Titus fixed his gaze on Theon, a faint, inscrutable smile playing at the corners of his lips. "So, being the chief alchemist isn’t enough to quell your hunger, Mr. Orben?" His tone was calm but carried a subtle edge.
Theon met his look without hesitation. "Ambition isn’t a crime," he replied smoothly. "If I can seal those last few deals, you won’t have to report anything to headquarters. I’ll step aside, and you’ll be free to resign. Then I’ll take the reins as head of Sovereign’s Apothecary."
A confident laugh escaped Theon, the kind that brimmed with certainty and promise. "You’ll hear good news from me soon enough."
Without waiting for a response, he rose and strode out of the room, leaving behind an air of determination.
Titus remained seated, his enigmatic smile lingering as if he were savoring a private joke. The atmosphere in the room felt charged, a quiet tension hanging between the walls.
After a brief pause, Brielle returned quietly, as though she had never left. Her presence was calm but purposeful.
"I told you Theon’s ambition ran deep," she said softly. "You’ve witnessed it firsthand now. He started as just another alchemist under our wing, but now he’s bold enough to aim for leadership itself."
Titus waved a hand dismissively. "It’s nothing to worry about. Ambition can be a powerful tool. A man fueled by passion can ignite transformation. Right now, our sect needs that kind of fire more than ever."
He leaned back, eyes distant as he continued. "Since Julius abandoned alchemy to focus solely on martial arts, the Divine Alchemists have been in decline. Our philosophy was always to master alchemy and use it to stand shoulder to shoulder with the martial world—to challenge it, even compete with it."
"But Julius couldn’t overcome the humiliation Reginald inflicted on him. That shame shattered him so completely he turned his back on the very art our ancestors painstakingly built."
Brielle was silent for a long moment, her thoughts clearly wandering. Finally, she asked, "Have you ever met Reginald?"
Titus’ expression softened, a flicker of memory crossing his face. "Of course. It took him just three moves to defeat Julius, who was a martial emperor at the time. Back then, you and I were still chasing Julius’ legacy—both in alchemy and martial arts. The Divine Alchemists hadn’t seen such talent in a century, yet Julius was crushed by a mortal noble."
He shook his head slowly, the weight of that memory heavy in the air. "The shockwaves through the ancient sects were massive. But even then, we underestimated Reginald. He didn’t stop there. He went on to topple twenty-seven ancient sects in a row without a single defeat. Eventually, the rumors spread: no one could stop him unless the sect masters themselves intervened."
His voice grew husky, burdened by the past. The room sank into a heavy silence.
Breaking the quiet, Brielle said, "If Reginald was that terrifying, then Andrew won’t be any less dangerous. So, let me give you one last warning: back off. Don’t challenge Andrew. He’s already left Sovereign’s Apothecary. Let him go—end of story."
Titus frowned, disbelief flashing across his face. "You want me to just let him walk away? After everything he’s done? You saw what happened! He dared to defy us—and even the Divine Alchemists. And you expect me to just accept that? I doubt he’s anywhere near Reginald’s level, anyway."
Brielle’s tone sharpened, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Titus, this is the last time I’ll warn you. Whether you listen or not, I won’t say another word. I’ve spent far more time with Andrew than you ever have. If you ignore me, you won’t just be dooming yourself—you’ll drag Sovereign’s Apothecary and the entire Divine Alchemists down with you."
Titus remained composed, though his smile turned condescending. "Brielle, you’re giving that boy far too much credit. What is he, really? Do you honestly believe heaven favors the Lloyd family so greatly? Reginald made them shine for a generation, yes. But Andrew? He may take after his father, but he’ll never reach that level. I have no reason to fear him. If I decide to act, I will. Worrying about him now would only hold me back."
Brielle let out a bitter laugh, the sound sharp and dismissive. "Idiot."
Without another word, she turned and left the room.
Titus’ face twitched with irritation at the insult, but he forced himself to remain calm. After all, Brielle was his junior, and engaging in argument would be beneath him.
Still, his expression darkened as he muttered under his breath, "Andrew, that arrogant brat… He’ll soon learn that above even the highest power, there’s always someone stronger."
He scoffed quietly to himself, confident that when the Divine Alchemists revealed their true strength, Andrew would be put firmly in his place.
Who did Andrew think he was, anyway?
Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tense standoff between ambition and caution, with Titus embodying the old guard’s confidence and Brielle representing a wary, protective voice. Their exchange reveals the deep fractures within Sovereign’s Apothecary and the Divine Alchemists, highlighting the struggle between preserving tradition and confronting new, unpredictable forces. The looming shadow of Reginald’s legacy and the rise of Andrew create a charged atmosphere where power, pride, and destiny intertwine, setting the stage for inevitable conflict.
Beneath the surface of rivalry and warning lies a profound emotional undercurrent—fear of loss, the weight of history, and the relentless drive for supremacy. Titus’s dismissive attitude contrasts sharply with Brielle’s earnest concern, underscoring the fragile balance between hubris and humility. As the chapter ends, the reader is left with a palpable sense of impending upheaval, where the choices of these characters will shape not only their fates but the future of their world.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions within Sovereign’s Apothecary, as Titus’s confidence begins to clash with the growing threat Andrew represents. The subtle power plays and unspoken challenges hint at a brewing storm, where ambition and legacy collide. Readers can expect the emotional stakes to rise, as loyalties are tested and the true extent of Andrew’s capabilities starts to unfold.
Brielle’s warning lingers heavily in the air, setting the stage for confrontations that may shake the foundations of the Divine Alchemists. Will Titus’s underestimation of Andrew prove to be a fatal mistake? The delicate balance between respect and rivalry teeters on the edge, promising moments of intense drama and revelation. As the past’s shadows stretch forward, the characters must navigate a path fraught with uncertainty and hidden dangers.