Chapter 677. Substitute?
A feminine figure hovered from the high part of the VIP session. She moved towards the middle of the stadium.
Several holographic panels zoomed in on her.
The place turned completely silent.
Alita spoke, " Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 5009th InterEmpire Secondary Carrier Alliance of the High Tier Civilisations.
Everyone here and those watching from streaming services are here for only one thing.
To see the geniuses of the various empires display dazzling spectacles and make names of themselves.
Because of that, I won’t waste any time with unpleasant speeches, or the introduction of several esteemed powerhouses here, as they are already well known by all of you.
Let’s proceed quickly to the rules of the competition.
The first place representatives of their empires for each of the competitions will become a core member of the SCA general HQ"
Several gasped. This was the first time such a reward was being added.
Even the eyes of the representatives gleamed with determination. They had to win.
She added "As for the empires they represented, they will get the appropriate resources from the SCA winning empires receive.
First, we will have the alchemy competition.
Each representative from each empire will craft any alchemical product with an ingredient of their choice. When everyone finishes, the appraisal artifacts you see hovering above will evaluate their products, and at the end of the completion, each one’s placement will be made.
The same applies for the runesmith competition. So let’s take note for the runesmith competition, which will begin after the alchemy competition.
As for the healers and the miners competition, the rules will be explained at the appropriate time.
Also," she said calmly, "we are certain no one will try to use underhanded methods during the competition. After all, no one here looks down on the Secondary Carrier Alliance."
Everyone nodded. No empire was stupid enough to offend the SCA and try to cheat their way through the competition. They didn’t want to even know how things would end for them if they tried the patience of the SCA.
"Oh, and one last thing," she added. "Each empire is free to substitute participants during the competitions as long as the competition has not ended. However, the substitute must be seated in the participant seat for their empire before the competition begins."
At the moment, several turned to look at the participant stands of the empires.
In the RiverBlood Empire participant stand, an unfamiliar looking person was seated among the representatives, in the far back. It was as if he had blended quietly into the background.
He was so inconspicuous that no one noticed him, not even his fellow participants.
" Fortunately, I anticipated this rule and arrived earlier than I planned to. But I can’t believe that because of Legoland’s face slapping plan, I have no choice but to change my appearance," Kailen, now with the appearance of a dwarf after drinking an appearance morphing elixir, thought.
"All the same, I can enjoy a good show before I step in."
---
The alchemy competition officially began.
Celena Havenhorn of the RiverBlood Empire, the alchemist representing the Helio Empire—one of the Helio werewolf twins, Black Flask Vulro of the Armament Ancient Empire, among other geniuses from other empires, proceeded to the competition grounds.
Several alchemical ingredients of different caliber floated in well arranged segments before them.
These were top notch products, meant to ensure that everyone could craft a product of their choice.
Several representatives from different empires manifested several cauldrons before them.
Their alchemy flames hovered beneath the cauldrons. Under the influence of their spiritual power, ingredients they chose to craft their alchemical products hovered towards their cauldrons.
The geniuses started working with precise and refined control.
The virtual universe audience and the audience in the stadium were awed at their work.
These fellows were geniuses indeed.
Even the SCA general HQ powerhouses nodded in satisfaction.
The younger generation was really living up to their expectations.
Each one of them was stealing the spotlight.
But three particular individuals caught the attention of the higher ups and the crowd.
One of them was Celena Havenhorn. She was working with such grace and finesse that was unnatural.
" She seems to be in her final process of crafting the product," one senior of the SCA HQ, a veteran alchemist, commented.
" It seems she’s crafting a Silhouette Mirage Elixir. Her understanding of alchemy cannot be underestimated," another added.
"A fine child with great potential. As expected of that kid, to think he lectured this youngster into becoming such a monster," someone chimed in with admiration.
" Indeed. She was exceptional before the lecture of Darkhaven. But it was not to this level," someone sighed.
" Oh, look at that werewolf brat, not bad," one of them said.
" The kid from the Helio Empire? What is he making?"
" He’s making a healing elixir. That’s not easy to make. But it seems he has no struggle."
" I’m curious about him. Perhaps he’d make a fine disciple."
The higher ups discussed among themselves.
Someone, however, chimed in.
" Something seems off about that Armament Ancient Empire kid. Why is he not doing anything?"
The higher ups looked at him.
Suddenly, a flame hovered in his hand.
" The Tiroste Alchemy Flame? It’s one of the rare alchemy flames in the universe. This kid has it?"
" Indeed. I heard the rumors, but it seems it’s true. Although the Tiroste alchemy is not too exceptional, it’s quite beneficial."
As the higher ups and the audience observed, Vulro began to work.
The alchemical ingredients hovered quietly into his alchemical flame under the influence of his spiritual power.
Wait... there’s no cauldron...
Is this genius refining a product without a cauldron?
That was something difficult, even for some veterans.
But it seemed so easy for him?
Who the hell was this Vulro?
As everyone observed, he worked with swift ease.
Very soon, he was done.
He was not the only one done. But the fact that everyone started before him and he had finished before Celena, and the werewolf fellow, spoke volumes about his skill.
The appraisal artifact hovered above the products of the three geniuses, who had left the other geniuses from the other empires in the dust.
Under the anticipatory gazes of the audience, the appraisal artifact got to work.
Results were displayed in a moment.
[ Celena Havenhorne. Rank 8 Silhouette Mirage Elixir. Purity level 91. Placement unknown, competition ongoing, awaiting results of fellow competitors for placement allocation
Vulro Armenia—Rank 8 deadly sense poison. Purity level 93. Placement unknown, competition ongoing, awaiting results of fellow competitors for placement allocation
Odinger Godhes—Rank 8 healing elixir. Purity level 93 percent. Placement unknown, competition ongoing, awaiting results of fellow competitors for placement allocation ]
" What the hell? Even someone of a purity level of 91 percent was defeated? It seems the RiverBlood Empire has lost the alchemy competition again."
" Indeed. That Odinger fellow and the Vulro guy are indeed on another level. Seriously, to think they tied up with a purity level of 93 percent? They will both get first place after all."
" Yeah, although the placements have not been generated because the others are yet to finish their products, it’s obvious they are both the winners."
" Seriously, to think the RiverBlood Empire will lose again, even after bringing in such a genius. Looks like they will be laughed at for a very long time once again."
As these discussions were ongoing, the emperor of the Armament Ancient Empire and the Helio Empire snorted with looks of pride and disdain as they stared at Legoland.
So what if he had Kailen Darkhaven behind him?
He had still lost the competition to them!
Hehe!
At this moment, someone saw a dwarf hovering calmly leave the RiverBlood Empire participant seat.
When did they find a substitute representative?
Mistborn stared at him.
" When did this person arrive here? A dwarf? Who is he?"
As the dwarf proceeded towards the competition grounds, his form began to change as he took some alchemical product.