Chapter 198: The Eighth Formula
Kev silently gathered the scattered draft papers from the floor, his solitary figure radiating utter defeat. Only now did he truly see it—seven brand new magical formulas, each one something the world of Norren had never witnessed before…
At last, Kev understood why everyone stared at him so strangely, why whenever he looked around, all those present would lower their heads in unison. It wasn’t Joey’s overwhelming influence—no, it was simply that none of them could bear to watch him lose face so spectacularly…
And yet, he’d fought so desperately—just to end up disgraced anyway…
Now, at last, he’d gotten what he wished for. Everything had reached the point of no return. Decades of hard-earned reputation—gone, wiped clean in a single moment.
But who could he blame for this?
If anyone was at fault, it was himself—for underestimating Matthew Merlin…
Yet he’d already taken Matthew Merlin seriously… hadn’t he?
He’d only been distracted for a moment, pondering his next move, and somehow Merlin had written out seven entirely new magical formulas. And Merlin was just a fifth-rank Archmage! No matter how brilliant his calculations, no matter how prodigious his talent, surely he’d need time to work through such complexity, right?
How could anyone work that fast?
Kev found it impossible to understand, no matter how hard he tried…
But now, no one cared whether Kev understood or not. The earlier commotion had made Leon Merlin the true center of this gathering.
More precisely, it was the seven brand new magical formulas Leon had just penned that stole the spotlight…
Everyone present at this gathering stood at the very pinnacle of the kingdom’s mage society. Their insight and experience were far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. If Leon had presented those seven formulas anywhere else, they might’ve earned him a brief flurry of admiration—nothing more.
But today was different. Today, none of these mages were ordinary.
When they saw those seven formulas, it was as if sharks had scented blood—within moments, they surged forward in a frenzy.
Just moments ago, the titled Archmages had been fiercely debating whether Leon Merlin deserved to join the Arcane Hand. Now, after this storm, they were suddenly overflowing with enthusiasm, calling him “Merlin” with such warmth it was as if they’d been lifelong friends.
At this point, no one bothered to mention qualifications anymore…
If a mage who could write out seven brand new magical formulas in one go wasn’t qualified to join the Arcane Hand, then who was?
The Arcane Hand existed for the sharing and exchange of magical knowledge.