Chapter 316

Chapter 316 – The Lion and the Rose

Good performances always come last. Many events and competitions are like this, not only for the sake of showmanship but also to maximize the display of each individual’s abilities.

Few among the sages of Emanas knew about Lolan Hill’s witch identity, only those currently attending the school. A small number of teachers were aware of her dual identities due to the New Star Competition last year and the school’s arrangements. They knew she possessed a very special talent, but that was all. Today’s competition lineup and sequence was actually a minor surprise, as Lolan Hill’s performance in the preliminaries was notably outstanding. However, her fame wasn’t as widespread as other students, which left some curious about why she was appearing now.

After stepping onto the podium, Lolan Hill, following the competition rules, took out a potion bottle. Unlike the colorful potions of others, hers was completely clear and transparent, almost making one think there was nothing inside if not for the occasional fluorescent glow.

“It is made primarily from Ghostlight Flowers and Icebloom Flowers, enhanced and purified with other auxiliary potions. The specific process is as follows…”

“The effect is to strengthen soul consciousness and heal soul fissures, while also having a calming effect, alleviating anxiety, agitation, fear, and other emotions. The inspiration and conception came from…”

The young lady spoke at a moderate pace, initially a bit uncomfortable, but gradually becoming more natural. Slowly, her unique aura began to emanate.

Though beautiful, it wasn’t sharp; instead, it carried a gentle and serene quality, like the softest cotton or feather, slowly enveloping you, drawing you into a peaceful and comfortable night. Even though this young lady was merely introducing the process and concept behind her invention, her melodious voice, like notes gently played under moonlight, gradually drew everyone in, as if their souls were slowly shedding their decaying flesh, ascending towards the starry night sky caressed by the evening breeze.

Lolan Hill herself was unaware that as her Sequence level rose, the pendant given to her by Tides could no longer fully conceal her appearance and aura. In daily interactions, this was fine, but when standing at the center of such a stage, her appearance and style seemed magnified, impossible to hide.

“…That’s it.” After explaining, Lolan Hill slightly lowered her head and then stepped down from the podium.

Some students within the venue were still lost in the young lady’s voice, unable to recover for a long time. Others were frustrated, feeling for the first time that the competition introduction requirements were too few, wondering how that girl had finished so quickly. A profound sense of loss and melancholy spread throughout the venue.

In fact, many people hadn’t even remembered what the young lady had said. Their attention had long shifted to her peerless beauty and voice.

Regret, frustration, and melancholy churned within her heart. How could she have been so foolish just now, not stopping that young lady and asking her more questions, having her say more?

After a brief few minutes of explanation, the students’ attention was completely captured by the unknown young lady (though Lolan Hill had actually spoken, many did not pay attention). They showed little reaction when the staff announced the results later.

“Comprehensive score, creativity 92, effect 97.”

When Lolan Hill took the stage, Ossuna, sitting below, clenched the armrests of her seat tightly, jealousy and disbelief written all over her face. After the staff announced the scores, she squeezed the armrests so hard they cracked and deformed.

Why was it her again? How dare she? Such abnormal scores were clearly cheating, weren’t they?

How many grand alchemists spent nearly a century developing potions with such high evaluations? She was only sixteen or seventeen years old; how could she possibly produce them? There must be some organization behind her, promoting her.

Last time, too, she directly brought out a Pearl-grade weapon to show off on stage. Without that, how could her score have been so high?

Yes, that’s right. There couldn’t possibly be such a perfect person in this world. She had known this since childhood. Those glamorous aristocratic ladies, who among them wasn’t a mastermind? Did they really think they could rise in the nobility circles solely because of their looks? It wasn’t just about beauty; it was about interests, hearts, relationships, and blood ties. This girl was no exception; she must have been trained by some organization.

Ossuna lowered her head, her expression twisted with resentment. Only after a long while did she slowly lift her head, returning to her usual appearance.

Just wait and see. I will expose you, you false thing called Lolan. Ossuna swore silently, a dark sense of heroism gradually rising in her heart.

During this period when everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere, the ‘Rainbow Neck Bottle’ competition finally came to an end.

“The champion this time is the second-year student from Fortress Academy, Lolan!” The host announced the result with excitement. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the young lady ascended the stage once more, and this time, everyone truly remembered her name.

Next was the award ceremony.

First, the top three contestants went up one by one to receive the certificates and medals personally inscribed by the sages. Then came the rewards. The first-place winner received a golden suction tube awarded by Emanas, a pharmaceutical experimental instrument with various uses. (There is an example image here for better understanding.)

The second and third-place winners received silver suction tubes, with quality roughly equivalent to rare gold. The quality of the first place was slightly better, but this wasn’t the main focus. The real attraction of the ‘Rainbow Neck Bottle’ competition was that the top three could choose Pearl-grade materials from Emanas’ collection, with the first place receiving three items, and the second place two.

, third prize one piece. This was also the main reason why Lolan Hill registered.

Finally, let us applaud once again to praise these excellent students who have contributed to history.

The applause was thunderous, and the entire venue was in an uproar. This competition was indeed unique, with overall standards much higher than usual. Especially noteworthy was Lolan Hill, who won first place. Her work, the [Glowing Soul Potion], was directly evaluated by the sages as perfect pearl grade, an achievement that many masters could hardly attain in their lifetime.

After the competition ended, many people did not rush to leave but kept their eyes on the young lady who had won first place, hoping to strike up a conversation or at least get closer to understand her better.

Lolan Hill looked at the ‘eager’ crowd around her and felt like Little Red Riding Hood standing among wolves. She found herself in a dilemma—should she fly away? But she was wearing a skirt; if she walked out, she would probably be surrounded halfway. These were all students from the school, so it wasn’t easy for her to act decisively.

As she stood hesitantly in a corner of the venue, a tall young man stepped forward. His voice was clear and loud as he spoke.

“Please, give this Miss Lolan some space.”

With his golden short hair, handsome face, broad shoulders, and confident and open tone, he momentarily drew everyone’s attention. Students from other schools didn’t recognize him at first, and some were still hesitant, but the Bridge墩Academy students quickly sprang into action.

Bridge墩Academy, one of the four top-tier academies, is known for its strict discipline and teamwork. Every student here is trained as a soldier and officer, with a hierarchical order, obedience to orders, and a sense of collectiveism. This is the style of Bridge墩Academy.

Steadfast like the sea, fierce like the wind.

As the academy’s top student and currently still in office, Jielanen naturally had strong appeal in this semi-military academy. Under his proposal (order), the Bridge墩Academy students quickly moved out of the crowd, standing on both sides of the aisle, soon forming a neat human wall, clearing a straight path.

Facing these war sequence students dressed in gold and red uniforms, others did not want to test their sharpness and remained in place, watching silently.

It seems I can’t escape after all. Sighing inwardly, the young lady took a deep breath and raised her head, preparing to walk out of the Red Shell Hall.

However, things did not end there. Another young man in dark red uniform stepped forward, a rose longsword at his waist and a blood-red rose badge on his chest.

“Hold on!”

“Our students from the Fortress Academy will naturally protect and escort her.”

He waved his hand, and the doors at the end of the hall opened, allowing senior students in dark red uniforms to enter, clearing another aisle.

(End of Chapter)