**Chapter 31: The Alchemy Tournament Begins**
As Alaric stood before Alonso, his heart pounded in his chest. He had whispered his prayers, and now it was time to see if they had been heard. The overseer, Alonso, known for his harsh demeanor and strict standards, looked at Alaric with piercing eyes.
"Your first question," Alonso began, holding up a small vial of green liquid. "Identify this substance and describe its primary use in alchemical processes."
Alaric took a deep breath, his mind racing. The substance was familiar—its color, the way it swirled in the vial, the faint scent that accompanied it. Then it clicked.
"That is Verdant Essence," Alaric answered confidently. "It's primarily used in creating healing potions. It accelerates the body's natural regenerative processes and is often combined with Bloodroot for more potent mixtures."
The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in cheers. Alaric had not only identified the substance but had also provided an in-depth explanation. Aria's voice rose above the others, filled with pride and excitement. Alonso gave a slight nod of approval, though his stern expression remained unchanged.
"Correct," Alonso said, moving on to the next question without delay.
He held up a small, jagged crystal that pulsed with a soft red glow. "What is the name of this material, and what is its significance in fire-based alchemy?"
Alaric's eyes lit up with recognition. This was something he had encountered before. "That's Ember Shard," he said. "It's a key component in creating fire-based alchemical concoctions. It enhances the intensity and control of fire within the mixture, making it essential for anything from explosive potions to controlled heat sources."
The crowd roared again, even louder than before. Alaric's confidence was growing with each correct answer, and the people of the city were rallying behind him. Alonso gave a slight nod once more, clearly impressed.
"Very well," Alonso said, a hint of challenge in his voice now. He presented a flame dancing in his hand, its color an unnatural, sickly green. "Identify this fire and explain how one might use it in alchemical practice."
Alaric's heart skipped a beat. This was no ordinary flame; it was something dangerous and unpredictable. But as he studied it, a memory surfaced—one from the battle against the Regans. He had seen this before, and he knew exactly what it was.
"That's Wraithfire," Alaric answered, his voice steady. "It's created by combining Specter's Dust with a Catalyst of Despair. It's extremely volatile and difficult to control, but it's often used in alchemical traps designed to scare off intruders or as a last resort in combat scenarios. I... accidentally created it during the fight with the Regans when mixing different materials to create a defensive potion."
Alonso's eyes widened in shock. He had expected the question to stump Alaric, but instead, the young alchemist had not only identified the fire correctly but had also provided an explanation rooted in personal experience. The crowd, realizing the difficulty of the question and the significance of Alaric's answer, erupted into the loudest cheer yet. Alonso, despite himself, nodded in genuine admiration.
"Correct," Alonso said, a note of respect in his voice. "For that, you receive a bonus point. You've surpassed expectations."
Alaric couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He had done it—he had answered all three questions correctly, and the last one had earned him extra recognition. He stood at his table, trying to avoid the envious stares of other alchemists, especially those from prominent backgrounds. But inside, he was beaming with pride.
Next came the turn of the elites and stars, including the renowned twin prodigies from the local branch of the Azura Alchemy Hall. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the twins stepped forward, their confidence palpable. They performed with precision and grace, answering their questions flawlessly. Their knowledge was vast, and it was clear that they had been trained by the best.
However, none of them received a bonus point like Alaric. Although they all earned perfect scores, the fact that Alaric had outshone them in some way left them irked. They shot him envious glances as they returned to their places, while Alaric tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
With the first stage of the tournament complete, it was time for the second stage—a true test of an alchemist's talent and mental fortitude.
On the stage, massive cauldrons were placed, each one made from rare and durable materials, capable of withstanding immense pressure and heat. These cauldrons were second-grade equipment, provided by the Azura Alchemy Hall, and they were a testament to the wealth and power of the organization. Each alchemist was allowed to choose their fire, whether it be a standard flame or a more exotic variant.
"This test will challenge your ability to maintain balance and control," Alonso announced, his voice booming across the arena. "You must maintain a mixture at a constantly changing temperature while we introduce various elements. The slightest mistake could cause your cauldron to lose control or explode. This is not just a test of talent, but of your mind."
The tension in the arena was palpable as the alchemists took their positions. This round was notorious for its difficulty, and only the best could hope to make it through unscathed.
The alchemists began their work, their focus intense. The fires were lit beneath the cauldrons, and the first elements were introduced. The challenge was immediate—the temperature fluctuated wildly, and the materials inside the cauldrons reacted unpredictably.
Elena, the young girl who had failed the first stage so miserably, stepped up to her cauldron. The crowd watched her with curiosity, wondering how she would fare in this round after her earlier performance. But as she began, something extraordinary happened.
The elements inside Elena's cauldron remained perfectly balanced, no matter how the temperature changed or what materials were added. It was as if the elements themselves obeyed her will, bending to her commands without resistance. The crowd watched in stunned silence as her cauldron remained stable and controlled throughout the entire process.
Alonso, who had been overseeing the competition, stared in disbelief. He had never seen anything like it. As the test continued, it became clear that Elena was not merely participating—she was excelling in a way that defied explanation.
When the test ended, Elena's cauldron was in perfect condition, the mixture inside glowing with a radiant light. The crowd erupted into cheers, though this time they were mixed with murmurs of confusion and awe. How could this girl, who had failed so completely in the first round, suddenly perform at a level that outclassed everyone?
Alonso, still in shock, stepped forward to address the crowd. "This girl... she possesses a Divine Alchemical Constitution," he announced, his voice trembling with excitement. "Her body is attuned to the alchemical arts in a way that is beyond natural. The elements themselves are in harmony with her being. Such a constitution is incredibly rare and highly coveted."
The crowd gasped, the revelation sending shockwaves through the arena. Elena had gone from a perceived failure to the most remarkable talent in the competition.
As the test continued, the other alchemists struggled to keep up. The old man who had been performing admirably throughout the competition managed to secure the second place, his years of experience allowing him to navigate the complex alchemical processes with skill.
Alaric, who had been a standout in the first stage, found himself in a challenging position. The test was pushing him to his limits, but he was in his element—alchemy was his passion, and he thrived under pressure. His cauldron bubbled and hissed, but he kept it under control, using every ounce of his concentration to manage the volatile mixture.
In the end, Alaric secured third place, his cauldron holding strong despite the intense challenge. The twins from the Alchemy Hall branch of lunar city, were close behind, securing fourth and fifth place, their perfect scores in the first round overshadowed by Elena's astonishing performance.
When the final results were announced, the arena erupted into chaos. The crowd was cheering wildly for Elena, the little girl who had gone from last place to first in a single round. The independent alchemists, many of whom had been outperformed by the elites, were celebrating Alaric's success as a victory for their own.
But not everyone was pleased. The clans and powers from the other cities were frowning, their pride wounded by the unexpected results. They had come here expecting to dominate the competition, but now they found themselves overshadowed by an unknown girl and a local alchemist.
As the cheers and jeers filled the arena, Alonso raised his hand to call for silence. The crowd slowly quieted, waiting for him to speak.
"This tournament is far from over," Alonso declared, his voice firm. "The next round will test your abilities even further. But for now, I must congratulate those who have performed exceptionally. You have proven yourselves to be true alchemists."
With that, the alchemists were dismissed, their minds buzzing with the excitement and tension of the day's events. The crowd slowly dispersed, many of them still talking excitedly about Elena and her Divine Alchemical Constitution.
As Aria ran up to congratulate Alaric, hugging him tightly, the other alchemists exchanged looks of determination and resolve. The tournament had taken an unexpected turn, and everyone knew that the real challenge was yet to come.
*** End of chapter 31***