Ten Lucky Draws: I Became OP - Chapter 423: The Lord of Alchemy (2)

Chapter 423: The Lord of Alchemy (2)

The second round of the competition ended in the same exact way as the first.

With Ash embodying the perfection of literal everything he could think of… it was in no possible way for him to lose such a thing.

And by now the affection he’d gained from Luna was almost enough for him to accomplish his task.

Luna addressed the crowd once again, trying — and mostly failing — to hide the shock in her voice.

“Once again… my disciple has produced three 100% Primordial Hierarchy pills.” She paused for a moment to collect herself.

Because even as someone of her esteem, she was overwhelmed.

“All of this was done, in under a minute….”

Her announcement at that moment was entirely unnecessary.

The entire domain had been enveloped in profound silence since the final golden rays had faded from view.

The stillness persisted for several long seconds before a ripple of astonished murmurs and sharp intakes of breath spread among the thousands of onlookers.

Such an occurrence was nearly unprecedented; in fact, there had been only one Alchemist in all of existence who had ever succeeded in creating an absolutely pure pill or elixir.

That individual was none other than the Lord of Alchemy, a figure who had long since vanished from the world.

Even the remaining six foremost alchemists could do little more than gaze on with varying expressions of disbelief and apprehension.

Ash, however, never allowed his focus to waver from the First Alchemist — the man who had deemed it wise to investigate his past.

Thud!

In that moment, the young woman—the first disciple—knelt. Not before Luna, but before Ash.

“Esteemed Sir…” she said without a trace of shame. “Please accept me as your disciple.”

Her words drew every gaze away from the pills and back to Ash.

Ash raised a brow at the young woman, an idea suddenly sparking in his mind.

’How perfect…’ he mused with a chuckle before speaking aloud.

“Hmm?” He tapped his chin, then gestured toward Luna. “Why be my disciple when my master is the very embodiment of Alchemy itself?”

Before the young woman could lift her gaze, he stepped forward with measured intent, his voice carrying clearly across the entire domain.

“My Master, the Weaver of Alchemy, is the greatest alchemist Reality has ever known,” he declared with unshakable conviction.

“I do not care how the matter is framed,” he continued with a faint, assured smile, “regardless of history, cycle, or era, she alone stands at the pinnacle.”

Turning his eyes directly to the First Alchemist, his tone shifted from casual poise to resolute boldness.

“I hereby call for a competition of my own. I stake my very life on this—that my Master will best the so‑called number one Alchemist, here and now.”

Hearing this the entire Alchemy domain fell into stunned silence once more.

The First Alchemist stayed mostly silent, his face tense and eyes sharp with calculation, while the Third Alchemist leapt to his feet, his voice booming with indignation.

“This is outrageous! The top Alchemists can’t face off without the Alchemical Council here! An event like this demands their supervision and official approval — and that’s something that would take no less than two months to set up!”

Event at those words, Ash’s smile never wavered.

“Well then,” he said calmly, “in two months we compete, right?”

The domain fell silent again…. the third truly thought that Ash would back out knowing that the number one Alchemist would have two whole months of prep.

Or at least to have Luna interject… placing her Top Disciple in check.

In that moment, the domain seemed to hold its breath as Luna and the First Alchemist locked eyes in a long, tense silence.

No one knew Luna dreamed of becoming the greatest Alchemist in all of Reality. After all, not every member of the top seven had earned their place purely through alchemical ambition.

Some pursued it out of love for the craft, but more often than not, it was for the perks and prestige that came with the title.

Then Luna turned to Ash, her yellow eyes steady despite the storm of emotions behind them.

She took a slow breath.

“…Very well.” She said as her eyes shifted back. “I accept, we have two weeks tops to contact the Council.”

“In two months…. we will settle this before the Alchemical Council.”

To this the First Alchemist only flashed a smile… while nodding in agreement.

The entire crowd erupted into a cacophony of shocked whispers and excited murmurs.

But…. the Third shot to his feet, disbelief ringing in his voice.

“Are you serious? You’re actually going through with this? Without the Council’s approval?”

The First Alchemist rose slowly, black hair and blue eyes calm as he stepped to the platform’s edge for all to see.

His voice was steady and unwavering.

“I’m sure the Council won’t object… I accept the challenge. In two months, before the Alchemical Council, I will defend my title as the number one Alchemist in all of Reality.”

He gave Luna and Ash a single, firm nod.

“Until then.”

With that, he vanished in a swirl of light, leaving his disciple alone and stunned on the dais.

The crowd’s murmurs grew even louder.

Luna raised her hand, her voice cutting through the noise with calm authority.

“The event is over for today.”

“Thank you all for attending. The next session will be announced in due time.”

With her words ending… the thousands of attendees began to disperse, still buzzing with excitement and speculation as they left the domain.

Once the last of the crowd had gone and only a handful of people remained, Luna turned.

First to the young woman — the First’s disciple — who was still kneeling on the dais, eyes wide with shock and lingering hope.

Ash stood casually, hands resting in his pockets, his trademark smile firmly in place.

Luna’s yellow eyes fixed on him, unyielding.

Despite the numerous thoughts racing through her mind, only a single word rose to the surface.

“Explain!”

At her demand, Ash’s smile remained unchanged.

With a light shrug and a calm tone, he replied, “What exactly should I be explaining?”

He stepped closer, narrowing the gap between them, his voice low enough for only her to catch.

“My being here… or the way you’ll rise to claim the title of Lord of Alchemy?”

BaDump!

[Luna’s Affection 96%]