The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Felix was indifferent to the proposal. He planned to produce nine pills this time. After all, the reward was too tempting, and having one single precious herb could make a difference in cultivating pills.

Josie's face turned ashen as she stood frozen. She never expected Ezra to make such a suggestion.

The Brennan brothers started to tremble in frustration, knowing Josie's alchemy talent was actually mediocre. In fact, she had relied on cheating.

Everything should have gone according to plan, but an unexpected challenger had appeared. It had even pushed them into this difficult position.

"Mr. Whitwell, isn't this... somewhat against the rules?"

Josie struggled to argue, but Wyatt frowned and spoke up, "How dare you question Mr. Whitwell's authority?"

Terrified by the rebuke, Josie quickly backtracked and said, "Then, I'll concede first place to Felix. Creating the Phantom Mist Pills has drained me considerably, so I won't recover for at least ten days."

Felix found this puzzling. Such alchemists whose energy would easily be depleted had terrible efficiency. Even as a newcomer to intermediate alchemy, Josie should recover after half a day or so. How could it take that long for her to recover?

Ezra maintained his smile, though it now sent chills down Josie's spine.

He chuckled and asked, "Are you going to concede to Felix so easily? You're truly

a model alchemist for such generosity given." His tone suddenly shifted. "Or perhaps you simply can't produce any more Phantom Mist Pills?"

The crowd held their breath, sensing Ezra's anger but unsure of its cause.

"Mr. Whitwell, we've brought him!" Dickson appeared.

Felix was surprised, as he had not noticed when Dickson had left.

"Please spare me, Mr. Whitwell! I'll never dare to do it again! Never!"

With Dickson was an old man, now kneeling and begging for mercy.

The Brennan brothers knew him well. He was none other than Jake Zinker, the mentor of Johnny and Josie and Harmony Clinic's chief steward.

"The audacity! I wouldn't have found

out if Felix hadn't come out at the

same time. To think someone would dare cheat at Harmony Clinic"

When Josie had acted strangely, Dickson had secretly ordered an inspection of

her chamber. The evidence was easy to find.

At this, Josie also fell to her knees in terror. "No! It wasn't my fault! Mr. Zinker made me do it. He gave me the premade pills!"

The crowd gasped. Had someone actually cheated on an alchemy assessment? For what purpose?

Even if they passed this round, what about later? Such deception was too easily exposed. No wonder no one had tried cheating before.

Felix was also puzzled. Cheating at alchemy seemed as foolish as faking medical skills. The truth would inevitably come out.

"Take them away."noveldrama

"Yes, Mr. Whitwell!"

Ezra gazed around the crowd, his

words resonating firmly. "In

Harmony Clinic, we don't mind if you're untalented, but we will never tolerate cheating. Once discovered, we will investigate thoroughly. Everyone involved will face consequences!

"Let this be a lesson to all!"