Chapter 2

A few students who happened to pass by looked over.

Everyone knew I was the most useless alchemy student in Crucible.

They also knew Zephyr, the extraordinarily gifted newcomer.

I smiled faintly and said, “Fair point. If that’s the case, then we ought to abide by Crucible’s ordinances.

“Since you just got here, you should show me some respect.”

“You—!”

Zephyr’s expression darkened.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, tilting my head.

“Didn’t you say the only things that matter are talent and hard work? Or do you think your own rules matter more than earning your place here?”

The students who had been standing around watching the argument noticed what I had done.

Zephyr gritted his teeth and forcibly suppressed his anger. “Fine, you’ve got a point! But let me be straight with you. Once I enter the order, I only acknowledge strength.

“Those lazy ones who sit around doing nothing all day don’t deserve anyone’s respect, no matter how old they are!”

With that, he turned and walked away huffily.

I watched him leave as hatred surged in me.

This time around, I would not conceal anything.

From that day on, the story of my feud with Zephyr spread rapidly throughout the entire Crucible.

The other students whispered among themselves.

Some said I was deliberately making things difficult for Zephyr because Caspian and my other peers favored me. Others said Zephyr was simply too arrogant.

I could not be bothered with such idle gossip. So, I hid myself away in my room, passing the days reading alchemy texts and basking in the sun.

But I knew Zephyr would not let things go so easily.

Lately, I had been exploring the Arch-Alchemist Dimension within my mind.

Inside, there were herb fields thick with energy. There were also the alchemical writings of the First Alchemist, along with countless lost elixir recipes.

One day, as I was studying a lost antidote pill formula inside the dimension, I heard footsteps outside my courtyard.

I exited the dimension and pretended to be studying.

Ella came in.

She carried a plate of fruits and asked in a conflicted tone, “Carlton, have you and that new arrival Zephyr really been fighting?”

I shook my head and said, “There’s no bad blood between us. Zephyr’s totally devoted to his alchemy. So, he looks down on someone as untalented as me.”

She sighed. “Carlton, don’t be so stubborn. The Arch-Alchemist’s election is coming up soon. You need to concentrate and learn a thing or two from him.”

Just as she said that, Melissa walked in. “Mr. Hemlock is in solitary retreat right now, so don’t be so hardheaded.”

Helena emerged and quickly chimed in, “Yeah, Carlton, Zephyr’s really talented. I watched him craft pills yesterday. His technique was fast and precise!”

Another of my peers, Marie Amber, also came in and nodded.

“These past few days, Zephyr has been prodding us about crafting pills. My skills have actually improved quite a bit!”

When I heard this, I looked at them with a cold gaze.

In just a few short days, Zephyr had won over several of my female peers.

I stopped smiling and said in a chilling tone, “So to you, I was in the wrong to go against him, right?”

Melissa frowned. “Nobody’s saying you were wrong. We just think you’re taking this too personally.

“That’s just how he is. He trains hard and doesn’t really show respect through words or gestures. You should stop slacking off too and try to be more like him—”

“No need!” I cut her off. “Whether I train or not is my call. I don’t need you worrying about it.”

Helena was displeased. “Carlton, how did you become so stubborn? With your lazy, half-hearted attitude, you don’t deserve to stay in Crucible at all!”

Looking at how disappointed she was, I could not help but sneer. “Since you all feel that way, you can show yourselves out.”

They were stunned for a moment. They clearly had not expected me to say such a thing.

“Carlton, you’ve got some nerve talking like that!” Melissa’s face turned ashen. “You need to apologize to everyone.”