As the host of the International Alchemical Conference officially announced that Albert Anderson had won the Gold Award for Pioneering Contribution, a dead silence suddenly fell over the venue. There was no applause, no cheers—only looks of scrutiny and skepticism that turned as the alchemists present all swung their heads to fix their gaze on Albert.
Being stared at with scrutiny and skepticism by so many people felt truly awful. The alchemists in attendance even selectively forgot that staring fixedly at someone else was a terribly rude thing to do. Yet, faced with the oppressive gazes of over a hundred people, the expression on Albert’s face hardly changed. After all, he was someone who had seen big scenes before; the malicious stares of that crowd were not enough to make him back down.
Isobel, on the other hand, who was exceptionally sensitive to the gazes of others, could not help frowning. She quietly reached out and took hold of Albert’s hand, trying to use her palm to offer him courage, encouragement, and support. But Albert was clearly not a person lacking in courage, or he never would have been sorted into Gryffindor.
Chapter 768