Chapter 64 - Rank 4 Alchemist
The judges couldn't see but Damien's inner clothes were sticking to his body because of how profusely he was sweating. He was even feeling sleepy but concentrated on his soul plane to at least recover a bit of his soul energy.
'Wew...I can't believe I just skipped two grades! How awesome are these flames…'
In general, someone with his soul cultivation would only be able to concoct a Rank 2 Pill at best. But Damien skipped two whole grades and it was better that the judges didn't know this fact. Otherwise they would think Damien was just an old man in a child's clothing rather than believe he could do something that outrageous.
Before, he had vaguely calculated how much of his soul energy it would take to concoct a Rank 4 Pill. He was confident that at least he wouldn't collapse if he wanted to concoct a Rank 4 Pill with his current soul cultivation.
But he wondered till which rank he would be able to concoct if he went all out and used at least 95% of his soul energy to manifest the Fallen Flames. But he put back the thought in the back of his mind thinking that he should experiment later.
A white round pill floated towards Damien's hands from the cauldron. He then handed it over to the judges without even glancing at the pill. After all, he himself knew that it was impossible for the potency of the pill to be less than 100% if there were no errors in his refinement process.
Elder Edward's eyes were gazing at the white pill from a distance with slight excitement in his eyes.
The two judges inspected the pill including it's texture, smell, etc using their spiritual senses. Their eyes widened in shock and the hand of the judge holding the pill trembled.
"This...is a mythical Supreme Tier Pill! No doubt, the first Supreme Tier Rank 4 Pill to be ever concocted in the continent officially." The judge said in an awestruck tone.
Damien smirked inwardly seeing how the judges in front of him were trying their best to hide the excitement and shock in their face. But Damien had no idea that these judges were already thinking about being promoted to the headquarters in the Xeton Empire since they would be the ones who would be delivering the first ever Supreme Tier Pill to them.
But Elder Edward had other thoughts unfolding in his mind, ' He quietly took out a messaging talisman and activated it with his soul energy, sending a mental transmission to a certain somebody.
The judges had a lot of questions seething in their minds, and finally decided to ask, "Mr.Azrael, may we know the peculiarity of your etheric fire?"
Damien coldy replied, "Does the Alchemist Society need to know the peculiarity of an examinee's etheric fire in order for them to pass the exam?"
"No, of course not. We were just curious." They sighed and then took out a badge and robe,
"Congratulations. You are hereby granted the status of a Rank 4 Alchemist. Here's your badge and robe." The judges did not probe further and suppressed their curiosity since they did not want to scare away Damien. At least now they can be sure that the Xeton Empire would be happy to know that Damien had joined their organization.
They handed Damien a yellow colored badge with four stars embedded on its front. Rank 1 to Rank 3 alchemists would get a green colored badge while Rank 4 to Rank 5 alchemists would get a yellow colored one. The stars represent the specific rank of an alchemist. If there were five stars on the yellow badge, then it would mean Damien was a Rank 5 alchemist.
'Finally, I am officially an alchemist. My previous self would have died with joy if he were to experience this moment.'
Damien now realized that he officially had a reputable status as a Rank 4 alchemist. In the Rong Empire, he could flash or show off his badge and no one would be dumb enough to offend him. And if they knew he could concoct Supreme Tier Pills then even he couldn't imagine the riches and fame that would be showered upon him.
Damien took the yellow badge and inserted his ethereal energy towards it. The four stars on the badge turned white and he saw that an insignia of the Alchemist Society, two hands enclosing a pill, emerged on the top of the stars.
He knew that this way people would know if one was carrying someone else's badge or a counterfeit one. As long as the badge is near Damien, the insignia would be visible since it is in close proximity with Damien's ethereal aura.
'They are surely innovative.' Damien thought.
He then saw the amber colored robe which he casually put it in his soul space and attached the yellow badge on to his cloak. He preferred to wear the cloak, so the robe was of no use to him.
Damien turned around to leave but then he noticed a slightly edgy expression on Elder Edward's face. But he didn't pay it any mind and continued to walk out.
Outside the room, the pretty maid from before greeted him with a polite smile, "Congratulations Sir on being a Rank 4 alchemist. Is there anything else I could help you with?"
Damien nodded slightly. He understood that each customer was assigned a maid and they would continue helping their customers till they leave the building.
"I would like to have a look at some weapons." Previously Damien had seen a plethora of dazzling assortment of weapons, armors, gems, ethereal skill scrolls, etc on the ground floor. He had noted in his mind to come take a look at the weapons and get an idea of the market price.
"Sure,sir. Please follow me to the ground floor." The maid led Damien to the ground floor and this time her eyes showed slight respect whenever she spoke to Damien.
After all, Rank 4 alchemists weren't a common sight in the Rong Empire.
On the ground floor, Damien was inspecting the dazzling swords displayed on the premium cabinets. There were also various other weapons like axe, spear, mace, daggers, lance, saber etc. The price tags were also mentioned below these weapons and as he went from left to right reading the price tags, Damien's eyes only became wider and wider till he thought that it was a waste of time to even look anymore.
He had to admit that he was tempted to at least try out some swords seeing how well they were forged and the sharpness of the sword. The grade of the weapons ranged from Nascent Ethereal Grade to Sky Ethereal Grade weapons!
Damien sighed and decided to come back when he has enough capital to leisurely buy at least a single good weapon.
He then turned around and said to the maid, "I will come back after I decide which one to buy."
The maid politely smiled and said, "Sure, sir. We would be happy to be of service to you again."
Damien walked towards the exit but then he saw a middle-aged man with a rough face clad in white robes, with the insignia of the Rong Empire attached on his sleeves. He was surprised when he saw the man walking towards him with his back as straight as an iron rod and a supercilious gaze as if everyone else was inconsequential to him.
The man came close to Damien and asked in a gruff voice, "Are you the Rank 4 alchemist, Mr.Azrael?"