Chapter 978: So Close Yet So Far...

Weiss Alstreim's lips trembled as he felt the atmosphere become heavy. His body felt stiff as if he became stuck in a quagmire. It was almost as if everyone turned against him!

However, he could only point his fingers in anger and do nothing about it as he realized that Sophie Alstreim possessed an influential Grand Elder's backing. Before, he wouldn't be afraid as he had Grand Elder Elise Alstreim, but now, he completely possessed no backing at all! It made him feel vulnerable for the first time in his life in front of someone from the same family!

His eyes glanced towards a person in trepidation,

But for some reason, Nora Alstreim didn't seem to be intent on exposing his lack of backing either. He was prepared to use it to his advantage, but nothing seemed to go his way in this exchange.

"Pathetic... for a man who was once praised as the Young Master from the Alstreim Family..." Davis openly sneered.

"This is a stage that is held for alchemy experts. If you don't know anything about the way we alchemists move about or remain ineligible to stand at this stage, then..."

"Scram!!!"

Weiss Alstreim's whole body trembled as he seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown. His pores and meridian pathways became heated by rapid yet abnormal circulation. His heart sped up, pumping more blood than ever. The blood started to flow in reverse from being humiliated in front of all these people! If it continued, he might possibly spit out blood from anger!

Sophie Alstreim's insult was already humiliating to him, but this was just worse as his lips quivered from wanting to speak out in retort, but the words were simply stuck in this throat, unable to come out.

Davis didn't hold back as one of his goals here was to 'weaken' Weiss Alstreim. He was about to humiliate him further when suddenly a voice echoed out!

"How dare you!? To speak rudely towards the Young Master of the Alstreim Family, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that you're disrespecting the entire Alstreim Family! A man with a blonde goatee stepped up and stood in front of Weiss Alstreim!

"Quickly apologize to the Young Master!"

"..." Weiss Alstreim became stunned at the sight of someone helping him at this time. He couldn't help but feel moved, "Boreas..."

Boreas Alstreim turned to look back, "Yes, Young Master. I'll be representing you in this Alchemy Exchange."

Weiss Alstreim smiled in relief as he called calmed down. A moment later, he became confident that he didn't need the help of anyone to keep his position as the Young Master, improving himself in due time!

'Indeed, people who have discerning eyes do flock to me...'

He believed in his charisma as his eyes shone with a self-encouraging light!

"Now, apologize!" Boreas Alstreim remained adamant as he aggressively hounded Alchemist Davis.

The Grand Elders and the Elders all possessed rather scary expressions on their faces. They couldn't help but muse if this brat doesn't truly understand the meaning of his actions, that making a subordinate apologize for this kind of rudeness is almost the same as lowering the master's head.

If Alchemist Davis miraculously apologized at this point, they would be the ones to prevail and save their face, but they would be completely offending the Dragon Queen instead!

Just when Grand Elder Lloyd Alstreim was about to interfere, Princess Isabella shot a look at him. Grand Elder Lloyd Alstreim didn't know what it meant, but her unfathomable amethyst eyes made him retreat as he leaned back on his seat.

"I see..." Davis smirked, "This is what it means to be a dog that barks for its master..."

"!!!" Veins protruded over Boreas Alstreim's forehead as he clenched his fists in hostility!

However, he didn't dare to raise his arms against Alchemist Davis as he didn't doubt over the latter's battle prowess. Almost everyone knew about the latter's battle with the Towering Cloud Hall's disciple, and that disciple's fate.

"You're taking it too far! I am an alchemist from the Burning Sea Brigade that commands the seas of the Alstreim Family!"

The crowd had their eyes wide open in surprise!

The Burning Sea Brigade!

Contrary to the Brilliant Flame Corps, which took the second place, the Burning Sea Brigade is the number one younger generation organization in the Alstreim Family. It was an influence that was formed from the alliance of the Grand Elder and Elder's talented descendants.

Usually, the Young Master would become the grand leader of this organization, but since Grand Elder Valdrey Alstreim reigned in the scene of internal affairs, the other Grand Elders teamed up to form influence of their own, and the Burning Sea Brigade fell into their hands, making it their sphere of influence!

However, as the name implied, the Burning Sea Brigade's missions were mainly in the Alstreim Family's ocean territory and external waters, so they were not seen much in the Grand Alstreim City, contrary to the Brilliant Flame Corps who occupied the city.

So for an alchemist of the Burning Sea Brigade to help Weiss Alstreim was unexpected, to say the least! Everyone was dumbfounded by Boreas's actions.

However, Davis wasn't aware of that, but he possessed an inkling as to why Boreas Alstreim would bark like a dog at him. It was because of the previous incident, where he almost spanked Isabella with his hand, making everyone know that she could only be seen by him.

It made Boreas Alstreim give off an eerie vibe.

However, no matter how much of a jealousy Boreas Alstreim held towards him, why would he care about it?

"So what? Am I supposed to start giving a mere barking dog undeserved respect?"

"No! You're the dog! You mere subordinate! Watch your mouth!" Boreas Alstreim waved his hands before he walked towards Princess Isabella and stopped at a certain distance.

"Dragon Queen! Do you know that your subordinate just tried to-"

"Enough!!!" Princess Isabella raised her voice.

"All of the participants step down from the platform. I heard what all I wanted to know about, so start the Alchemy Exchange without any delay!"

"Yes! Dragon Queen!" The Grand Elders and Elders responded with a nod. They didn't want to escalate this matter any further, either.

Princess Isabella remained indifferent. She was well aware of Davis's actions, but that was their personal matter. Moreover, Davis didn't touch her at all, and besides, she would never allow it for the public to discuss when it was just a feint to shut them up in the first place!

Boreas Alstreim looked pretty shaken. It was as if he never expected a woman to snap at and humiliate him in front of all his people.

His eyes convoluted, and he took a step forwards before he brazenly walked towards Dragon Queen Isabella for some reason. His fists clenched, and his expression became a bit dangerous but midway through her realized that something was wrong with him and stopped.

However, by this point, he was just a meter away from the gorgeous and mesmerizing Dragon Queen.

Suddenly, a saying sprouted in his head among his chaotic emotions.

So close yet so far...

If he could just touch this immortal fairy for a single second...

His body instantly moved, but he acted as if he stumbled over his other foot, his hand reaching out towards her as if to seek support. His hands that seemed to be afar, reached out to the Dragon Queen, almost about to touch her white collarbone that was lightly covered by the frills.

His lips imperceptibly curved into a smile.

*Paah!~*

A resounding slap echoed out, making people feel a chill up their spine!