From Alchemy Apprentice to All-Powerful God King

"Did I hear that right? Hahaha, he said he's going to bet on himself?"

"That's hilarious. Who does he think he is, offering a hundred gold coins? Bro, give me fifty, and I'll go up and lose to you."

For a moment, the area around the gambling den erupted in laughter.

The main reason is that what Matthew said was very impactful.

A complete newcomer to the alchemy arena, who appears to be only a first-tier ability user, actually wants to go up on stage and bet on himself in an alchemy competition.

Although it's allowed by the rules, you can't choose your own alchemy opponents.

You are a Tier 1 ability user, and your opponent will also be a Tier 1 ability user, and most likely an alchemist or a mage.

For someone who doesn't know alchemy, going up there is practically the same as giving money away.

"I'll pay you one hundred!"

Luca suddenly spoke up, causing everyone's expressions to change again, from mocking laughter to suppressed laughter at someone looking at a fool.

Of course, after Matthew's training these past few days, he has learned a lot about disguise.

With a "I'm rich and I'm happy" expression on his face, he pointed at the others.

"What are you laughing at? If you're so tough, try beating me!"

With Luca's provocation, some ability users who were originally hesitant and just watching the show immediately took the bait.

"Hey, you're pretty arrogant, kid. Don't cry later when you lose money, haha."

"Come on, come on, this is truly an eye-opener. It's the first time I've ever encountered someone coming to give away money."

Soon, with Luca's help, the odds for Matthew's duel with another alchemist reached an absurd 1:3.

"Um, I'll bet a little too."

Amidst everyone's enthusiastic betting, Noah, who had just finished his match and received a dozen or so gold coins as commission from the gambling den, also walked over.

However, his target was Matthew, which immediately drew another wave of ridicule.

"Noah, you finally won this time, and now you're going to have to give the money back again."

"Yeah, you finally got a good deal, so don't get involved."

Some kind people nearby also offered him advice.

After all, only the winners on the stage can receive a share of the profits, and this is the first time he has received a share of the profits in the six months he has been on the alchemy stage.

Of course, even if Matthew had won, he wouldn't have received those ten-odd gold coins if he hadn't bet fifty.

"It's alright. I don't feel entirely comfortable taking this money. It would be a bit unfair to win it."

Noah scratched his head, then placed the gold coins in front of Matthew's nameplate.

Matthew's addition meant that nobody cared about the outcome of the second match; everyone was just waiting for it to end so they could quickly start the next one.

Soon, amidst the amused gazes of the crowd, Matthew stepped onto the ring and stood before the alchemy platform.

His opponent was an alchemist from the Alchemy Guild in Mole City.

He doesn't look very old, probably in his early twenties, and is a first-tier ability user.

"Are you sure you want to start the arena? You can still back out now, otherwise all your gold coins will be wasted."

The opponent kindly reminded Matthew that he was already strong enough to refine first-tier magical insects, but he was still an alchemist because he didn't have enough points to advance to first-tier archmage.

Although he didn't know Matthew's strength, it was no different from bullying a child to him.

"No need, I actually know a little about alchemy too."

Matthew shook his head, indicating that he was ready to begin.

Seeing this, the alchemist opposite him stopped trying to persuade him and began the refining process.

However, Matthew did not immediately begin refining the materials, but instead observed the materials the other party had provided.

"He doesn't actually know alchemy, does he? Is he just learning on the spot?"

"It seems to me that he hasn't even prepared all the materials."

The crowd below the stage looked at Matthew, who was standing in front of the alchemy platform without making any move, and felt that this time it should be a sure thing.

Even Noah, a seasoned loser with a thousand defeats, shook his head repeatedly at the sight.

He doesn't even know alchemy, yet he went up to compete; he's even more arrogant than him.

Luca could only suppress his laughter and try to keep himself in check.

Having followed Matthew all this way, he knew his older brother all too well. This was clearly him confirming the magical insects being refined by the other side, and deciding what he should refine himself.

After all, if a swarm of exploding bugs were unleashed right from the start, it would likely cause a sensation in Moore City.

Just as the alchemist opposite him was halfway through the process, Matthew suddenly moved.

After confirming that the other party was refining a tractor worm, he also took out the materials for refining the tractor worm.

Then began the one-to-one replication and imitation.

Although Luca guessed it, he was only half right. Matthew was even more ruthless than he thought. Some things only work the first time, so today he had to earn back all the money he earned in the next ten days.

"Look! This kid is actually learning how to refine it, it's hilarious!"

"Haha, so you really don't know alchemy."

"He doesn't really believe that alchemy can be successfully performed simply by following someone else's method, does he?"

The commotion and discussion below the stage immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding ability users.

They were watching the other arenas and had no idea what was happening here.

After someone explained, a large number of gamblers gathered around.

Upon seeing this, the casino staff immediately began to shout out their orders.

"Last ten minutes to place your bets! Place your bets now, this is a once-in-a-lifetime bonus round!"

Immediately, some ability users who hadn't placed their bets yet hurriedly pulled out their gold coins and rushed over.

"Let me go first, I'll bet five."

"I want some too, I'll bet ten."

Soon, the stakes for this match surged to the top three in the history of the Alchemy Arena.

With the alchemist's completion, a tractor worm was successfully created.

When he looked at Matthew, he frowned and paused for a moment.

Clearly, he realized that the young man opposite him was imitating his alchemy, and he immediately smiled, not expecting that the young man was actually learning alchemy.

But after taking a second look, the smile on his face vanished abruptly, his expression gradually stiffened, and he looked somewhat incredulous.

"This... is this the first time you've refined it?"

Although Matthew's technique was slightly rusty at the moment, his control over the materials and the application of the magic potion were more skillful than those of the alchemist.

If he didn't have to select and check the materials every time, he would have suspected that the guy opposite him was acting.

Some people in the audience also noticed, and their smiles immediately disappeared.

The key is that Matthew is not in a hurry, and he doesn't make a single mistake. It's really like he's refining a one-time magical insect.

At this rate, he might actually be able to refine it.

In an instant, the noisy crowd fell silent, staring intently at Matthew's alchemy table.

With a cracking sound.

The demonic insect on Matthew's alchemy platform was completed.

One of them, in terms of both appearance and size, far surpasses the alchemist's.

Immediately, cries of agony filled the air as Matthew and Luca devoured them all.

"Did you cheat, you little brat?!"

"Of course! Otherwise, how could you have succeeded in refining it on your first try?"

Some people in the audience disagreed, didn't believe he could win, and raised questions.

Seeing this, Matthew simply shrugged slightly and looked smugly at the hundreds of people below the stage.

"When did I say this was my first time alchemy? I already said that I actually know a little bit about alchemy."