Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1215: Already Completed?

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A few minutes later...

Izroth left the grade four Apothecary promotion test room. He was accompanied by Malric, Oaklein, Cryosa, and Rygar. Celia had also followed after Izroth. Since her original purpose was to witness Izroth crafting rather than watch the promotion test itself.

However, Celia could not help but feel a bit disappointed. Even though Izroth crafted a pill great enough that the Vice-Head of the Apothecary guild gave it the highest of praises, he crafted it too fast.

"Apothecary Izroth may not know this, but the promotion test to become a grade five Apothecary starts in just thirty minutes. In order to take that promotion test, Apothecary Izroth must first earn a certain amount of achievements points by challenging the Wall of Pills. However, since challenging the Wall of Pills requires you to be at least a grade four Apothecary and seeing as how you just received your promotion, you do not have any achievement points. Of course, with your abilities, I am sure you will be able to earn enough achievement points soon enough. But, to do so before the start of the next promotion test may prove difficult." Oaklein explained.

Saying that it may prove difficult was a gentle way of putting it. In truth, it was a downright impossibility. The problems listed on the Wall of Pills varied; however, they all had one thing in common and it was that they could not be solved easily by grade four Apothecaries. After all, before being placed on the Wall of Pills, a request was typically reviewed by three grade four or higher Apothecaries.

"It is also not recommended to recklessly take on a request on the Wall of Pills. If you take a request and fail, not only will you lose achievement points, but you must also pay a hefty fine based on how many stars the request was listed at. This is to prevent people from mindlessly taking requests from the Wall of Pills without having a real way to solve them. It can’t be helped since some requests are a matter of life and death." Cryosa stated.

’A penalty upon failure—it doesn’t sound much different than taking on an actual quest.’

"Is there a difference in difficulty based on the number of stars a request has?" Izroth questioned.

Cryosa nodded and replied, "That’s right. The more stars a request has, the higher the difficulty. Of course, the greater the rewards and achievement points one receives upon completion. The easiest requests are the one star, while the most challenging are five stars. One star requests are usually issues that can be solved if one dedicates enough time to it and has the proper knowledge. As for a five star request—even I am not necessarily able to solve it."

"Of course, if Apothecary Izroth is able to solve even one five star request, you would earn more than enough achievement points to take the grade five Apothecary promotion test." Oaklein commented.

"Ah, wait... if it’s a five star request, hasn’t he already solved one...?" Celia muttered to herself as if something suddenly dawned on her.

Malric and the Apothecary Guild Elders all halted their steps as they turned toward Celia with a gazes full of doubt after overhearing her muttering. Izroth had just become a grade four Apothecary and had not even visited the Wall of Pills yet. How could he have already solved a five star request that even the Elders of the Apothecary Guild struggled to resolve?

As if sensing their thoughts, Celia quickly followed up, "Ah, forgive me for the late introductions, Elders. I am Celia, a grade four Apothecary and Young Sword of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms. It’s just that, well—I remember that the last time I checked, the Holy Maiden’s problem was still on the Wall of Pills. But, Saint- No, Apothecary Izroth has already cured the Holy Maiden. While he didn’t officially accept the request on the Wall of Pills, shouldn’t it still count?"

Malric, Oaklein and Cryosa were left momentarily speechless.

The Holy Maiden of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms—there was not a single high grade Apothecary in the Apothecary Guild who did not know of her deteriorating health. This was because a request was placed to the Wall of Pills by one of the guardians of the Order. And, since it had to do with someone at the peak of the legendary realm, naturally, it drew a lot of attention from the Elders of the Apothecary Guild.

"If it’s the Holy Maiden then—didn’t the First and Fourth Elders take on that request? If I remember correctly, they diagnosed it as poison, but couldn’t find any traces of such in the Holy Maiden’s system. Despite trying multiple high grade antidotes, it was all useless." Oaklein said with furrowed brows.

"Yes, I remember it clearly. Because of their failure, the First and Fourth Elders had to pay a large price. Well, since they’re both grade eight Apothecaries, it didn’t take them long to earn it back. But, it was certainly a big shot to their pride." Cryosa stated with a sigh.

"No, more importantly—is what you said true? Did Apothecary Izroth solve the Holy Maiden’s problem?" Oaklein inquired.

Given her appearance, all those present knew that Celia was a part of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms. While they could not fully accept her words alone as truth without any evidence to support it, she would have to be beyond bold to lie in their faces so blatantly. After all, it would not take much effort for them to confirm her words.

"I don’t know the exact details since I descended the mountain before then to start my Blooming Journey. But, the fact that Apothecary Izroth has become an Honorary Saint of my Order should be proof enough." Celia said.

"Honorary Saint..?!" Malric exclaimed.

Malric was the oldest of those present. Through his entire lifetime, he had never heard of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms having an Honorary Saint. That’s because it had been many generations since the last time an Honorary Saint appeared.

"One cannot become an Honorary Saint of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms without doing something equivalent to saving the life of the Thousand Blossom Maiden or Holy Maiden. If Apothecary Izroth is an Honorary Saint, it is certainly strong enough evidence to support your claim." Malric said with a thoughtful gaze.

"But, if Apothecary Izroth has solved the Holy Maiden’s problem, why has no one from the Order of a Thousand Blossoms contacted us?" Oaklein asked.

Celia let out a heavy sigh and said, "I heard a lot happened in my absence at the Thousand Blossoms Peak. It’s not that no one wanted to contact the Apothecary Guild, it’s just that it probably wasn’t very high on the priority list."

Malric stood in deep thought for a moment.

"I will try to get in contact with the Order of a Thousand Blossoms to confirm that the request has indeed been complete. I fear this is the first time in the history of the Apothecary Guild that a five star request has been completed by someone who held the rank of a grade three Apothecary at the time. Since it was never considered a possibility, there are no rules about what to do in such a situation. Therefore, as the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild, I will rely on my own judgment to make the final decision." Malric stated.

He then continued, "Apothecary Oaklein, Apothecary Cryosa—you may escort Apothecary Izroth and his guest to my private room on the ninth floor. You can discuss what you have to while I wait for an answer. As for qualifying for the grade five promotion test—even if I cannot get in contact with the Order of a Thousand Blossoms in time, I will use my personal recommendation on Apothecary Izroth."

Oaklein, Cryosa and Rygar looked dumbfounded by Malric’s words.

"After becoming an Elder of the Apothecary Guild, one is able to personally recommend Apothecaries for promotion tests, allowing them to bypass other requirements. However, an Elder only receives a total of three personal recommendations in their entire lifetime! Using it on a grade four Apothecary—what a waste!" Rygar though to himself as he silently grit his teeth in envy.

Rygar thought back to the Right of Challenge. If only he had won the bet and got his hands on the hydra’s blood, it could have been him who received a personal recommendation! Then, it would have only been a matter of time before he was able to advance a rank, becoming a grade eight Apothecary! Now, he was stuck as the servant of some grade four Apothecary young enough to be his grandson!

"Rest assured, Vice-Head. We will make sure Apothecary Izroth and his guest are well taken care of." Oaklein said.

"Leave it to us, Vice-Head." Cryosa added.

Malric gave a small nod of approval before he took one step forward and vanished without a trace.

’Oh? What a mysterious movement skill.’

"Apothecary Izroth, Apothecary Celia—we will guide you to the Vice-Head’s private room." Oaklein stated.

"Lead the way." Izroth responded casually.