After Brien openly challenged Finn to a duel, a commotion erupted within the great hall. Everyone present struggled to comprehend the earth-shaking revelation the young man had declared. Even the influential adventurers in attendance fixed their attention on the two opposing groups facing each other.
Their curious gazes searched for the youth named Finn Doria, eager to see for themselves the boy rumored to possess a legendary alchemy flame.
Noah and Marcus, too, were taken aback. Though Finn was a member of the Cloud Soaring Sect, neither of them had any inkling about the secret Brien had exposed. Even so, they remained silent. They knew this was neither the time nor the place to press Finn for the truth.
For now, they had a far more pressing problem—Brien himself had walked straight up to them, determined to stir trouble.
Meanwhile, the expressions on the faces of the Soaring Seven were no different from the crowd's. They, too, were astonished by what they had just heard.
"The legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame! Who in the world is Finn Doria?! That name sounds familiar somehow!" exclaimed a young man clad in an orange tunic and black trousers, his voice filled with disbelief.
Judging by his uniform, it was clear he was a member of the Burning Seven of the Burning Heaven Sect.
"Finn Doria… isn't he that famous youth from the ordinary Azure Wood Family? I heard he once tore up and burned the engagement contract between his father and Cleo Frois right in front of Tiffanya Frois and Elder Guhen of the Nine Ice Family. Tiffanya was utterly humiliated and tried to attack him then and there, but a representative of the Golden Lion Family stepped in to stop the conflict," explained another youth standing beside him, also a member of the Burning Seven.
"There's more," said a third, unable to hide his excitement as he rubbed his fist. "He only just joined the Cloud Soaring Sect, but he already claimed one of the seven slots to represent them in the upcoming Seven Great Faction Games. I can't wait to fight him myself!"
It was easy to see the Burning Seven's fondness for battle. Even if they were not the strongest, nothing thrilled them more than encountering a promising adventurer.
All around the hall, people murmured heatedly about Brien's challenge—and the name on everyone's lips was Finn.
Hearing so many voices discussing him, Finn couldn't help but grimace. He glanced at Alicia, only to find her looking down, clearly avoiding his gaze.
Then his eyes turned to Brien, who continued to look around arrogantly. Finn noted the youth's pallid skin, blue hair, and striking blue eyes—features that explained why so many young women were watching him with unconcealed fascination.
Forcing a polite smile, Finn stepped forward and extended a hand. His voice was calm and measured as he met Brien's gaze.
"Mister Brien, unless there happens to be another Finn Doria here, I suppose I am the one you're looking for. How may I be of service to you?"
Though Finn disliked conflict, he knew he had little choice but to show humility before this pompous young man. He neither wanted trouble nor any more enemies.
"Hmph. So you are Finn Doria." Brien's gaze swept over him from head to toe before twisting into a mocking smirk. "You don't look like anything special. Just another common Adventurer."
Then, with disdain gleaming in his eyes, he continued. "As I said, I challenge you to a contest. You possess the legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame. Naturally, I wish to prove to the entire world that even a remarkable flame is worthless in the hands of a worthless Alchemist."
Gasps and mutters rippled through the hall at Brien's arrogance. Many there had never met such an insolent youth before, and they silently cursed him in their hearts.
Yet none dared say so aloud. Everyone knew Brien's status: the prized pupil of one of the most influential Adventurers and Alchemists in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. Who would be foolish enough to speak against him?
Despite the sneering insults, Finn remained calm. He slowly inclined his head and gave Brien a slight smile.
"I must apologize, but I cannot accept your challenge. You are correct—I have a little talent in alchemy. Thus, I must decline."
The moment Finn's refusal left his lips, a shrill laugh echoed through the hall. A girl clutched her stomach, trying to muffle her giggles behind one small hand.
It was none other than Ashe, who had stood silently at Finn's side this whole time.
She laughed because Finn's rejection was all too familiar—he had done the same to her when she once challenged him to a duel, dismissing her without hesitation. And now, seeing him do it to someone else, she couldn't help but laugh at the new victim of Finn's indifference.
"You must be Ashe Vermillion of the Vermillion Family," Brien said smoothly. Instead of taking offense, he offered Ashe a charming smile and a compliment. "I've heard tales of your beauty, and they were not exaggerated."
Ashe stopped laughing at once, her expression darkened. She glared at Brien, her annoyance plain.
"I don't need your praise," she snapped. "And would you kindly refrain from saying my full name? You may address me as Miss Ashe, as everyone else does."
The entire hall fell silent in shock. None could believe Ashe would speak so bluntly to the cherished disciple of Morris himself.
"Sect Master Noah, your daughter truly has an admirable spirit," Morris remarked with a chuckle.
Noah forced a polite smile and bowed his head apologetically.
"Forgive her rudeness. Even I have never managed to discipline her."
Inwardly, Noah could only sigh. He had warned Ashe countless times to mind her tongue, but she never seemed to listen.
"There's no need to apologize," Morris replied, smiling. "It's simply a dispute among young Adventurers. We elders need not interfere."
Off to the side, Lore watched with some satisfaction. He still felt grateful Ashe hadn't treated him the same way back when he used to pester her.
Brien's smirk faltered as he studied Ashe. He hadn't expected to be humiliated in front of so many Adventurers by this young woman. Unable to do anything about her, he turned his scorn back on Finn.
"Hmph. It's just a simple contest, and yet you refuse? Are all members of the Azure Wood Family cowards and trash like you?"
The atmosphere in the hall turned frigid at once. Brien had insulted not just Finn but an entire clan.
Finn's ears rang with the insult. His expression shifted; the polite smile vanished from his face. He looked up, his eyes cold and devoid of any emotion.
This was precisely why he'd always guarded his secrets so carefully. He had never joined the Alchemist Association for fear of exposing his flame, and now that the truth was out, he knew trouble was inevitable.
The Nine Ice Family would likely stop at nothing to erase him from the kingdom—no matter the cost. They feared what he might become if he grew stronger and more influential. While he was still weak, they would surely act to eliminate him before he could become a threat.
As tension thickened between Finn and Brien, a group dressed in blue uniforms arrived. At their head was a strikingly beautiful woman in a flowing blue gown, flanked by an elderly man in blue robes.
Sheeha Orobus, leader of the Ice Feather Sect, had come, accompanied by one of her Core Elders.
Behind them walked a handsome young man and a young woman in blue uniform whose beauty rivaled even Ashe's. Indeed, only one girl in the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom could compare—Tiffanya Frois.
Sheeha approached where Noah and Morris stood, offering Morris a courteous greeting before casting Noah a flirtatious look.
She quickly noticed the charged atmosphere around Finn and Brien and smiled faintly.
"Oh? It seems we've stumbled upon quite the spectacle," she remarked lightly.
Noah stepped subtly away from her and gestured toward Finn and Brien.
"It's merely a friendly contest between young adventurers," he said calmly.
The Ice Seven members also turned curious eyes toward the scene.
When Tiffanya's gaze fell on Finn, her delicate hands clenched at her sides. She still hadn't forgiven the humiliation he had dealt her back in Aurora Town.
Finn, too, saw her arrival. His expression grew even colder as he shot her a disdainful look before returning his focus to Brien.
"Truth be told, I had no intention of entertaining you," Finn said coolly, voice like chilled iron. "But you have insulted my clan. If it is a fight you want, you shall have it."
Brien threw his head back and laughed. But then, his eyes sharpened to a predatory gleam.
"Ha! So you do have a spine, Finn Doria. Since you have agreed, I will explain the rules of our duel. We are both Alchemists—let us compete in the creation of a soul-enhancing pill. The winner will be the one who produces the pill of highest quality and rank. You have no objections to this, I trust?"
Finn met his stare in silence before slowly shaking his head.
Since the Cloud Soaring Sect would protect his clan, there was no longer any point in hiding everything. Perhaps it was time to show a glimpse of his skill before the watching adventurers—and maybe strengthen the Sect's support even further.
Brien retrieved a gleaming table, a golden cauldron, and an array of rare ingredients from his interspatial ring, laying them out with dramatic flourish.
The spectators gasped. A Top-tier Rare Armament cauldron! It was not only useful for refining pills but could also serve as a formidable defense in battle.
Brien shot Finn a mocking look.
"What? Don't tell me you don't even own a proper cauldron or ingredients?" he sneered.
Ignoring him, Finn calmly sat cross-legged on the floor. He reached for his own interspatial ring. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a cauldron of his own—pitch-black and subtly emanating an oppressive aura.
Though also a top-tier Rare Armament, any experienced eye could see at a glance that Finn's cauldron was superior.
[Black Stone Cauldron]
Effect: Used to refine pills
Item Grade: Rare
Quality: Top-tier
Defense: 1,180
Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
"I don't have a fancy table," Finn said evenly. "So I'll work on the ground."
The hall fell silent for a heartbeat—then Ashe, watching from the sidelines, couldn't decide whether to groan or laugh at his matter-of-fact tone.
"Does he really come from an Ordinary Clan…?" whispered an alchemist from the Alchemy Seven.
Morris turned to Noah, smiling wryly.
"I see you are generous with your Core Members, Sect Master Noah. A top-tier cauldron—impressive."
Noah forced a stiff smile.
"In truth…it likely belongs to Finn himself," he admitted quietly.
"Oh?" Morris murmured in surprise.
Beside him, Sheeha's expression turned grave as she studied Finn. Tiffanya's eyes also darkened, an uneasy chill pricking at her skin.
"Hmph," Brien spat, scowling. "Even if your cauldron is better, you won't defeat me. We have one hour to finish the pill. Once time is up, we reveal our results—complete or not. My teacher, the kingdom's most renowned alchemist, will be our judge."
It irked him deeply that Finn had humiliated him again without even trying.
Once he finished, he summoned his Blue Alchemy Flame, sending it roaring into his cauldron. A triumphant smirk briefly crossed his face—until he looked over and saw Finn idly toying with the Blue-Green Alchemy Flame dancing in his palm.
'This bastard…!' Brien seethed.
Forcing himself to focus, he began refining his ingredients, while Finn calmly did the same.
The crowd held its breath as the contest unfolded, countless eyes gleaming with anticipation.
One hour ticked by. Sweat beaded on Brien's brow, while Finn remained composed, his expression tranquil.
At last, the allotted time ended. Both cauldrons opened in unison, and the pills rose into the air. He retrieved his creation and placed it in a crystal vial.
"I shall go first," Brien announced proudly. "This is a Rank 4 soul-enhancing pill—the Scarlet Nurturing Pill. It boasts a seventy percent chance of raising a Gold Rank Adventurer to Scarlet Gold Rank."
Murmurs of admiration rose around the hall. Even Morris looked satisfied with his disciple's achievement.
Everyone turned to Finn, curious whether he would now admit defeat.
Instead, Finn smiled faintly.
"You've lost."
Brien stiffened.
"You haven't even shown your pill! On what grounds do you—"
Raising his vial, Finn met his gaze, eyes gleaming with quiet contempt.
"This is a Rank 5 soul-enhancing Pill—the Advanced Scarlet Pill. It has an eighty percent chance to elevate a Scarlet Gold Rank adventurer to the next level. That chance increases further if the user is already near breakthrough—though naturally, it drops if their level is too high."
His smile widened, mocking and cold.
"Now then, Brien Latter—will you judge for yourself whether my victory is clear enough?"