Death... and me

In the Alchemist Guild, everyone looked at Roan's Green-Spotted Fox as it destroyed the dummy with every attack.

-Attack Power: 1653-

-Attack Power: 1694-

-Attack Power: 1703-

-Attack Power: 1712-

-Attack Power: 1715-

-Attack Power...

In the end, Roan's Fox achieved an average of 1674 points. It would have been even higher if he excluded the first attack it did. However, he didn't care about that since he was sure that it would be enough to pass this test.

Old Worm looked at that as well and nodded, satisfied. He had seen Roan use this method before on himself. Unfortunately, his body was well developed, so the change wasn't that big. In the past, Roan had also forced Rean, Malaka, and Calina inside his cauldron. After that, they all reached a tacit understanding to never talk about that harrowing experience ever again. They knew way too well just how the fox felt to be cooked.

Werxa's eyes lit up as he looked at that number.

'1674 points! That's ridiculous! Hahaha! Seven years from now, this boy will shine! I need to talk with his master after the competition is over.'

Still, he quickly calmed down as he looked at Roan's cauldron. After that, he replayed the process in his mind.

'Unless someone is as proficient in the Light Element as he is, they will never be able to copy his achievement. Even the Water Element's healing properties wouldn't be able to keep up with it. Let alone heal the fox's body this perfectly. Still, he also needs Yin Energy for his Dark Element control, which means he's practicing both Yin and Yang cultivation techniques. Just how does he not have a cultivation defect? Also, what is his actual elemental affinity when he cultivates? He hasn't used any other element so far.'

Werxa's doubts were the same as most of the alchemists and spectators who knew about the requirement for the Dark and Light Element. However, they couldn't be blamed for that. After all, where have you ever seen someone being born with an affinity towards those two elements? Well, the Light Affinity was because of Rean, though.

After the test was over, the dummy began to regenerate itself. That was quite a simple piece made between the formations and blacksmith guilds. It was quite useless for high-level cultivators, but it really showed its advantages in situations like these.

Roan then looked around and spotted Old Worm in the middle of the crowd. Since the others' foxes would take several hours to wake up, he might as well leave for the moment. However, just as he was about to go there, he received a Spiritual Sense Message from Werxa.

'I need you and your master to come to my office. I already told Fauk to bring you there.'

Roan then looked at Old Worm, who nodded his head. Roan then changed direction and left through another door. Old Worm had some difficulty leaving the place since his 'friends' were filling him with wave after wave of questions. Unfortunately for them, he didn't have the patience to answer and ignored them all.

A few minutes later, Roan and Old Worm arrived at Werxa's office and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

The two got inside and simply stayed there, staring at Werxa with an annoyed expression. Obviously, it looked like they didn't want to be here.

'What is wrong with these two? I'm still the Alchemist Guild Leader in the Sasamil Empire, you know? Shouldn't you feel honored that I called you over?'

Of course, he didn't say that out loud.

Well... if it was anyone else, that might have been the case. It's just that Roan and Old Worm didn't give a damn to Werxa's status.

"Ahem... The reason I called you two here is because I would like to invite Roan to participate in the next guilds' group competition that will take place seven years from now."

Roan narrowed his eyes as he looked at Old Worm, asking.

"Is it of any use?"

"The rewards aren't bad."

"Alright."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Werxa felt like crying.

'Is that all? Hey! It's a competition between all the empires and other regions of the world! Shouldn't you at least ask about what it is? What to expect? Why I'm selecting you? Things like that! Come on! Can you two act like any other proper human being? Many of the young alchemists outside would probably kill for this opportunity!'

Doing his best to keep his feelings hidden, Werxa continued.

"Ahem... The guilds' group competition this time will be a joint collaboration between the four main side-occupations. It means that the Formations, Blacksmith, Talisman, and Alchemist Guild will work together. Naturally, the other three guilds will send their best competitors as well."

"The reason I selected you is that you're still sixteen years old. The competition rules ask for participants under 25 years old. So you're perfect for the requirement. Of course, this is just an early talk. If you don't enter the top 10 in the last phase, this conversation will be meaningless. Well, after seeing your abilities, I doubt you'll fail anyway. That's why I used this pause in the exam to talk with you two."

Roan ignored that and asked something else.

"What are the rewards?"

Werxa shook his head.

"It hasn't been selected yet. However, it is as Fauk mentioned. The rewards are usually excellent. However, there are a few things that are always present. For example, the first three groups always receive 1000 Rank Five Spirit Stones. That much is guaranteed."

Roan nodded. Rank Four Spirit Stones are already very rare and hard to obtain. Let alone Rank Five. This would be an insane boon to him and Rean.

"Okay. Is there anything else?"

Werxa didn't know whether he should be happy that they accepted it so quickly or sad that they didn't seem that interested.

"I would like you to stay in the guild and focus solely on alchemy for the next seven years."

Roan immediately shook his head.

"There's no need. I have way too many things to do during this time. However, you can test my ability again once we get close to the competition. If I'm not on par, just bring someone else."

Old Worm looked at Roan for a second but didn't say anything. That was his decision, after all. He was probably called here just because he was Roan's Master.

Werxa then tried to insist so that Roan would change his mind. Unfortunately for him, Roan was adamant about his decision. Well, Roan had all the shit about Calina to resolve, so he couldn't really stay around. Besides, he was the type who preferred real-life experience to improve his techniques and cultivation. If he secluded himself for the next seven years, it would impact his own development.

Werxa sighed in the end and could only add.

"In that case, make sure to take all the jade slips with the materials necessary for your self-improvement. Just remember that you can't spread it around without our consent."

Roan agreed with him as he said.

"I was going to do that from the very start."

Werxa nodded, satisfied.

"If there is something you need, let me know. Of course, you need to pass the last phase first."

Roan and Old Worm then turned around, but just as Roan was about to leave, he stopped his steps before looking at Werxa.

"Do you think you can arrange a private chat with Huan Qelol?"

Even Old Worm showed a hint of surprise with that question. After all, Huan Qelol was the prime minister in the eye of the storm around the throne succession.