Empire Year 962, January 3rd. At the gates of Bert City, many convoys equipped with heavy firepower are parked.
A group of burly, formidable force adepts queue at the fortress entrance.
They glance at the long convoy ahead, shake their heads in resignation, and chat idly with their friends nearby.
The force adepts whose are at the front enter the inspection area one by one for identity verification.
To prevent outcasts from infiltrating, every force adept entering the fortress city must undergo thorough checks, including iris and fingerprint comparisons.
This process is a source of complaints among force adepts, who find their city access less convenient than that of ordinary imperial citizens.
Since last night, a large number of people, including members of various hunter groups, executives of wilderness resource companies, lone wilderness adventurers, herb buyers, etc., have returned from the wilderness.
The reason is simple: the Hunter Union’s Potion Hall is conducting the senior pharmacist apprentice assessment.
These people aren’t here just for the spectacle.
They’re here to recognize faces, identify those who become senior apprentices, and seize the opportunity to establish collaborations or pre-order potions.
Or rather, pre-order some semi-finished potions, like Aaron’s poison powder. In a sense, this is also a semi-finished Level 1 potion.
While these semi-finished potions don’t have the astonishing efficacy of complete potions, they are considerably cheaper.
Senior apprentices need to brew a large number of potions to accumulate experience before becoming certified pharmacists.
Before officially becoming pharmacists, senior apprentices often collaborate with hunter groups, herb merchants, and wilderness resource companies.
Take hunter groups, for example. They provide herbs for senior apprentices to practice with; the failed or semi-finished products are then handled by the hunter group, creating a win-win situation.
In a “market” with few pharmacists but many hunter groups, these hunter groups naturally rush back to the city to secure partnerships.
At 10 a.m., within a hall at the Hunter Union, Aaron and over seventy other intermediate pharmacist apprentices, after undergoing searches, file into the examination area.
Each candidate enters individual, dimly lit room.
As Aaron steps inside, a virtual screen appears in the air, displaying a countdown.
Aaron had previously asked Bruce about the assessment format.
The senior pharmacist apprentice exam is divided into two parts.
The first part involves virtual herb identification, consisting of multiple-choice questions, with a time limit of one hour.
The second part is virtual potion formulation, also with a one-hour limit.
The more correct answers within the limited time, the higher the final score.
As the countdown hits zero, a highly realistic virtual herb appears on the screen, with four options representing different names underneath.
Aaron glances at it briefly, makes his selection, and then reads the next question swiftly, feeling no pressure at all.
……
In a nearby conference room, the live surveillance videos of the candidates are displayed on a large screen.
The invigilation team, led by the vice hall master, is present, along with the directors of various potion departments.
Additionally, a few younger members of the Potion Hall are also in attendance.
“There sure are a lot of candidates this time!”
“Indeed! It’s three times the number from last time. Almost every intermediate pharmacist apprentice in Bert City has come to take the exam.”
“After all, by June, the Imperial Academy will start its admissions. Only Level 1 pharmacists under the age of twenty will be accepted. That’s the real chance to change one’s fate.”
”If these intermediate apprentices don’t become senior apprentices this time, they won’t qualify for the Level 1 pharmacist exam in June. Missing this chance means another year gone.”
“Exactly! The Imperial Academy is the only chance for ordinary people to leap to greatness.”
“However, not to discourage them, but even if they become senior apprentices now, there’s only five months left until June. They have little chance at this year’s Imperial Academy exam. Transitioning from a senior pharmacist apprentice to a Level 1 pharmacist requires a lot of time and experience.”
“They have to try, though! Several candidates are already twenty years old. This is their last year to attend the Imperial Academy admissions. For them, it’s not just missing a year; it’s missing a lifetime.”
A group of older pharmacists sighs in unison. They all graduated from the Imperial Academy.
In the Ninth Empire, nearly all the elites and nobility are Imperial Academy graduates.
Stories of ordinary people dropping out, self-studying, and rising to prominence have never been part of the empire’s history.
You either succeed in entering the Imperial Academy and become an elite of the empire, or you spend your life being overshadowed.
This reality applies not only to ordinary people but also to the children of consortiums.
Unless they are core heirs, ordinary consortium children who don’t enter the Imperial Academy will also struggle to achieve significant success in their lives.
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"Alright, let’s not dwell on these heavy topics. Are there any promising candidates this time?" asks Kaviz, the vice hall master of the Potion Hall, seating at the head of the table.
"Lucas is quite good; he’s had the skills of a senior apprentice for a while now."
"Lucy also has a strong chance. She’s the most diligent among the apprentices."
"Yes, those two should pass easily. They might even have a shot at the Level 1 pharmacist exam this year."
"I heard Scott recently took on a new apprentice. How’s he doing?" Kaviz inquires, showing particular interest in Aaron.
At their age, comparing whose apprentices are better is one of their few remaining pleasures.
"He just passed the intermediate exam recently. He’s young, but I think passing the senior level might be a stretch for him."
"Wait, something’s not right. Look at this!" a senior apprentice suddenly exclaims, pointing at one of the screens.
The unexpected exclamation draws the attention of the pharmacists, who turn to see what is happening.
One of the pharmacists shoots a stern glance at that people, who is his own apprentice.
It is a bit embarrassing for his apprentice to shout while the Potion Hall leaders are conversing.
Then, he directs his gaze to a specific area on the large screen.
"What the heck! Who is that?"
The pharmacist, like his apprentice, can’t help but call out.
On the screen, a young man is yawning and rapidly selecting answers.
The display showed he has already reached question 193, yet only seven minutes has passed since the exam begin.
He is answering every question in almost two or three seconds.
"This can’t be real! How is he so fast? He must be guessing!"
"Who is this kid, randomly answering questions? Is he deliberately causing trouble?" Kaviz frowns, clearly displeases.
Many herbs in the wilderness look quite similar, and even a pharmacist would need some time to identify them correctly.
But this young man is answering at a glance. It seems reckless.
……
Kaviz stares at the screen for a while, his expression shifting from anger to suspicion.
"This kid has some luck. He actually guessed the last dozen questions correctly."
As time goes on, Kaviz’s expression turns to one of astonishment.
During his observation, the boy has answered over a hundred questions correctly, seemingly by guessing.
"Who is this kid? He’s got some real skill!"
The other pharmacists are equally shocked, a frightening thought crossing their minds.
Could it be that this kid answered all the previous questions correctly too?
As more time passes, the pharmacists become increasingly numb to the situation.
Is this even possible?
Could it be that this kid got all the questions right before?
With the one-hour countdown ending, the first part of the senior pharmacist apprentice exam concludes.
The latter hundred or so questions are more challenging, and the young man’s pace slows slightly.
In total, for the first section, he answers 1,123 questions, with 1,118 correct. The few wrong answers seem to be due to him clicking too quickly and making mistakes.
Kaviz is visibly excited.
"What’s this person’s name? Whose apprentice is he?"
He looks around, and seeing no one claiming the apprentice, he declares loudly, "Since no one is claiming him, I’ll take him under my wing. If anyone tries to contest it, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
"Hall Master Kaviz, it seems this is Master Scott’s new apprentice."
"That old guy got this lucky? No way, absolutely not. He hasn’t stepped out of his potion room in ages, and the one time he does, he finds such an apprentice? I don’t believe it."
Someone pulls up Aaron’s information, matching the system photo with the young man on the screen.
"It really is Master Scott’s apprentice, Aaron."
"The second part has begun."
"Let’s see how Aaron performs in the second section."
"Yes, the second part is where the real test of the apprentices’ abilities lies. The first part was just about memory and reaction speed."
On the screen, as the second part of the exam begins, Aaron and the other candidates fall into deep thought.
This section involves virtual potion formulation.
The candidates don’t need to physically prepare the potion; instead, they are given a specific potion to create and a selection of herbs to choose from.
Each potion, such as the Force Potion, cannot be made with a fixed set of herbs and steps.
The potency of each herb varies due to factors like its age and growing environment.
To successfully formulate a potion, the candidate must ensure that the chemical reactions between the herbs and their interactions satisfy the core formula of the potion.
For instance, the core formula for the Force Potion might be expressed as 1+2+3+4=10.
The "1" isn’t a straightforward value; it needs to be constructed.
Whether you achieve this "1" through 0.1+0.9, 0.01+0.99, or 99-98, as long as you achieve the desired value, it’s acceptable.
The same applies to creating the values for 2, 3, and 4.
Ultimately, if the formula for the potion holds, the task is accomplished.
Of course, this is a simplified explanation.
In reality, potion-making involves complex equations and intricate calculations.
This is why talent is extremely important for a pharmacist.
"Who would have thought that the Blood Coagulation Potion could be formulated this way?"
"Aaron really understands potion formulas well!"
"His talent in potion-making is impressive!"
"He did well on the first few questions. Unfortunately, it seems he hasn’t learned the formulas for the later potions; he appears a bit lost."
"That’s understandable, given his young age. It’s normal not to have learned some of these equations yet. However, based on his performance, he’s more than capable of becoming a senior apprentice!"
"The combinations for the earlier potions were excellent, and he worked quickly! Several of his methods were unexpected. I’m curious how the system will evaluate them."
"Indeed, there were a few formulas I didn’t understand. I wonder if he was improvising or taking a unique approach."
"I wonder how long he’s been studying the basic formulas. If he’s only been learning for two or three years and reached this level, his talent in potion-making is truly remarkable."
"Time’s up, and the exam scores are coming out!"
As the candidates exit the room, the results from various test centers are revealed.
"Lucas: Grade A, passed the exam."
"Lucy: Grade A+, passed the exam."
"Sophia: Grade C, passed the exam."
"Jack: Grade D, failed the exam."
...
"Aaron: Grade S, passed the exam."
……
As the results are announced, the pharmacists can’t help but envy Aaron’s S-grade score.
This score indicates that the potion formulations they can’t understand are indeed correct—or at least the thought process behind them is accurate!
They exchange bewildered glances.
How can someone so young innovate and modify potion formulas?
Even though the exam questions are among the simplest, Aaron’s age and limited time studying potion-making—at most seventeen years, if not younger—make his achievement all the more extraordinary.
Considering his age, Aaron is undeniably a once-in-a-century prodigy in the field of potion-making.
Kaviz’s eyes practically glow with envy.
Such raw talent kid in Scott’s hands seems like a waste!
No, a promising talent like this can’t be squandered.
As the scores are revealed, the onlookers can’t contain their amazement.
"How many years has it been since we’ve seen an S-grade score?"
"It’s been decades."
"That’s truly incredible!"
"Who is Aaron? Why haven’t I seen him before?"
……
At that moment, a handsome young man named Bruce makes his way upstairs.
He knows Aaron is taking the senior apprentice exam, but since Aaron has just begun studying and hasn’t received one-on-one guidance from their teacher, Bruce assumes Aaron is just trying it out and doesn’t pay much attention.
He arrives just in time to offer some comfort to his junior brother.
"Wait, isn’t that Kaviz?" Bruce pauses, surprised.
On the third floor, an elderly man hurries down the hallway, sweating profusely.
Kaviz rushes to the exit where the candidates are emerging.
"Aaron, right?" Kaviz beams at Aaron as he steps out..
Aaron is taken aback. He knows Kaviz is a vice hall master and a pharmacist on the same level as Master Scott, someone he can’t afford to offend.
Though unsure why Kaviz wants to speak with him, Aaron politely replies, "Yes, Hall Master Kaviz, is there something you need from me?"
"Come, come, let’s go to my office. I have something to discuss with you." Kaviz grabs Aaron’s hand and hurriedly leads him away.
Bruce watches curiously as they left.
Meanwhile, the conversations of several senior apprentices who has arrived reached his ears.
"Who is Aaron? Has he come out yet?"
"I have to say, an S-grade score is truly remarkable!"
"With such a score, becoming a Level 3 pharmacist is almost guaranteed, and there’s a good chance of reaching Level 4."
"I’m terrible with faces. Which one is Aaron? I want to meet the S-grade genius!"
"Whose disciple is Aaron, anyway?"
"I don’t know either. I haven’t noticed anyone like that in the Potion Hall before!"
……
