Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1363

"The tenth round will showcase the most advanced technique in ancient medical practice—alchemy!"

Back at the judge's podium, Preston and Clifford announced the round with zero energy left in their voices, then slumped into their chairs in defeat.

The Advanced Medical Institute had hosted the Grand Medical Summit countless times, and Preston and Clifford had presided over it just as often. However, none of the previous summits had ever been this draining, this chaotic, or this nerve-wracking.

From the top platform, the two judges stared daggers at Andrew, their minds flickering with one vicious thought—if he could not be brought into the Institute, then he had to be eliminated for good.

Three cauldrons had been set before the finalists—Mosby, Andrew, and Thomas. Compared to concocting the Golden Cure, alchemy was an even higher-level art, without question. Hence, it was also considered the pinnacle of ancient medical practice.

Many of the spectators had never witnessed alchemy firsthand, so now, every pair of eyes was locked on the three contestants. Especially Andrew—he had become the undisputed center of attention. He was the one nobody had expected to make it this far, yet he had clawed his way into the finals.

Moreover, that was not even the most shocking part. The Golden Cure he made earlier had almost triggered a riot. Even if he did not win the championship, it was clear that his name would be on everyone's lips far more than the actual winner after this summit.

Mosby and Thomas stood frozen in front of their furnaces, unable to begin. They were not stalling for show—both were genuinely shaken. When the summit began, they had each believed they would walk away as the undisputed champion.

Yet, before the final round even ended, Andrew had mercilessly shattered that dream of theirs.

Mosby, especially, was seething with resentment. He wanted nothing more than to rip Andrew to pieces. Even if he somehow pulled off the win, even if he stood alone at the top, the spotlight had already been stolen as Andrew had taken 90% of the glory.

Based on the crowd's obsession with Andrew now, Mosby knew that even taking the championship would not restore his edge.

'Andrew, you little bastard… Go to hell!' Mosby cursed silently, forcing himself to push aside his emotions and focus on the alchemy.