Chapter 364: The Old Man in the Wheelchair
"Your Majesty, can Charles really achieve that level? We all know how difficult it is to establish a nation, let alone unify the entire Abyssal Depths." Nathaniel said slowly, his heart racing.
As an eighth-level Beast Master, he had seen too many storms, but the thought of Charles's monstrous talent made him unable to help but fantasize.
"As long as we give Charles enough time to grow, he can definitely do it. After all, have you ever heard of Charles's talent before?" Miles's gaze was like fire, intense and passionate.
A level nine Beast Master, a legendary alchemist—either one could change the fate of a nation!
"We must find a way to deepen the bond between Charles and Genosha. We will give him everything he desires—position, honor, status!" Miles's tone was more serious than ever.
As the Emperor of Genosha, Miles had always been above the people of Genosha. Those so-called genius youths took pride in having the chance to see him. However, the genius youths did not know that at that moment, Miles was focused on how to win Charles over!
Early the next morning,
Charles arrived at the classroom as usual. As soon as he walked in, all eyes instinctively turned toward him.
Even during the lesson, the teachers at Cyber Academy occasionally glanced his way.
"Charles, what were you up to yesterday? A lot of people were waiting for you at the training room door. I've never seen anything like that." Jace asked, pretending to pay attention to the class while leaning back and speaking softly.
Charles thought for a moment. He wasn't ready to reveal that he had become a top-tier alchemist just yet. If word got out and both Quinn and Seven backed down, it would be a problem.
After all, Charles was still planning to make a significant profit from Quinn!
If he succeeded, he wouldn't have to worry about resources for training mystical beasts for a while.
Thinking along those lines, Charles decided not to tell the whole truth and replied, "I had a few things to take care of yesterday, so I didn't go to the training room."
After hearing this answer, Jace deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping back in his chair with a look of disappointment on his face.
He genuinely believed that Charles hadn't shown up at the training room because he was over at Colton's, making the breakthrough from a high-level alchemist to a top-tier alchemist.
"Sigh, what are we going to do in a few days? Charles, this morning some students mentioned that a lot of people have gathered outside the academy, and they're all here for you." Jace said, quickly turning to Charles while the teacher's back was turned.
Charles didn't take it to heart, his mind was filled with the miracle drug formula that Colton had given him yesterday.
[Spirit Ice Liquid Formula]
[Grade]: Blue-tier miracle drug
[Formula]: Tier 3 Ice Attribute Beast Core ×1, Ice Spirit Flower ×1 (Ice Ling Grass ×1) ...
[Description]: This miracle drug is crafted using the ice attribute energy from the ice attribute beast core and the Ice Spirit Flower. It holds immense value for ice attribute Beast Masters. Due to the scarcity of Ice Spirit Flowers, the more common Ice Ling Grass can be used as a substitute, though it will lower the quality of the miracle drug. The Spirit Ice Liquid made from Ice Spirit Flowers is close in quality to a purple-tier miracle drug.
The miracle drug formula that Teacher Colton gave him was simply tailor-made for him!
In the early stages, he could practice using the more common and affordable Ice Ling Grass, and once he became familiar with the process, he could switch to using Ice Spirit Flowers to improve his chances of success.
When the time comes for the alchemist duel, he can really make Quinn bleed. With two Ice Spirit Flowers priced at a thousand gold coins each, Quinn surely can't have that much gold on him, right?
Charles kept calculating in his mind. As soon as the morning classes ended, he couldn't wait to leave the classroom. He wanted to make the most of his time to finish lunch and, during the midday break, head to the alchemist guild to purchase some alchemy materials.
Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Charles noticed that the students at Cyber Academy were no longer as relaxed as they used to be.
First, there was the provocation from the Stellar Empire Beast Master, and then the threat from the Haunted Marsh master-level alchemist. All the students felt the pressure coming from the real world.
As a result, during lunch, every student ate quickly and efficiently, finishing their meals before immediately rushing off to practice or the training tower.
At that moment, the second princess of Genosha, Camilla, gracefully walked over with her lunchbox and arrived at Charles's side.
"Is anyone sitting here? May I join you?" Camilla asked, pointing to the seat next to Charles.
Charles found it a bit strange. Normally, Camilla never ate in the cafeteria, royal family members usually had their meals specially delivered.
Why was she breaking her routine today and choosing to eat in the academy's cafeteria?
Charles thought about it briefly but didn't delve deeper into speculation. He replied:
"No one is here. I usually eat alone."
Camilla nodded slightly, lifting the hem of her pristine white dress just a bit, and sat down next to Charles. Instantly, a delicate fragrance wafted over.
Charles felt even more puzzled, Camilla hadn't had this scent on her during morning class.
"Is something going on?" Charles couldn't help but ask.
Camilla lowered her head slightly, subconsciously fiddling with the rice in her lunchbox with her chopsticks.
Her face turned red, and she dared not look up at Charles as she quietly replied:
"No, nothing's wrong. I just suddenly wanted to eat in the cafeteria and happened to run into you here."
Charles nodded, thinking it was good that nothing was wrong.
However, a voice broke the silence.
"Charles, you haven't finished eating yet! Camilla, you're here too! I just saw you standing there with your lunchbox, waiting for Charles to arrive!" Jace's voice suddenly rang out.
In an instant, Camilla's ears turned red and began to heat up. She looked down at her lunchbox, resembling a shy little rabbit, lost in thought.
Jace halted his steps, regretting his words as he quickly said:
"Sorry, my mistake! I spoke too soon. I have to hurry to practice, so you two take your time eating."
Before Charles could respond, Jace quickly left the cafeteria.
Once outside, he turned back to glance at the academy cafeteria and said enviously:
"Charles not only has great talent, but his charm with the opposite sex is off the charts! First Catherine, then Celestine, and now a princess from Genosha!"
"Thinking about it, it's true. A genius like Charles would have an explosive attraction to the opposite sex!"
"Sigh, I'm so envious! I'm just dying of jealousy!"
....
Feeling the envy from Jace, Charles quickly finished the food in his lunchbox. He turned to Camilla, who seemed to be counting the grains of rice in her box, and said:
"I'm done eating. You can take your time, I need to go out for a bit."
Camilla looked up suddenly and, without thinking, replied, "I'm done too! I also need to go out, so how about..."
Charles glanced at the untouched rice in her lunchbox and nodded.
After Charles and Camilla left the cafeteria, two students kept staring at their retreating figures.
One of them sighed and said slowly:
"The second princess, Your Highness, is so innocent. She has grown up in the palace and knows nothing about the affairs of men and women in the outside world. I really don't understand why His Majesty would..."
"Shut up! His Majesty's decisions are not for you and me to discuss. Just do your job and record what just happened." another student said sharply.
"I was just expressing my thoughts. His Majesty suddenly wants the second princess to get close to Charles. Isn't that a bit beneath her status? Your Highness is a princess of Genosha!" the first student replied, somewhat unwilling.
The other one smacked him on the head and said, "If it were anyone else, it would definitely be beneath her status. But with Charles, that's a different story."
Watching Charles and Camilla walk further away, the two of them couldn't say much more and quickly followed discreetly.
As Charles and Camilla arrived at the entrance of the academy, they saw a crowd of people of all ages from Genosha quietly waiting at the gates.
"Look! It's Charles!"
"Charles is coming out!"
Immediately, someone exclaimed, and all eyes were drawn to Charles.
Charles instinctively frowned. He thought these people would rush over, but to his surprise, they were just watching from a distance.
Aside from the initial exclamations, there was an overwhelming silence.
The gaze of the Genosha citizens was fixed on Charles, quiet and motionless, yet heavy with meaning.
Camilla had never seen a scene like this before and instinctively whispered, "Charles, what's wrong with them?"
Charles shook his head, he didn't know either. Just then, the crowd slowly parted. An elderly man adorned with Genosha medals, sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed by someone, appeared at the front and moved closer to Charles.
The old man had white hair, cloudy eyes, and his hands trembled incessantly, clearly indicating he was in poor health.
However, Charles didn't notice any of that at first glance. His attention was entirely drawn to the man's back.
How could one describe that feeling?
It was like standing amidst the ruins of a battlefield, where remnants of destruction lay everywhere, and black smoke slowly rose into the air, stirred by an unseen wind, dancing menacingly!
Then there was a tattered, filthy flag, still defiantly waving at the center of the battlefield, catching the wind.
The old man's back was like that unyielding flag, standing tall against the odds!