The Herb King

The Alchemists who were loitering outside the examination area immediately lowered their heads when they spotted Karman Leone.

"Greetings, Supreme Director Karman!"

Aethelwolf and the other two also turned their gazes toward the old man.

"That old man is Karman Leone?" Aethelwolf asked in a whispering voice.

Johann nodded his head sternly. "Yes. That is the Supreme Director of the Alchemy Tower, Karman Leone."

"Sir Aethelwolf, I think he is staring at us." Jade Kristine muttered anxiously. In the Alchemy Tower, this old man was the only person she was afraid of.

Karman Leone walked towards them with a calm look on his aged face. He then stopped in front of Aethelwolf. The two were only three steps apart.

"You must be Aethelwolf. I have heard a lot about you. Even His Majesty is full of praises every time he speaks about you." Karman Leone was a lot shorter than Aethelwolf, but his presence was by no means small.

Aethelwolf stared calmly at the old man. "It is an honor to be remembered by the esteemed Supreme Director of the Alchemy Tower." He smiled lightly. There wasn't a need for them to fight so he wanted to end this in an amicable manner. After all, this old man was still a part of the Leone Imperial Family.

"How could I forget the youngest Level 4 Alchemist in our Leone Empire?" The old man chuckled. "Tell me. What brings you here?" He asked as he stared at the two people behind Aethelwolf.

"Greetings, Supreme Director." Johann and Jade Kristine cupped their fists as they greeted the old man.

Karman Leone's eyes narrowed when he saw Jade Kristine. What was her relationship with Aethelwolf?

"I merely brought my students here. One of them is taking the Level 4 Alchemy exam." Aethelwolf calmly replied.

Karman Leone furrowed his eyebrows upon hearing this. "Your students? You mean those two?" He asked in surprise. The other Alchemists were also surprised by this.

"That's right." Aethelwolf let out a smile. He then gently pushed Jade Kristine and patted her shoulder. "You see, Jade Kristine can already refine 4th-Grade Pills so I told her to take her Alchemy exam now. I hope that this won't inconvenience you, Supreme Director Karman."

Karman Leone glanced at Aethelwolf.

He knew that Aethelwolf was giving him a warning.

He didn't implicitly say it, but Aethelwolf was hinting that he would support Jade Kristine.

Karman Leone cursed in his heart, but his face remained calm as he stared at Aethelwolf.

The emperor has warned him before to never make Aethelwolf his enemy. He had no idea why the emperor was giving such importance to someone who was a lot younger than him. Aethelwolf might be a rare talent, but there was still a huge difference in their experiences as Alchemists. He has been an Alchemist for more than a hundred years, while Aethelwolf was not even half his age.

"No problem at all. I'm happy that one of our Administrators has finally become a Level 4 Alchemist. That means our Alchemy Tower now has two Level 4 Alchemists." Karman Leone smiled kindly.

"That's good. Oh, that's right. I heard that you will give the Supreme Director position to the first one to become a Level 4 Alchemist..." Aethelwolf's words made everyone shut their mouths.

The surrounding temperature suddenly turned cold and Karman Leone's face darkened.

Everyone held their breaths as they watched the face-off between the two famous Level 4 Alchemists of the empire.

The face of the Alchemist standing behind Karman turned grave upon hearing this. 'No way! How did Jade Kristine suddenly become a Level 4 Alchemist?! It must be fake! How could it be true!'

Karman Leone's face twitched as he looked at Aethelwolf's smile. He really wanted to rip out that smug look from Aethelwolf's face. "Aethelwolf, are you saying that I have to resign now because your student has become a Level 4 Alchemist?" He asked coldly.

Everyone felt their hearts leaping out of their chests.

"Eh? Isn't that what you said? You told the four Administrators that whoever becomes the first Level 4 Alchemist among them will become the next Supreme Director. Don't tell me that you plan to go back on your words..." Aethelwolf didn't back down. He nonchalantly stared at the old man.

Karman Leone almost summoned his Golden Pill Fire to burn Aethelwolf, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I merely said that to motivate them. I am still healthy and I can lead the Alchemy tower for a few more years." He muttered.

"Is that so? Or are you already planning to pass your position to someone else?" Everyone gasped when they heard Aethelwolf's words. They knew that the Supreme Director was favoring a candidate because of their familial ties, but no one dared to say it out loud. However, Aethelwolf didn't even filter his words and said them without blinking his eyes. Aethelwolf has nerves of steel!

Karman Leone glared at Aethelwolf. This impudent brat has no respect for his elders! "Aethelwolf, you are in the Alchemy Tower! Show me some respect!"

"Respect? If you want people to respect you, then you have to earn it. Supreme Director Karman, I don't want to beat around the bush with you. If Jade Kristine passes her Alchemy exam, please pass your position to her." He had already shot the arrow so there was no turning back anymore.

Karman Leone lost his cool and snapped. He pointed at Aethelwolf and bellowed. "Aethelwolf, who do you think you are to order me around?!"

Aethelwolf stepped closer to the old man and looked down at him as he replied. "I'm a better Alchemist than you. That's all."

Karman Leone suddenly erupted into laughter when he heard this.

Johann stared anxiously at Aethelwolf. What was he planning? Why is he provoking Karman Leone? He thought that Aethelwolf was planning to have an amicable conversation with the old man, but he did the opposite!

Johann moved closer to Jade and whispered urgently. "What are we going to do? If we don't stop Sir Aethelwolf, he might end up fighting with Supreme Director Karman. We have to do something!"

Jade Kristine was silent for a moment before she answered. "Do you remember what Sir Aethelwolf said before we came here? He said that he would use the authority he gained. I think Sir Aethelwolf wants to announce his position as the headmaster of the academy. That means his authority is no less compared to Supreme Director Karman..."

"You mean..."

"Let's just wait and see. I don't think Sir Aethelwolf is just provoking him without a backup plan." Jade Kristine said.

Meanwhile, when Karman Leone stopped laughing, he turned his head at Aethelwolf. "Since when have you become a better Alchemist than me?" He asked with a hint of disdain. He had to put this junior in his place or everyone might think that he was a pushover.

"How about a bet?" Aethelwolf suddenly smiled with a mysterious look on his face.

"A bet? What do you mean?" Karman Leone stared at him in confusion.

"Let's have a competition on who is a better Alchemist between us. If you win, I'll kneel down and apologize to you, but if I win, you have to step down from your position and give it to Jade Kristine. What do you say?" Aethelwolf's words made everyone's eyes widen in shock. He was actually challenging the Supreme Director into an Alchemy duel!

Everyone suddenly became excited. The duel between the two of them would be beneficial to other Alchemists. They would be able to learn a lot by just watching the two compete.

Karman Leone narrowed his eyes. If he rejected the duel, everyone would think that he was afraid of Aethelwolf. This was a competition that he couldn't reject. 'What a sly bastard!' He cursed in his heart.

"Fine! How do you want us to compete?" Karman Leone asked.

"Hmm... let's make it simple since it's just a friendly duel." Aethelwolf said.

'Friendly my ass! You want this old man to step down from my position and you dare say it's a friendly competition! Damn bastard!' Karman Leone really wanted to beat up this young man.

"How about we compete on who can make more 4th-Grade Pills in three hours?" Aethelwolf was confident in his refining speed. If he uses his Black Pill Fire, he would be a few times faster, but he didn't plan to do that since it would expose his secret. Besides, he was still fast even if he uses his Golden Pill Fire.

Karman Leone smiled coldly. He knew of a specific 4th-Grade Pill that was very easy to refine. He could even form three pills in just one refining session with that recipe. "Alright. I accept your challenge. Let's head to the examination area." He said.

Soon, news about their Alchemy duel spread throughout the capital. This information stirred many noble households and even the Leone Imperial Family was shaken.