Chapter 745: Conference on the Arcanist Alchemist Rank

Ezra’s academy life continued as usual, without any new trouble coming his way.

Most of his attention was focused on his inventions, the development of new Alchemy Symbols, his training, and his studies.

He had several things to work on, and the time available to him was never quite enough to handle everything at once.

For his inventions...

Ezra was now working fully on the programming of the Automated Drones, which he intended now to control using a controller.

The project required him to consider how the drones would receive and respond to commands.

Their movements had to be controlled through the programming, allowing him to operate them without having to handle each one directly.

He was also working on a firearm, making use of the materials he had gained from Leofirc Hawthorne.

There were several aspects of the weapon he still needed to work on.

However, having acquired the materials necessary for its development meant he could now put more attention into the actual construction.

For the Learning Formula...

Ezra had spent two days of his personal night study meditating on it before going to bed.

He was still trying to find the central meaning behind the philosophies surrounding the Learning Formula.

The six principles he had identified gave him a starting point, but finding the meaning that connected all of them was another matter.

Like Professor Giggs had said, it wasn’t going to be easy.

Still, Ezra was making progress.

He continued examining the relationship between the different principles whenever he had time to spare, even if he hadn’t reached the answer he was looking for yet.

As for his training...

Ezra was mainly focused on mastering the Law of Magnetism.

The test was scheduled to take place around the second week of the following month.

And now that the current month was coming to an end, he had less time to prepare.

Mastering the Law was important for more than just passing the examination.

There were Thirty Thousand Academic Points waiting for him if he succeeded, which was already a considerable reward.

However, Ezra also wanted to incorporate the Law of Magnetism into his Alchemy combat skills.

The more applications he could develop from it, the more useful it would become during combat.

He didn’t intend to treat the examination as something that ended once he received his results.

Now...

It was Saturday.

The Royal Academy’s annual second-semester conference on the understanding of Secondary Alchemy Paths was about to commence.

***

At the Main Administrative Center...

Different Steam Vehicles were parked across the parking lot section of the Royal Academy Conference Hall.

Students wearing their academy uniforms walked towards the entrance.

Some moved in small groups, talking among themselves, while others were more focused on reaching the conference hall before the program began.

The conference had invited students from all three years.

The First-Year students wore their Black and Cream-themed uniforms, dressed in the complete Academy attire.

The Second-Year students were also fully dressed in their academy uniforms, with their Black and Burgundy colour theme.

As for the Third-Year students, their uniforms followed the Royal Purple and Black colour theme.

The three groups could easily be distinguished by their respective colours as they moved through the area.

Some students walked calmly, while others discussed the conference with visible interest.

For the First-Years, especially those who had only recently begun understanding the different stages of Alchemy, this was an opportunity to learn more about what awaited them in the future.

The conference wasn’t attended by students alone.

Several older Alchemists had also come as visitors.

They wanted to gain some enlightenment from a conference that would be conducted by one of the Royal Academy’s top Professors, who was also a top Alchemist.

Their presence added another group to the gathering.

Unlike the students, who had come through the Academy’s invitation system, these visitors had their own reasons for attending the program.

The parking lot continued receiving Steam Vehicles as more attendees arrived.

Students moved towards the main entrance, where the staff directed them into the Conference Hall.

"The Wax Light of Burn got a letter too?"

Prince Tristin Aethelmont said loudly, with a hint of mockery.

He was walking along the pathway leading to the Conference Hall with Felix Ashenlocke, Desmond Derlis, and Gareth Ashenlocke.

His remark was directed towards Cyrus, who was walking beside Ezra.

Cyrus ignored Tristin’s voice without even making eye contact with him.

He continued walking.

"That bastard."

Tristin frowned, his expression turning annoyed.

He had clearly expected some sort of response, but Cyrus hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge him.

"Prince, calm down. You know we are in an important place."

Gareth said, placing his hand on Tristin’s shoulder.

His gesture was a quiet reminder of where they were.

They were approaching an important Academy event, and making a scene here would be inappropriate.

"I know."

Tristin replied, still annoyed.

He continued walking with the others.

Cyrus, on the other hand, didn’t turn around or respond.

Ezra also continued towards the Conference Hall without getting involved in the exchange.

The two groups eventually moved ahead.

Once Ezra and Cyrus reached the massive doors of the Conference Hall, they joined the other students who were presenting their invitations.

Every attendee required an invitation to enter.

Ezra brought out his invitation mail.

It came in the form of a black and gold card, containing an official written letter with the recipient’s name on it.

The card served as proof that the student had been selected to attend the conference.

The staff stationed at the entrance checked the invitations before allowing the students inside.

This particular invitation was only given to students who had reached the Adept Alchemist rank, and especially those who had reached the Meister Alchemist rank.

It wasn’t an ordinary gathering open to every student in the Academy.

The conference was intended for Alchemists approaching the stage where they would need to make important decisions about their future development.

As a result, the invitation requirements reflected the level of the students expected to attend.

After presenting their invitations, Ezra and Cyrus were allowed into the hall.

Several staff members were stationed around the interior, guiding the students towards their designated seating areas.

The Conference Hall was large enough to accommodate the students and the visitors who had come from different parts of the Kingdom.

Rows of seats extended from the front of the hall towards the rear.

A central arrangement divided the seating sections, while the upper floor provided a separate area for the guests.

The staff continued directing the incoming students, making sure they knew where they were supposed to sit.

Ezra and Cyrus followed the directions and took their seats in the middle column and row on the right side.

As usual...

The students from the Mainlines and Royalty were placed in the front seats of the hall.

Their positions were arranged separately from those of the other students.

The remaining students were directed to sit wherever they wanted.

There was no need for them to follow the same seating arrangement as the Mainlines and Royalty.

Once they had entered, they could choose from the available seats.

As for the visitors...

They were led to the top floor of the hall, keeping them separated from the students seated below.

The staff guided them upstairs, where they could take their places and observe the conference from above.

Ezra settled into his seat.

Cyrus was beside him.

More students continued entering the hall, presenting their invitations and following the directions given by the staff.

The empty seats gradually became occupied as the attendees found their places.

A few minutes passed.

The students and guests continued settling down until the seats in the hall were almost filled.

The conversations slowly became less frequent as the attendees waited for the program to begin.

Then...

"Good morning, students of the Royal Academy, and guests who have come from different parts of the Kingdom for this conference."

A soft voice echoed from the stage.

The conversations and movements across the hall settled down.

Students on the lower floor turned their attention towards the stage, while the visitors on the upper floor also looked towards the speaker.

The person standing there was Professor Esther Kane.

She looked across the gathering before continuing.

"So, before we commence the conference, I first want to clarify what this program is all about and why it is held annually. This is so our new students and visitors can understand the importance of attending this program again during the next second semester, when they are invited to the conference once more."

Professor Esther Kane said calmly.

A simple smile rested on her face as she addressed the students.

She wanted the First-Years to understand that the conference wasn’t something they should regard as a one-time event.

Their attendance this year was only the beginning.

As they progressed through the Academy, the subject would become even more important to their Alchemy development.

Only for the Students who remained in the Meister Alchemist rank and just advanced to the Alchemist rank.

"The Conference on the Arcanist Alchemist Rank is held to build constant awareness in the minds of young Alchemists and older Alchemists who have reached the stage of breaking through into the Arcanist Alchemist rank."

She explained.

Her voice carried through the hall, reaching both the lower seating area and the visitors above.

"It is already common knowledge among Alchemists that when an Alchemist reaches the breakthrough period into the Arcanist Alchemist rank..."

She paused, allowing the students to follow her explanation.

"They enter the required stage to gain access to their Secondary Alchemy Path."

She continued.

The subject was an important one for the students.

Reaching the Arcanist Alchemist rank meant entering a stage where they would have to consider their Secondary Alchemy Path.

It wasn’t simply a matter of advancing through another Alchemist rank.

The decision they made would also affect the direction of their future Alchemy development.

Professor Esther looked across the hall.

"This conference is meant to explain to you Alchemists what decisions you should make when choosing a Secondary Alchemy Path."

She continued.

"This is why it will be very important for all of you First-Years to always be ready to attend this conference, even after already attending it today."

Her gaze moved towards the younger students.

"It is the reason your Seniors are here."

The First-Years weren’t the only ones who needed to understand the subject.

The older students were also present because their progress through the Academy brought them closer to the stage where choosing a Secondary Alchemy Path would become a real consideration.

Professor Esther continued addressing the gathering.

"Although, all of the Second-Years are students who have not yet reached the Alchemist rank required not to attend the conference anymore."

She explained calmly.

Her statement clarified why there were Second-Year students in attendance.

The conference was an annual program, and the students who had been invited were expected to benefit from its lessons as they continued advancing through their studies.

Professor Esther allowed a brief moment before moving on.

"So, without wasting any more time, I want us to stand up and clap for the instructor of today’s Conference on the Arcanist Alchemist Rank."

She moved her right hand towards the right side of the stage.

"Professor Greg Mayer."

She called his name with a bright smile and began clapping.

The crowd of students and visitors rose from their seats.

Applause quickly spread throughout the hall, filling the space as the attendees welcomed the instructor.

Professor Greg Mayer walked in calmly.

He looked across the gathering and raised one hand in acknowledgement before continuing towards the podium.

Once he reached the front, he stopped and faced the audience.

A large holographic screen materialized above him.

"Wow, that’s Professor Greg."

Phiora Casper whispered to Princess Stella Aethelmont, who was seated on her right.

She looked towards the professor on the stage.

"It’s been a while since we all got to see him up close."

Princess Stella Aethelmont replied calmly.

Her attention remained on Professor Greg as the applause gradually died down.

"I heard he is said to be the strongest Professor in the Academy in terms of combat."

Gareth whispered to Desmond.

They were seated at a different section in the front columns.

The remark was quiet, but it was enough for Desmond to hear him.

More small conversations about Greg continued throughout the hall.

Several attendees were familiar with his reputation, while others were discussing what they had heard about his abilities.

Professor Greg waited for the applause and conversations to settle.

"Please, have your seats."

He said calmly.

The crowd returned to their seats.

The remaining sounds of movement gradually faded as the attendees settled down, directing their attention towards the professor standing at the podium.

The large holographic screen remained above him.

The conference was about to begin.