Chapter 121: First Tidings of the Alchemy Convention

Over the past few years, although Roland’s magician rank had remained unchanged, his potion alchemy had advanced rapidly. He had now reached the lower six-star level. To put this in perspective, even Thomas, the president of the Alchemists’ Guild, had only attained a high six-star level in potion alchemy!

Without wasting a moment, Roland mounted his donkey and headed toward Hertz City, the imperial capital. His destination was naturally the Cervantes Alchemy Shop. Though his potion alchemy had reached the lower six-star tier, he had not a single ingredient for brewing six-star potions.

Now seventeen years old, Roland’s height had soared close to 1.8 meters. Years of honing his body with fierce Blood Dominance Qi had transformed his once frail frame into a remarkably balanced one. Though not overtly muscular, every sinew in his body held explosive power.

His donkey, Little Black, had long surpassed the level limit for Windchaser Donkeys at rank four, now standing as a bona fide rank six beast—on par with the black striped leopard that Boss Maler rode. Strangely enough, despite being equals in rank, Little Black often bullied the black striped leopard so relentlessly that the leopard would run to Maler for help. This odd dynamic left both Roland and Maler both amused and exasperated.

Little Black’s prowess had drawn astonishment from their dorm mates. Roland knew well that Little Black’s outward form was deceiving. Its colorful aura and the peculiar egg from which it hatched hinted at its extraordinary nature.

Among the undead in Roland’s company, Skeleton Brian was a unique mutated undead. It could upgrade by absorbing dark magic or energies from undead rays, with the latter being more effective. Yet, since Brian reached rank three, despite numerous infusions of undead rays over the years, it showed no sign of improvement. This confirmed what Uncle Kuss had said: the level of a mutated undead was limited by its master’s magician rank.

In other words, Roland, now a rank three necromancer, could raise Brian no higher than rank three.

Without exchanging words during the journey, the duo arrived at the alchemy shop. Roland left Little Black outside and strode in, heading directly to the master’s private resting chamber on the first floor. The attendants made no attempt to stop him—Roland had become a regular over the years, and the master had taken a liking to him, instructing the staff to treat him without reservation.

“Roland, are you here again to exchange for alchemical materials? But you just did so not long ago,” Master Cervantes greeted him with a smile. Over the years, he had personally witnessed Roland’s astonishing progress—from a three-star to a five-star alchemist in under five years—a speed unmatched even by his own extensive experience.

“Master, I came this time to ask for your help acquiring some materials for crafting six-star potions,” Roland replied. Although reaching five stars in alchemy qualified one to join the Alchemists’ Guild, Roland had heard the entrance exams were complicated. Since Master Cervantes, as vice president, could obtain five-star materials at a discount, Roland had not bothered to join the guild formally. The materials he’d used to craft five-star potions had all been supplied by the master.

“Oh? You want me to get some six-star potion materials for you…” Cervantes began but abruptly stopped, staring astonished at Roland. “Did you just say six-star potion materials? Has your potion alchemy really reached six stars?”

Roland nodded softly. “Yes, Master. Please help me get some cheaper materials. You know I’m just a poor boy, haha.”

Hearing this, Cervantes shook his head with a wry smile. “I never believed in prodigies before, but now I do. You’re truly a marvel. If I hadn’t watched your growth all these years, I wouldn’t have believed improving potion alchemy could be so effortless!”

“Uh…” Roland felt a bit embarrassed by such high praise and scratched his head. “Master, you flatter me.”

Roland knew well the reasons behind his rapid ascent. His innate talent played a major role, as did the alchemy techniques and potion recipes left by Mithius. Above all, it was his relentless, day-and-night dedication. Whenever he felt on the verge of collapse, the image of his sickly younger brother Hawk, tormented by illness, steeled his resolve.

At best, his brother had only three more years left in this world. Though Roland had made great progress, he still felt it wasn’t enough. The spatial seed remained unformed, and his potion alchemy had yet to reach the upper six-star level. His path was still long, and it was this urgent goal that fueled his rapid advancement.

After a moment of reflection, Cervantes sighed and said ruefully, “Roland, I can’t really help you with six-star potion materials. Though I’m vice president, and can manage to get some five-star materials, six-star materials are top-tier in the guild. Getting a few portions isn’t impossible, but since you need them for practice, the quantity you require is beyond even my authority.”

Roland’s heart tightened. “Master, then what am I to do?”

“You really should have taken the guild’s entrance exam long ago. With your skills, passing would be easy. Once you’re a guild member, you can buy six-star potion materials yourself,” Cervantes scolded with a smile. It seemed Roland had grown too accustomed to shortcuts.

“But Master, you told me that even guild members face restrictions on purchasing materials. It’s not like your shop where supplies are abundant and cheap,” Roland protested, cheeks flushed.

Cervantes shrugged. “You must understand, six-star materials are the pinnacle within the alchemy guild, extremely scarce. Without stringent controls, they’d have been depleted long ago. There’s no way around it.”

“Master, I just want to improve my potion alchemy quickly to save my brother. Isn’t there any other way you can help me get more six-star materials?” Roland pressed earnestly.

Having known each other for years, the two were now close friends, and Roland did not hide his true motivation.

Seeing his urgency, Cervantes pondered, then his eyes lit up. “Oh, right—I nearly forgot something important. In six months, the entire alchemy world will hold a grand event—the Alchemy Conference. It only happens once every ten years, rotating among the three great powers of the continent. This time, it’s hosted by our Radiant Alliance.

“Any alchemist who competes and ranks will earn substantial amounts of advanced five-star and even six-star materials. Naturally, the higher your rank, the more you receive. With your level, I believe you can place well. Those six-star materials would be yours for the taking. But to enter the conference, you must be a guild member. So, this time, you really must take the entrance exam.”

Roland’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Alright, I’ll take the exam then. If I can get lots of six-star materials, I’ll do anything, Master. I won’t trouble you anymore—I’m heading to the guild to take the test right away!”

Just then, a voice outside the door rang out excitedly: “I’ve become a five-star potion alchemist too! Roland, come on, let’s take the guild exam together!”