"We're missing one? Who is it?"
"Emery Ambrose… a beast-man from a small border-town faction," an assistant replied, sounding unimpressed.
A few scoffs rippled through the elite alchemists' section. "He's only in the Magus realm and barely passed the last challenge. Just eliminate him already," one of them sneered.
Before the examiner could declare, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"I am here. I am Emery… I am ready."
Heads turned as Emery emerged, his calm demeanor masking the rush he'd felt to arrive in time. He had ensured Levi received proper treatment before returning, barely reaching the test's final round. Despite the murmurs of skepticism around him, Emery confidently walked toward the obelisk.
The task was straightforward enough to understand: channel his soul energy into the monument and endure its trial.
