บท 54: Secret Finalist
As the judges emerged from their deliberations, a hush fell over the auditorium. The air was thick with anticipation and tension, as the young alchemists waited with bated breath to hear the results of their hard work and dedication.
Lyra felt her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the judges make their way to the stage, their faces inscrutable and their movements slow and deliberate. She knew that this was the moment of truth, the culmination of all their efforts and sacrifices.
As the head judge stepped up to the podium, Lyra felt Elias's hand slip into hers, his fingers intertwining with her own in a silent gesture of support and solidarity. She squeezed back, drawing strength from his presence and his unwavering belief in their work.
"Attention, everyone," the head judge began, her voice ringing out clear and strong across the auditorium. "First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your incredible contributions to this year's alchemy fair. The level of skill, creativity, and innovation on display here today has been truly astounding."
She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before continuing. "As you know, our esteemed panel of judges has been hard at work evaluating each and every project, weighing their merits and potential impact on the field of alchemy. And now, it is my great pleasure to announce the finalists who will be moving on to the next round of competition."
Lyra felt her breath catch in her throat as the judge gestured to a large board behind her, where a list of names had been carefully inscribed in shimmering gold ink. "These lucky few will have the opportunity to present their work to our committee in a private interview, where they will be asked to delve deeper into the intricacies of their creations and answer any lingering questions or concerns."
The judge paused again, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "And of course, let's not forget the grand prize - a substantial cash award and a trophy that will forever mark the winner as one of the brightest and most promising young alchemists of our generation."Lyra felt a rush of excitement and determination wash over her as she stared up at the glittering trophy, her mind already racing with visions of holding it aloft in triumph. She knew that she and Elias had poured their hearts and souls into the Lyra Potion, had pushed themselves to the very limits of their abilities and beyond.
And now, as they made their way through the buzzing crowd towards the finalist board, Lyra could feel the weight of all their hopes and dreams resting on her shoulders. This was their moment, their chance to prove to the world that they had what it took to be true masters of their craft.
But as they reached the board and scanned the list of names, Lyra felt her heart sink like a stone in her chest. Their names were nowhere to be found, lost amidst a sea of unfamiliar monikers and titles.
Beside her, Elias let out a low groan of disappointment and frustration, his face falling in a mask of despair. "I don't understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We worked so hard, put so much into this project. How could we not have made the cut?"
Lyra felt a lump rising in her throat, hot tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to scream, to rage against the unfairness of it all. They had given everything they had, had poured their very souls into this potion. How could the judges not see that?
But just as they were about to turn away in defeat, a tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows behind them. It was the Sanguine judge from earlier, his dark eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and intrigue.
"Lyra Argyle and Elias Blackwood," he said, his voice a low, silky purr that sent shivers down Lyra's spine. "I thought I might find you here."
Lyra felt her heart skip a beat, a flicker of hope sparking to life in her chest. Could it be? Had they somehow caught the judge's attention, even without making the official list of finalists?
The Sanguine judge chuckled, a low, menacing sound that seemed to echo through the auditorium. "Your potion is a truly unique creation," he said, his eyes boring into Lyra's with an intensity that made her skin crawl. "One that requires a more... intimate examination, shall we say?"He leaned in closer, his breath hot against Lyra's ear. "The committee has requested a private interview with you both, effective immediately. I suggest you follow me, if you know what's good for you."
Lyra exchanged a glance with Elias, her heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement. She knew that this was highly irregular, that the Sanguine judge's behavior was setting off all kinds of alarm bells in her head.
But she also knew that this might be their only chance, their one shot at proving their worth and achieving their dreams. And with Elias by her side, his hand warm and steady in her own, she felt a surge of courage and determination wash over her.
"Lead the way," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're ready for whatever comes next."
As they followed the Sanguine judge out of the auditorium and into the unknown, Lyra couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more dangerous and complicated than a simple alchemy fair. But she also knew that they had each other, and that together, they could face anything that the world threw their way.
The future was uncertain and the path ahead was shrouded in shadow. But Lyra was ready to face it head-on, armed with the strength of her convictions and the power of her mind.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง