Chapter 134: I Am Your Father

As Leyton uttered the name, a ripple of hushed murmurs spread through the gathered crowd. Most of these people were from Potter Academy, and the name "Roland" was all too familiar to them.

"Roland? Is he an alchemist, too?"

"Incredible. I’ve never heard of him crafting anything in all this time."

"Hey, could it be someone else with the same name? There are plenty of alchemists in the Light Alliance besides those at Potter Academy."

Hearing Leyton call out Roland’s name, Victoria and the others frowned. Aside from a few close friends, no one in the academy knew that Roland was an alchemist. How did the Dark Alliance learn such specific details?

Malle rolled his small, beady eyes and leaned toward Roland’s ear, whispering, "Fourth brother, I think we should wait and see. Look, even Anthony hasn't stepped up yet. This challenge from the Dark Alliance isn't as simple as it seems. If you go up there recklessly and lose, it could severely impact the Alchemy Convention tomorrow!"

Gebbaz added, "He's right, Fourth brother. I’ve heard of this Leyton; he’s not to be trifled with. And that yellow-haired man in black behind him—if I’m not mistaken, that’s Gavin, the top medicinal alchemist of the Dark Alliance. They’ve called you out by name, but who knows what their true intentions are!" As someone who also hailed from the Dark Alliance, Gebbaz provided this context to Roland.

"Fourth brother," Bill said after a moment of thought, "I just saw Trish and Karina exchange a few words with that man named Gavin. Then he walked over and whispered to Leyton, and that’s when Leyton shouted your name. Could it be that Karina leaked the information? She knows you better than anyone."

His words made the others nod in agreement. A wave of discomfort washed over Roland. *Could it really be her? I hope not...*

Victoria watched Roland’s shifting expressions with concern, knowing his inner turmoil. Being betrayed by someone you once loved was a bitter pill to swallow.

Simone, standing to the side, remained silent. Hearing the others, he sighed inwardly, *It seems I was too reckless earlier. I stepped up the moment they issued the challenge without a second thought. Looking back, that was ill-advised. No wonder my father always says I’m too impulsive.*

In the arena, Leyton grew annoyed when no one responded to his call, but a smirk soon appeared on his face. "Huh, Roland. I know you're in the crowd. If you won't even come up to face me after I’ve called you out, isn't that a bit beneath you?"

He paused, scanned the crowd, and seeing that Roland still didn't emerge, he threw his head back and laughed. "Haha... Roland, no wonder your magic cultivation hasn't made an inch of progress. You’re nothing but a coward!"

His words drew a burst of laughter from the Dark Alliance alchemists behind him. Among the crowd, some of the Potter Academy students who usually mocked and belittled Roland joined in the jeering.

"Damn it! What does his cultivation have to do with you idiots? What are you laughing at?" Gebbaz cursed angrily.

"Fourth brother, they are clearly targeting you. They didn't act like this toward Anthony. Don’t fall for it," Malle warned.

Roland’s face was grim, and he nodded. It was impossible not to be moved by such public ridicule, but he knew this was a provocation designed to force his hand.

Seeing Roland still refusing to step forward, Leyton inwardly cursed the boy for his composure. His eyes darted around, and he gave a sly grin. "Roland, you’re not just a failure in your cultivation; you’re a failure in love, too. Why else would your girlfriend leave you for my brother, Trish? Haha! I suppose it makes sense—who would ever want to be with a spineless turtle?"

In the crowd, Malle tried to hold him back. "Fourth brother, don't—hey, Fourth brother!" But when he turned to stop him, he realized the space beside him was empty. Roland had already strode into the arena.

"Boss, I think if this happened to either of us, we’d do the same as Fourth brother. Don’t try to stop him," Gebbaz and Bill said, watching Roland’s resolute back.

Malle sighed and nodded, finally saying nothing more. It was true—any man with a shred of pride couldn't endure such insults. Roland was usually quiet, but Malle knew that once someone crossed his bottom line, no one could stop him when he went mad.

Simone clenched his fist and struck it hard against his palm. "That's right, Roland! Screw them! Better to die standing than live on your knees, swallowing this kind of humiliation!"

*It seems he still can't let go of what happened with Karina...* Victoria watched Roland with worry.

As Roland walked into the arena, the crowd erupted into a commotion.

"Hey, Roland actually came out."

"Can he win the challenge? If not, he’s just asking for more humiliation."

"I think it’s tough. This Leyton has already won several rounds; his speed in drawing formations is simply too fast!"

Among the Dark Alliance alchemists, Trish saw Roland enter the arena and a smug smile flashed across his face. Karina, holding his hand, looked at the man who had once been closest to her with complex emotions, though her eyes soon returned to a calm, flat state.

On the other side of the crowd, Anthony’s lips curled slightly as he watched the black-haired youth enter the ring.

Princess Nancy, standing beside him, had no interest in Roland. She kept stealing glances at Anthony, and when she saw the charming curve of his lips, her eyes were instantly captivated.

Leyton saw someone finally approach him and asked, "And who might you be?"

Roland remained calm, staring straight into his eyes. He said in a level voice, "I am your father."

Leyton was momentarily stunned by the response, not having registered the words, when Roland continued, "I failed in my duty as a father to raise you properly, allowing you to spew nonsense in front of everyone. That is my fault."

The hundreds of people gathered around were stunned for a second, then erupted into deafening laughter. Malle and the others nearly collapsed to the ground with laughter; they never expected that the usually taciturn Roland would say something like that. It was absolutely incredible.

Even the cold, aloof face of Victoria showed a hint of astonishment. She had never expected the "quiet one" to come out with such a barbed remark.

Princess Nancy, who had been busy sneaking looks at Anthony, clutched her stomach. She hadn't expected to hear such a retort in this atmosphere, and for the first time, her beautiful eyes turned to look seriously at the black-haired youth in the arena.