"Hm? A potion he made himself?" Morris's eyes widened, a deep crease forming between his brows as he absorbed Alicia's words.
The formulas for pills and potions were ancient legacies passed down through every generation of alchemists so that none would ever be forgotten. They all traced their origins to the founder of the Alchemist Association. Of course, there were always new experimental concoctions, but they knew better than anyone how grueling and punishing that process was. It could take thousands of failures before one discovered the precise method needed to create a truly new pill or potion.
From Alicia's interspatial ring appeared eight small bottles, each filled with a vivid, amber liquid—the Body Strengthening Potion. She distributed them one by one among her six fellow Elders, then handed the last two to Morris and Brien.
"This is that new potion you've been selling, isn't it?" one of the Elders remarked in surprise, turning the bottle slowly in his hand. "I didn't know it came from that young man. We assumed you had created it yourself."
Alicia forced a strained smile, shaking her head lightly.
"Ah...I never said that. Finn Doria and I agreed I wouldn't reveal the true creator of the potion as long as possible."
'I suppose I have no choice but to break that promise now, she thought grimly. If I want Finn Doria to join our Association, only Master Morris has the authority to make it happen.'
Her resolve had crystallized. It would be a waste to let that legendary alchemy flame and his talent rot in the Cloud Soaring Sect.
"Association Master," Elder Gabo spoke up after examining the potion. "We've all studied this formula before, and we agree—it's remarkable. Even though it's only a Rank 1 potion, the potency surpasses any other Rank 1 potion."
Morris nodded seriously. He uncorked the small bottle and inhaled carefully. Brien followed suit, though his expression quickly twisted into a dark scowl as the scent reached his senses.
In contrast, Morris's eyes slowly widened in wonder. The mere fragrance was enough to radiate power that any Alchemist would recognize as extraordinary.
"This… is truly made by Finn Doria?" Morris asked, barely able to contain his curiosity.
Alicia's heart pounded. In truth, Finn had told her he'd found the formula by chance inside an abandoned cavern. But if she confessed that now, she'd lose her only chance.
"…Yes, Teacher," she lied calmly. "He told me as much when he sold me the formula."
"Hmph!" Brien's voice cut in sharply. "Perhaps he only stumbled onto it by sheer luck. You expect us to believe some youth could develop this himself? Ridiculous. No one our age could accomplish that."
He couldn't accept it. Not when he held the Blue Alchemy Flame—a power he believed made him incomparable. The very notion that someone else might surpass him was intolerable.
"If you refuse to believe it, that's your problem," Alicia snapped, her patience fraying. "I don't require the approval of someone with such a small mind."
Morris ignored their squabbling. He sank into deep thought. After a long moment, he exhaled heavily, his expression sober.
"Blue-Green Alchemy Flame…and a unique formula… If all this is true, then that young man was born to be a prodigy among Alchemists. He cannot be wasted in the Cloud Soaring Sect. When we return from the Seven Great Faction Games, I will speak personally with Sect Master Noah."
Alicia's composure softened into relief and satisfaction. She lifted her chin to meet Brien's glowering stare, her lips curling in a taunting smile.
Brien's face darkened further, resentment boiling behind his eyes.
'Hmph. Finn Doria… Since you insist on getting in my way, I'll make certain you die.'
As the conversation continued, an Elder of lesser rank entered the chamber, bowing deeply to the Core Elders gathered there.
"We are in the middle of a meeting," Morris said, his voice clipped. "What is it?"
"My apologies for interrupting, Association Master," the Elder said in a rush, "but news has just been confirmed regarding the seven chosen representatives of the other factions. The Cloud Soaring Sect has publicly announced that Finn Doria, of the Azure Wood Family, is among the seven who will participate in the Seven Great Faction Games. They have also declared that the Azure Wood Family is now under their protection."
For a moment, the entire room was frozen. Only minutes ago, they'd spoken of the boy as if he were a rumor—and now, he had become the center of an announcement that would echo across the kingdom.
"What?!" Alicia's eyes flew wide. She stared at the messenger as if she could not possibly have heard right.
"How is that possible? He was only a 9th Level Gold Rank! Even if he advanced to Scarlet Gold Rank, there's no way he could have been selected!"
"…It seems," Morris murmured, voice low and heavy with regret, "that acquiring Finn Doria has become all but impossible now. As one of the Soaring Seven, he is untouchable. No respectable faction would attempt to poach him—nor will I."
While most of the Elders were still reeling in disbelief, one young man in the corner was secretly alight with triumph. No one noticed the gleam in his eye or the quiet celebration in his heart.
'Hahaha… It's fate that we will meet, Finn Doria. When we do, I'll crush you in alchemy and in combat—so everyone sees that I am the superior.'
--
The news of Finn's inclusion spread like wildfire, reaching not only the Black Tiger Family but also the Nine Ice Family. Anxiety rippled through both factions. Now that the Cloud Soaring Sect had publicly declared their protection of the Azure Wood Family, any attack against them would risk provoking a faction war.
Even more troubling was the revelation that Finn would compete in the Seven Great Faction Games. As long as he continued to grow stronger, he would become a threat they could no longer ignore.
--
In the Ice Feather Sect…
Inside a chamber where the very walls glittered with frost, a woman with waist-length white hair sat alone on a frozen throne. Her eyes were closed, her expression pensive, until the sudden knock at the door made her lashes flutter open.
"You may enter," she called softly.
The door opened, revealing a beautiful young lady who hurried forward and bowed low.
"Sect Master Sheeha. I have—"
"I already know what you intend to say," Sheeha interrupted gently. "I've received the same report. Regrettably, there is nothing more we can do about the Azure Wood Family for now."
A faint frown tightened her delicate brows.
"It has been a month since I dispatched the Eagle-Eyed Bandits to eradicate them. They have two 1st Level Profound Rank Adventurers, yet none have returned. The territory remains suspiciously undisturbed. I had intended to send a group to investigate them thoroughly… but now that the Cloud Soaring Sect has proclaimed their protection, it will be impossible."
"But Sect Master!" the girl cried, her voice rising. "If the Azure Wood Family and Finn Doria grow stronger—"
"Tiffanya," Sheeha murmured, fixing her with a steady gaze. "You possess the Ice Sky Pathway. It won't be long before you become a Sky Rank Adventurer. When that day comes, destroying the Azure Wood Family will be trivial. But if you are determined to act sooner… then kill Finn Doria inside the Mystic Treasure Realm—and ensure no one ever knows."
Her voice dropped to an icy whisper.
"According to you, he is only a 9th Level Gold Rank. Even if he has advanced to Scarlet Gold, he will not be your match."
"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master Sheeha," Tiffanya said, her expression steeled with resolve. "I will do as you advise. He will not leave the Mystic Treasure Realm alive."
"Mm. Prepare yourself. We depart for Floating Island at dawn."
--
In the Azure Wood Family…
Every corner of the territory buzzed with new energy. Power levels were rising everywhere.
"Congratulations, Elder Creed!" one man called cheerfully. "To think you've advanced again—to 1st Level Profound Rank, no less! It was only three months ago you surpassed Family Head Neleos himself. You truly are Finn Doria's father."
Creed smiled faintly, inclining his head. "It is only thanks to the treasures Finn entrusted to us. Without them, I would still be stuck where I was. But I cannot compare myself to you, Elder Caesar. You and Family Head Augustus are the ones who defended us from those bandits… though to this day, I suspect they were connected to the Nine Ice Family."
Caesar let out a quiet chuckle. "You give me too much credit, Elder Creed. We only fulfilled the agreement we made with your son. Without him, I would never have broken past 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank—and Leo would never have been chosen for the Seven Great Faction Games."
Creed nodded solemnly. They had nothing to fear now. The Cloud Soaring Sect's protection was absolute. All that remained was to grow stronger, so they could stand by Finn's side when the time came for retribution.
He lifted his gaze to the peaceful sky overhead. A soft breeze kissed his cheek.
"I'm proud of you, my son…"
--
Cloud Soaring Sect, Core Division
At last, dawn broke over the day they had all awaited—the departure for the Floating Island.
Outside a modest house, a young man in a red uniform waited patiently. His golden hair fell over calm green eyes, and his polished brown-and-white boots tapped lightly on the flagstones. He fixed his gaze on the door, as though willing it to open.
A moment later, it did. Another young man stepped out in the same red uniform—though the aura he carried now was unmistakably different.
"…Leo?" he called quietly.
Leo turned. His eyes widened when he felt the pressure radiating from Finn.
"Finn… You've already reached 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank?! Congratulations on your breakthrough!"