chapter 47 combat trail
The Combat Trial Begins – A True Test of Alchemy
As the chamber settled, Raven stood before the newly formed stone platform, the faint hum of arcane energy vibrating beneath his feet. The arena-like setup was unexpected, but he understood what was happening.
> This isn't just about brewing.
The crowd of alchemy students and players murmured among themselves, their eyes flickering with interest. Some whispered in excitement, while others scoffed in disbelief.
> "Wait, he's moving to the combat phase already?"
"No way. He passed the brewing test that fast?"
"Tch. He probably got lucky."
"Doesn't matter. He's dead if he can't fight."
Their skepticism didn't bother Raven.
His focus remained on the Trial Proctor, who had now stepped forward to address him.
Varian stood to the side, watching with a quiet intensity—his expression carefully neutral, but Raven could tell.
The old alchemist was watching him closely.
The Rules of the Trial
The Trial Proctor's voice boomed across the chamber.
> "Alchemy is not limited to the safety of a workshop. A true alchemist must be prepared to apply their craft under pressure."
He gestured toward the stone platform.
> "For this phase, you will engage in combat. Your only tools…"
A flick of his wrist, and a small wooden crate appeared before Raven. Inside were:
A basic alchemy kit (glass vials, mortar & pestle, heat source)
Several common ingredients
A single pre-made healing potion
> "…are the ingredients you are given and your own skill."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder.
> "Wait, they're making him craft potions mid-fight?"
"That's brutal."
"He won't have time to mix anything in the middle of combat."
"Most people fail this trial. Even NPCs struggle with it."
Raven's fingers tightened around the edge of the crate.
> They're making this as difficult as possible.
That meant only one thing—
Varian had likely orchestrated this.
The Opponent Arrives
The Trial Proctor raised his hand, and the opposing side of the arena rumbled.
A massive gate began to rise, revealing a figure stepping forward—
A golem.
Not just any golem.
A Runed Stone Golem, its body covered in glowing alchemy-etched inscriptions pulsing with magic. Its fists were the size of Raven's torso, its legs thick as tree trunks.
> [Trial Combatant: Runed Stone Golem]
Level: 15
Ability: Enhanced Durability, Magic Resistance
The crowd reacted immediately.
> "That's not a normal training dummy!"
"What the hell? This is harder than the usual trials!"
"They usually get slimes or weak constructs, not this!"
Raven exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing.
> You really want to see how far I can go, don't you, Varian?
He didn't even need to look at the old alchemist to know he was enjoying this.
The Fight Begins
The Trial Proctor's hand dropped, signaling the start.
The Runed Stone Golem charged.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Each step sent tremors through the arena as the massive creature barreled toward Raven. It raised a stone-carved fist, runes flaring to life, and swung with terrifying force.
> Fast.
Raven barely twisted to the side in time, the fist slamming into the ground where he had stood a second earlier—
BOOM!
The impact shattered the stone, cracks spreading from the force.
The crowd gasped.
Raven landed smoothly, his mind already working.
> I can't fight it head-on. It's too strong.
> I need to weaken it. And for that…
His gaze flicked to the crate of ingredients at the edge of the arena.
> I need to brew something—fast.
A Battle of Alchemy
Raven sprinted toward the crate, grabbing three key ingredients:
Searing Ash – Causes burning corrosion on stone
Quicksilver Shards – Weakens magical defenses
Ethervine Extract – Speeds up alchemical reactions
His hands moved quickly, pouring the Searing Ash into an empty vial, adding the Ethervine Extract, and crushing the Quicksilver Shards into fine dust before mixing them in.
> I don't have time to heat this properly.
Instead, he shook the vial violently, forcing an unstable reaction.
The liquid inside turned a bright crimson, sizzling as the mixture completed—
> [Alchemical Bomb: Crude Explosive] Created!
> Good enough.
Raven spun on his heel just as the golem charged again.
It swung—he ducked, feeling the wind of the attack rush past him, and in the same motion—
TOSS!
The crimson vial shattered against the golem's chest.
For a second—nothing.
Then—
BOOOOM!
The explosion erupted, Searing Ash eating away at the golem's runes, the Quicksilver Shards dulling its magical defenses.
The massive creature staggered, chunks of stone falling from its body.
> "He's damaging it!"
The crowd's murmurs shifted—from disbelief to intrigue.
But Raven wasn't done.
A Calculated Victory
The golem, though damaged, roared and charged again.
But now—
> Its movements are slower.
> It's weakened.
Raven quickly mixed another potion—this time a Slowing Solution, using Frostvine Extract and Binding Sap.
The moment the golem lunged—
He threw the vial at its legs.
The liquid splashed across the stone, rapidly freezing and hardening into an immobilizing grip.
The golem tried to move—
But its legs were locked in place.
And then—
CRACK!
The weight of its own attack caused its weakened, frozen leg to snap apart, sending the massive construct collapsing onto the stone floor.
THUD!
The arena shook.
And then—
Silence.
> [Trial Combatant Defeated!]
The system notification flashed across Raven's screen.
The crowd erupted.
> "Holy shit."
"Did he just… take down a stone golem with alchemy alone?"
"That wasn't luck. That was calculated."
"Who the hell is this guy?"
Varian's Final Judgment
As the golem's remains vanished, the Trial Proctor stepped forward, his voice echoing.
> "Trial complete."
But Raven's eyes were on Varian.
The old alchemist had watched the entire battle silently, his expression unreadable—
Until, for just a fraction of a second, a glimmer of approval passed through his gaze.
Not much. Not obvious.
But Raven saw it.
> You're pleased, aren't you?
And then—Varian smirked.
> "Not bad."
With that, he turned, already walking away.
The meaning was clear.
> You passed.
> But this is only the beginning.