Is that a Wisp?

1 - Kaio Terinia, 752 points.

2- Xaia Lian, 747 points.

3- Jolk, 744 points.

4- Irken, 721 points.

5- Firal Uelen, 627 points.

6- Dan Vinik, 620 poi...

The alchemists watching the competition were surprised by Krune's, or better, Jolk's score. A few looked into the information available for the public and even found out that he was only a Six Silver Stars Alchemist. Other than that, there wasn't much more to be seen. The more experienced alchemists immediately understood that Jolk was one of those who were hiding their identities.

"Just who is this Jolk guy? How come his score is on par with the Golden Stars Alchemists? If we don't count him, the alchemist closest to them is almost 100 points behind already. How is he even doing it?"

"Could it be that he is hiding his real ranking? No, that wouldn't be possible since the Alchemist Headquarters is very strict with this kind of thing."

"Aren't you all being just too much impressed? This is just a knowledge test. As long as you study hard enough, anyone can do this much. It's just that the others put more effort into their concoction experience other than plain information."

"The guy above is right, what can Jolk even be able to do against those Eight or Nine Silver Stars alchemists in the next phase? He probably thought that since he didn't have a chance, he might as well focus on the knowledge side to be close to the top at least once."

"Is that so? From what is available for us to look, it seems like he is a demon beast. Aren't Demon Beasts usually more relaxed when it comes to knowledge? Look at Irken, one of the Golden Stars Alchemists. It is obvious that he didn't as much effort into expertise as the other two. Since this Jolk guy is also a demon beast, it is impressive that he can do this much at his level. He might really have a trick or two once the next phase starts."

"Haha! Who doesn't like a black horse? I've decided that I will be cheering for Jolk from now on! Who is with me?"

"Count me in!"

"Here's another one."

"Me too."

-

So far, only two hours had passed. The only reason why Krune and the others could answer so many questions at this time is because of their cultivation. It allowed the participants to read and type the answer at speeds that a normal person could ever hope for. After all, quite a few problems needed a significantly long explanation that would typically take some time to type down. This is also one more reason that some of the alchemists watching it were surprised since the information available also stated that 'Jolk' is at the Core Formation Realm. Different from the Golden Star Alchemists that are in the Divine Soul.

Krune, of course, had no idea about what was happening. He was utterly focused in the middle of the questions and answers. In fact, he was feeling quite good to have his knowledge tested to this extent. Even for him, there had been quite a few problems that he didn't know the answer. In the end, he just jumped over those and went to the next. He made a mental note on every single one of them so that he could check it later, though.

Time passed, and soon, two hours went by.

"The test is over!"

Suddenly, everyone's monitor changed, and the questions disappeared. In its place, the score rank was now being shown. Immediately, everyone noticed that black horse in the middle of the Golden Star Alchemists.

1- Kaio Terenia, 3469 points.

2- Jolk, 3413 points.

3- Xaia Lian, 3395 points.

4- Irken, 3187 points.

5- Irman Golie, 2637 poin...

"Jolk? Who is this guy? He got second?"

"I feel like I heard this name before, where was it?"

Suddenly, one of the alchemists remembered who Jolk was.

"Isn't that the name of the 12 years old wisp from yesterday? The one at the Six Silver Stars Level?"

Quite a few had been there during the moment that Krune was registering. Although he wasn't as impressive as the Golden Star Alchemists, he still left a deep impression on those of the same level.

"Right! That was him!"

"Now, I remembered. I have heard that wisps are generally an intelligent race. But to get this kind of position while being just 12 years old? That is crazy!"

Krune, of course, was feeling like crying again. Before, everyone was paying attention to the guy beside him. But now, everyone is once more looking straight at him. The worst part is that even the 'famous' guy that he doesn't know is looking intensely at him too. That made everyone else even more aware of his presence.

The commotion continued for quite a few minutes until Palo Yiag finally put an end to it.

"Alright! This is all for the first day of the Junior Alchemist Competition. Tomorrow, the next phase will start at 10 AM, so be sure to be here, or you will be disqualified. As for those who haven't reached the top 1000, you are welcome to stick around to watch the rest of the competition, just use the workstations that you were in today. The formations inside will guarantee that you won't bother the ones who passed, so take this chance to gain more experience. You are all dismissed."

Krune, as fast as lightning, disappeared from the place in a blink on an eye.

'Sigh... How come I took the 2nd place? I always forget to hold myself back in the most important moments.'

Ruik was already waiting for him on the exit. This Two-Headed Snake knows Krune personality way too well, so he was confident that Krune would be flashing by anytime now. Sure enough, Krune almost passed without noticing Ruik's presence. Fortunately, Ruik had sent him a Divine Sense message as soon as he appeared.

"Instead of running back to our hotel, let's go to where the Formations Master Junior competition is happening. Their first test was also knowledge related, but their side started it two hours later than the alchemists."

Krune paused for a second and then nodded.

"That seems like a plan, let's go there."

Even though Krune took the 2nd place, the majority thought that it was only because he studied more than the others. Instead of those who decided to cheer for the black horse, the majority didn't spend much time overthink about his 2nd position. Thanks to that, Krune didn't have anyone bothering him after he left.

Back in the Alchemist Competition site, Yilio was looking into his position in the knowledge test.

'Hum... 78th place. That is well within what I predicted since I didn't make studies my main focus. Still, to think that Krune got second place. I guess that the fact that wisps are an innately intelligent race wasn't a lie.'

Yilio then looked at the three Golden Stars Alchemists rank and sighed.

'I thought that maybe I could get the first place if I was lucky enough to while overdoing my concoction. But with those three guys there, this chance is now gone up in smoke. There is no way that I can apply laws to my concoction, and I don't even know how to understand Laws to start with. Not to mention that I'm still at the Core Formation Realm. Is it even possible to perceive the Laws in this realm?'

Yilio then decided that there was no point in overthinking it and put this problem on the back of his mind.

'Anyway, first is impossible, but I will try the top 10 at the very least. If my cauldron doesn't explode, I might have a tiny chance at it.'

Yilio then met with Ramon, and the two went back to their hotel.

-

Krune and Ruik took almost an hour to reach the Formations Master Junior Competition site. But as expected, their own knowledge test wasn't over yet. Krune looked at the score being displayed and soon found Feifei in the 173rd position. Ruik also noticed that and couldn't help but comment through a Divine Sense.

"That's quite a low position for someone with a Destiny Major Core, no? She should be able to predict what the correct answer would be."

Krune heard that and shook his head.

"That won't happen since Feifei doesn't like to use her Divination Skills. According to Feifei, if she uses it all the time, nothing more will surprise her in the future. Feifei doesn't want to live a life where she knows everything. She told me that 'life's unpredictability is what makes it worth living.' So unless it's something vital like our safety or the like, she won't use it."

Krune then continued.

"Besides, Feifei has quite some pride herself. I believe that she thinks that it would be the same as admitting that she doesn't have real knowledge, and I couldn't agree more. It is one thing for her to use her Destiny Core to advance in the Silver Star Ranks since she isn't competing with anyone. But another altogether when she is against other geniuses. Getting a higher Formations Master Rank won't bother anyone, but it is different in a competition like this."

Krune then smiled and said.

"You might not know this, but Feifei rarely uses her Divination abilities when she is practicing. Now, she is in the 173rd position without relying on it, that in itself is already amazing considering her age and rank."

Ruik nodded but then asked.

"Wait, but aren't you in the second position between alchemists being only 12 years old?"

Krune felt a little embarrassed when he heard that question.

"Well, you know, there were 53 questions that I know that I answered correctly, but I have no idea why they are the right answers. So you should consider that score to be 53 points lower since I don't really understand them."

Ruik's mouth twitched, hearing that.

'Doesn't that mean that you would still be the 3rd place? Are you looking for a beating?'