As though to play up his arrogant air, Dyon clasped his hands behind his back, a light smile playing his features as he exited his room with Saru and Lilith to either one of his sides.

When he left the range of his silencing array, the sounds of the battle became more than just vibrations. For the noise to travel this far into the heart of the city where the alchemy guild was located, it could only be said that the battle of Immortals was truly on a different scale even if they couldn’t fly.

Dyon slowly walked out of the alchemy guild to find the surroundings in a hot mess. The alchemy apprentices who had set up stalls were scrambling, not because they would be concoctors, but because they wanted to be assistants by the side of the Venerables.

The Venerables were stunned by the sight of Dyon. How could they not immediately see the difference between his robes and badge versus their own?

Venerable Taline’s gaze flashed with an imperceptible light but she managed to control herself and look away, remembering the words of Venerable Zabel.

Dyon swept a glance around. It seemed that this guild had 20 alchemists including himself and excluding the guild head. There were five with two leaves, and only Taline and another man who must have been the Deputy had three leaves. Though compared to Dyon’s golden leaves, theirs were only black. And their robes were grey as opposed to white.

The Deputy, a man by the name of Gunter, observed Dyon with a deep gaze. Much like Zabel, he too hadn’t attended the certification, leaving it up to his vice deputy Taline.

Gunter hadn’t believed much of what he had heard from the other Venerables until he saw Dyon at this moment. He could tell that Dyon hadn’t randomly pulled out these robes, they were most definitely given to him by Pill Sword Mountain. For his accomplishments to be rewarded so greatly…

‘That cauldron!’ Gunter felt his heartbeat speed up wildly when he saw Little Chibi bobbing above Dyon’s shoulder. ‘Could that be a gift from Pill Sword Mountain too?! Just how well did he perform?!’

“Alright that’s enough, silence!” Gunter turned away from Dyon, trying to control himself.

In an instant, the surroundings fell deathly still. Only the sounds of the battle in the distance were still raging onward.

“As you all know, our alchemy guild is the largest of our world. However, the south, north, east and west guilds are always seeking to usurp us. As apprentices we allow to use the land of our alchemy guild, it’s your turn to lend a helping hand.

“Each Venerable will be taking on two assistants. You will help with any miscellaneous tasks we Venerables have and also will be the line of communication between us and the Runners. Form up!”

Quickly scanning, Gunter pointed toward two apprentices. “You two, come with me. The rest of you pick as you see fit.”

It was then that something the Venerables never thought would happen occurred.

Dyon, who had been passively watching the changes was suddenly swarmed.

“Pick me!”

“No, pick me!”

“Please, Venerable, pick me! I may be getting older, but I’m willing to do anything! I have experience those two young birds can’t possibly have!”

Dyon’s lip twitched. He had to admit that the mature aesthetic that the middle-aged woman carried wasn’t bad, but…

Two baleful auras erupted from Dyon’s side. Lilith all but drew her sword.

As Immortals, none of them ever thought they’d feel such pressure from two little girls. But many of them couldn’t help but take a step back.

Lilith glared at Dyon. “You’re only allowed to pick men.”

‘…’ Dyon was speechless. ‘What happened to my smiling, carefree Lilith? Plus, does she think that I’m some sort of sex fiend?’

He looked toward Saru for help, but she seemed to not notice his gaze. She looked off into the distance as though finding the skyline’s rising sun very interesting.

Dyon scratched the back of his head. “Alright, only men then.”

Quickly scanning, Dyon’s Immortal Sense easily saw through them all. In truth, he didn’t need assistants. They would only slow him down. But, when he heard that he could use them to communicate with the Runners, he decided against rejecting them.

Something told him that interacting with these Runners as a ‘mortal’ would make it very hard for him not to come out of this with his hands bloody. It was better for them all if he experienced the least number of annoyances possible.

Since these apprentices had already experienced his alchemy prowess when he put that hook-nosed old lady in her place, he, of course, didn’t have to worry about their dissent.

The other Venerables, completely oblivious to what had happened, sat completely stunned. What had Dyon done in such a short amount of time to gain this level of fanaticism? Even Deputy Gunter, who hadn’t gone very far with his two assistants, stood frozen.

He spared a glance toward them, only to see a very well-hidden reluctance in their eyes. His assistants would actually rather go with Dyon? What the hell was going on?

Venerable Taline clenched her jaw tightly, chanting to herself inwardly in an attempt to calm down.

‘The brighter he is, the easier he’ll fall… the brighter he is, the easier he’ll fall…’