Chapter 161: Bonds

"The winner is Aria Starlight."

Adrian clapped along with the crowd, satisfied by Aria's skill and strategy. She had controlled the match, showcasing her strength and versatility.

As the next matches were announced and Aria's next match would be about 5 or 10 minutes later, so Adrian's attention was divided.

'Should I go check up on them?' Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He wanted to catch a glimpse of the PotionCrafting Championship, where his sister Aurelia and the other genius alchemist Nora were competing.

Adrian quickly made his way to the adjacent arena, his curiosity piqued by the PotionCrafting Championship. He arrived just in time to see the first round commencing. The arena was abuzz with activity, and the contestants were already seated at their workstations, ready to begin.

The first round consisted of two tests. The first part was a theory test, covering various aspects of alchemical knowledge. The second part involved identifying ingredients based on their images.

Adrian spotted Aurelia among the contestants, her focus unwavering as she prepared for the theory test. Nora was seated a few rows away, her calm demeanor reflecting her confidence. Adrian found a spot where he could observe both of them and settled in to watch.

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, "Contestants, you have 10 minutes to complete the theory test. Good luck!"

The competitors began scribbling furiously on their parchments, answering questions about potion formulas, ingredient properties, and alchemical reactions. Adrian watched as Aurelia worked methodically, her quill moving swiftly but precisely. Nora, too, seemed to breeze through the questions, her expression serene.

Adrian couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he observed his sister. Aurelia had always been diligent in her studies, and it was clear she had a deep understanding of the subject. He recalled the times she used to follow him around to teach her how to read and ask questions even though they were the same age.

A blissful smile spread across his face remembering those moments.

Then his focus shifted to his sister's rival in this field - Nora.

He could see Nora's expertise was equally evident, her answers flowing effortlessly onto the parchment.

As the minutes ticked by, the atmosphere grew more intense. The sound of quills scratching against parchment filled the arena, punctuated by the occasional rustle of paper. Finally, the announcer called out, "Time's up! Please put down your quills."

The contestants complied, setting their parchments aside. The judges swiftly collected the papers and began preparing for the second part of the test.

"The next part of the test will now begin," the announcer said. "Contestants, you will be shown images of various alchemical ingredients. Your task is to correctly identify them. You will have 15 minutes. Ready? Begin!"

A large screen at the front of the arena displayed the first image: a delicate, blue flower with intricate patterns on its petals. The contestants leaned forward, studying the image carefully. Adrian watched as Aurelia quickly jotted down her answer, her brow furrowed in concentration. Nora, on the other hand, took a moment longer to ensure her answer was accurate before writing it down.

The images changed rapidly, showing a variety of ingredients: rare herbs, exotic minerals, and mystical crystals. Some were common, while others were obscure, challenging even the most knowledgeable alchemists. Adrian could see the intensity on the faces of the contestants, each striving to identify the ingredients correctly.

As the test progressed, Adrian noticed a pattern.

Aurelia and Nora were consistently among the first to finish each identification, their knowledge and speed setting them apart from the others. They seemed to be in a league of their own, their expertise evident with each correct answer. Well, it was something to be expected of the Future Genius Duo Alchemists, he thought.

With five minutes remaining, the competition grew even fiercer. The images became more challenging, featuring rare and complex ingredients. Adrian could see the determination in Aurelia's eyes as she quickly identified a rare moonflower, her quill moving swiftly across the parchment. Nora's calm demeanor remained unchanged, her answers just as precise and swift.

Finally, the last image appeared on the screen: a shimmering, golden powder that seemed to radiate light.

Adrian recognized it as Stardust, a rare ingredient known for its legendary magical properties. Both Aurelia and Nora identified it almost simultaneously, their quills moving in perfect synchronization.

"Time's up! Please stop writing," the announcer declared.

The contestants set down their quills, and the judges began collecting the papers. Adrian could feel the tension in the air as everyone awaited the results.

"The results of the first round will be announced shortly," the announcer said. "In the meantime, let's give a round of applause to all our talented alchemists!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and Adrian joined in, feeling proud of Aurelia's performance. It was clear that she and Nora were the top contenders, and he couldn't wait to see how the rest of the competition would unfold for them. Even if he knew the results of the novel, he still wanted to see it with his own eyes. His sister's success...

Glancing at the time, Adrian realized that Aria's next match was about to start. Knowing the results would be announced about half an hour later, he quickly made his way back to the combat arena, eager to see how Aria would fare in her upcoming battles. She wouldn't instantly end them, right? experience-MVLeMpYr

While leaving, he didn't notice his sister Aurelia managing to catch a glimpse of his face and figure.

'...D-Did he came to watch?' Aurelia's heart started to beat uncontrollably, though whether it was from joy or doubt was uncertain.

Meanwhile, Aurelius who spotted Adrian first and gestured to Aurelia to notice him wore an accomplished smile. His only hope was the siblings would get together again.

'But...' Aurelius's expression shifted to one of solemnity as he noticed a group of people standing at the VIP seats, their eyes fixed in his direction. His family, the Avondale Royalty, were observing him with a mixture of doubt and scrutiny.

Aurelius muttered under his breath, "I doubt my situation can get better with my family."

'Not to mention... I have yet to solve my health problem...' He clutched his hands slightly. 'I hope Master is right about advancing to Lunar Tier as soon as possible... Or else... I might have to say goodbye to everyone...'