When she finally stood in front of him, Elton became even more amazed by her beauty.

He couldn't find the words to describe it, it was almost ethereal, and it gripped him.

He had never felt this way before.

If he could have her stay with him every single day...

"Would you Like to become my apprentice and learn pill alchemy?" Elton blurted out before he could catch himself.

Mr. Gonzales's head whipped around, and as he gaped at the middle-aged man, he thought he saw saliva dribbling down the corners of Elton's mouth.

A shocked silence filled the room, while Vivian stewed in anger and resentment.

"Why is this happening?" she screamed inwardly. "This ceremony is supposed to be for me! I'm his apprentice, not that bitch!"

Everyone was holding their breaths and waited for Maria's reply. When she finally spoke, she did so in a tone that was usually used to address the village idiot. "You call yourself an alchemist?”

Elton froze, his mind turning blank.

There was dead silence in the hall. Everyone was taken aback after hearing Maria's words They had never seen a woman who was so rude before!

What was more, it was reckless for her to be rude to a man like Elton. In the entire Jenkins family, there was not a single other person who would dare to talk to Elton that way.

As the head of the family, even old Mrs. Jenkins talked to him in a polite manner and held him in high esteem.

How could Maria ruthlessly insult him in front of everyone?

Elton's cheeks turned red in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Raising his voice to sound threatening, he asked, “I'm a grade three pill alchemist. Are you questioning my abilities?"

Maria rolled her eyes and sneered, “Oh please. Everyone knows that I only have the most inferior talent for martial arts, but you want me to learn pill refining from you? Are you sure you're capable of teaching me anything?"

"Well..."

Elton was rendered speechless.

The ancient martial arts was divided into five categories: physical combat, spiritual strength, weaponry, healing and restoration, and alchemy

Once a person's affinity for one of these categories was identified, they would usually train only in that specific division of martial arts. If they attempted to train in more than one division at the same time, they would likely achieve nothing their whole life. This was basic knowledge in the world of ancient martial arts.

It was really absurd for Elton to want to train Maria, who turned out only had talent for physical combat, to become a pill alchemist.

Someone with an affinity for physical combat might not be able to comprehend even a single pill refining formula in their entire life.

The only scenario in which it might be possible was if they were trained by a capable master who could train any disciples regardless of whether they had talent or not.

But Elton, who was only a grade three pill alchemist, was definitely not cut out for the task.