Chapter 832: Display Cabinet No. 51
Chapter 832: Display Cabinet No. 51
An increasing number of alchemists gathered around Display Cabinet No. 51, drawn by a combination of curiosity and the allure of the alchemical achievements on display. Many witches and wizards, upon seeing the crowd, joined the throng, eager to discover what alchemical marvel was being exhibited to attract so many of their peers.
The newly arrived witches and wizards quickly joined the ongoing discussion about the possibility of brewing alcohol with mandrake root. While it was common to use mandrake root in potion-making, brewing it into alcohol was unheard of. And could alcohol brewed with mandrake root truly possess the effects described on the parchment?
Perhaps it was all a hoax.
If the mandrake wine were genuine, it would undoubtedly hold a strong allure for a significant portion of witches and wizards.
Of course, there was also a high possibility that it was a sham—that mandrake root couldn't be used for brewing at all, and the wine in the display cabinet didn't possess the effects described on the parchment.
Opinions regarding the mandrake wine quickly became polarized. Most people believed it to be a fake, while a few alchemists who were acquainted with Sierra and Albert insisted it was real.
"Let's disperse, this is obviously a counterfeit," said one of the skeptics. Many alchemists frowned upon such deception, as similar incidents had occurred in past International Alchemy Congresses. They believed that such fraudulent displays should be banned from the cabinets.
"Does anyone know who this Albert Anderson is? His name sounds vaguely familiar." Someone who had noticed the name of the exhibitor furrowed their brows and turned to their companions.
"Don't you guys read the newspapers?" Claude replied in a mocking tone. "You're unfamiliar with such a renowned genius? And here you are, accusing him of presenting a fake."
Claude was an old friend of Sierra and had even met Albert once at an alchemy gathering. He was well aware of the boy's capabilities.
However, his mocking tone was due to having been upstaged by Sierra recently, and he relished the opportunity to rib his old rival.
As for the exhibit being fake? Claude didn't think Sierra would be so unreliable, especially considering Albert's reputation as a genius adorned with countless accolades. There was simply no need for them to stake their names on a deception.
"He's participating in the competition for the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award. Why would he present a fake?"
"Really?"
"You should read the newspapers more often," Claude shook his head. "Someone as proud as him wouldn't deign to deceive you lot."
"Alright, Claude, no need to be so sarcastic," Adolf said with a wry smile. He then turned to address the others, "We've known Mr. Albert for several years now. Even when he was very young, he displayed extraordinary talent in alchemy."
"Are you saying that bottle of wine is genuine?"
Many witches and wizards raised their eyebrows, deep in thought, though it was unclear what they were pondering.
However, Adolf's reputation was solid, and his assertion carried weight.
"Albert Anderson is the recent recipient of the Barnabas Finkley Outstanding Spellcaster Award, and he already has several world-class champion titles under his belt," Claude added. "Why would he bother trying to deceive you? Are you even worthy?" Having voiced his disdain, Claude felt a sense of satisfaction.
Hearing Claude's words, several witches and wizards wore uncomfortable expressions.
However, a few of them finally recalled why the name Anderson seemed familiar. Their discomfort soon turned to excitement as they realized that Mr. Anderson intended to participate in the competition and vie for yet another world-class champion title.
This meant an opportunity had presented itself. They all understood the true nature of the International Alchemy Congress.
As long as they had enough gold coins, they could purchase the recipe for mandrake wine from the Alchemy Research Center.
As if to validate this, several members of the Alchemy Research Center approached Cabinet No. 51 to audit and inspect Albert's research achievements.
The surrounding onlookers began to whisper among themselves, and a few individuals hurriedly left, presumably to find someone. However, the majority remained, awaiting the results of the audit.
There were, of course, no shortage of individuals who considered Albert a fool.
In their eyes, what was Albert if not a fool? Didn't Mr. Anderson realize that participating in the International Alchemy Congress competition meant giving away his recipe? The primary motivation of the Alchemy Research Center in offering this substantial reward was to acquire alchemical achievements from other alchemists.
Was two thousand galleons a lot?
Not at all! After all, they would gain access not only to the award-winning achievement but also to any non-award-winning submissions. They could then study and improve upon these recipes, sell the techniques discreetly, and easily recoup their investment. In most cases, they could even profit without any cost, as the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award was only given to alchemists who demonstrated exceptional alchemical achievements.
As for patent protection, everyone knew that was a joke.
This was why many alchemists were willing to display their achievements but reluctant to enter the competition.
However, just as a few onlookers were contemplating how much it would cost to acquire the brewing technique, a staff member reached into Display Cabinet No. 51 and retrieved not the bottle of mandrake wine but the small jar of Flying Ointment next to it.
Indeed, it was a jar of Flying Ointment that the staff member held, not the mandrake wine.
"Pfft!"
Someone couldn't contain their laughter any longer.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Many people thought Anderson was a fool, but who's the real fool now? This is hilarious," Claude remarked, and even Adolf found himself observing their peers with interest, thinking them incredibly foolish.
How dare they consider others fools when they were the true fools themselves?
Adolf's attention returned to the chair that had been anointed with the Flying Ointment and was now levitating. He couldn't help but marvel, "Unless something unexpected happens, the Pioneering Contribution Gold Award should be his."
While the immediate application of this technique might be elusive, its value was undeniable.
"Perhaps the mandrake wine was indeed a fake, which is why he didn't dare to enter it into the competition," someone muttered under their breath.
However, this comment earned them nothing but scornful glances, and others even moved away from the speaker, as if afraid of being infected by stupidity.
In truth, they were more interested in ascertaining the specific effects of the mandrake wine. If it proved effective, they could collaborate with Albert, and as alchemists, they certainly had their own sales channels.
No one would pass up an opportunity to make money, and such a talented genius was worth getting to know.
Finding Albert in the exhibition hall, however, proved challenging. The place was teeming with people, and the constant hum of discussions made it difficult to locate anyone.
(End of Chapter)
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