Morning sunlight entered through the broken window.
The house was quiet.
Keal stood outside, staring at the sky.
His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
Behind him, Arion stepped out slowly.
"Master…" Keal spoke without turning. "I'm ready."
Arion looked at his back for a long moment.
"The training begins tomorrow," he said calmly.
"After today, your life will not be peaceful again."
Liora stood near the doorway, holding the small fluffy beast in her arms. Her eyes were worried but shining with belief.
"Brother will win," she said softly.
Keal forced a small smile at her.
Arion walked past him and stood under the open sky.
A faint wind moved around him.
"Six months," Arion said quietly.
"Enough to either create a monster… or bury a corpse."
Keal's heart tightened.
Arion turned and looked directly into his eyes.
"From tomorrow, you will forget comfort.
Forget rest.
Forget fear."
His voice lowered.
"If you want to stand above the world… you must suffer more than the world."
Silence.
Keal nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Arion gave a faint smile.
"Good. Sleep well today.
It's the last peaceful night you'll have for a long time."
The wind moved again.
Dark clouds slowly covered the sun.
And the world began to change.
Six Months Later
The continent trembled with excitement.
From every kingdom, empire, and hidden clan — disciples and masters traveled toward one place.
The World Grand Alchemy Arena.
A massive circular structure built from ancient black stone stood at the center of a vast capital city. The arena was so enormous that thousands could sit inside while still leaving space for hundreds of alchemy platforms.
Seven enormous banners hung from towering pillars — each representing one of the Seven Great Academies of the World.
These were the academies whose names alone could shake kingdoms.
Heavenly Furnace Academy – masters of supreme alchemy.
Void Lotus Academy – known for soul-based refining.
Crimson Sun Academy – fire alchemy and destructive refinement.
Eternal River Academy – balance and purity specialists.
Shadow Crescent Academy – poison and forbidden pills.
Golden Peak Academy – richest and most noble-backed academy.
Azure Sky Academy – one of the oldest and most feared academies.
Crowds filled every seat.
Noble families, royal envoys, merchants, and cultivators gathered, their voices merging into a constant roar of excitement.
On the highest platform sat the masters and elders of each academy.
Each group had its own majestic seating area decorated with banners and symbols.
The atmosphere felt heavy with competition.
Arrival of the Academies
Golden Peak Academy arrived with a procession of noble carriages.
People whispered instantly.
"That's the Vareth noble family…"
"Their heir is participating…"
"They say he can refine level-5 pills already…"
From another gate, Crimson Sun Academy disciples entered wearing flame-patterned robes. Heat seemed to follow them.
Void Lotus Academy arrived silently — their disciples calm, pale, and terrifyingly composed.
One by one, the seven academies filled their seats.
Azure Sky Academy masters also took their place.
Grand Elder Kaelth sat in the center, expression unreadable.
Elder Varos and Elder Myr beside him.
But one thing was missing.
No disciple stood behind them.
Other academies noticed quickly.
Whispers spread.
"Azure Sky sent no one?"
"Are they afraid?"
"Did they lose all talent?"
A master from Golden Peak leaned slightly toward them with a faint mocking smile.
"No participants this year?"
Another master chuckled softly.
"Perhaps Azure Sky has declined."
Elder Varos' jaw tightened.
Elder Myr remained silent, but her eyes were cold.
A younger Azure Sky elder leaned forward and whispered nervously:
"Grand Elder… was it necessary to forbid all our disciples from entering?"
Grand Elder Kaelth's voice remained calm.
"We made a promise."
Another elder frowned.
"But what if that unknown man's disciple never comes? We'll be humiliated."
Elder Varos spoke quietly,
"We must follow through. If we break our word, the academy loses face across the world."
They fell silent.
Inside, however, all of them felt uneasy.
Will he come…?
Contest Begins
A loud drum echoed across the arena.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
The crowd slowly fell silent.
At the center platform, an announcer in long ceremonial robes stepped forward. His voice echoed across the massive arena through spiritual amplification.
"Welcome… to the Grand World Alchemy Contest for new disciples!"
Thunderous cheers erupted.
He raised a hand for silence.
"All participants, step forward and stand beside your assigned cauldrons!"
Hundreds of cauldrons rose from the arena floor in perfect rows, each carved with ancient symbols.
One by one, participants stepped forward.
The Participants — Whispered Introductions
A tall young man in golden robes stepped out first.
Gasps spread.
"That's Vaelron Vareth…"
"Heir of the Vareth noble family…"
"They say his clan owns half the southern mines…"
"He's already a level-4 alchemist…"
He walked calmly to his cauldron, movements elegant and confident.
Next, a girl in crimson robes stepped forward.
Her long red hair moved like flame.
"Seris Flameborn…"
"Crimson Sun Academy's top prodigy…"
"She refined a combat pill during battle once…"
She placed her hand gently on her cauldron, eyes burning with pride.
A pale boy from Void Lotus stepped next.
Silent. Emotionless.
"Lun Wei…"
"They say his soul control is terrifying…"
"He can refine with eyes closed…"
Another followed — tall and muscular from Golden Peak.
"Darius Goldcrest…"
"Born into pure noble blood…"
"Backed by three royal families…"
Then came a slender girl from Shadow Crescent.
"Mira Venomveil…"
"Poison alchemy genius…"
"Some say even her breath is toxic…"
From Eternal River Academy stepped a calm boy with gentle eyes.
"Rihen Sol…"
"Known for perfect purity pills…"
"Never failed a refinement…"
Then more and more stepped forward.
Each carried reputation.
Each carried pride.
Each carried expectation.
Ten elite participants now stood beside their cauldrons.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Mockery Toward Azure Sky
But then…
Whispers returned.
"Why hasn't Azure Sky sent anyone?"
"Didn't they claim greatness?"
"Maybe they're scared to lose."
A Crimson Sun master smirked openly toward Azure Sky's platform.
"Respected elders… not participating this year?"
Golden Peak's master laughed lightly.
"Perhaps no one worthy remains."
Some in the crowd even chuckled.
Azure Sky elders remained silent, but humiliation burned inside.
One younger elder whispered angrily,
"This is becoming unbearable…"
Grand Elder Kaelth's gaze stayed fixed on the arena entrance.
"He will come," he said quietly.
If he don't, Don't you know about the promise he made?.
The Arrival
Just as murmurs grew louder—
A figure appeared at the main entrance.
Tall.
Dressed completely in black.
Long white hair flowed down his back, partially covered by a dark hood. His face remained shadowed.
He walked calmly.
No rush.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Each step echoed softly in the vast arena.
The crowd slowly fell silent.
"Who is that…?"
"Which academy?"
"I've never seen him…"
"That presence…"
Even the top participants turned to look.
The unknown young man walked forward alone… toward the empty cauldron space.
And stopped.