Chapter 178 — The Elite Alchemy Class

Chapter 178: Chapter 178 — The Elite Alchemy Class

Chapter 178 — The Elite Alchemy Class

Victor stood quietly inside the elevator as it slowly carried him toward the second floor.

His hands rested casually at his sides, but his mind was already racing.

I wonder what the class is going to be like.

A small smile appeared on his face.

He was actually excited.

Almost everything he knew about alchemy had been self-taught.

The Library had given him access to countless books and an incredible amount of knowledge, but that wasn’t the same as having someone experienced standing beside him and teaching him directly.

He had never attended an actual alchemy class.

He had never been taught by a professional alchemist.

So the thought of finally learning from someone who practiced alchemy for a living genuinely interested him.

Will we actually make something today?

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.

Maybe they would start with basic flame control.

Maybe they would begin with ingredients.

Or perhaps—

Please let us make something.

The elevator finally stopped.

The doors opened.

Victor stepped out.

He found himself standing in front of the same entrance to the second floor that Elder Benton had used several days earlier.

Victor paused.

He glanced at the door, then held his citizen ID against the scanner.

Beep.

The door opened.

Victor stepped through.

For a moment, he looked around.

Am I actually allowed up here?

He had spent all of his time in the lower levels of the Tower.

Now he was walking through a restricted area.

Nobody came running toward him.

Victor smiled.

"Guess I’m good."

He pulled out his citizen ID.

A holographic map appeared above the card.

"Alchemy Class... Elite."

Victor studied the map.

His finger moved across the holographic display.

"Oh."

He found it.

"Straight ahead, left, then right."

Victor put the card away and began walking.

As he moved through the hallway, he made sure the Tier One Alchemist — Class Elite badge on his robe remained clearly visible.

He didn’t want someone stopping him and asking why a random person was wandering around the second floor.

About five minutes later, Victor rounded a corner.

He stopped.

The classroom was right there.

Victor stared at the door for a moment.

His excitement returned.

Finally.

He took a slow breath.

Then reached for the handle.

The door opened.

Several people inside immediately turned toward him.

Victor froze.

There were roughly twelve people in the classroom.

That wasn’t what caught him off guard.

It was the person standing at the front.

Victor’s eyes widened.

No.

His excitement disappeared instantly.

Standing at the front of the classroom was Elder Benton.

The exact person Victor had spent the last several days trying to avoid.

Victor stared.

Why does it have to be Benton?

He had never even considered the possibility that Benton might be teaching the class.

Then Victor’s eyes shifted.

Someone else was sitting on the left side of the classroom.

Alex Graveborn.

Victor’s expression changed.

For a brief moment, something dark stirred inside him.

Six months ago, Alex had been responsible for what happened to him.

The transfer to Basement Level Five.

Team Fifteen.

The death of Jacob, who had treated Victor like family.

Victor’s eyes burned.

For a fraction of a second, killing intent leaked from his body.

Heavy.

The atmosphere around Victor seemed to change.

Benton immediately noticed.

That killing intent...

His eyes narrowed.

It wasn’t the uncontrolled rage of someone who had never killed before.

It was something else.

Something refined.

Something that belonged to someone who had survived real danger.

What exactly has this boy been through?

Victor took a slow breath.

The killing intent vanished almost immediately.

His expression returned to normal.

Alex had noticed it as well.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, genuine surprise appeared on Alex’s face.

He already knew Victor had returned.

He had heard the reports.

He knew Victor had somehow reached Spirit Gathering.

That alone had been difficult to believe.

But this?

The last place Alex expected to see Victor was inside the Elite Alchemy Class.

Victor had been a slave.

Now he was standing inside one of the most exclusive Tier One alchemy classes in the Tower.

Alex’s eyes remained on him for another moment.

Then he looked away.

His expression returned to normal.

Victor’s gaze moved across the classroom.

Then he saw someone else.

His expression immediately softened.

A genuine smile appeared on his face.

Zack.

Zack was one of the few people in the Tower Victor had genuinely considered a friend.

Before being transferred to Basement Level Five, Victor had spent a great deal of time with him.

Victor walked over.

Zack immediately stood and held out his hand.

Victor grabbed it.

The two shook hands.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Zack smiled.

"I’m so glad you’re okay."

Victor laughed quietly.

"Yeah."

He pulled out a chair and sat beside him.

"Me too."

Zack looked at him.

"I had my father look into it. We searched everywhere we could."

Zack’s expression became more serious.

"But you were nowhere."

He glanced down at Victor’s wrist.

The slave bracelet was gone.

"Your bracelet always said you were alive, though."

Victor looked at his empty wrist.

"Yeah."

He smiled.

"A few days ago, I finally got it removed."

Zack’s eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

Victor nodded.

"Yeah. I’m free now."

A grin spread across Zack’s face.

Zack slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"I’m really happy for you."

Victor smiled.

"Thanks."

For a few seconds, they sat quietly.

Then Zack spoke again.

"I really missed you, man."

Victor looked at him.

"When I found out you disappeared..."

Zack shook his head.

"It was a real bummer."

Victor’s smile softened.

"Yeah."

"I missed you too."

Zack looked at him.

"So where were you?"

Victor’s smile faded slightly.

He stared ahead for a moment.

"Honestly..."

He paused.

"I don’t really want to talk about it."

Zack immediately understood.

"Yeah."

He nodded.

"I get it."

He didn’t push.

"Spending that long down in the caverns probably wasn’t easy."

Victor nodded.

"Not exactly."

Zack gave him a small smile.

"Well, you’re back now."

Victor nodded.

"Yeah."

Before they could continue, Benton’s voice filled the classroom.

"All right."

Everyone became quiet.

"Class will begin in approximately five minutes."

Benton’s gaze swept across the room.

"You should already know that I don’t play games."

His eyes briefly stopped on Victor.

Then continued.

Victor sat quietly.

Benton’s expression remained neutral.

Then something caught his attention.

His eyes moved toward Victor’s shoulder.

Nala was completely relaxed.

Benton’s expression remained stoic.

But internally, his attention sharpened.

That’s a Firebird.

Firebirds were rare.

They were considered sacred alchemical beasts by many alchemists.

And this one was sitting comfortably on Victor’s shoulder.

Benton studied her carefully.

Then he sensed her cultivation.

His eyes narrowed.

Beast Soldier.

Victor had returned from Region G after six months.

He had somehow reached Spirit Gathering.

And now he had a Beast Soldier Firebird following him around like a pet.

Benton stared at Victor.

Who exactly are you?

For several seconds, his attention remained fixed on Nala.

Then—

Click.

The classroom door opened.

Someone else entered.

Benton’s attention immediately shifted toward the newcomer.