The Alchemy King's gaze swept first to Adam's vial, its crimson depths shimmering like liquid dragon scales. "Remarkable refinement," he nodded approvingly. "The magic lies dormant yet potent—a hallmark of true mastery."
Indeed, Adam's Saint Dragon's Blood held an unearthly stillness. Unlike the volatile Magic Source Potion that thrived on visible power, this legendary concoction demanded absolute control—the greater its quality, the more perfectly it concealed its explosive potential beneath glassy perfection. Adam's work betrayed only the faintest magical tremor, earning murmurs of respect even from veteran observers.
Dean Austin stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "You honor Flamecrest Isle with such skill. At this rate, grandmaster status may grace you sooner than any dare hope." The praise hung heavy—for while 'master' denoted excellence, 'grandmaster' represented alchemy's celestial heights.
Coming from both the Alchemy King and Dean Austin—twin pillars of their fields—such acclaim rippled through the crowd like wildfire. Spectators leaned forward instinctively, though few grasped the true weight of these words. Adam inclined his head with practiced humility, knowing better than any the chasm between mastery and legend. Even the Alchemy King himself specialized narrowly—a truth underscored by Simon's unresolved plight with his son's magical deficiency.
Envy flickered through the ranks of watching alchemists. To be acknowledged thus before forty? Most would trade decades of life for such recognition. The Alchemy King's next words cemented Adam's rising star: "This vial stands among the finest Saint Dragon's Blood I've witnessed in recent memory. Mark my words—Adam's name shall echo across all three continents."
A collective shiver ran through the hall. Though laymen couldn't gauge technical excellence, they recognized destiny being forged. Cheers erupted as if Adam's future glory already materialized before them—a rising tide lifting their island's prestige. Yet amidst the fervor, two other vials sat quietly awaiting judgment, their contents no less extraordinary.
"The honor of witnessing such mastery makes this journey worthwhile!"
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd—"A future grandmaster alchemist? Am I hearing this right?" Yet Adam remained unshaken, his composure a testament to the discipline forged through decades of practice.
The Alchemy King's approving nod to Adam shifted toward the cloaked figure's vial. His brow furrowed as he leaned closer. "The formula here... it diverges from standard ingredients."
Simon stiffened. "Impossible! All participants received identical materials—"
"Perceptive as ever," the cloaked man interjected coldly, confirming the anomaly.
"Emerald Dragon's Blood?" The Alchemy King's voice quivered with restrained awe. Gasps erupted—this rare herb rivaled Dragonheart Blood in scarcity but demanded exponentially greater skill to integrate. While it amplified potency, even veteran masters avoided its volatility. Yet the vial before them pulsed with the same subdued magic as Adam's creation, betraying flawless execution.
"To achieve such perfection under time constraints, without prior preparation..." The Alchemy King shook his head, admiration warring with professional disbelief. "I could scarcely improve upon this myself. Truly, genius thrives in unexpected corners."
Dean Austin's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, withholding commentary as he studied the enigma.
Meanwhile, Kael's mind raced. A memory surfaced—the shadowed buyer who'd acquired his Magic Source Potion at the Allcrest Auction House. Though the cloak masked features, the aura aligned perfectly. Why would a master alchemist purchase his work? The contradiction coiled like a serpent in his chest, sharpening his instincts.
Silence thickened as three vials gleamed under scrutiny—a triad of masterpieces concealing storms beneath their glass surfaces.
"Astonishing indeed!" The rotund host gushed toward the cloaked figure, breaking the tension. "Your skills humble us all!"
Restless murmurs swept through the crowd as thousands of eyes dissected the enigmatic alchemist. Speculations bloomed like wildfire—who was this shadowed master eclipsing even Adam's brilliance?
"Adam's work is peerless, but that cloaked one... he might surpass him!"
"Don't forget the boy! His vial's still awaiting judgment!"
All heads swiveled toward Kael. Against Adam's crystalline perfection and the stranger's daring innovation, the youth's creation seemed an underdog—yet hope lingered. After all, hadn't this prodigy shattered expectations at every turn?
Under the crushing weight of collective scrutiny, Kael's usual composure wavered. A bead of sweat traced his temple as the Alchemy King lifted his vial.
Then—silence.
The Alchemy King's hands froze mid-motion. Beside him, Dean Austin's eyebrows twitched violently, his face draining of color as though confronting some primordial terror. The vial in their grasp glowed faintly, its contents defying all logic.
For within Kael's Saint Dragon's Blood swirled not the expected amethyst hue, but something far more impossible—a liquid so dark it devoured light, yet shimmering with constellations of crimson stars.