From Alchemy Apprentice to All-Powerful God King

"Earthworm, a disposable magical insect, in good condition..."

"Scorching Firefly, disposable magic insect, good quality..."

"Trapping bug, disposable magic bug, quality... poor."

As the Alchemist Bishop picked up the magical insects used in this assessment and examined and scored them one by one, the dozen or so apprentices in the audience were either happy or sad.

Meanwhile, Carter looked ashen-faced.

So far, only his own tractor is of poor quality, and with the other two first-tier demonic insects, it's obvious that he won't get a spot as an alchemist this time.

"Poisonous Water Insect, Tier 1 Magical Insect, Quality...Excellent!"

When the name of the magical insect crafted by Knight Leon was announced, gasps of surprise rang out in the guild square.

"That's a first-tier magical insect! And its quality is even excellent."

"Is he an alchemist or a knight?"

In an instant, the audience in the square pushed forward, wanting to catch a glimpse of the first-tier magical insect that the knight had crafted.

But then, the Alchemist announced Luca's results again.

"Water-light Insect, Tier 1 Magic Insect, Quality... also Excellent!"

Immediately, an uproar erupted in the square.

Both of the demonic insects they created were first-tier demonic insects, and both were of excellent quality. The key point is that the abilities of these two demonic insects are related to healing.

This put the alchemist in a difficult position.

Logically speaking, both of them should have achieved the first place.

But the key lies in the fact that one is his nephew and the other is a knight from the empire.

Giving it to anyone could easily be misinterpreted as favoritism.

Amidst the discussions and expectant gazes of the crowd, the Alchemist Bishop could only look at the last demonic insect first.

"Hmm...you self-destructing bug, something's not quite right with you."

As the bishop placed Matthew's exploding bug in his hand and tested it with magic, his expression changed instantly, and he asked in a trembling voice.

"Matthew, how...did you become like that?"

Instantly, the square fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to the demonic insect in the bishop's hand.

Even the goddess Elena and the middle-aged knight beside her looked over.

Matthew stepped forward and said in a humble yet assertive manner, "I have made some slight modifications to the formula and the refining sequence, but I can guarantee that it is definitely not a self-destructing bug."

As soon as he said this, laughter erupted in the square.

"Who does he think he is? Trying to improve the formula."

"Exactly, even a mentor wouldn't dare to change the formula so easily, what are you bragging about?"

Jimmy, listening to the mockery around him, was both anxious and angry, but he couldn't find a reason to refute it, so he could only stuff waffles into their mouths.

"Enough with the nonsense! One for each of you, and more if you're still hungry!"

However, as soon as the bishop spoke again, those who hadn't gotten any pancakes instinctively shut their mouths.

"Can I give it a try? Don't worry, your grades will remain valid regardless of the outcome."

Hearing the bishop's words, everyone's curiosity was piqued. What kind of magical insect could make even the alchemist bishop uncertain?

Matthew nodded, agreeing to verify it on the spot.

A space was then cleared in the square, where the bishop stood in the middle and channeled his magic into the demonic insects.

The flame marks that were originally on the back of the exploding insect carapace had all turned into grooves. With the injection of magic, new fleshy buds grew out of those grooves and quickly formed the larval form of the exploding insect.

Just as he was about to reach his limit, the bishop threw the exploding bug out.

The next moment, a deafening explosion rang out in the center of the square, far more powerful than that of an ordinary exploding bug.

"That's it? It's not much different from a suicide bomber, except it looks a bit more powerful."

"I thought a genius had emerged, but it turns out he's just an opportunistic apprentice."

"Exactly, does a louder explosion mean it's not a self-destructing bug?"

Mocking voices came from all directions, but Matthew paid no attention, silently counting down in his mind.

"Three...two...one..."

With a clap of his hands, seven or eight more explosions, no less powerful than those from the exploding bugs, rang out from the black smoke in the square.

The crowd that had just been mocking fell silent again, some not understanding what had happened—hadn't it already exploded?

Ordinary people can't see what's going on inside the black smoke, but mages and bishops, who are power users, can see it very clearly.

After the first explosion, Matthew's exploding bug quickly split into several larvae. After absorbing the magic power of the first explosion, they rapidly expanded and then exploded a second time.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! I never expected our town of Val to produce such a talented person!"

The alchemist's three "good"s brought everyone back to their senses, and they realized that this demonic insect seemed to be more powerful than the two first-tier demonic insects.

"This completely surpasses the power and effectiveness of the self-destructing bugs! Matthew, what kind of magical bug is this? How was it made? Do you have the complete recipe?"

"Reporting to the bishop, I also figured it out by accident. It should be called a swarm bug rather than a self-destructing bug. However, my success rate in refining it is not high at the moment, and I need to do more experiments to determine the formula."

Matthew didn't rush to reveal the formula because he understood a principle.

People only crave good things when they can't have them; once they get them, they become objects they can discard at any time.

He deduced the current situation from the expressions of the bishop and the mentors: as long as he had the recipe, the guild would have to beg him.

Seeing this, the Alchemist Bishop was not in a hurry. He knew the importance of a new magical insect formula, and even if Matthew could produce it, he would not let him reveal it on the spot.

He immediately announced the results of the assessment, which also solved the problem that had been bothering him.

"Ahem, quiet!"

"Matthew came in first place in this alchemist examination!"

"Luca León, second only to his name!"

"third....."

Just as the bishop announced the list of those to be promoted to alchemists, Jimmy, sitting in the audience, jumped up happily.

"See that? That's my brother Matthew, the number one alchemist!"

......

With the assessment over, Matthew followed his mentor Flynn back to the Alchemy Workshop.

At this moment, the latter's face was beaming with joy, as if he were the one who had created the new demonic insect.

"Matthew, I felt you were special from the very beginning, and you did pass the test as I expected. I'm honored for you."

Inside the room, Flynn, with the air of a kind teacher, earnestly tried to get close to Matthew, while holding the badge belonging to the guild alchemist in his hand.

"Not at all, it's all thanks to your guidance, Master. If it weren't for you, Master, how could I have possibly created the swarm of exploding insects?"

Once the formula is stabilized, I'll need your approval first, mentor. Otherwise, if you report that it can't be refined, wouldn't that be a laughing stock?

Matthew was equally polite, even offering the benefit of the recipe in advance.

Upon hearing this, Flynn's smile widened even more.

You know, if the upgraded version of the self-destructing bug could be mass-produced, it would be much more profitable than anything like Matthew's Secret!

As the first person to see the recipe, he could keep it for a few months before handing it over to the guild.

The thought of this made Flynn almost burst with excitement.

"Matthew, you're the best student I've ever had! Here's your alchemist's badge; from now on, you're an alchemist in our workshop!"

After handing the badge to Matthew, Flynn happily left the Alchemy Workshop.

Matthew stroked the alchemist's badge in his hand, but his mind had already drifted to the Chronicles of Another World.

[New label successfully activated - Unscrupulous Merchant]

[Unscrupulous merchants: judge the price, capabilities, efficacy, and true nature of items based on physical contact.]

You can see a price for everything, including people.

[Inherited from the new magical insect recipes: Water Light Insect, Wind Blade Insect.]