Chapter 388 Ridiculed
A wise man once said, 'Not all battles are won with weapons; some are won with words.'
With just a few words, Adam had effectively taken care of the arrogant man named Barclay Weiss.
Of course, if the man had politely interacted with him earlier, things would have never come to this. But he hadn't. And Adam, being the person he was, couldn't take it lying down.
When he finished deducing the name of the potion that Barclay had been working on, everyone was shocked out of their minds.
They couldn't believe that he was able to figure out the name of the potion just through a simple observation.
In reality, however, it wasn't a simple observation. Adam had activated his Sphere of Resonance and was able to see the minute residues of the herbs and other ingredients under Barclay's nails.
After that, by smelling the medicinal aroma wafting from the man's robes, he was able to infer the rest.
The crowd began speaking in hushed tones, wondering if Adam really was a Herbalist as he had claimed to be. There was very little reason to refute this now.
What came next was shock.
The fact that Adam, a young Magus in his early twenties, was actually a Herbalist filled the people with disbelief.
But then they remembered that the youth had said that he was actually a Grade 2 Herbalist!
This caused them to be shocked out of their minds.
Especially Barclay. He stared at Adam with wide eyes, wondering if this youth really was the same grade as him. But no matter how he saw it, he just couldn't make any sense out of it.
Impossible! Is he actually a Grade 2 Herbalist?! No, that can't be! He became a Grade 2 even before I did? No, no, no, that can't be! That just cannot be! He thought to himself with sheer incredulity.
Seeing him in such a state, Adam's lips curled up into a sneer, "What is it? Did this 'hairless brat' take you by surprise?"
Hearing his words, the crowd couldn't help but burst into laughter. They had gathered to watch a great drama unfold, hoping to see Adam make a fool out of himself and get chucked out of the guild.
Instead, they found something even more entertaining. Who would have thought that the genius of Ravenfell's Herbalist Guild would be outdone by a twenty-two-year-old Magus?
What was even more exciting to them was the fact that they could be witnessing the birth of the youngest Grade 2 Herbalist in the city.
Realistically speaking, Adam was already a Grade 2 Herbalist. In fact, the knowledge related to Herbalism in his mind was way beyond Grade 2.
What was holding him back was his Magus Rank.
Seeing the crowd point at him with ridicule in their eyes, Barclay couldn't take it. He had never faced such embarrassment before.
For as long as he could remember, he was always revered by people for his genius in Herbalism. This was the thing he was most proud of—his talent as a Herbalist.
But now, that was shattered by this raven-haired youth in front of him.
His eyes flashed with rage and denial as he hurriedly tried to justify the reason why Adam was able to deduce the potion he was earlier brewing.
Barclay pointed his trembling hand at the youth and spat through gritted teeth, "You damn cheater! Did one of my assistants inform you of my concoction earlier? I knew it! This is all staged! You all are trying to ruin my—"
Suddenly an aged voice descended upon the crowd from the stairway leading to the second floor.
"That's enough."
When the crowd saw who it was, they hurriedly bowed in respect. Meanwhile, when Barclay heard this familiar voice, he trembled.
He hurriedly turned around and, without even looking at the one who had just spoken, bowed. "Greetings Guild Leader!"
Adam's eyebrows rose in surprise and his gaze shifted to the old man standing on the staircase.
He was wearing white robes embroidered with dark green threads, depicting leaves and vines. The edges of his sleeves and the hem of his robes were lined with fine gold thread, giving him an air of elegance.
His hair was a striking shade of white, long and flowing; his beard was of the same color, long and well-groomed. His face was lined with wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth.
And his eyes, they were a piercing shade of blue, reflecting a lifetime of wisdom and experience. They held a warmth that put others at ease.
This man was the leader of the Herbalist's Guild at Ravenfell, Halbert Dawson.
When Adam noticed the faint mana signature radiating from him, his pupils constricted and he respectfully bowed with his right hand on his chest.
Rank 3 Magus!
Halbert glanced at Adam, his eyes flashing with deep interest. "What is your name, child?"
"My Lord, I am called Adam," said the youth respectfully. "Adam Constantine."
"Hmm." Halbert stroked his beard, a faint smile adorning his lips.
Naturally, he had seen the entire event play out before him. He was very impressed by Adam's knowledge of Herbalism.
To be able to deduce so much about a potion by a cursory glance was not an easy feat. Not to mention, Adam hadn't seen any of the ingredients, only its residue.
Yet, he still didn't quite believe the youth's claim of being a Grade 2 Herbalist. There was a huge difference between theory and practice, after all.
So what if Adam had the knowledge that a Grade 2 Herbalist would have? So what if he was a Mana Liquefaction Magus?
That still didn't prove that the youth would be able to successfully brew a Grade 2 potion.
"You said you are a Grade 2 Herbalist, yet you are only twenty-two years of age. Is that true?" Halbert asked with a gentle voice, his tone laced with skepticism.
"That is correct, my lord." Adam nodded.
"Can you prove it?" Halbert asked with a raised eyebrow.
"That is all I've wanted," Adam smiled, "a chance to prove myself."
He then glanced at Barclay and the smile on his face deepened. "Alas, a certain guild member has allowed their arrogance to cloud their judgment, refusing to give me a chance and even going so far as to attempt to ban me from this prestigious institution."
When Adam spoke those words, Barclay's lips twitched. He lowered his head, not daring to argue with the youth. Not in front of the Guild Leader at least.
Halbert glanced at Barclay and couldn't help but shake his head, sighing. This child… He never could keep his pride in check, could he?
He then glanced at Adam and smiled. Hmm, this should serve as a wake-up call for Barclay. That is if this boy really is as he claims to be.
Having already come to his decision, he stated, "Very well, Adam. I shall give you the chance you seek."
"Thank you, my lord!" Adam's eyes lit up.
"However," Halbert said sternly, the warmth in his eyes replaced by intensity. "If you are not who you say you are, you will face the consequences."
"…I understand," said Adam after a few moments.
"Very well." Halbert turned around and climbed the stairs.
"Follow me, I will test you myself."
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