Chapter 138: Tricia's Challenge

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, the four roommates of 2015 rose promptly, even Ma Le, who was known for his love of sleeping in, was no exception. Today was the day of the Alchemy Conference!

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Victoria already waiting for them. To cheer on Roland and to witness the Alchemy Conference, she had unusually given up her usual routine of early mornings and late-night training. After discussing it with the group, they agreed to attend the conference together.

After breakfast, the group set off toward the venue—the academy’s sports field.

Walking beneath towering ancient trees, the usually spacious academy felt somewhat crowded due to the influx of attendees. Many were accompanied by magical beasts, whose roars and cries of wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, and various birds filled the air. Little Black Dong, who loved a lively atmosphere, looked around excitedly, his eyes shining with delight.

On the way to the field, Roland and his companions unexpectedly encountered two groups of acquaintances.

One group was led by Professor Monroe, accompanied by Harvey, Sophie, and other academy teachers who had come to support her. The other was Vice President Cervantes and Simone. Behind them followed a large retinue of attendants from the Alchemy Guild, all there to cheer for their young master. Master Cervantes had even granted the attendants a few days off for the conference, allowing them a rare chance to relax amid their busy duties.

The three groups gathered together, chatting and laughing along the way. This lighthearted camaraderie helped to ease the tension in the hearts of the three conference participants—Roland, Simone, and Monroe.

“Cervantes, you’re early!” As they neared the academy field, a slightly hoarse voice rang out from the other side.

“Mandel, not late either,” Master Cervantes smiled at a tall, bald elder leading a group of a dozen or so people.

Roland’s heart stirred at the name. He recalled that Mandel was the other vice president of the Alchemy Guild—the uncle of ‘Mackie,’ the steward he had encountered during the guild’s assessment six months prior. True enough, Roland spotted Mackie behind Mandel, glaring at Roland, Simone, and Monroe with hatred.

After a few polite exchanges between the two vice presidents, Mandel’s eyes casually landed on Roland’s group. With a forced, insincere smile, he said, “Cervantes, those three behind you must be your son Simone, the one called Roland, and the other—teacher from Potter Academy, right? Their alchemy skills are indeed impressive. Because of a simple assessment, poor Mackie, who could have participated in this conference, was disqualified. I truly admire their talents!”

The comment immediately thickened the atmosphere. Everyone could tell Mandel’s words were a direct provocation aimed at Roland and his friends.

Roland and the others’ faces darkened. Memories of the assessment day stirred anger within them. Mackie had not only made inappropriate remarks toward Monroe but had also abused his steward privileges to harass them relentlessly, even sabotaging Roland’s alchemical formation during potion crafting.

In the end, the enigmatic guild president Thomas had issued an order stripping Mackie of his steward position and revoking his guild membership. Without membership, his qualification for the conference was naturally nullified.

Now, to hear the uncle of Mackie—the vice president of the guild—bring this up again, and worse, blame Roland and his friends entirely for Mackie’s expulsion, was infuriating.

“Heh, of course. These three are participants in the Alchemy Conference and naturally possess excellent skills. Besides, last night, Roland defeated a challenger from the Dark Alliance Alchemists, bringing honor to our Light Alliance!” Cervantes, who had already heard Simone’s account of Mackie’s misdeeds, was well aware of the truth. Hearing Mandel’s remarks now only deepened his displeasure, so he spoke without reserve.

Mandel’s expression shifted. Due to other matters, he had only arrived early that morning at Potter Academy and was unaware of Roland’s victory over the Dark Alliance alchemist the previous night. As a vice president, he understood that anyone daring to challenge the Light Alliance’s alchemists must be formidable. To think that Roland had defeated such a challenger meant that Roland’s alchemical prowess was exceptional. In the future, he would surely have a place in the guild, and then he and Cervantes would need to join forces...

The thought troubled him. Just as he was about to exchange a few more pleasantries to end the conversation, a commotion erupted not far ahead. A loud shout rang out: “Roland, I want to duel you! Do you dare accept?”

The gathering of Mandel and Cervantes’ groups had already drawn the attention of bystanders. Now, upon hearing the shout, crowds of conference attendees began converging in that direction.

Roland was startled. He hadn’t expected anyone to suddenly challenge him on the very day of the conference.

Everyone looked ahead to see a group of twenty or thirty people approaching. Most were clad in black, and Roland recognized several from the Dark Alliance alchemists who had issued challenges the previous night. Among them were Layton and Gavin.

At the front stood a tall, fair-skinned young man. Beside him was a quiet, sweet-looking girl. Roland’s pupils contracted sharply—they were Trish and Karina, with whom he had long-standing and deeply tangled grievances.

Trish sneered coldly at Roland. “Haha, you haven’t forgotten our agreement to fight for Karina, have you? Today, in front of everyone, I want to settle that promise with you!”

In truth, when Karina and Roland were together, Trish, out of jealousy, had challenged Roland several times, all of which he refused. The so-called fight for Karina was entirely fabricated. But now, to say so openly in front of so many, if Roland denied the claim, few would believe him. At the same time, he would become a laughingstock.

“Trish, you really have no shame—a level five mage challenging a level three mage, haha...” Ma Le and the others couldn’t help but laugh angrily.

Many mages from Potter Academy were well aware of the situation among Roland, Trish, and Karina, and whispers spread through the crowd.

“Damn, Trish’s really shameless—stealing someone’s girlfriend and now boasting, issuing challenges!”

“As the ‘Twin Heroes of the Academy,’ Trish’s behavior is disgraceful. His mage level is so much higher than Roland’s, yet he dares to issue such a challenge. That’s pure bullying.”

“Hmm, something feels off. Why didn’t Trish challenge earlier or later, but only now, at the Alchemy Conference, and in front of so many? This can’t be that simple.”

Among the crowd were some sharp minds who had guessed the truth. Indeed, this was Trish’s plan hatched yesterday. Although Roland’s potion alchemy was formidable, his mage rank was very low. Trish was exploiting Roland’s vulnerability regarding Karina to force him into the challenge. Even if Roland was too frightened to fight, his mental state would be seriously disturbed, greatly hampering his performance in the conference.

“Roland, how about it? I’ve already stolen your girlfriend. Now, do you not even have the courage to fight me?” Trish added fuel to the fire, seeking to unsettle his opponent further.

Yet, to everyone’s shock, Roland took a slow step forward toward Trish. His movements spoke clearly—he accepted the challenge!