Charles turned his gaze to the competition area, where Zachary had unhesitatingly activated [Beast Mastery], eliciting gasps from the crowd.
When Earth attribute mystical beasts activated [Beast Mastery], it significantly enhanced the Beast Master’s defensive capabilities, making them more resilient and powerful!
Catherine didn’t appear nervous at all; in fact, a smile crept onto her lips as she also activated [Beast Mastery]!
Zachary was surrounded by a yellow glow as he conjured a supreme spear in his hand. He gripped the spear tightly, striking a peculiar pose that radiated an intimidating presence.
Students familiar with the situation immediately speculated, “Is that the general Mason’s [Break the Enemy’s Marksmanship]?”
“[Break the Enemy’s Marksmanship]? It really looks like it! I’ve only heard about it; this is the first time I’ve seen it in action!”
“Legend has it that the general used this skill to rise from obscurity, cutting down enemies and eventually becoming the general of Genosha!”
“Is it really that powerful? Does that mean Catherine is in danger?”
Even Charles instinctively frowned. He thought that [Break the Enemy’s Marksmanship] was likely similar to the [Eighty-One Hammer Technique]—one used for killing and the other for forging.
“Charles, do you think Catherine is going to lose?” Jace asked anxiously.
Charles shook his head. “Don’t worry; Catherine is much stronger than you think.”
It wasn’t blind faith in Catherine; Charles knew just how formidable her [Beast Mastery] was. The strength of the Gaoshan nationality’s [Beast Mastery] was simply exceptional!
In the next moment, Catherine and Zachary clashed directly. Zachary’s spear techniques were like a dragon, and while the Earth-formed supreme spear was solid, it merely created sparks when it struck Catherine, failing to inflict any damage!
Catherine initially wanted to prolong the battle, but then she caught a glimpse of Charles at the edge of the arena. Without a moment’s hesitation, she accelerated her speed and increased her power, swiftly and decisively ending the fight!
“The match is over! The winner is Catherine, earning 1 point!” the referee announced.
Cheers erupted from the crowd outside. “Catherine is amazing!”
“Catherine is so strong!”
“Catherine is my idol!”
As Catherine exited the arena and glanced around, the cheers instantly faded into silence.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Charles,” Catherine said.
Charles shook his head. “I just got here. Why didn’t you fight a bit longer?”
“Let’s go; I still need to accompany you to the Forging Masters Guild,” Catherine replied as she walked ahead. Charles lagged a step behind, sensing that Catherine seemed particularly happy today.
Was it because she had found a serious opponent? Or was it the cheers from the crowd after the match?
Charles couldn’t figure it out, so he decided not to dwell on it.
“Charles, are you going to the Forging Masters Guild to watch the advanced forging master certification assessment?” Jace hurried after Charles, saying, “I heard that person is also from Cyber Academy; I just don’t know who it is. I’d like to get to know them!”
“Why would you want to get to know them?” Charles asked, puzzled.
Jace looked around, trying to see who might fit his guess, while responding, “An advanced forging master! If I get to know them, it’ll be easier to forge equipment, right?”
“So that’s the reason,” Charles replied helplessly.
“By the way, Charles, do you know who it is? Any insider information?” Jace casually asked.
Charles, however, said seriously, “There is indeed some news.”
“Really!” Jace instinctively exclaimed, drawing the attention of nearby students who turned to look.
He leaned closer to Charles, lowering his voice. “Charles, tell me who it is. I promise I won’t share it with anyone.”
Charles revealed the truth: “That person is me.”
“Come on, Charles, you’re a genius in Beast Mastery. How could you be a genius in forging too? Impossible, absolutely impossible!” Jace didn’t believe it at all. After all, others said that the advanced forging master’s Beast Mastery strength couldn’t be very strong.
Charles, so powerful, could he really be that advanced forging master? It was a joke!
Charles felt helpless. He really was going to the Forging Masters Guild to participate in the advanced forging master certification assessment!
Catherine, walking ahead, clearly heard their conversation. Her elegant shoulders were shaking as she tried to suppress her laughter.
“Let’s go; you’ll find out when we get to the Forging Masters Guild,” Charles said, following Catherine as they headed toward the guild. Behind them, some students from Cyber Academy were also making their way to the guild, curious about which student was certifying as an advanced forging master.
Inside the Forging Masters Guild in Genosha Calivia, the place was packed. Many forgers had been waiting in the hall since morning.
The president of the Forging Masters Guild, Xavier, was currently in his office, along with Owen, the president of the Alchemists’ Guild, and his granddaughter, Camilla.
Camilla was quite fidgety, occasionally toying with her teacup and glancing out the window at the first floor.
“Camilla, don’t worry; they should be here soon,” Owen said gently.
While looking out the window, Camilla suddenly exclaimed, “Grandpa, Xavier, I see Charles! He’s here!”
Curious, Owen moved closer to the window for a better look.
This glance left him momentarily stunned. It turned out it wasn’t a case of a shared name! The Charles coming for the advanced forging master certification was the same one who had come to the Alchemist Guild and passed the intermediate alchemist assessment!
“A Level 3 Beast Master, an intermediate alchemist, and now he’s here for the advanced forging master certification? What incredible talent is this?” Owen was repeatedly amazed inside.
A person has to learn about Beast Mastery, alchemy, and forging every day, plus go through various training and hands-on practice. Even a legendary-quality mystical beast would struggle to keep up!
Xavier, unaware of Owen’s shock, got up and headed downstairs.
Camilla was about to follow him down but noticed her grandpa Owen still standing there. She called out, “Grandpa? Shouldn’t we go down and take a look?”
Owen took a few deep breaths and replied, “There are too many people down there; why don’t we just watch from up here? Is that okay?”
Camilla thought about it; the view was indeed better from above, so she nodded in agreement.
Owen, the president of the Alchemist Guild, felt a twinge of regret. Given Charles’s talent, even if his alchemy level was a bit low, being only an intermediate alchemist, Owen believed that if Charles focused solely on alchemy, he would undoubtedly make rapid progress.
Within six months, he could reach the level of an advanced alchemist, and within a year, he might even attain the rank of a special-grade alchemist!
Now he felt conflicted. If Charles passed the advanced forging master certification, Xavier would definitely not miss such a promising talent.
“What a shame! If only I had kept him that day!” Owen sighed.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Xavier, accompanied by several forgers, made his way toward Charles.
Seeing this scene, Jace looked around in confusion; there were no other people nearby.
“Strange, Charles, why is that mysterious advanced forger coming toward us? Did he mistake someone for you?” Jace was puzzled.
Charles didn’t respond, as Xavier had already approached and said, “Charles, the tools and materials are ready, just waiting for you. You just finished your match; do you need a moment to rest and regain your strength?”
“It’s fine; the match didn’t exhaust me much. Let’s get started now,” Charles replied.
Jace’s eyes widened in shock as he recalled what Charles had told him earlier. Watching Charles walk toward the center of the hall, he couldn’t help but mutter, “Oh my god! Charles is an advanced forger? How can one person be this much of a genius!”
Not only Jace, but all the students from the Cyber Academy who had followed them wore expressions of disbelief, including Lan, who was still rubbing his stomach.
No one expected that Charles was the one coming for the advanced forging master certification; they had all assumed it would be some lackluster Level 3 Beast Master!
“I think he’s just putting on a show. He probably doesn’t even know anything about forging!” Lan’s voice rang out in the crowd.
Jace turned sharply, looking for the source of the slander against Charles. Just then, because Lan was bent over, rubbing his stomach, Jace didn’t spot him.
Others began to chime in as well, saying, “That’s a possibility. If he fails the assessment, it would be quite embarrassing!”
“That’s true, but it seems unlikely. Would he really want to embarrass himself on purpose?”
“I think so too. Charles seems pretty close to Catherine. Talents usually run in the same circles; maybe he really is a forging genius!”
“That’s not a fair comparison! I’ve seen that guy Jace hanging around with Charles too! Is he a genius?”
Jace felt the veins on his forehead throb. Why wasn’t he considered a genius? Even if he was a bit weaker, he was still a genius!
He fixed a hard stare at the person speaking; he remembered them slightly and guessed their strength was good enough to get into Class A.
That was fine; in half a month, Jace would challenge him directly!
“Silence! The assessment is about to begin, so please keep it down!” Xavier announced.
The advanced forging master certification assessment was about to start!