The proctors took their time to examine all the finished products with a magical tool called the Elemental Looking Glass made from highly purified clear sapphire. The looking glass identified the magical components stored within the pills and their magic potential. The majority of the pills were storm pills with the magic potential of 20%. Given the time constraint and quality of ingredients, 20% was a good standard number.

The results were marked together with the points on the examiners' chosen methods, where points were given for creativity and difficulty. Examiners with non-standard pills were also given additional points, but there were few who successfully created them. A simple green glow was enough to score 65, the minimum passing grade.

The first couple of examinees were in the low 70s. It was expected for most freelance alchemists who were sponsored from guilds and other unions. The few who had earned a high evaluation of 80s were students from the Academy. Half of the examinees failed altogether, with no green glow. There were elements of luck involved in the success rate, and many of the failed examinees would apply for the next exam.

From Ian's box suite, he could see that the proctors were reviewing his tray of six pills through the looking glass. From their lack of expression and speediness, he could tell that he had already failed. It was an obvious fail, but they were still required to make accurate report of the pill. Ian watched as one of the proctors took out a camera and snapped the buttons twice. The camera churned out two blank photos like an instant camera. The images of the green round pill slowly formed. Unlike regular cameras, the images were produced by mana. If anyone took out the photos into the real world, it would continue to look like a blank photo.

"We have completed our review of the pills, and that concludes today's exam," said the proctor. "We will notify you of the results in three days."

The examiners all left the hall and returned to their residents. The results were only a formality since most of the examinees already knew whether they had passed or not. The non-residents who had failed packed up quickly as their visas were about to expire. Ian packed up and stayed up late watching the night skies of Halland City. Whether he passed or fail, his time in Halland City was coming to an end.

"How did you do?" Alzo asked from his tent.

"I don't know," said Ian. His success rate was high, but it wasn't close to 100%. Despite his assurance to B39, there wasn't a guarantee that he would pass. His only consolation was his experience gained from being in Boris's crew and his profit from selling pills was enough to cover his potential debt to Orcon for failing the test. "My pill takes a little longer to cure... If it works, do you think they will change the result?"

"I'm not sure on how they would grade an apothecary pill, but I would be impressed if I was a proctor."

Ian was banking on it, but without being there himself, he wasn't able to see the final result.

***

The proctors submitted the pills and report to the vice president and president of the Halland Alchemy Association. The final report needed their signature for final approval. As a way to prevent bribes and unqualified alchemists into the association, there were strict guidelines set to avoid damaging the reputation of the association.

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The vice president, Loritha, was an elderly woman with thick glasses. Despite her age, she was blazing by quickly toward the conference room with her two assistants trailing behind. As soon as she entered the conference room, she saw the president already sitting down by a long conference room lined in pills and reports.

"You're early," Loritha said as she sat on the opposite end of the conference table from the president.

"And you arrived exactly five minutes late," said President Odinen, a younger looking man in his early forties.

"Then let's hurry and get this over with," said Loritha. Almost immediately, she noticed a slight green glow from a pill that was designated as a failure. "Is it even possible to have a pill with 1% magical potential, why did they fail the examinee?"

"Take a look yourself," said President Odinen.

Loritha casted her magic. A magic circle appeared by the pill, and a slight expression of confusion appeared on her face. "Why did they fail a pill with 15% magical potential?"

"Judging by the report, it's an apothecary pill. It probably didn't set until last night."

Loritha burst out laughing. "Whose idea was it to put an apothecarist in the exam?"

"Your friend B39," said President Odinen.

Loritha roared out even louder. "The whack. Well, that figures. How are you going to grade it?"

"Since we can't change the scores ourselves, I had my assistant call in the proctors again."

As the proctors arrived, they all re-examined the pill.

“How are we going to grade the apothecary pill?” the proctor asked. “It technically didn’t produce a green glow after the deadline.”

Loritha shrugged. “What does the guideline say?”

“It said that all examinees have only 90 minutes to create the spiritual pill,” said the assistant. “There isn't a guideline on how long it takes to determine whether it's a spiritual pill or not.”

“So he completed the pill within the time limit."

"Yes, but it wasn't a spiritual pill until after the time limit."

“But it never said he needed to complete the pill in 90 minutes," said Loritha. "You can take points off for not meeting the deadline, but you can add points for techniques and the quality of the pill itself."

After the meeting, the proctors revised Ian's final evaluation.

****

Academy Association Server

-Someone passed the test with apothecary?

–Yeah, in Halland.

-Well, that’s unexpected. We haven’t had an apothecary pass the exam in 11 years.

The members of the Halland AU had access to the main Alchemy Union forum. Scores were available for everyone to see.

They were surprised to see an apothecary pass the test. Although it wasn’t difficult for alchemist to pass the test, but most apothecary were funded by guilds and large organizations. Freelance apothecary was almost non-existent.

Especially with the name Maddox, an unknown person from Halland had entered their rank. Halland was always known for producing the strangest variety of people into the AU, but the particular set was unusual.

Anonymity was the main reason why people went to Halland to take the test, but to get into Halland required a lot of connection.

“Investigate this Maddox person," said a looming voice behind a computer screen.