246 You are saying that on purpose, right? (2/2)

He and the other elders immediately rushed over to help.

Still, it was too late!

BOOM!

Palo and the other elders then took a formation around the explosion. They used their spiritual energy to create a barrier to contain the blast. Due to the difference in cultivation between Krune and the elders, they were more than enough to contain the explosion and prevent it from spreading.

Still, Kaio and a few more alchemists around Krune's workstation were caught in the situation anyway. Palo also covered them with his Spiritual Energy so that they wouldn't be hurt by it.

When everything was over, the 50 or so workstations around Krune's one were reduced to crumbles.

Palo and the other elders then retracted their Spiritual Energy. They took a look at the apocalypse view in front of them and felt like crying. Such a situation happened right in front of everyone, not to mention those watching it through the internet. Palo knew that he would be in for a scolding from the higher-ups later.

Slowly, Kaio and the other alchemists started to walk away from the wreckage. Although Palo covered them with his Spiritual Energy, it was just to protect against the Spiritual Energy Blast. It didn't prevent them from hitting a few walls or kicking on the ground here and there. They didn't have any serious injury, it was all nothing more than a few bruises. Still, they looked quite miserable.

Finally, some of the pieces of walls started to move in the area around the center of the explosion. From below it, Krune, or better, Jolk, began to dig his way out. When he looked around, he couldn't help but think.

'Just why this kind of thing keeps happening to me? I must have destroyed an entire Universe in my previous life, that must be it!'

Jolk started to make his way to Palo's direction while everyone looked at him. It was evident that they noticed that the explosion originated from his workstation.

'Sigh... whatever. At least I'm still with a different appearance and name, so everything should be fine. I just need to think about an excuse.'

After Krune arrived in front of Palo, he could see that he had quite an ugly expression.

”Cough, cough. I think someone sent me poor quality materials. Because of that, they couldn't hold the energy inside and ended up exploding.”

Palo's expression got even worse after hearing that.

”Ohhh... All the herbs sent to the participants are previously checked by me through Divine Sense. So you are saying that I made a mistake and that ALL the herbs sent to you were of poor quality, is it? Not only one or two, but every single one necessary to create your pill, right?”

Krune immediately started to sweat.

”Errr... you know, maybe I used just a little bit too much energy. Yes, that must have been it. There is no way that Senior Palo would ever make a mistake.”

Palo's mouth twitched after seeing how easily Krune changed his own words.

'Is there another wisp in this Universe more shameless than him?'

Palo sighed and tried to think on the positive side.

”Anyway. Because the competition was almost over, all the alchemists affected by your explosion had already delivered their pills before this event. The explosion will not affect their results anymore.”

He then looked at Krune and said.

”Unfortunately, it seems like you won't be able to deliver a pill anymore, so this is the end of the Alchemist Competition for you.”

Krune smiled after hearing that.

”Oh, it's okay. Just as the cauldron was about to explode, I was able to save one of the pills.”

Krune then handed over a bottle with a pill inside.

”There you go. I'm sure I won't let the Alchemist Organization down with this pill.”

Krune said that while showing a proud face.

But Palo felt like giving Krune a beating instead.

'Is there a better way to let the Organization down than blasting over 50 workstations in front of everyone? You are saying that on purpose, right? Right?!'

Of course, Palo had more pressing matters at the moment other than scold Krune's shamelessness.

He told the other examiners to take care of the place and returned to the stage.

”Cough, cough. Although a small accident happened, all the alchemists involved are fine and had already delivered their works. The end results will not be affected, so we will now start analyzing the pills.”