Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1207: Invoking The Right of Challenge

"I will now present the first question-" Rygar started; however, his words fell to an abrupt halt as another voice sounded.

"I wish to invoke the Right of Challenge!"

The moment that voice sounded, the entire promotion test room fell silent as all eyes immediately went to the location where the source of the voice originated.

As for the owner of this voice, it belonged to none other than Izroth.

’Since I am running short on time, this is the best method.’

The expressions of everyone in the room had a wide range that went from confused and shocked to angry and annoyed. Of course, there were also those who did not hide their curiosity.

"Hahaha! Young Master Pierce, it looks like my younger brother won’t get a chance to take care of that guy. He wasted no time making trouble! Hahaha!" Konpel said with a hearty laugh.

Pierce, Konpel and the five others who were in a group together had taken their place among the observers of the promotion test.

Originally, Konpel planned to have his younger brother challenge Izroth during the open forum and last part of the promotion test; however, he never thought Izroth would turn out to be an idiot walking toward his own demise.

Pierce narrowed his eyes as his gaze locked onto Izroth.

"A madman. It would seem that man’s judgment has worsened with his age." Pierce thought to himself with disappointment.

Meanwhile, Izroth’s words caused a rippling effect among the crowd of observers and participating Apothecaries.

"Did I just hear that correctly? That guy—he wants to invoke the Right of Challenge?" One of the Apothecaries muttered.

"What a crazy fellow...! The last time someone invoked the Right of Challenge, they became an outcast after failing and wasted away the rest of their life!"

"This idiot is wasting time! I planned on watching the grade five Apothecary promotion test after this to get some pointers, but he went and ruined it!"

"Tsk...! This is why they should have gotten rid of that archaic rule!"

"He’s digging his own grave..."

"It’s also a slapped to the face of our seniors overseeing the promotion test-"

"Silence!" Rygar’s voice exploded forth and washed over the entire room.

After that one word, the room fell into a state of absolute silence.

"Hmph..! Where did this inexperienced brat come from? Does he even know what he’s asking?" Rygar thought to himself as he sized up Izroth.

"Young man—do you know what a Right of Challenge is? Once a Right of Challenge is made, it cannot be withdrawn. Do you know the price of invoking it and the punishment you will face upon failing? " Rygar stated with a darkened expression.

"I am aware of my actions. My decision remains the same—I would like to invoke the Right of Challenge." Izroth said calmly as he had already moved toward the front of the group.

"Good..! Very good...! Since you are still young, perhaps it is natural to be overly confident and arrogant! If it is a Right of Challenge you want, it is a Right of Challenge you shall receive!" Rygar said while holding back his anger as he tightly clenched his fist behind his back.

He then declared, "The promotion test shall be temporarily halted in order to proceed with the Right of Challenge! Apothecary—state your name and choose whom wish to challenge among the three of us!"

"I am called Izroth. The one I wish to challenge is Apothecary Rygar." Izroth stated without hesitation.

A wave of gasps and shocked coughs erupted throughout the promotion test room.

"That guy—he really must have come here just to make trouble!" One of the Apothecaries sighed.

"Invoking the Right of Challenge is already unorthodox. Usually, one would choose the lowest grade Apothecary judging to challenge, but he chose Apothecary Rygar who is an experienced grade seven Apothecary. Isn’t he welcoming his own demise?" Another Apothecary nearby commented.

The Right of Challenge—this was something Izroth read about in a book from the Apothecary Guild library in the capital city of Amaharpe. However, there were many who were unaware of its existence due to the extreme scarcity of its use.

The Right of Challenge was an absolute rule set when the Apothecary Guild was first established. It stated that, at any time, an Apothecary could challenge another Apothecary who was at least three grades above them.

As for the rules of the challenge, they were fairly simple. The Apothecary who made the challenge, Izroth, and the one who was challenged, Rygar, would both craft a pill that was one grade above the challenger’s current Apothecary grade. In this case, Izroth was a grade three Apothecary. Therefore, it would be a grade four pill.

The two would then craft a pill of the same grade. Afterward, their pills would be judged by at least three Apothecaries who were three ranks or higher than the challenger.

The pill would be judged mainly on effect and quality, but there were also other things taken into account such as uniqueness and the difficulty of the crafting method.

In the end, whoever was judged to have crafted the better pill would be declared the victor.

If the challenger won, they would be promoted a single grade without having to take the standard promotion test. However, if they lost—their career as an Apothecary was basically seen as being over.

If a challenger lost the Right of Challenge, they would be demoted a single grade and could not participate in any promotion tests for three years! Furthermore, they would no longer receive any benefits that came along with their Apothecary grade for those three years. There was also no higher ranked Apothecaries who would accept someone who failed the Right of Challenge as a student, thereby halting their progress when it came to learning from those with more experience.

To make matters worse, that person’s reputation as an Apothecary would be permanently damaged. Unless one was desperate, they would not buy pills or request the services of someone who failed the Right of Challenge.

"In all my time as an Apothecary, I have never had to use this. Young man, even if you regret it, it will be too late." Rygar stated as he removed a strange talisman from within his sleeves.

Rygar tossed the talisman toward the sky as it soared upward before exploding into something that resembled fireworks.

As the talisman exploded, the loud sound of a bell rang throughout the Apothecary Guild. This was a special sound that could not be heard by those in the private rooms; however, those outside the private rooms, no matter where they were located in the Apothecary Guild, could hear it with the utmost clarity.

"Since the Right of Challenge requires three judges and obviously I cannot be included, we will have to wait for a third judge to arrive. Until then-" Rygar started.

"There is no need to delay any longer. Shall we begin right away?" A voice echoed as a swirl of leaves formed out of nowhere and a gust of wind appeared near the judging area.

’Hm? This voice...’

A few seconds later, the leaves dispersed in every direction and carried along with them the fresh scent of nature as a woman appeared.

She had smooth silver hair that flowed down past her lower back and a pair of gorgeous emerald green eyes. Her great beauty and pointed ears immediately gave away her identity as a member of the trephasia race. More importantly, Izroth had met this person before today.

’I didn’t expect to see her here. Then, does that mean "she" is also here?’

The woman who appeared near the judging area wore a badge that revealed her rank as a grade seven Apothecary. She had an air of authority about her as she swept her gaze over the crowd of Apothecaries. However, when her eyes fell on Izroth, a slight sparkle could be seen in them. But, it did not last long as she cleared her throat and stood upright.

"I am Avia. As you can see, I am a grade Seven Apothecary and more than qualified to act as a judge for this Right of Challenge. I assume there are no complaints?" Avia stated with an aura of clear arrogance around her.

"So it’s Apothecary Avia who has graced us with her presence. Naturally, we have no problem with Apothecary Avia being the third judge. In fact, we are honored to receive you." Rygar said with a respectful smile as his gaze up and down Avia’s body.

"Trephasias usually don’t bother with matters like this they deem ’too human’, but she actually volunteered? Can it be that she’s doing it for my sake?" Rygar thought to himself.

The one who volunteered to be the third judge was Avia, a trephasia who the Fifth Great Clan planned to use as a scapegoat back during the events that transpired on the Thousand Blossoms Peak. However, Izroth requested that the Holy Maiden spare her life and ultimately, Avia became his gardener.

’To think she was a grade seven Apothecary... No, given that she is a former member of the Fifth Great Clan who specializes in herbs and a member of the trephasia race, I suppose it’s to be expected. More importantly, if she is not here by chance, then... Did they manage to find all the materials?’

Izroth sent Avia with Nomii, a resident of the Ancient Celestial Realm and his sworn sister, to locate the materials needed to give her a new arm. If they came here seeking Izroth, then it meant their mission had been successful!