At the edge of the venue, several large Flow Mirrors were already suspended in the air, and a group of staff in dark blue uniforms was busily making final preparations. The large letters "FMC" were printed on the back of their uniforms.
Vid glanced around but didn't spot anyone he knew; probably these were all members of the FMC's American Branch.
Dozens of small dark blue birds flew up in unison, their eyes shining like gems, and their chests slightly glowing—just like during the previous Magic School League, these birds acted as "cameras" responsible for capturing images from all places.
But this time, Vid was no longer the center of the lens, but could sit on the sidelines and watch others compete for that highest honor.
Soon, one of the FMC staff members raised a Magic Wand high and shot a red spark into the sky. The spark exploded in the air, attracting everyone's attention, and the entire stadium instantly quieted down.
Mr. Fontana timely ceased his conversation, put on an appropriate smile, and squeezed out a quick reminder through his teeth: "Ladies and gentlemen, be mindful of your image from now on, the broadcast is officially starting!"
Originally, during the Magic School League, Mr. Fontana was indifferent to the so-called broadcast.
But after witnessing one competition after another and seeing the terrifying global influence of the broadcasts, observing how those who didn't perform well on camera were ridiculed by those around them, he became particularly attentive.
The others also sat up straight in their chairs, hoping to present their best selves on the Flow Mirrors.
In the high air, the black Flow Mirrors suddenly flashed, the image first focused on the empty arena, then swept over the audience and judges' stands, finally freezing on a high platform at the front of the arena.
At this moment, an old man, leaning on a cane, slowly walked onto the stage.
He appeared extremely old and frail, with sparse snow-white hair, a gaunt face, and a hunched body. Yet his deeply sunken eyes were exceptionally bright, with a slight hint of a smile, making everyone who saw him feel as if they were seeing a kindly elder from their memories.
He reached the stage and adjusted his reading glasses, then softly spoke into the Magic Amplifier on the table:
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, fellow Alchemists… welcome… welcome to the Alchemy Innovation Competition. I am the chairman of the Alchemical Committee—Bastian von Krupp."
The entire venue immediately quieted down, and all eyes were focused on the old man.
His strength was lacking, and his speech was slow, as if every word needed deep thought:
"I declare… the Thirty-Fifth International Alchemy Innovation Competition… officially begins!"
The next second, fireworks exploded, echoing Krupp's words, and a round of prolonged applause erupted.
The applause was naturally not as intense as during a Quidditch match or the Magic School League, but it was like a tide, lifting everyone's spirits along with it.
As the applause gradually subsided, Krupp continued:
"According to tradition, before the competition officially begins, we have invited this year's participants to bring us a performative display."
"In this display, all showcased items will be the Alchemy Works of the contestants themselves. You will witness—innovation and ancient rules dancing together, as imagination bestows wondrous forms to matter."
"This is not just a performance but also… an initial presentation of the participants' alchemical concepts and skills."
"Now… may we invite our contestants!"
As the words fell, the venue's lights changed again, focusing on a small door shrouded in dense vines. Then, one by one, the contestants came out, some confident, some excited, and others showing the fear and shrinkage of social anxiety being pushed onto the stage.
Vid was shocked: "… there's a performance too?"
"Of course," Professor Morry said softly, "this is a tradition in Alchemy Competitions… The creation time in the actual competition is too short, and the contestants' works may not represent their highest level."
"Fortunately…" Vid said with lingering fear, "thankfully, during the league I participated in, there wasn't this process."
Abdullah laughed, "That's because your competition itself was very interesting… If the Alchemy Competition doesn't first showcase something attractive, by the time it actually starts, most of the audience wouldn't stay until the end."
"And now…" Professor Morry added, "if someone takes an interest in the works exhibited by the contestants and wants to reach further cooperation, they'll have to wait until after the competition is over to discuss it."
While speaking, a pale-skinned ice beauty steadily walked to the center, her silvery-white braid hanging down to her waist.
She spread her hands, and a diamond-shaped ice crystal appeared in her palms, then split into two, two became four, and in the blink of an eye, countless tiny ice crystals appeared and slowly revolved around her, looking particularly magnificent and dazzling.
Finally, the woman waved her hand, and those ice crystals flew out, smashing into the center of the arena, forming patches of circular frost on the ground.
"The duplication spell? How cleverly used," Professor Morry said, stroking his chin before asking, "What do you think, Vid?"
Vid said, "It's a weapon, right? It could be used in large-scale warfare."
"Currently, it doesn't have that much power; maybe it can be improved in the future," said Silas Hawthorne from the other end of the long table.
Next was a man with a bronze complexion, around thirty years old. He held a gold bowl high above his head and recited a spell softly. The bowl suddenly burst forth a strong golden light, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes.
"Oh, it's quite suitable to be used in this pit," Mr. Fontana said with a smile, "This place has dim light, and with this bowl, it could serve as a small sun."
"It could also be used in places with a high number of Dark Creatures," Professor Morry said, "might be very effective against Vampires and Inferi."
Ms. Picquery slightly shook her head and said, "Not as good as the Sunlight Charm."
"But not everyone can master the Sunlight Charm, ma'am," Hawthorne seemed to like that bowl a lot.
When everyone recovered their sight, they found that the bronze-skinned man had already stepped down, and standing in the center now was a Witch wearing a sari adorned with numerous ornaments.
She placed a dry seed into a glass bowl filled with a transparent liquid, then hovered her hands over the bowl, chanting softly. The seed sprouted and branched at a speed visible to the eyes, growing leaves, and finally, clusters of pink and white flowers bloomed.
"Making plants grow quickly, Professor Sprout has similar magic," Vid said softly, "but the key to her performance must be the liquid in the bowl."
"Indeed… look, Vid, how wonderful it is!"
Professor Morry said with emotion, "Many Wizards spend their whole lives unable to master certain powerful magic or intricate skills. Talent, effort, opportunity… these things determine that some powers are destined to be grasped by only a very few."
His gaze followed those Alchemy Objects endowed with extraordinary abilities, and his tone became elongated:
"But Alchemy… can break this limitation."
"We study the essence of matter, analyze the laws of Magic Power, encapsulating magical wonders into seemingly ordinary objects… It can even be more stable and evident than directly using a Spell and simpler to operate, allowing even those with weak Magic Power or lacking the knack to touch that magic."
"This is the magic of Alchemy, Vid… It is the creation of eternal miracles that can be inherited and replicated."