Chapter 123: The Council of Elders

The sudden voice startled everyone in the hall. Who in the Alchemy Guild would dare speak to Steward Mackie in such a manner? Instinctively, all eyes turned toward the speaker.

“It’s Young Master Simoni!”

“Simoni, the son of the other vice president—this is going to be interesting!”

“When the nephews of both vice presidents clash, I wonder who will come out on top?”

“That’s obvious—it has to be Steward Mackie. Vice President Cervantes hasn’t been involved for years!”

…

Within the Alchemy Guild, many instantly recognized Simoni. Seeing him stride forward with a dark-haired youth, both brimming with fury as they approached Steward Mackie, most people in the center and right side of the hall abandoned their queues and gathered around. After all, the line would always be there, but a confrontation between the vice presidents’ kin was a rare spectacle.

“Simoni, so it’s you. Then tell me, how exactly have I abused my power?” Mackie narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone neither hostile nor friendly.

Simoni ignored the question entirely. He and Rolin moved swiftly to Monroe’s side. “Teacher, what’s wrong?”

When Monroe recognized her students, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Being caught in such a humiliating situation by her own students made her uneasy. Yet, upon seeing Mackie's arrogant, foul expression opposite her, her anger ignited, and she pushed aside her hesitation.

“Rolin, Simoni, I came today to take the Alchemy Guild membership exam. I never expected that upon arrival, I would encounter this Steward Mackie. He secretly told me I could skip the exam and still pass—on one condition. He said I must go to his room tonight…” Monroe’s delicate face turned crimson as she trailed off.

Though she did not say more, everyone present understood the implication. Mackie’s notorious reputation was already infamous; several female staff in the guild had been harassed by him. Now, hearing Monroe’s words, hostile glances turned sharply toward him.

Those six or seven individuals who had just come to take the exam were outraged. They had worked hard to prepare, only to hear that there was a back door allowing some to bypass the exam. Such injustice was intolerable!

“I confronted him just now, and he tried to outright expel me, disqualifying me from the exam!” Monroe accused angrily, pointing at Mackie.

A murmur of condemnation rippled through the crowd. None expected a steward of the guild to stoop to such despicable conduct.

“Silence!” Mackie barked, his facade of confidence crumbling under the pressure of so many accusing eyes. He hastily tried to quell the growing uproar.

“Monroe, don’t slander me! How could I, a respectable steward of the Alchemy Guild, say such vile things? Clearly, you attempted to bribe me and failed, so you’re causing a scene here! Guards, throw her out immediately!” Mackie glared fiercely at his subordinates, commanding them loudly.

His men, anxious about the backlash but pressured by Mackie, reluctantly stepped forward to eject Monroe.

At that moment, Rolin suddenly stepped forward, raising a hand. “Hold on, Steward Mackie. You claim the teacher tried to bribe you. What proof do you have?”

Mackie snorted coldly. “Proof? I am the proof. I heard it with my own ears. What more do you need?”

Monroe trembled with rage, pointing her finger at him. “You—you lie so shamelessly!”

Rolin calmed his teacher before turning to the smirking Mackie. “A steward, if only you heard it and no one else can verify, how do we know you’re not lying?”

Mackie’s face twisted with disdain. “Hmph, by your logic, those slanders Monroe just made against me also lack witnesses!”

“Exactly. If no one can prove their claims, on what grounds do you expel the teacher and bar her from the exam?” Rolin countered steadily.

“You—” Mackie was momentarily speechless, then his anger erupted. “Who do you think you are, disrupting the guild’s order? Guards! Throw him out as well!”

At this, Simoni could no longer hold back. “Mackie, what right do you have to expel Rolin and Teacher Monroe?”

“Hmph, I’m the steward in charge of the exam. Besides, it’s none of your business what I do!” Mackie snorted coldly. Although Simoni’s father was also a vice president, Cervantes had not managed guild affairs for years, and Simoni held no official position. As the saying goes, the current ruler is more powerful than the former magistrate. Mackie was determined to drive out these two who dared offend his dignity.

For Teacher Monroe, at her age, this was her only chance to participate in the Alchemy Conference—a dream since she first embraced alchemy. Yet with Mackie overseeing the exam, it seemed impossible for her to obtain membership and register for the conference.

For Rolin, the stakes were even higher. Without guild membership, he could not purchase six-star potion ingredients, nor compete at the Alchemy Conference to access advanced materials. His alchemical progress would stall here. But facing the steward’s assault, they had no recourse.

Just then, Simoni’s voice cut coldly through the tension. “Mackie, if you insist on this obstinacy, I’ll have no choice but to call on my father to convene the Elders’ Council and impeach you!”

Mackie’s previously self-satisfied expression darkened instantly. Outsiders might not understand, but as an insider, he knew well the Elders’ Council’s power. Composed of ten influential figures including the president and vice presidents, the council convened only during critical guild matters. The president and two vice presidents alone could summon it.

Even though Mackie was just a minor steward, and his uncle a respected vice president, the council could dismiss them both. Looking at Simoni’s solemn face, Mackie gritted his teeth and spat out, “Simoni, do you really want to pick a fight with me?”