Leif had been assigned to take the exam on the first day. Equipped with a bag that was meticulously packed by Melch which contained materials that Melch had handpicked for the medicine making test.
Leif approached the challenge with his casual air. Meanwhile, Melch paced nervously outside like a father sending his child to school for the first time. It was such an odd sight as the ever composed Melch visibly fretted over how Leif would handle this exam.
When Leif's badge number was called he flashed Melch a quick wink and strolled into the examination room. In there, fifty examnes were placed in rows. Each student had a plain table before him where nothing was standing except a quill, some ink, and a piece of parchment. One third-year student was acting as the examiner moved forward to elucidate the rules of the test.
"When your badge number is called you should approach the table with the magical dome." the examiner declared. "You will see what is under the dome then tell what the herbs are and what they do and that write down everything on the parchment. Hand over your notes to the professor at the front. Everything will depend on your performance, pass or be turned away."
The room buzzed with nervous energy. Whispers of last minute advice among some of them and panicked self reassurances filled the air. Leif leaned back with hands in his pockets, barely masking his disinterest. He glanced around noting the tense faces of his peers. “Looks like I’m the only one having fun here.” he muttered to himself.
When his turn came, Leif approached the dome. As soon as his fingers brushed against the surface, a weak hum filled the air and the magic sprang into life casting an otherworldly glow over the tabletop. The dome flared for a second and then steadied, revealing an array of herbs within it. All of these herbs gleamed slightly with their hidden magical properties spread out in dazzling colors across the spectrum.
Leif squinted and recognized some thanks to Melch's endless lectures on their medicinal uses. However, magic inside the dome reacted with his touch when one of the herbs floated very soothingly and provided a soothing melody.
Well, that's new." Leif muttered with a grin as he scribbled down the names and characteristics that he could remember. The herbs continued swirling and shifting almost playfully as though they were probing his memory. Scribbling furiously, yet in his trademark of utter nonchalance. Leif walked over to the professor passing him the parchment.
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The professor glanced through the notes and couldn't give him any reading expression. After finally not even giving Leif eye contact, "You are dismissed." he murmured.
Leif smiled wide. "Well, that's that then." He turned out of the room and walked back to rejoin Melch and the rest who were patiently waiting outside for him.
"Was it a success?" Melch asked nervously.
Leif shrugged coolly. "Oh, yeah." he smirked, before he could let himself say sarcastically. "Oh, by which I mean the examiner crushed me".
Melch let out a heavy sigh but before he could say something, Leif clapped him on the shoulder. "Relax, Melch. If I fail, I fail. No big deal."
Back at the inn, Melch attempted to get a clearer picture of the exam from Leif but his answers remained frustratingly vague. "Don't worry, you'll pass the first round easily. No problem will be there." Leif said confidently before kicking back on his bed and promptly falling asleep.
The following day it was Melch's turn. He walked towards the examination room with a quiet composure despite the weight of expectation pressing him down. Upon hearing his badge number, he stepped forward. His sharp eyes scanned the room keenly as he approached the magical dome.
Touching the surface of the dome made the herbs inside came to view but this time around but the magic responded differently. The herbs glowed faintly revealing subtle magical auras that only someone with Melch's training and knowledge could decipher.
The experience he had guided his hands as he recorded their names and properties with precision. The dome suddenly began to emit a faint pulse and one of the herbs began to emit a golden light. Melch realized that this was a test. The herb's light was growing brighter threatening to overwhelm the others. He recorded his observations, acting quickly. The light dimmed later and the other herbs returned to their natural glow.
The professor reviewed Melch's notes and nodded. "On to the next level."
Melch went over to the second test: organizing the herbs into the right combination and preparing the medicine for curing. This phase of the exam was more complex. The ingredients available were barely enough for a single attempt and time was running out. Slowly and meticulously, he put the herbs in order using all the memorized information that he had accumulated during his reading.
He did it with dexterous hands in preparing the potion, finishing it just as the examiner called time. When he presented his work, the potion glowed faintly which is a sign of its potency. The examiner gave him an approving nod.
"You may proceed to the final test."
The final stage required the participants to improve the potency of an existing medicine. This was not a test of mere skill but also of creativity. Melch thought through various methods that would help to amplify the effectiveness of the potion in front of him. While he did so, the color of the potion began to shift reacting to his efforts. He mixed in some metals and material from the demonic beast stabilizing the volatile energy in the mixture. The potion glowed brighter but time ran out before he could improve it further with the demonic core.
He left the examination room with a mix of relief and frustration on his face. When he rejoined the others, he recounted the details to Thomas Nicolescu.
Thomas listened carefully then said “Passing the intermediate stage is enough to pass in this exam. You’ve done well, Melch.”
That evening, the group reconvened at the inn to rest. The results wouldn't be announced for two more days giving everyone a brief respite. As they discussed the day's events, Leif casually flicked his hand causing a small burst of harmless sparks to dance in the air. "If only the academy were to be this entertaining." he joked earning a rare chuckle from Melch. Despite the uncertain result, their moods began to lighten since both of them enjoyed the remaining time they have in this inn.