"That position should belong to someone worthy," Mariana Valerius continued, her youthful face a stark contrast to the ancient power radiating from her being.
Every pair of eyes in the hall darted between the Pavilion Master and Third Elder—now just an ordinary alchemist. The man's face had gone from pale to red with humiliation.
"Pavilion Master, please reconsider," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "I've served the Guild faithfully for decades!"
She fixed him with a gaze that could freeze fire. "Yet you've repeatedly placed personal vendettas above Guild interests. That ends today."
I kept my expression neutral despite the satisfaction bubbling inside me. This was an unexpected windfall—my enemy stripped of power in one decisive stroke.
The former Elder bowed stiffly and retreated, shooting me a glance of pure hatred as he passed.
Mariana turned her attention back to me. "Liam Knight, I've heard promising reports about your alchemical talents."
