When the three-hour mark struck, a lull spread through the massive hall. 100 Participants retreated, leaving their products on display for the eagerly awaited assessment round. Each item bore the fruit of hard work and creativity, crafted with precision and patience, waiting to be appraised by the twelve evaluators.
Each bearing the coveted title of GrandMaster Apothecary, revered in their respective domains. Eight came from each Vanyar community, representative of their own colony.
The rest of the panel comprised an eclectic mix, including a high elf, dark elves, and one human, the eminent GrandMaster Hazard, a figure familiar to Emery. Last but certainly not least, the Grand Maestro Fein Al Thor himself graced the panel, his presence a seal of prestige and respect.
Their task was straightforward yet daunting. Each pair of judges had been assigned ten flower badges, to be presented to their ten most favored products. The top ten participants accumulating the most badges would be anointed with distinguished titles.
As Emery watched from his alcove, his eyes glided over the GrandMasters. Their methods of analysis varied as much as their backgrounds. Some summoned intricate magic circles, glowing with arcane runes that danced in the air, performing advanced spells to assess the products. Some opted to employ various artifacts, intricate and humming with energy, each item revealing secrets of the concoctions.
Among the judges, one particular wood elf GrandMaster stood out. His beast-like appearance was both captivating and daunting. He had a unique way of analyzing the potions, by carefully ingesting a single drop. It was a testament to his profound trust in his own constitution and judgment.
Emery's heart pounded in his chest as he saw the flower badges appearing on his products. It was a moment of sweet vindication, silent applause for his labor.
Helena, the young wood elves standing next to him acknowledged his accomplishment, "Your work is truly extraordinary, Master Merlin. I'm confident you'll win." Her words, soaked in sincere admiration, added another layer of warmth to his achievement.
The distribution of the flower badges read like a story of Emery's journey.
[Reviving pill - Tier 2 originality level 4] - 6 flower badges. This potion, his brainchild infused with a precious life force, resonated particularly with the wood elves, known for their deep-rooted respect for life. GrandMaster Hazard too seemed captivated, murmuring about a young Artisan he knew, who had crafted something akin.
[Heavenly Body tempering] - 4 flower badges. A potion coveted by many for its ability to enhance physical strength, however, to the elves, who were naturally gifted with robust physiques, it wasn't as awe-inspiring.
[Cthulhu Bomb - Tier 6 - originality level 2] - 2 flower badges. The most unexpected response came for his third concoction. It was met with mild disdain by the wood elves. Emery received his two badges; one from Grand Magus Hazard; and another surprisingly came from the dark elves judges who were keenly interested in the potions.
The pale skin Grand Master said something about having one of those bombs to each of the elven warriors would really increase their fighting force at the war.
"I wonder what the cost of making this potion might be?" he asked, his voice resonating with hidden anticipation.
Emery's eyes flickered with understanding. The dark elves' warriors were traditionally equipped with [Dragon Flame Bomb - Tier 5], a lethal weapon that cost about 5000 spirit stones on the market.
The potion in question, his [Cthulhu Bomb - Tier 6], required several tier 5 ingredients, most of them common in nature, bringing the production cost to around 10,000 spirit stones. However, the infusion of Khaos Energy by Chutulu was the true game-changer. This unique addition had catapulted the potion to tier 6, a significantly advanced and potent concoction compared to its previous tier.
Emery, however, had no intentions of selling his creations, particularly not to those who might employ them for deleterious purposes.
His reticence was evident, yet the dark elf spoke again, proposing an offer that might have been tempting to a more conventional apothecary. "I'm willing to offer 30,000 spirit stones each, and we would like to order a thousand of them for the first batch," he said, his voice resolute, eyes shining with an enticing promise.
30 million spirit stones worth project. It was indeed a significant proposal, the likes of which could set an average apothecary onto a path of lifelong wealth.
Yet, for Emery, this offer was devoid of allure. His purpose transcended spirit stones and material wealth. He harbored no desire to assist those he perceived as potential threats, an enemy that would help the death of humans.
However, he was also acutely aware of the need to maintain decorum in the present setting, to refrain from creating unnecessary friction.
With a gracious nod and a courteous smile, he responded, "I appreciate the generous offer. I will certainly give it some thought." His words echoed the politeness expected at such an event, concealing his true sentiments beneath a veneer of diplomacy.
Once the badges were awarded, the judges retreated to the stage, a whirlwind of whispers and intense discussions preceding the final results.
When his [Reviving Pill] was announced among the top ten products, Emery's heart swelled with satisfaction. He was eager to learn about the other creations that had earned a place in this elite list.
[Millenia Pill - tier 3 - originality 4] - 5 flower badges.
Among the remarkable creations presented was the Millenia Pill, a miraculous concoction with the ability to extend the lifespan of a non-magus being by up to 1000 years. While most non-magus elves naturally boasted lifespans ranging from 500 to 1000 years, the concept of age expansion was nevertheless intriguing, especially when considered in the context of the human race with their naturally shorter lives.
Emery found himself captivated by this life-prolonging creation. The idea of such a potion sparked a unique interest within him, a fervor to delve deeper into its formulation. An inexplicable sensation stirred within him, a premonition, perhaps, that he might require such a potion for someone he held dear.
[Void Cloak pill - Tier 6 - originality level 3] - 5 flower badges.
Attracted significant attention with its groundbreaking invisibility effect. It was capable of cloaking any magus-level individual, extending its influence over a remarkable range and providing a considerably long duration of effect. The thought of such potent and widespread invisibility stirred the crowd, and Emery was no exception to its allure.
[Love Potion no 9 - Tier 2 - originality 5] - 6 flower badges.
ραΠdαsΝοvεl ƈοm One of the more amusing entries. Emery couldn't help but chuckle initially, yet he soon recognized its underlying potency. While it treaded dangerously close to the realm of mind control, it had an intriguing side effect. It induced a sense of genuine love within the consumer, an emotion that brought with it unparalleled joy. Its value was as abstract as the emotion it conjured, a profound experience that transcended any material worth.
[Sicolios Potion - Tier 6] - 7 flower badges.
This Potion stood out as a beacon of hope against a particular elven disease that usually necessitated a grand magus-level treatment. This potion was a revolutionary contribution to the elven communities. Its innovative approach in combatting the illness earned it high regard among the wood elves' grandmasters, resulting in an impressive seven flower badges.
However, the crowning glory was reserved for a creation that was not just a potion but a leap in evolution.
[Quenya Potion - Tier 7] - 9 flower badges.
The potion that claimed the highest number of flower badges was the Quenya Potion, its name translating to 'evolution' in elven tongue. Its potent formula held the promise of speeding up the evolutionary process of animals, enabling them to gain advanced genetic traits that made them more intelligent and robust, even bypassing the need to ascend to the magus realm.
This potion, capable of disrupting the very foundations of natural selection, was an audacious demonstration of the potential held within the craft of potion-making.
The creator, Maksin, a young apothecary from Canta City, took the stage to demonstrate his masterpiece. Feeding the potion to a bird, he brought the audience to the edge of their seats as the creature morphed into a humanoid half-beast with wings in just a few moments.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but amidst the applause, Maksin's eyes found Emery. A smug smile spread across his face as he reveled in his victory.
Emery, however, was caught in a flurry of thoughts. The [Quenya Potion] was strikingly similar to his [Metamorph Potion], albeit his was more complex as it worked on plants. A fleeting regret crossed his mind; had he presented the [Metamorph Potion], he might have received more points. However, he dismissed the thought quickly. His experiment with the little plant creature had taught him an invaluable lesson; playing with life required utmost care and perfection.
The honorable mentions followed, and one by one Apothecary's master name were called upon to the stage after nine figures arrived at the stage, the grand maestro called upon his name
"Merlin Myrddin"
To his surprised such an achievement brought some unpleasant stares from the audience.
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