61: Chapter 0061 Miraculous

A large crowd gathered around the Academy Laboratory shimmering with dark blue runes...

The air was thick with the sweet scent of alchemical reagents and the hum of metallic Demonic Energy. Everyone held their breath, waiting to witness Li Size's process of proving his innocence.

A faint silver glow flowed from his fingertips, his technique as precise and skilled as recorded in ancient alchemical texts.

Surprise flickered in the eyes of several Wizard Apprentices at the academy who specialized in alchemy:

That was a trait only possessed by those who had mastered the skill of guiding Demonic Energy.

They could detect a trace of abnormal Demonic Energy fluctuation from Li Size's technique:

His metal smelting seemed to be conversing with the elements.

Every strike of his hammer during Forging resonated with some ancient rhythm.

This unique charm made the synthesized Materials faintly emit a stardust-like luster.

These small techniques, fused with Demonic Energy guidance, significantly increased the hardness of the Materials he synthesized.

An imperceptible Sturdiness Rune flowed across the surface of the components.

Their quality far surpassed the work of ordinary apprentices, worthy of being called a miracle in the field of alchemy.

Their hushed conversations were interspersed with speculation about 'Mechanical Alchemy'.

These discussions spread like a fine magic net to the ears of the surrounding teachers and students.

Everyone held their breath and focused their gaze, their eyes tightly locked onto Li Size's every movement.

The Demonic Energy particles in the air seemed to cheer for his operation. This silent resonance made them completely believe in his alchemical talent.

Li Size concentrated for two hours...

The Demonic Energy at his fingertips never ceased, and the teachers and students held their breath and watched for two hours as well.

No one wanted to miss this spectacular demonstration of Mechanical Alchemy.

Only when Li Size placed the final bullet engraved with a 'Sharpness' Rune onto the crystal tray...

As the red light on the bullet's surface slowly receded, he signaled the dean to arrange for someone to test these alchemical tools that embodied his painstaking efforts.

The dean summoned a tutor skilled in energy testing. The tutor took Li Size's revolver, its body entwined with wind-azure 'Hurricane' Runes.

He aimed at the academy's specially-made energy level test target (its surface engraved with a Rune Array that displayed attack intensity) and pulled the trigger.

'Bang!' The revolver spat a tongue of flame tinged with purple lightning.

The sound of the bullet tearing through the air was mixed with the hum of Demonic Energy, striking the core marker at the center of the target with precision:

'Energy Level 4.7!'

The runes on the target's surface instantly lit up with dazzling blue light. The crystal counter beside it projected a floating number.

This value made everyone present gasp.

'Oh! By the Demonic Energy above! How did he do that?

An Elementary Wizard Apprentice actually managed to create a Zero Ring, mid-level energy tier Sorcery Tool combination!'

An old tutor clenched the book in his hand excitedly, his voice filled with disbelief.

This was even more shocking than a Wizard Apprentice challenging a Formal Wizard across tiers.

Cross-tier challenges relied on the power of sorcery, while this kind of alchemical Breakthrough relied on a profound understanding of sorcery and alchemical knowledge.

The latter was clearly more difficult!

The field of alchemy was one of the disciplines in the Wizard World that most tested accumulated knowledge.

It required extreme mastery over elements, runes, and Materials.

Many Elementary Apprentices couldn't even stably produce Zero Ring, elementary-tier Sorcery Tools, let alone cross over to the mid-level energy tier.

A senior tutor specializing in the field of alchemy closed his eyes, replaying every detail in his mind...

Constantly recalling the trajectory of the Demonic Energy flow and the rhythm of the material Fusion in his mind, he finally grasped the key point:

'No! It's not a mid-level Sorcery Tool!'

He didn't create a single mid-level Sorcery Tool.

Rather, he used a combination of two elementary Sorcery Tools, amplifying the attack effect through Demonic Energy resonance.

The revolver was a Zero Ring, elementary-tier Sorcery Tool, and the bullet was also a Zero Ring, elementary-tier Sorcery Tool.

But through the coordinated Demonic Energy resonance of the two, their combined energy levels broke through the mid-level threshold.

Oh!

So the bullet is a Sorcery Tool too!

He engraved a miniature Alchemy Rune on every bullet.

This is practically pushing the precision of alchemy to its extreme!

What a guy willing to burn gold coins!

Engraving miniature runes consumes a large amount of Mental Energy and sorcery crystal powder.

The cost is enough to buy an ordinary elementary-tier Sorcery Tool!

But this concept is simply a miracle of sorcery!

Combining two ordinary elementary Sorcery Tools into a weapon that can reach mid-level energy tier.

This line of thinking completely shatters the traditional framework of alchemy!

Such Analysis spread through the academy like winged magic crows. Li Size's reputation as a 'Mechanical Alchemy Genius' instantly resounded throughout Gele City.

Meanwhile, Mody and the inspection team he brought stood pale-faced in the corner as if their Souls had been drained, utterly mortified...

Li Size had proven his innocence with his strength.

The Department of Education's supervision of the unified exam was extremely strict. The examination hall was surrounded by 'Sorcery Recording' Rune Arrays.

It was almost impossible to cheat in the exam hall, unless one tampered with the questions in advance like the Deputy Director.

Since Li Size did not cheat, the sudden inspection by the Department of Education's inspection team appeared highly suspicious.

Li Size's earlier words about 'unified exam corruption' echoed once more in the minds of the teachers and students.

Combined with the facts before their eyes, everyone finally understood:

This wasn't merely an accusation of cheating; it was a suppression targeting a Genius...

They seemed to see the true faces of the Duchy's powerful nobility through the mist of Demonic Energy.

Under the guise of 'educational fairness,' they engaged in dirty tricks of power-money deals and Genius suppression behind the scenes.

Perhaps this unified exam was a carefully orchestrated performance from the start.

The powerful wanted their own offspring to 'stand out,' but they didn't expect Li Size, this 'accident,' to break their script.

They simply underestimated Li Size!

This apprentice of humble origins, relying on his keen perception of Demonic Energy and Heaven-Defying alchemical talent, forcefully broke their monopoly.

He became the first-ever perfect-score top scorer in the Duchy's history!

The provincial top scorer!

And a perfect-score provincial top scorer at that!

This title was like a bolt of lightning tearing through the Duchy's stagnant educational sky!

This was a legend written by Demonic Energy itself!

A story of an ordinary apprentice overturning the powerful and tearing through corruption was enough to give hope to all Wizard Apprentices from the bottom!

The inspection team left in disgrace, scattered like routed demon rats.

But the story here spread throughout Gele City at an unimaginable speed through 'Communication Spell' sorcery and word-of-mouth among Wizard Apprentices...

Early the next morning...

Li Size's 'communication crystal' suddenly lit up with a soft blue light.

Lilith, the responsible editor of the Ge Le City Business Gazette, sent a communication:

'Oh! Li Size! Is it really you? The Mechanical Alchemy Genius who exposed the unified exam corruption!'

Lilith's voice came through the crystal, carrying an excitement she couldn't conceal?

The unprecedented perfect-score top scorer!

By the Demonic Energy above, I never thought anyone could get a perfect score in the unified exam!

The Genius Mechanical Alchemy Wizard Apprentice!

Your story has already spread throughout Monte Province via the 'Communication Spell'!

Tearing through the dirty conspiracy of the Provincial Department of Education for years with an ordinary body!

Do you know? Your story has given hope to countless suppressed apprentices!

These stories my friends are telling, like something out of a legendary novel, are they all really your personal experiences?

The fantastical nature of this story simply surpasses all the novels I've ever edited!

Can I conduct an exclusive interview with you?

My old friend! Ever since I last saw you at the factory, I knew you were no ordinary person!

You truly are the Li Size who creates miracles!'

While enjoying the joy of recognition, Li Size rubbed the surface of the communication crystal with his finger and asked curiously:

'Aren't you a business newspaper focused on commercial news?

Why would you pay attention to an exam incident at the academy?

I thought you only reported on sorcery crystal prices or alchemical material transactions?'

Lilith pretended to be angry and complained, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness through the crystal:

'Oh, damn sorcery crystals!

You actually view our Gazette that way!'

Lilith's complaint carried a hint of grievance, making Li Size couldn't help but laugh!

'It seems you really haven't read our 'Ge Le City Business Gazette' much.

We're not some boring newspaper that only reports on sorcery crystal trades and boring merchant tycoons.

Our Gazette is indeed primarily business-focused.

But any major event that can cause Demonic Energy fluctuations (like your perfect score and the corruption incident), we report on it immediately!

Those advertisements reeking of money are just our side business?

In fact, as soon as your story started spreading yesterday, our 'Demonic Energy reporters' were already gathering material.

We are one of the fastest news outlets in Gele City.

Ha, does that mean you're agreeing?

Then wait for me. I'll come find you in three hours with a sorcery crystal recorder and a shorthand pen!'

Lilith's voice came through the communication crystal, carrying a hint of eager excitement.

Three hours later...

Felina straightened Li Size's jacket, which was inlaid with a 'Cleaning' sorcery. The faint scent of magical plants still lingered in the air from her...

The impatient, golden-haired office lady Lilith had already pushed open the door to Li Size's factory.

She wore glasses inlaid with miniature sorcery crystals, an Advanced tool she obtained after her promotion to editor-in-chief.

Holding an automatically recording shorthand magic pen, she excitedly rushed towards Li Size to ask about the entire incident.

When she heard the true version of the story, Lilith's pupils abruptly contracted.

The shorthand magic pen automatically danced and recorded in her hand. The Demonic Energy in the air seemed to ripple slightly due to her astonishment, just as she herself said:

By the Demonic Energy above!

You really are a marvelous Li Size!

To maintain the freshness of the news, after the interview, Lilith used a sorcery crystal recorder to capture images of the Demonic Energy machinery in Li Size's factory.

Only then did she reluctantly board the sorcery suspension vehicle back to the newspaper office.

Both Li Size and Felina could sense:

When this golden-haired lady left, the interest in her gaze towards Li Size had become as thick as unbreakable magic mist.

Even the Demonic Energy particles in the air seemed to pulse with her curious heartbeat.

That evening, the front-page headline of the 'Ge Le City Business Gazette' spread throughout the city via the magic net distribution System, even extending through sorcery communication to the entire Monte Province.

Every copy of the newspaper shimmered with faint sorcery 'Sorcery Recording' Runes:

'Demonic Energy Shock!

History's First Perfect-Score Top Scorer Emerges!

Mechanical Alchemy Genius Tears Through Century-Old Provincial Unified Exam Conspiracy!'

The title was printed in glowing sorcery ink, visible even in the dark.

The Sorcery Recording used in the newspaper was secretly purchased by Lilith from a tutor in Gray Mist Mountain Town for 5 sorcery crystals:

That tutor was an eyewitness to the event. The recording still carried his strong northern accent.

When the 30-second Sorcery Recording was played via sorcery crystal projection, the scene was filled with a faint purple mist. The content was:

A Wizard Apprentice holding Li Size's revolver.

The gun body flashed with 'Sharpness' Runes, firing an attack of energy level 4.7. The Demonic Energy counter on the target instantly lit up blue.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education higher-ups like Mody watching this were pale. Their Department of Education uniforms seemed to dim with shock.

The newspaper's content was basically truthful, but the language carried strong mental suggestions. Every word seemed to hook the reader's attention.

Finally, it used bold sorcery font to advise the government and the Ministry of Education:

Strictly investigate the hidden corruption and conspiracies in provincial unified exams, letting the sun once again shine on the path of educational fairness!

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves!

This report was like a bolt of lightning striking into the Duchy's stagnant education System, resonating with countless Wizard Apprentices!

For Li Size, this was an accidental counterattack. But for the Duchy's nearly thousand-year-old education System monopolized by wizard nobility, this was an inevitable storm.

If Li Size hadn't miraculously achieved an unparalleled perfect score...

Perhaps this conspiracy hidden behind the mist of Demonic Energy would still be concealed, continuing to devour the hopes of apprentices from the bottom.

If allowed to vanish into the rolling river of history...

It would only cause the Duchy's education System to become increasingly stagnant, like machinery losing its Demonic Energy, eventually decaying.

Li Size didn't originally want fame.

He knew the consequences of expanding public opinion, but he also understood that this ignited public opinion was like a prairie fire, something he simply couldn't stop.

Moreover, he also felt he should use his own incident to sound a warning bell for the Duchy's education System.

To make those high-and-mighty nobles reflect on their actions!

He was truly disgusted by the shameless conduct of the Department of Education.

They actually used the stain of 'cheating' to slander him, just to embezzle the rewards meant to encourage Geniuses!

How dare these powerful people treat the Duchy's public education apparatus as their private tool?

Did they think the eyes of the masses were blind?

Having proven his strength, Li Size enjoyed hero-like treatment at the academy.

Teachers and students greeted him with 'saluting' looks. Even the Demonic Energy chef in the cafeteria gave him double portions of magical plant roast meat.

The dean publicly awarded the first-place prize to Li Size.

It was a wooden box inlaid with ancient runes, containing a treasure the old dean had preserved for a long time—swift spirit.

This treasure had already exceeded the old dean's maximum usage limit, and he hadn't been able to exchange it for a desired sorcery crystal core.

That's why he brought it out to encourage the academy's most outstanding student.

Jackson, little George, and others stood below the stage. Looking at Li Size on the high platform bathed in the sun's Demonic Energy glow, their eyes were filled with complex emotions...

In just a few short months, Li Size had already become a legendary figure they could no longer hope to catch up to.

This was truly a miracle written by Demonic Energy!

Even the academy's Demonic Energy record board marked him with the label 'Legendary Apprentice'!

Li Size, having received the reward, was even more delighted, just as he had anticipated before the final exam.

The [Pay-to-Win] Ability in his mind suddenly lit up with a sorcery crystal-like glow:

[Contact with new potion—'swift spirit':

Permanently increases agility by 0.5 points. Limited to attributes below 15.0. Can only be used twice per person.

Consuming 10,000 energy points can analyze the 'swift spirit' formula. The Analysis process will consume the potion.]

Li Size's heart leapt with joy: only 200 gold coins plus the consumed potion, a total of just 300 gold coins.

This was practically a boon bestowed by the Pay-to-Win Ability!

Potions capable of permanently increasing attributes were extremely rare in the wizard market.

Even Formal Wizards found it difficult to buy them, and their formulas were hoarded by those who knew them, practically unseen by anyone!

Don't even mention 240 gold coins, even 1000 gold coins!

Whether anyone would be willing to sell it on the wizard black market was an unknown!

The profits from the new batch of little sorcerer donkeys and Rice's second batch of funds had just come in, enough to cover this expense.

There was no urgent need to increase attribute points or research other Mechanical Alchemy projects recently. He would first analyze this precious formula.

The interface of the [Pay-to-Win] Ability quickly surfaced in Li Size's mind, his eyes sparkling with a sorcery crystal-like glow.