The Alchemist's Guide to Flesh and Blood Ascension

Tedes stood up, let out a long sigh, flicked his dark gray, tide-patterned robe, and walked toward the arena with a dark silver staff in hand.

His expression was calm, with just the right amount of reserve... Born into a family of mages, he was exceptionally talented and showed a love for magic from a young age.

Furthermore, his family was not strict with him, only admonishing him: "Whatever you decide to do, do it to the best of your ability."

Just like the building blocks he used to assemble into a castle when he was a child, just like the orange cat he raised until it became quite fat...

Now that he has embarked on the path of a mage, he must naturally do it to the best of his ability!

"Both sides are in position!"

Countless gazes fell upon the two of them, or rather, mostly upon Ryan, many carrying expressions of sympathy, curiosity, and even a sense of anticipation.

An arc-shaped magical barrier lit up, and Ryan gripped his staff tightly, giving Tedes a dueling salute between mages.

For this magic apprentice, his thinking was very simple.

If they aren't so easily knocked off the stage, they might be able to add a few more savory breads to the family's dinners every night. Besides, my younger sister is still growing, so the more nutrition the better.

Tedes responded in kind, his movements far more elegant than Ryan's.

"start!"

Tedes made the first move, simply pointing his staff forward, and the water magic source focused on the translucent crystal at the tip of the staff. The third-tier magic [Tidal Whirlwind Blade] drew a strange curve in mid-air and attacked Ryan!

One arrow was aimed at his left knee joint, while the other was aimed diagonally at his upper chest—a combination of suppression and lethality, an exquisite and superb technique!

Ryan's pupils contracted; clearly, Tedes knew exactly where he was going to dodge! His brain paused for a moment before giving the command to roll to the right!

【Surging Blade】cut a corner of his robe, then slammed solidly into the barrier of the arena, creating ripples!

Ryan was at a disadvantage from the start... and a few snickers came from the stands.

"Slippery Spell!" Ted's staff traced an arc, instantly turning the ground into a muddy, slippery mess...

We can't stay passive any longer!

"Frost!" He chanted the incantation for the second-tier spell [Frost], and then Tedes raised his hand to freeze the ground beneath his feet.

The academy's specially made leather boots did not have any anti-slip measures in place... or rather, most people in the world were unaware of such a concept.

The swinging of the staff will inevitably affect the whole body... Even if it can cause a momentary block on Teddes's spellcasting, it's worth it!

Ryan gritted his teeth, shifted his center of gravity into a half-crouching position, and suddenly unleashed a wind blade, causing his body to sway for a moment!

Tedes pressed down on his staff to gather a magical barrier, and the wind blade dissipated like a pebble falling into a vast ocean... but his body inevitably slipped and leaned forward!

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past him! It was the [Wind Breath Technique]!

The magic barrier is not a complete cover, and it is full of loopholes for the invisible wind!

Every mage possesses their own most approachable element... and they almost never need to chant spells when casting related spells!

However... for those spell apprentices, maintaining the [Wind Breath] spell requires a large investment of magic power!

Looking at Tedes, who was swaying but still maintaining a magical barrier, Ryan's face began to turn pale—his magic power was almost gone!

Without further hesitation, he tilted his head back and poured in a bottle of "Heisenberg Pharmacy's" special magic potion!

The magic surged through Ryan's magical energy channels like a flood, and the violent wind instantly knocked Tedes to the ground!

good chance!

"How can this guy's magic power recover so quickly!" Tedes was surprised for a moment, and used the force of the fall to draw a distance on the ice.

"The magic output hasn't decreased at all... that's definitely not an ordinary potion!"

"Wildfire!" Without hesitation, he slammed the entire base of his staff into the ground—he intended to use the flames to "soften" the ice...

Magic comes from everyone... it's the fuel for spells.

The source of magic is everywhere! It is the very foundation for condensing spells!

Tedes will use the torrent formed from the source of magic to break through the ice!

A ring of fire erupted from him, followed by the crackling sound of ice breaking apart!

Tedes has slowly gotten up, supporting himself on the ground!

Ryan gritted his teeth and summoned a series of wind arrows to shoot at Tedes, but they collided with the latter's counterattack water blades!

The battle reached a brief stalemate. The people on the stage had long since put away their mocking smiles, and their whispers were filled with barely suppressed surprise.

"Ryan's been a bit too aggressive today!"

"What's the deal with his potion?! Its effects are way too amazing!"

"Stop arguing! They're going to attack again!"

Damn it... he can't afford to drag this out! Tedes's natural magic reserves and recovery speed far exceed his own!

The medicine can help me, but I simply can't afford to spend so much money on it!

The surging magical energy is receding... We must decide the outcome with one decisive blow!

"Fourth-tier magic... Wind Blade, activate!" he shouted, seemingly forcing Tedes to make a decision!

A gust of wind gathered around him, and the visible blue energy transformed into a chaotic chain of blades... The [Wind Blade] had taken shape!

Tedes frowned slightly. He could sense Ryan's depleted magic power, and he could also sense the not-too-underestimated explosive power!

"Break through the rapids!"

Torrent!? How could it be a second-tier spell [Torrent]?! A look of astonishment flashed across Ryan's face, but he quickly unleashed the terrifying [Wind Blade]!

As everyone stared at Tedes being swallowed by the raging wind, gasps of shock filled the air.

But then a solid, spear-like stream of azure water pierced through the cyan wind field, bursting out with a whistling sound that tore through the air!

With an extreme understanding and mastery of magical energy... Ryan sensed the water spear piercing through his magical barrier like a point breaking through a surface, hurtling towards his left shoulder...

It's too late.

A splash of blood appeared alongside the torn fabric, and the intense pain instantly severed his mental connection to the [Wind Blade]!

Tedes' figure slowly emerged from the dissipating vortex of wind. His apprentice robes were torn to shreds, and there were several fresh bloodstains on his exposed skin...

Then, panting heavily, he gently tapped Ryan's chest with his still-damp wand and gave him a smile.

The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in an astonishing roar of cheers—not only for Tedes' comeback victory, but also for Ryan's do-or-die performance!

"The victor is Tedesco!"

As expected... there is still a big gap, isn't there? Ryan smiled with relief, clutching his bleeding shoulder, and nodded to Tedes.

Tedes turned to look at the empty vial that had rolled to the side of the ring...

"Heisenberg Pharmacy - Special Magic Potions"

It wasn't provided by the academy, yet its effects were so potent that even it caused me suffering...

If he hadn't had more practical experience and understanding... the outcome would have been even more unpredictable.

High in the stands, an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a deep purple robe, slowly rose to his feet. He was one of the leading authorities in the field of pharmacy at Tus Academy…

Marcus Paramel stroked his beard, his deep blue eyes narrowed as he looked at the empty vial.

"Whose masterpiece is this...? When did such a big shot join Starmock?"

"Who cares? Ten times, a hundred times, as long as we can analyze the ingredients and the process... it's all worth it."

He turned and walked down from the stands toward the medical room.