Luck is a Charm

Zen continued to utilize his BloodJade Flame to burn the impurities in a swift manner.

The look of ease on his face shows his familiarity with this kind of process, almost like he could close his eyes and still manage to complete the task.

"If you're going to keep staring at me then I'm afraid your cauldron might explode soon," Zen teased slightly when he felt Daphne Camellia constantly gazing at him.

However, he wasn't going to blame her because his dazzling skills in alchemy are indeed too mesmerizing for her eyes.

'Heh, Cecilia has forced me to refine the Mana Recovering Pill multiple times and if I have ever failed one then I have to restart from the beginning,' Zen sneered inwardly as he trapped Daphne Camellia into his scheme.

The act of stalling and making multiple excuses was to confuse Daphne Camellia's mind into making her feel confident and believed he was a fraud.

It may be a dirty tactic but who could she blame but herself for being overly haughty and confident.

Daphne Camellia could barely even concentrate on her own cauldron when she saw Zen's control of the flame was even more superior than her.

Heck, he even made the flame start dancing around the cauldron, almost like he wasn't even afraid of messing up the temperature.

'Damn it, just what kind of monster is he?' Daphne Camellia cursed inwardly when she felt her cauldron was shaking from the turbulence of her flame.

At this rate, her loss of control in the flame would destroy her entire effort in extracting the impurities out from the ingredients.

Zen sneaked a glance and saw her current situation with a smirk on his face. 

"Never once would I ever underestimate my opponent even if I looked carefree on the surface," Zen mumbled softly as his victory was now guaranteed when he saw Daphne Camellia sweating.

To put the finishing touch on his creation, Zen purposely made his BloodJade Flame erupt in beauty as it transformed into a phoenix, causing Daphne Camellia to completely stop her flame at the scene occurring.

"H-How is that possible?" Daphne Camellia stuttered and held a disbelief expression as she saw something that has never been done before in her life.

"You mean the fact that I can manipulate my flame into a phoenix?" Zen chuckled softly when he saw her shocked expression.

Although it may seem amazing to be able to change his essence flame into a phoenix, Zen knew it was merely a failure when he saw how Cecilia manipulates her essence flame. 

Cecilia's flame control made it seem to be alive while Zen knew his skills were far from reaching her level.

As the BloodJade Flame in its phoenix form slowly disappeared, Zen snatched the pill that popped out from his cauldron.

Afterward, Zen glanced at Daphne Camellia with a smug expression. "Sorry, Daphne Camellia but this alchemist face-off is my win."

Daphne Camellia who was still dazed from the previous phoenix flame looked at Zen with a confused expression.

"What do you mean-" Daphne Camellia paled when she realized she was still in the alchemist face-off and tried to refine her Mana Recovering Pill.

Alas, it was already too late for her to notice as the ingredients were ruined as the pure essence was mixed with the impurities now since she has stopped her flame.

Clenching her fist in anger and disbelief, Daphne Camellia could only accept her defeat.

"T-The second person ever to beat me in alchemy…" Daphne Camellia mumbled softly when she was once again beaten by someone. Never had she imagined it would be possible for her to lose to anyone else besides Morgan Pelora.

"You don't have to be so disheartening on losing to me because I'll have you know…" Zen said slowly and continued, "I have practiced this Mana Recovering Pill more than 3,000 times and if I even failed one during that time then I must restart from the beginning."

Zen almost felt a chill running through his back when he recalled the fact that he failed at 2,999 and had to restart from the beginning. 

Those were the days that Zen had wished he never tried to learn alchemy because Cecilia was a demon when it comes to lecturing him.

There was no way she would be lenient at him and would thrash him if he ever dared to laze off when it was time to refine those pills.

Meanwhile, Daphne Camellia was unable to believe his words about refining 3,000 pills consecutively. 'Hmph, did he really think I'm some weak woman that can't accept defeat?'

Daphne Camellia stored her cauldron back into the spatial ring before staring at Zen. She gnashed her teeth before taking a deep breath to calm down and showed a solemn expression.

"Speak, what do you want for winning this alchemist face-off?" Daphne Camellia said slowly while feeling sweat on her forehead.

If Zen was to say he wanted her body for the night then there was no escape for her unless she decided to be a shameless scoundrel like him and deny losing to him.

However, she couldn't do it because of her pride and status in the Camellia family.

Zen could pretty much guess her thinking when he sensed her emotion. 

Heaving a soft sigh, Zen decided to go easy on her for once. "Since I basically won because of you lending the ingredients to me… we can just call this alchemist face-off a tie."

Afterward, Zen stored his cauldron and Mana Recovering Pill into his spatial ring as he prepares to leave the backyard.

When Zen was about to open the door, Daphne Camellia suddenly grabbed his wrist, causing Zen to glance at her in surprise.

"Do you take me for a fool? You don't have to act like a generous person when you're a scoundrel," Daphne Camellia said and continued.

"So state your condition already. I won't be like you and try to go back on my honor."

Zen stared at her in amusement. 'A haughty lass but someone with dignity in her blood huh.'