One of the most challenging parts about the Right of Challenge was the ti limit imposed.
Ten minutes was not a lot of ti when it ca to crafting a pill. This was even more so if one wanted to ensure quality. However, the Right of Challenge did everything in its power to discourage anyone from recklessly invoking it. That’s because there was another benefit to overcoming the Right of Challenge besides a simple one grade promotion.
But, since there had only been less than five tis that a Right of Challenge was won and the last ti soone erged victorious was more than a hundred years ago, it had long been forgotten by most Apothecaries.
’As long as one succeeds at overcoming the Right of Challenge, they are granted the title of Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild.’
An Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild enjoyed many benefits. Whether it was discounted prices on materials and pills, or priority access to private rooms on the higher floors of the Apothecary Guild—those were just so of the advantages one had as an Honorary Elder.
Furthermore, while an Honorary Elder held no power to directly change the way the Apothecary Guild functioned, the influence and weight behind its existence could not be underestimated.
An Elder of the Apothecary Guild had to be at least a grade eight Apothecary. In terms of seniority, it ant that an Honorary Elder was equal to a grade eight Apothecary! Therefore, even a grade seven Apothecary like Rygar would have no choice but to greet him with respect whenever they crossed paths.
Of course, while the influence and other benefits were good things, none of it was the main reason why Izroth wanted to grab the title of Honorary Elder.
’The Apothecary Guild is directly tied to the Herbalist Guild, so an Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild can also be considered an Honorary Elder of the Herbalist Guild. While I can eventually beco a Herbalist with the skill Unparalleled Craftsman, it would be too much of a waste. Not to ntion, I’m not certain when the next profession slot will be unlocked.’
Unparalleled Craftsman allowed Izroth to take on multiple professions; however, at the mont, he only had two slots unlocked—both of which were taken up by his Apothecary profession and his most recently acquired Arcane Script Runemaster.
As for why Izroth needed a strong connection to the Herbalist Guild, it had to do with the shadahi. Or, to be more precise, the mark of corruption.
’If I want to create a way to resist the mark of corruption, I need access to largest source of herbs in the Mortal Realm, which is managed by the Herbalist Guild. I also have to be in a position to potentially stop those with greedy intentions.’
Izroth was no fool. He understood that even if he ca up with a way to resist the mark of corruption, as soon as others found out, the costs of the required materials would skyrocket. If that happened, it would be like fighting a battle on multiple fronts. After all, there were those who would watch the Mortal Realm burn to the ground before they gave up a chance to make a profit.
’With the shadahi and Netherworld working together in the shadows, the Mortal Realm cannot afford to be further divided. I will make sure that the vultures circling above have no chance to feast.’
Suddenly, Izroth swung his hand outward at a frightening speed as he added ingredients to the Dark Abyssal Cauldron one after the other without pause.
When the onlooking Apothecaries saw Izroth’s actions, there were so who sneered and others who were simply dumbfounded.
It was not uncommon to add multiple ingredients without pause when crafting a pill; however, it generally never exceeded five. Yet, Izroth had already added ten ingredients without pause! More importantly, the speed at which he moved would leave no ti for the ingredients to properly incorporate with one another.
As Rygar crafted his own pill, he glanced over to secretly observe Izroth. Normally, during pill crafting, one was required to maintain their utmost focus. However, a grade four pill was nothing to a grade seven Apothecary like Rygar. Even if he only gave it half a thought, it would still be sothing no grade four Apothecary could live up to, yet alone an inexperienced grade three Apothecary.
Izroth’s actions caused Rygar to scoff.
"There’s nothing else to see." Rygar said to himself as he returned his focus to his own pill.
In Rygar’s eyes, Izroth was just making a fool of himself. If anything, he was upset that Izroth dragged him into this nonsense and wasted his ti. The only thing that made Rygar want to thank Izroth was indirectly giving him a chance to et a trephasia beauty like Avia.
"I’ve finished." Izroth’s voice sounded.
"?!" Rygar’s shot over to Izroth; however, he could not see the pill Izroth crafted.
There was also strong dicinal scents that typically ca along with freshly crafted pills. This caused Rygar to frown as he said, "Apothecary Izroth, if you want to fool around, do so in a place where it is acceptable. The Apothecary Guild is not a place for you to treat as you please."
"Huh? Did he just say he finished crafting? But... Did you see any pill forming?" One of the Apothecaries, Van, inquired.
"That’s... No, to be honest, I couldn’t even tell what ingredients he was throwing into the cauldron. I also didn’t sll any strong dicinal scents or see the pill itself forming. This—is he trying to play a prank on us?" Korzon said in a befuddled manner.
"Not even a minute has passed since the Right of Challenge began, but he says he already finished crafting his pill? How could he finish crafting before an experienced grade seven Apothecary like Apothecary Rygar? If he wants to show off, he should at least make it more believable. Young master Pierce, this guy is too much. He has already offended Apothecary Rygar by challenging him. Now, he’s making a fool of himself during the Right of Challenge. I’m sure Apothecary Rygar won’t let him go easily after this." Konpel scoffed as he turned his nose up.
"How did soone like him trick those old geezers into handing over the Dark Abyssal Cauldron? Could it be that I overestimated him?" Pierce thought to himself calmly as he narrowed his eyes.
"Ahhh..! What is he-!" Celia started as she held the side of her head while looking at the events that transpired.
However, Celia suddenly stopped speaking as her nose twitched. The next mont, her brows rose in surprise as she sniffed the air a few tis.
"This is... But... No, this scent, I’m certain..." Celia muttered to herself with a thoughtful expression.
...
A few minutes later, Rygar’s cauldron rumbled before coming to a peaceful stop.
Woosh!
A powerful dicinal scent swept throughout the room as five bright golden pills erged from the cauldron.
"I have completed my pill." Rygar stated as he stepped forward.
"So this is what a grade four pill crafted by a grade seven Apothecary is like! I can tell from the scent alone that its quality is unmatched among other grade four pills!" Van comnted.
Korzon sighed as he shook his head and said, "This Apothecary Izroth really dug his own grave. Unless he brings out a grade five pill, it’s impossible for him to win. Too bad, even if he could craft one by so miracle, grade five pills are not allowed due to the rules."
Everyone had similar thoughts to Van and Korzon. They simply did not see a way forward for Izroth.
When Avia saw the look on everyone’s faces and heard their words, she could not help but to beco upset.
"Hmph! How can any of you understand the young master’s thoughts? He is soone who outsmarted the young princess of the Fifth Great Clan. There is no way he would willingly make a fool of himself just to entertain all of you. Are you worthy of such a privilege?" Avia thought to herself with a cold gaze.
"Look, I think even Apothecary Avia is upset with Apothecary Izroth after his poor performance." Van pointed out.
"Can you bla her? She took precious ti out of her day just to act as a judge. If I were her, I would also be angry." Korzon stated.
When Rygar witnessed the shift in Avia’s mood, he took another step forward with a large smile on his face.
"This brat is finished. But, I might as well drive the nail in the coffin." Rygar thought to himself.
"Today, I have crafted the grade four Golden Eternity Pill. As for its effects—I’m sure you all are already aware of it." Rygar said as he presented his pills to the three judges.
"Golden Eternity Pill... You certainly spared no expense, Apothecary Rygar." Mirael comnted.
"How dare I spare anything when it cos to the Right of Challenge." Rygar replied casually.
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