Elaine stared at Kent's face, looking for the words to say, but in the end, she only managed to utter a single line.
"May the good Alchemist win."
The audience actually received those words well, and they started cheering for her. Her unspoken nature was just too cute, making her look much more lively yet hidden.
But after her cheering died down, Kent smiled and shook his head.
"A wise man once said," Kent paused, his gaze drifting toward his opponent, "alchemy isn't about winning. It's about healing, about understanding the balance between what is broken and what can be made whole."
The crowd quieted as his voice carried across the space, clear and calm. Even the other competitors momentarily held their breath, sensing something different in his tone.
Elaine blinked, surprised by the sudden weight of his words. She hadn't expected a reply like that—not from Kent.
