Chapter 1412
Now, we have to choose an alchemist. Since Agalon pointed this out so specifically, it’s clear it’s not just about arranging the Hexagram Formation at the end—there must be other reasons.
Leon had a vague suspicion, but couldn’t pin it down. For now, winning this competition was a must. But how to win, and what would count as victory—that was the real question.
Everyone else had been busy for quite a while already, but Leon still stood motionless in front of the pile of materials.
Agalon watched Leon, seemingly unconcerned about him losing this round. In fact, aside from Agalon and Alonzo, nobody really understood how the winner would be determined.
After all, each contestant had their own specialty—one brewed an alchemical potion, another forged a magical artifact, and someone else set up an alchemical array. How could these three possibly be compared?
Savi was crafting a magical artifact. He’d already finished selecting and refining the materials, so the next steps would be much easier. Clearly, Savi already had a plan; all he needed to do was follow it.
Three hours went by. Many contestants were halfway through their alchemy, and most had reached the final critical stage. After all, the materials here were all low-grade—nothing advanced could be made with them, so naturally, progress was quick.
Savi’s magical artifact already had a rough shape. All that remained were the final steps: inscribing runes, fusing materials, and a series of crucial processes before it would become a true magical artifact.
Of all magical artifacts, staves are the easiest to craft. Generally, when people talk about magical artifacts and staves, they treat them as two separate things—the difficulty of making a magical artifact is much higher than that of a staff.
Trying to craft a Soulbound Relic with these low-grade materials? Not likely. Even making a regular magical artifact would be considered quite impressive.
Trying to make a Soulbound Relic out of these low-grade materials? Not a chance. Even producing a standard magical artifact would be considered a feat.
Savi wore a confident smile. After finishing a crucial step, he glanced at Leon—only to find Leon still hadn’t started. He’d gone from standing to squatting in front of the pile of materials, his expression solemn, as if those low-grade materials contained some unsolvable puzzle.
Seeing this, Savi couldn’t help but smirk with mockery.
So this is Agalon’s disciple? The only one Lord Agalon has accepted in countless years? What a shame...
In both magical power and alchemy, Lord Agalon is on par with my own teacher. Even my teacher admits Agalon is his equal.
But when it comes to picking disciples, Lord Agalon’s judgment is questionable. Maybe this guy’s talent is a bit better than mine, but right now he’s only a Level 5 Sky Rank mage.
For Sky Rank mages, Level 5 is just the real beginning. Only at this point do you truly start mastering the power of rules and understanding the essence of the extraordinary. From here, advancement becomes a whole different challenge.
If he wants to reach Sky Rank Level 7, like me... heh, he’ll need a few more centuries.
But as for his alchemy? Honestly, not impressive. Three hours have already passed, and he still hasn’t started. He probably just doesn’t have the confidence.
With these low-grade materials, even without a time limit, tradition says you need to show results in six hours. If you can’t produce anything in that time, you shouldn’t call yourself a Worldshaper. You’d be better off heading back to Astral Academy and spending another century on the basics.
Savi’s lips curled into a cold smile. After a brief glance at Leon, he stopped paying attention and focused entirely on his own alchemical creation.
Time kept slipping by. No one had the bandwidth to worry about others, but whenever anyone paused, every alchemist in the contest noticed Leon’s strange behavior.
At first, he just stood there, unmoving. Then he squatted in front of the mountain of materials, still motionless. Eventually, he looked like he was scavenging for junk—tossing materials aside, scattering them everywhere, but still not starting any alchemy...
The other contestants started to look down on him.
“Lord Agalon is such a powerhouse, yet he picked such a soft disciple. Losing the match wouldn’t matter—he’s still the youngest here, not even a hundred years old. For a Level 5 Sky Rank mage, that’s basically a toddler just learning to walk. He’s got plenty of time left.
But to give up just for fear of losing? That’s a disgrace to Lord Agalon. And in front of all these people, too. What a cowardly slime...
“I heard Lord Agalon and Lord Alonzo have a huge rivalry—they compete over everything, but neither has ever bested the other. Now their disciples are facing off, so it’s basically a proxy duel between the two masters.
But this Archmage Leon Merlin doesn’t even dare to start. What a disappointment...
Nobody said it aloud, but their eyes said it all.
Time slipped by, and soon five hours had passed. An hour ago, someone had already finished their alchemical creation and was now quietly waiting.
Time slipped by, and before long, five hours had passed. One contestant had finished their alchemical creation an hour earlier and now waited quietly.
When the sixth hour arrived, no one called for a stop—there was no official time limit for this contest. But Alonzo had already started critiquing the finished works.
The first to be critiqued was a Sixth Rank Sky Mage Worldshaper who had produced an alchemical potion.
“This Bloodlust Potion is well done. You worked those basic ingredients to their limits, but there’s no creativity here. If you’d fused the Bloodlust Potion with a Vampire Potion, you could’ve boosted its effects by a whole level. For a Worldshaper, producing only what a Master could is shameful...
Alonzo didn’t mince words—he immediately eliminated the first alchemist he critiqued. Agalon stayed silent, but his agreement was clear.
“This Springstone is crafted to standard, and you tried adding ingredients to make the water sweeter. But that’s a pointless idea.
You might know Springstone is a low-tier magical relic I developed ages ago, designed to provide water for desert travelers. Its mana can create water, but it’s just pure H2O—far from complete. The body needs more than water. Making it sweet? What’s the use?
Did you think flattering me would let you pass? Foolish...
"This is Angel’s Hand? Judging by its abilities, it’s a pretty solid magical artifact—not only does it heal, but it’s got strong power to dispel the undead...
But before I lose my temper, get out of my sight, you fool. Did you think I wouldn’t notice the Light Gem shard you snuck in? Idiot!
Alonzo roared in fury, and the mage who crafted Angel’s Hand screamed as he was sent flying, vanishing from sight.
Angel’s Hand only gains that power with a Light Gem, but none of the contest’s materials included a Light Gem…
Every alchemist’s work was trashed by Alonzo—he called them all garbage. At first, his critiques were mild, but as he saw more, his words grew harsher, even venomous.
Idiot, go review your alchemy basics. Did you swallow the Servis Formula?
Moron, what kind of crappy alchemical array is this? How did you even become a Worldshaper? Even a junior apprentice at our Mysterium Academy knows that adding three energy circuits speeds up transmission and raises the array’s level. You dare show me this eyesore?
Damn it, get out of here. Don’t let your trash pollute my sight…
Alonzo was like a cranky old drunk, roaring as he trashed each alchemist’s work, saying they weren’t worth a single gold coin. Agalon stayed silent, tacitly agreeing, because these works truly didn’t meet the minimum standard. The slot wasn’t for first place, but there was a baseline—and none met it.
One after another, the alchemists were eliminated, until only Savi and Leon remained.
Savi’s work was a twenty-four-sided white crystal. It looked ordinary, but when placed on the crystal table, even picky Alonzo smiled.