Chapter 2247

Andrew looked up and saw Mikayla, the celebrated beauty of Chetvine.

Thanks to her talent and ambition, the Owens family had clawed their way from an ordinary household into the ranks of high society. Over the past ten years, this woman had risen at a staggering pace.

“It’s me,” Andrew said with a calm nod before sitting down.

Mikayla frowned. “This place is supposedly only for fifth-grade alchemists and above, isn’t it?”

She did not spell it out, but her meaning was clear: Andrew had no business being on this floor.

Andrew replied evenly, “I came to see Madam Baxter, and someone brought me here.”

Mikayla shook her head. “Then you’re dreaming. In Chetvine, fewer than ten people have the privilege of meeting Madam Baxter face-to-face. If you got this far, you must have forced the staff by throwing around the Lloyd family’s name.”

“I think that’s a stupid move. Offending the Sovereign’s Apothecary comes with consequences you should know well. If I were you, I wouldn’t be reckless.”

Andrew sighed. “And who told you I’m being reckless? I already said their staff brought me here.”

Mikayla let out a laugh. “So what, you’re saying you’re an alchemist now? Andrew, I know you well enough. You’re strong in martial arts, but in alchemy? Ten years ago, you hadn’t achieved anything worth mentioning.”

Andrew raised a brow. “And what, you’re suddenly a master in alchemy now?”

Mikayla smiled proudly, “Not to brag, but I’m currently a sixth-grade alchemist. Madam Baxter herself has praised me, saying I’ll have no trouble reaching seventh grade, maybe even eighth grade one day, enough to earn a seat as an elder of Sovereign’s Apothecary.”

Andrew’s face stayed calm. “Is that so? Well, congratulations then.”

Her smile faltered. His reaction was too indifferent, not the shock or envy she had expected. Was he pretending to be calm, or was he simply unimpressed?

Just then, a man in a white robe, dressed like a senior alchemist, walked over. “Mikayla, there you are. Come on, Mr. Goodman’s alchemy lecture is about to start. I heard even a few elders will be attending today.”

“Let’s go,” Mikayla said flatly.

The man glanced at Andrew with a frown. “Who’s this? How did he get up to the fourth floor? I’ve never seen him before.”

Already walking away, Mikayla said, “Probably just someone who ignored the rules and used his family’s name to get up here. He claimed he was here to see Madam Baxter. Do you think that’s even possible?”

The man laughed openly. “Madam Baxter? Who does he think he is? Even for us alchemy students, meeting her depends on pure luck. Forget it. Chetvine is full of spoiled brats who use their family name to stir trouble. But if Madam Baxter actually bothers to meet him, I’ll change my last name to his!”

Andrew watched their retreating backs, his expression flat. Two sixth-grade alchemists? Please. They were not even qualified to polish his shoes.

After a short wait, Whitney returned, this time with an elderly man beside her. He was thin and wiry, yet his stride carried authority, and his face was ruddy with vigor.

The moment his eyes landed on Andrew, he looked stunned. “So it really is you! Damn it, why didn’t you come find me the moment you got back?”

Andrew grinned. “Long time no see, dearest junior.”

Amari Goodman was Sovereign’s Apothecary’s legendary elder, an eighth-grade divine alchemist. He was also Andrew’s junior.

He huffed, “Shush! I know I’m your junior, but can you at least give me some face in public?”

Gritting his teeth, he dragged Andrew along without giving him a chance to reply. Whitney stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.

Amari was someone even Brielle relied on. Yet, he turned out to be Andrew’s junior. She thought the world had truly gone mad.

In a quiet inner courtyard, shaded by trees with a stone platform in the middle, Andrew finally stood before the person he had come to see.

Brielle, the director of Sovereign’s Apothecary, sat there with a veil of violet silk covering her face.

“It’s been a long time,” she said warmly, smiling as she greeted him.

Andrew bowed respectfully. “It has indeed been a long time.”