Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1221: Observers

"That badge—this elder is the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild...! According to the rumors, the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild is elusive and never shows himself in front of others. Why is it that he seems to be on such friendly terms with the Palace Master? It does not look like a master and disciple relationship..." Worldly Skies thought to herself.

Malric clearly referred to Izroth as "Apothecary Izroth" and welcomed her as a guest. Would such a thing be possible if the two were master and disciple?

"Have you made any progress in what I’ve given you?" Izroth’s voice sounded, causing Worldly Skies to snap out of her racing thoughts.

Worldly Skies shook her head and replied, "I have taken a look at the first Chapter, but the requirements to complete it are a little tricky. I am confident that after some time, I will be able to complete it without fail. It also mentioned that the first Chapter is harder than the following two Chapters. As long as I am able to overcome this hurdle, it won’t be long before I can deliver good news regarding my progress."

Izroth nodded and said, "It’s good to see that you’re not discouraged. I know that you’re eager to make progress. But, keep in mind that there is no need to rush. Take it one step at a time. That way, the foundation being laid will remain steady even under the greatest of pressure."

"I will take your words to heart." Worldly Skies responded seriously.

The teachings passed down by a grade ten Apothecary, especially one who was considered a genius among geniuses, could not be easy to grasp—even for someone as naturally gifted as Worldly Skies. This was due to the simple fact that people like Franz Winsor had a unique way of looking at the world that others often found difficult to comprehend.

The fact that Worldly Skies displayed her confidence in handling the Vault of Knowledge was enough to set Izroth’s mind at ease.

"That aside, it won’t be long before the grade five promotion test begins. You should take one of these as well." Izroth said as he handed Worldly Skies a Flow of Energy Pill.

"A Flow of Energy Pill? And, this... It has a heavenly blessed pill core rank...!" Worldly Skies exclaimed as a smile quickly found its way onto her face.

She then continued, "I thought I would have to sit out this promotion test and wait another half a year, but you’ve solved my troubles."

"Oh? Troubles?" Izroth said inquisitively.

"One of the three requirements for completing the first Chapter is to consume the Twelve Minds Eye Pill and a Flow of Energy Pill that has at least a heavenly blessed pill core rank before receiving Natural Energy. It is not that difficult getting a Flow of Energy Pill, but obtaining one that also has a heavenly blessed pill core rank is no simple matter. Even if I can eventually find one, by the time I do so, the grade five promotion test that’s starting soon would likely be over. That is why I planned on skipping this promotion test and gathering the ingredients needed to craft it myself—since the recipe and instructions were included in the first Chapter." Worldly Skies explained.

"Ah, big sis Worldly Skies! When did you get here?!" Celia said excitedly as she quickly approached Worldly Skies.

"I just arrived." Worldly Skies responded with a light-hearted smile.

"That’s... Oh! Did the Palace Master also give you a Flow of Energy Pill? These pills were personally crafted by Elder Oaklein, a grade eight Apothecary, so the quality is top notch." Celia commented.

"Palace Master?" Worldly Skies uttered as she looked over at Izroth, who gave a small nod in return.

"That’s right! Heh, I’m now officially a part of the Mystical Realm Palace. Big sis Worldly Skies—I’ll be in your care from now on." Celia said.

"I will have to prepare a proper welcoming gift." Worldly Skies stated warmly.

"A private room on the 9th floor, the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild, pills that were personally crafted by a grade eight Apothecary—has the Palace Master always had such connections to the Apothecary Guild? But... Isn’t this his first time visiting Danaharpe?" Worldly Skies thought to herself.

"Now that you two have gotten your greetings out of the way, there are a few things I want to discuss before the promotion test." Izroth said calmly.

Worldly Skies and Celia glanced at each other before the two turned their attention to Izroth.

...

Approximately 20 minutes later...

’It’s a little bigger, but it’s not that much different than the room used for the grade four Apothecary promotion test.’

As the time of the promotion test grew closer, Izroth departed Malric’s private room on the 9th floor and went to register for the grade five promotion test.

After doing so, Izroth, Worldly Skies and Celia immediately made their way toward the promotion test area.

"There are a lot more observers than there were for the grade four promotion test—a lot less participants, too." Celia commented as she looked around the room.

Not just anyone was allowed into the Apothecary Guild main building; however, the promotion tests were typically the exception.

While random individuals could still not attend, those with a certain amount of status or influence could do so.

From merchants and nobles to fellow Apothecaries and craftsmen of other professions—there was no lack of variety among the guests.

The grade five Apothecary promotion test in particular drew a lot of attention. This was mostly due to one thing—Natural Energy.

In order to become a grade five Apothecary, one must first acquire Natural Energy.

However, not all Natural Energy was equal. If one Natural Energy that was incompatible with pill crafting, their path as an Apothecary would be severely limited.

That being said, if one obtained Natural Energy that was compatible with pill crafting, their future as an Apothecary could shine bright.

But, rather than compatibility, the reason why so many powers were interested in the grade five Apothecary promotion test was to see the tier of the participants Natural Energy.

Natural Energy was divided into a total of ten tiers. The higher the tier, the faster the growth of one’s Natural Energy. And, once someone obtained Natural Energy, that tier was something that could never be changed.

That’s why, even if an Apothecary had a compatible Natural Energy, if the tier was too low, it was no different than trying to fill up a lake by pouring one cup of water at a time.

Though if an Apothecary turned out to have a compatible Natural Energy and a high tier, the forces present would try everything in their power to recruit and win them over.

It was a moment where one could go from being an unknown nobody to a rising star!

"I counted 41 of us participating in this promotion test. Honestly, it is fewer than I expected given the recent changes made to it." Worldly Skies mentioned.

"It can’t be helped. My master told me that most grade four Apothecaries won’t bother attempting to take the grade five promotion test if they haven’t consumed a grade five Flow of Energy Pill or its grade four counterpart, the Energy Gathering Pill. The ingredients aren’t exactly easy to get. And, since the pills are so high in demand, they’re always sold out everywhere, leaving most Apothecaries with no choice but to gather the ingredients needed and craft it themselves." Celia said.

"I suppose that, added with the achievement points needed from the Wall of Pills, leaves us with this gathering." Worldly Skies commented.

"Given the recent changes to the promotion test, it’s also not unusual for others to sit back and see what lies in store for them." Izroth noted.

’If I had to point out one glaring difference between the two testing areas, it’s that crystal they’re standing next to.’

Izroth’s gaze landed on the three people standing on an elevated platform that looked out over the group of Apothecaries.

The three Apothecaries stood next to a large violet crystal roughly five meters tall with ancient golden symbols carved onto its surface.

NPC Name: Apothecary Guild Grade Six Proctor, Rozomius(Legendary Initial)

Level: 108

NPC Name: Apothecary Guild Grade Five Proctor, Koralena(Epic)

Level: 98

NPC Name: Apothecary Guild Grade Five Proctor, Po(Rare Elite)

Level: 88

The ones in charge of the grade five Apothecary promotion test was a gathering that one did not often see in a place like the Apothecary Guild.

Rozomius was a beautiful male trephasia with emerald eyes and long white hair. He had an indifferent gaze and a calm aura about him.

Koralena, the only human present among the judges, was a woman who looked to be in her early to mid thirties. She had a mature appearance with neatly kept curly amber hair and a pair of baby blue eyes.

Po was a member of the zensana race and part of the crow sub-species. His physical appearance resembled that of a humanoid crow. Instead of hands, he possessed talons. And, furled on his back was a pair of wings.