile spread across his face.
"There can be no doubt," he announced proudly. "This is a Rank 4 Scarlet Nurturing Pill—and not just any pill, but high-quality!"
Morris all but glowed with satisfaction. Who wouldn't be pleased? His student had produced a pill to be proud of.
Yet the Adventurers around them waited, their attention fixed not on Brien's work but on the second bottle. They were desperate to know whether Finn's claims were true—and who had won this contest.
Morris felt a prickle of awkwardness as no one reacted to Brien's result. Coughing lightly, he opened Finn's bottle instead.
The moment he sniffed the pill, his eyes widened. He inhaled again and again, brows knitting tighter each time. Then he abruptly sealed the bottle and held it in both hands, closing his eyes in utter silence.
A hush fell over the hall. Murmurs built like gathering stormclouds.
"Teacher…" Alicia ventured at last, unable to stand the suspense.
She liked Finn—admired his humble, resolute nature—and honestly, she preferred him than Brien. There was something unsettling about Brien she could never quite name.
Slowly, Morris opened his eyes and let out a weary sigh. His gaze settled on Finn.
"Even as the most renowned Alchemist in this kingdom," he said quietly, "I must apologize. I do not know what kind of pill this is. This is the first time in my life I have ever encountered such a thing."
Gasps and astonished cries erupted around them.
"What?! Not even Association Master Morris can identify it? Unbelievable!"
"Then…who won?"
The suspense had reached its peak. Morris' reputation itself seemed to hang in the balance.
The Soaring Seven and Alchemy Seven held their breath. Though this was only a prelude to the real competition, it was already a clash of prodigies, and a duel of rare flames.
Morris exhaled again, his voice grave. "Even if I cannot name this pill, I must judge it fairly. It carries the aura of a Rank 5 pill. From its scent, shape, and color, it is unmistakably top-quality. Its aura surpasses even Brien's creation. Therefore, I declare Finn Doria the victor of this contest!"
An uproar shook the entire hall.
A Rank 5 pill…top-quality…! It was all true. Finn really had done it.
Brien's face darkened to an ugly shade. He could not accept it. He could not accept defeat at the hands of a nobody from a lowly clan.
Morris regretfully returned the pill to Finn. He desperately wanted to buy it, to study it further—but he couldn't humiliate his own student any more. Even so, he was already scheming to discover its secrets—and the book behind it—by gentler means.
No sooner had Finn reclaimed his pill than four figures stepped forward. He could not sense their rank at all—proof that each of them was a Sky Rank Adventurer.
"Congratulations, Finn Doria," said a bearded man in a vivid orange robe. "I am Sect Master Netero Gyun of the Burning Heaven Sect. Name any price, and I will buy that pill from you."
"I am Sect Master Piere Ruppet of the Soul Puppet Sect," said another man in brown robes. "I, too, wish to purchase it."
"Island Mistress Selena Yusina of Ancient Darkness Island," said a tall woman in flowing black. "And like them, I would be honored to claim this pill."
"Pavilion Master Ren Ramis of the Immortal Sword Pavilion," said the last, dressed in silver. "I also wish to buy it."
The young Adventurers could only stare, their hearts seething with envy. This was the privilege of true talent—to stand here, courted by the mightiest leaders in the realm.
Finn swallowed, feeling the weight of all those gazes. He bowed low to the four.
"It is an honor to meet you, esteemed masters," he said sincerely. "But I must apologize. This pill is already promised to someone else. However, once I have gathered enough ingredients to create another, I would be glad to sell more—so that all may benefit from the Advance Scarlet Pill."
The four exchanged glances. Though disappointment flickered across their faces, they nodded one by one.
"Very well," Netero rumbled. "In that case, if you ever wish for assistance gathering materials, come to the Burning Heaven Sect. I would be glad to aid you."
"And so would I," Piere added. The other two quickly agreed.
An agreement with four faction masters—if word of this spread, Finn's reputation would soar to unimaginable heights.
Selena tilted her head curiously. "Tell me…who is this pill intended for? And why will you not use it yourself?"
Finn turned to look at a silent figure in the crowd—a beautiful woman in a crimson gown with eyes like polished gems. He smiled softly.
"It would have no big effect on me as I'm just a low level Scarlet Gold Rank," he said. "Therefore, I wish to give it to Miss Ashe, to further strengthen our group as a whole."