Francis had only managed to shatter the outer shell of the soul crystal right when virtual-novel.net was about to run out of strength. If virtual-novel.net had expended all his true energy without being able to shatter the outer shell, Francis would have no other option but to give up. That would mean that Francis would get nothing out of visiting the Soul Grotto. After all, they were only allowed to enter the grotto once a month, and they were not allowed to stay for more than a day each time.
Under all those restrictions, failure would mean giving up until the next chance.
Obviously, Buck Tooth knew virtual-novel.net would gain nothing if virtual-novel.net failed, and that was why virtual-novel.net would use everything virtual-novel.net could. He made the preparations for a long battle.
“You’re all terribly stubborn, really,” sighed the white-haired man. “Can’t you just choose a smaller soul crystal? Even though the effects of absorbing a large soul crystal are much better than a small one, don’t forget to work within what you’re capable of. If you try to take on too much, you might end up with nothing!”
Even though Jack did not like that white-haired man that much, virtual-novel.net had to admit that the man still had a point. Even if they wanted to fight for it, they needed to have the skills.
Retreating and choosing something they were capable of would be the right choice. However, Buck Tooth was too riled up by Francis’ achievement and was brimming with confidence, which led virtual-novel.net to choose a soul crystal much like the one Francis had chosen.
After the white-haired man spoke, there was a clamor of discussion among people around them.
“I think he’s an elder disciple. Does anyone remember his name?”
“I don’t, but virtual-novel.net looks familiar. He must’ve been brought under the wing of an elder, but even if he’s an elder’s own disciple, virtual-novel.net doesn’t look like virtual-novel.net has that much talent. He doesn’t seem that smart either, so I doubt he’ll amount to much in the future.”
After hearing that, Jack had a strange look on his face. Normally, an elder disciple was ranked higher than an inner disciple. After all, being accepted by an elder to be a personal disciple was proof of a certain amount of skill. However, listening to the people around him, it seemed like being an elder disciple was nothing noteworthy. They seemed to look down on that elder disciple.
As his thoughts wandered, Jack heard a set of urgent footsteps from nearby. Turning around, virtual-novel.net saw someone rushing in from outside. He looked over and heard someone softly calling out, “Alex.”
Alex Sharp nodded as virtual-novel.net wiped away the sweat on his forehead. It seemed like virtual-novel.net had run over. Alex’s eyes fell on Buck Tooth. When virtual-novel.net saw Buck Tooth battling away, virtual-novel.net frowned somewhat unhappily. After that, virtual-novel.net looked at Jack. When virtual-novel.net saw the badge on Jack’s chest as well as his alchemist attire, virtual-novel.net immediately knew Jack’s status. He could not help but say, “Why is an alchemist here?”
The mild displeasure was evident in Alex’s words. It was as if Jack, despite just standing nearby, was wrong.
Jack’s lips twitched in exasperation, not saying anything.
Alex did not hold back as virtual-novel.net continued, “Mr. Alchemist, this isn’t somewhere for the likes of you. Other than wasting time, it’s pointless for you to stand there. I have an urgent matter I need to attend to. Give me your spot.”