Chapter 309

Chapter 309: The Rainbow Neck Bottle Competition

In the central school building, in the Sagebrush courtyard, was the venue for the preliminary round of the ‘Rainbow Neck Bottle’ competition.

The light purple tiles paired with white bricks gave off a serene and beautiful atmosphere. Where the courtyard was usually empty, tables and instruments were now set up today. Around and on the upper floors of the hall, many students had gathered to watch.

Since this was one of the first competitions that second-year students encountered in the new term, many students signed up out of curiosity. With the addition of upperclassmen, there were over 300 participants. Therefore, the preliminary round would be held twice, focusing only on basic operational procedures to weed out those who just wanted to participate.

Several teachers stood between the hall and the venue, overseeing the competition to prevent cheating. Around them were also members of the Order Department, maintaining order and providing protection. These members were mostly around Sequence 6 in strength, being fourth or fifth-year students with strong abilities. They were also part of the school’s enforcement department.

“So, let the preliminary round officially begin,” the chief examiner announced after reading through the lengthy rules, and the competition finally commenced.

The first round of the preliminary round tested the preparation of the [Hemostatic Healing Potion] (Bronze Level). This was a common potion, prepared in large quantities and consumed in large quantities as well. All the necessary raw materials were already prepared on-site, and all the students needed to do was make it. Afterward, the potion would be labeled and submitted to the teacher for review, and anyone scoring above 80 would advance to the next round.

After the competition began, the students did not waste time and started operating immediately. Various sounds filled the venue—grinding materials, clinking glass, boiling water, and even explosions could be heard.

For a moment, all the contestants were busy. Meanwhile, many of the watching students were discussing among themselves, speculating on who might win.

“Speaking of alchemy and potion-making, those most skilled belong to the Magic Sequence, Nature Sequence, followed by the Angel Sequence and Necromancer Sequence. What are your thoughts on who will win today?” A slightly plump student from the Eastern Region, holding a feather fan, pointed out from the hall and spoke to those behind him.

A student in deep green uniform said first, “I have seen Senior Lamb from the Fortress Academy win last year with the [Bitter Celery Hair Growth Potion]. Surely he will create another miracle this year.”

This Eastern student shook his fan and sighed, shaking his head, “No, Senior Lamb, due to his own illness, has devoted himself to research for years, and finally created a potion. However, his previous efforts have been exhausted, and it will be difficult for him to develop a new potion.”

A student in periwinkle uniform stepped forward and said, “Chief of the High Tower, a genius of a hundred years, both teachers and students admire him. Senior Gene can be called a champion.”

“That alchemical prodigy, the Three-Color Magic Doll, although Senior Gene excels in alchemy, his experience with potion-making is limited. Participating occasionally might be more of a whim rather than a serious attempt at winning.” The student shook his head again.

“I believe Senior Errol from our Temple Academy, who once created the [Soul Convergence Potion] using the ancient mercury formula, received praise from the sages and was rated as a rare golden item. This time, he might be a strong contender.”

“Announce the champion,” a student from the Eastern Region fanned a feather fan and applauded, commenting, “In the Age of Mercury, the past and present differ greatly. The world changes, and materials are hard to find. To make new medicines using old methods is arduous due to the scarcity of raw ingredients, making it difficult to score high and win the championship.”

“We can’t find any suitable candidates. In your opinion, who among us could be the top contender to win the first place?”

Seeing that several proposed candidates were dismissed one by one, the crowd began to question back. Of course, some students, listening to these scholarly exchanges, became quite impatient.

“You, little fatty, hurry up and speak. Stop fanning yourself. If you can’t satisfy everyone, you won’t be able to stand and leave today.”

“That’s right! I hate people who don’t speak properly.”

Some students slowly approached the Eastern student fanning the feather fan. Seeing the situation deteriorate, he raised his hand and shouted to stop, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. Then, he quickly thought about what to say to appease the angry crowd.

“Cough, cough. Listen to me, everyone.” Taking a deep breath, this student’s body slowly floated upward like a balloon.

“As the saying goes, if you want to do something well, you must first sharpen your tools. I have heard that the ‘Thorn Poison Sumac’ club at Fortress Academy has been researching and developing new poisons for many years. Recently, they found a new member with precise perception to operate the manufacturing process, with ample preparations, and great hopes for winning the championship.”

“Is that all?” A strong man stepped forward and continued speaking.

“I thought there would be some profound insights or new ideas, but it’s just this?”

Seeing the big hand about to grab the chubby student, this student spoke again.

“Hold on.” He cleared his throat and started thinking again.

“In ancient times, during the Age of Mercury, all alchemists were witches. Now, Fortress Academy has gained a new witch student named Othuna. I believe she can also be a champion.”

“What? Our school has a witch as a student? I’ve never heard of it,” some students from other schools exclaimed. At this moment, everyone’s attention was caught by this news, and no one moved against the chubby student anymore.

“Really?” Many did not believe it, as it was too unusual. Witches were usually only found in history or legends, weren’t they?

“It seems to be true. I heard some classmates mention it,” several students from Fortress Academy hesitantly replied.

“Well then, we’ll have to look forward to it this year.”

For now, let’s put aside the discussions among the audience upstairs. Down in the courtyard, the contestants were nearing the end of their preparations.

Lolan Hill, dressed in red and black, wore a black hooded cloak. Standing in the crowd, she didn’t stand out. She held her potion and gently swayed it, carefully sensing the internal changes. As the liquid in the test tube continuously mixed and bubbled, the color changed from dark to light, finally stabilizing into a clear dark red.

Lifting the test tube slightly, she held it up to the sunlight.

Hill observed the color and internal condition of the potion, finally satisfied, she put down the bottle, plugged it, and sealed it before attaching her own label.

At that moment, a burst of cheers came from outside the arena, catching her attention. A group of people stood on the second floor, all looking towards one side of the arena while shouting something. The focus of their gaze was a purple-haired girl holding a prepared potion, turning back to wave at the upper floors, much like a star thanking her fans.

Could it be Ousuna? Lolan Hill thought to herself. Is she really a witch? She had used the system to check on her before, and Ousuna was indeed a very talented and powerful student. But she didn’t have the same deep, unfathomable feeling as Tides or Night Mistress. If others hadn’t told her, she would have considered Ousuna a prodigy like Bumansa, rather than thinking of her as a witch.

But since so many people, including the academy teachers, acknowledge her, perhaps she misunderstood.

“Lolan~” a familiar voice came from beside her. The girl turned her head, and two familiar figures stood at the edge of the arena, waving at her—Bumansa, like a neighborly older sister, and Lily, slightly freckled.

—

On the fourth floor of the hall, it was too high up to see clearly, so there weren’t many people here, only a few students leaning over the railing to watch.

“The evaluation has already started. I wonder if Gates can make it through this time,” a student said to his companion.

“But he himself doesn’t hold out much hope. Getting into the top thirty would be enough for him. I wonder who will win the championship this time.”

“What do you think, Rock?” He turned to ask his red-haired roommate.

“I don’t pay much attention to these things, and I’m not sure who’s strong right now in the school. But if I had to say who the champion might be, I think it could be that girl,” Rock’s words were full of contradictions.

“Oh. So unsure, yet so confident. Your style is still so unique, Rock. Haha.”

“Who is it then, that purple-haired witch?” He pointed downwards, seemingly not taking it seriously.

“No, I’m talking about that black-haired girl.” Rock pointed to a girl wearing a hood in a corner.

“I used to be in the same class as her. Although we never fought and rarely interacted, I know I couldn’t beat her,” Rock seemed somewhat regretful.

“That girl has incredible perception; she is almost my natural enemy as an assassin.”

“With such talent combined with her coordination and balance skills, along with her serious attitude, winning the championship shouldn’t be difficult for her.”

“So impressive. It looks like our ‘True Crimson Rose’ will have a new member.”

“Don’t disappoint me, this unfamiliar girl.”

Thank you to Tangmen Infantry, Shi Mie Ri Shi, and Yan Yue for your support.

Special thanks to reader ThisIsAllAnIllusion for your support.

(End of Chapter)