The truth was, Grand Master Hazard held the authority to confer the Master apothecary rank upon Emery without doing the exam if he so wished. Yet, understanding that such an act required pulling strings with another Grandmaster and with the exam imminent within a week, Emery decided to decline the offer. His refusal stemmed not only from the desire to earn the prestigious title through merit but also from a deep curiosity about the nature of the impending exam.
"Yes of course, I am sure a genius like you would ace the exam!" Grand Master Hazard had said, offering words of encouragement before Emery applied for the exam a few days back.
With the grand master's advice resonating in his mind, Emery opted to adopt the name Merlin. The alias was an already established and well-known apothecary, a persona he hoped would not only contribute to the success of his future apothecary shop but also provide some distance from the infamous record associated with his real name.
In the days leading up to the exam, Emery made meticulous preparations, delving into his extensive knowledge of apothecary and refining his practical skills. However, when the morning of the exam arrived, he was taken aback to discover that the first test would be a written apothecary theory.
"Damm!! I have never had a written exam once in my life!" he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. Emery's journey through the art of apothecary had always been hands-on, marked by practical applications and experimentation. Now, facing a theoretical exam, he couldn't shake the uncertainty about whether his descent knowledge in apothecary would be enough to secure a good mark.
As he waited for the exam to begin, Emery found himself surprisingly more nervous compared to the times he had faced rooms full of Kronos magus. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and the usually composed Emery felt the weight of uncertainty press upon him.
In the midst of his internal turmoil, a nobleman, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the moment, approached Emery, disrupting his focus. Unable to contain his frustration, Emery lashed out at the unsuspecting intruder.
"Huh… I should have given that man some beatings, maybe it would have made me more relaxed,"
"The first exam will shortly begin," said one of the masters, his authoritative voice cutting through the uneasy air, before leading all 24 participants inside the halls. Tables were neatly arranged, each equipped with an exam paper that awaited the scrutiny of aspiring master apothecaries.
Emery took a seat and observed the paper, thinking, "I am sure it wouldn't be that hard." However, as he began to feel a glimmer of optimism, the apothecary master in charge delivered a bombshell. "You need an average of 90 percent to pass."
".... 90 percent..." The words sent a collective shiver through most of the participants. Anxiety turned into beads of sweat as the realization of the formidable passing requirement sank in.
"The exam starts now. You have two hours."
Emery took a deep breath, steadying himself as he slowly opened the stack of papers. One hundreds questions lay before him, each correct answer carrying the weight of a single mark. As he delved into the queries one by one, he realized that, despite many involving high-grade recipes and ingredients, it wasn't as formidable as he initially thought. Emery focused, calmed his nerves, and methodically answered each question to the best of his ability.
Encountering some queries related to unfamiliar ingredients, Emery relied on his practical experience, answering in relation to similar herbs and hoping for the best. However, as he progressed through the exam, reaching the halfway mark, he stumbled upon a few questions that left him clueless. By the time he reached question 100, doubt crept in, and he found himself only confident in two-thirds of his answers.
"Thirty minutes left!" announced the master in charge, his words a reminder of the ticking clock and the dwindling time.
Emery meticulously reviewed his answers one by one, a growing sense of unease settling in as he returned to the same conclusion – he was indeed lacking in theoretical knowledge. At this pivotal moment, VIA, the artificial being residing within him, transmitted a message through his mind:
[Mistakes found, processing right answer].
The solution was tantalizingly close, a mere thought away. However, a sense of internal turmoil compelled Emery to stop VIA from providing the answers. "I really want to know if I am good enough to pass as a master," Emery said to himself, determination filling his voice.
"Times up," the master apothecary in charge declared, signaling the end of the exam. Papers were collected from all 24 participants, and they were instructed to wait outside while the answers were being evaluated.
All participants waited anxiously for the results, their eyes filled with anticipation. Given the incident before the exam, many curious glances were directed at Emery, the whispers of onlookers wondering how well he performed. The atmosphere outside the examination hall was charged with suspense, each participant's fate hanging in the balance as the masters meticulously reviewed the written theories.
Two hours crawled by before a group of master apothecaries emerged, bearing the weight of the results that would shape the destinies of the participants. Emery took a deep breath as he received his score:
[Merlin - exam score: 72% - Rank 20].
He prepared to accept his loss when a surprising revelation unfolded. Despite landing in the 20th rank, he was still eligible to participate in the next exam. The realization dawned on him that even with a subpar score in the written theory, he still had a chance to reach the required 90% average by excelling in the upcoming two parts of exam with at least 99% scores.
"I still have a chance" Emery said in relief.
Out of the group, four participants who scored below 70% faced disqualification, and as they prepared for the second part of the exam, Emery found himself at the bottom, the last rank among the qualified participants.
The weight of many eyes looking down upon him intensified, and among those disdainful gazes was Eugene Houten, who couldn't resist a mocking chuckle. "Haha, last place! Hidden master indeed... huh! I worry for nothing!"
Emery, however, paid no heed to Eugene's taunts. He knew that the next two exams were practical ones, where his true strengths lay. A determination sparked within him as he brushed off the disdainful glances. "Time to have some fun," he thought, gearing up for the hands-on challenges that awaited him in the subsequent phases of the master apothecary exam.
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