Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1231: A Great Waste?

From the observers to all the Apothecaries within the promotion test room—there was not a single one of them who were not left dumbfounded.

It was the first time any of them had seen any beads other than the golden colored ones form in the Guiding Light. Furthermore, there were even more than ten total beads!

"I count twenty beads total..! Although I have never seen these multi-colored beads before, if it follows the same principles as the golden beads, then doesn’t it mean this young man might become the youngest grade ten Apothecary of this generation?" An observer stated in awe.

"What is it with the Guiding Light today? It’s not acting like it normally does. First, it malfunctions and now this?" One of the Apothecaries muttered.

Everyone was curious as to why those multi-colored beads appeared. However, for the observers, it did not matter. There were ten golden beads, which meant that Izroth had at least a tier ten potential. As for the multi-colored beads—it just made them want to recruit him even more!

"Apothecary Rozomius, what are these beads?" Koralena asked with a bewildered look on her face.

Koralena had served as a proctor for grade five promotion tests over the last four years; however, today was the first time she saw a tier ten potential. Now, she was seeing something she did not even know was possible—a potential above tier ten!

Not only that, but it was her first time seeing multi-colored beads within the Guiding Light.

"This... I am not certain." Rozomius answered with furrowed brows.

Koralena and Po were taken aback. Rozomius was a member of the trephasia race. Given his long lifespan, he had been around the Apothecary Guild longer than most others. If even he did not know what those multi-colored beads represented, then perhaps only the Vice-Head or Head of the Apothecary Guild were aware.

"How will we judge this? According to the rules, the highest potential tier an Apothecary can receive is tier ten. But, there are clearly more than ten beads before our very eyes." Po stated.

"Since there are twenty beads in total, should we not mark it as a tier twenty potential?" Koralena mentioned.

"I fear it is not that simple. The other beads are not golden. As far as we know, it can represent something other than the potential of one’s Natural Energy. If we make a misjudgment, it can harm the Apothecary Guild’s reputation and call into question its competence." Rozomius said calmly.

"This promotion test has turned out to be full of many surprises. This may be the birth of the golden generation for Apothecaries. But, it is also a sign that chaos is inevitably upon us." Rozomius thought to himself.

"May I offer a suggestion?" Po asked.

"What does Apothecary Po have in mind?" Rozomius replied.

"Since Apothecary Izroth is an Honorary Elder of the Apothecary Guild, we should mark it as a tier twenty potential as Apothecary Koralena mentioned." Po said.

"May I know your reasoning?" Rozomius inquired.

"It’s true that making a misjudgment here can bring some trouble to the Apothecary Guild. However, if even Apothecary Rozomius does not know what those multi-colored beads represent, then it’s safe to say no one else in this room does as well. If that’s the case, whatever judgment we make will have no choice but to be accepted by others. Worst case scenario, we can deal with it internally since Apothecary Izroth is an Honorary Elder. I am sure he will not be against lending a hand in this matter." Po explained.

He then continued, "Ultimately, it is up to you, Apothecary Rozomius. As the lead proctor, you reserve the right to make a judgment call and adjust the rule as long as you deem it to be an absolute necessity."

A thoughtful look appeared on Rozomius’ face as he entered into deep thought.

A few seconds later, he spoke, "Very well. Since there are no rules regarding multi-colored beads in the manual... As the lead proctor, I will judge each additional bead to count as one tier. However, seeing as how we do not know the exact purpose it serves, I will also leave a way out. Instead of continuing onward after tier ten, any beads that appear after will cause the potential to start again from one with the symbol ’S’ placed before it to show the difference. There are ten multi-colored beads, so Apothecary Izroth’s potential will be listed as tier S10. In this way, we are technically not going against the rules of the highest tier being ten."

"I see. If it’s done this way, we aren’t changing the rules, only adding a minor adjustment. Even if it turns out to be something different, we can just say the ’S’ we implemented has to do with whatever we discover. This approach is well thought out, Apothecary Rozomius." Koralena said with a nod of approval.

"I agree. It allows the Apothecary Guild breathing room in terms of interpretation." Po added.

"Then, it is decided." Rozomius stated.

Meanwhile, right as their discussion came to an end, another change started to take place within the Guiding Light as Izroth’s Natural Energy began to emerge.

This moment caused everyone to hold their breaths in anticipation. With the appearance of the multi-colored beads, perhaps they would get to witness something even more impressive than the Triple Natural Energy!

Suddenly, a single strand of energy formed at the center of the beads. This single strand expanded slightly as crackling bolts of lightning jumped off of it.

When the lightning emerged, the atmosphere of the promotion test room shifted.

"Aye... He just had to get this Natural Energy. Of all the possibilities, why did it have to be this?" An observer sighed.

"A waste...! What a great waste!"

"It’s a shame. I thought it was the birth of another genius, but it turned out to be a false hope."

Konpel smiled widely. He had been feeling wronged ever since he was assigned to be a Pill Servant for the Apothecary Guild for an entire month. However, seeing the one responsible for placing him in that position suffer in this way raised his mood.

"Young master Pierce, it turns out that this guy is both lucky and unlucky. To receive the Natural Energy of Lightning of all things—his path as an Apothecary is practically over." Konpel sneered gleefully.

"As someone entrusted with the Dark Abyssal Cauldron, I thought he would show us something worthwhile. It turns out, he’s nothing but useless trash. No matter how high his potential, for an Apothecary, having the Natural Energy of Lightning is nothing short of a death sentence for their career." Pierce said as he narrowed his eyes.

"To think I gave such a person face earlier. My humiliation continues to grow. Well, it’s fine. I’ll be sure to repay everything several fold once the promotion test is over. Let’s see if he can still maintain that arrogant air from earlier." Pierce thought to himself.

"Why is everyone acting this way? Is there something wrong with the Palace Master’s Natural Energy?" Celia said with a frown.

"I’m not quite sure. But, based on their reactions, it does not look good." Worldly Skies responded as she furrowed her brows.

"How strange. Did the Palace Master really get such an unusable Natural Energy?" Worldly Skies silently pondered.

She found it too hard to accept that someone as talented and gifted as Izroth would have their path as an Apothecary forcibly cut off by something beyond his control.

"No, the Palace Master is not the type to give up even when others do not see a way forward. Surely..." Worldly Skies said to herself quietly as she clenched her fists.

Rozomius eyes widened in shock before he released a heavy sigh.

Koralena and Po could not hide the disappointment at the results on their faces.

"Why did it have to be the Natural Energy of Lightning—that unusable thing?" Koralena sighed.

"Aye, it is a great shame. The Natural Energy of Lightning is too overbearing when it comes to pill crafting. One can only turn their high grade pills into ash. How regretful—truly, regretful!" Po lamented.

Rozomius sighed, "The heavens are fair. With such potential, how can it permit such a path to be walked without a trial to face?"

If there was one Natural Energy any Apothecary lamented getting, it was the Natural Energy of Lightning. But, this did not always used to be the case.

In the beginning, the Natural Energy of Lightning was seen as something above even that of the Natural Energy of Fire. With its destructive nature, it could eradicate any impurities in the pill crafting process.

If one obtained it, their progress would soar past that of their peers and it would not take long for them to become a grade six Apothecary. However, the problem with the Natural Energy of Lightning started to show once one attempted to craft high grade six pills.

The more developed the Natural Energy of Lightning became, the stronger and more uncontrollable its destructive force grew.

If one attempted to make a high grade six pill, the destructive nature of the Natural Energy of Lightning would disintegrate it during the pill crafting process.

There were many Apothecaries that spanned over many generations who tried to overcome this inherent flaw. But, it was all to no avail.

To make matters worse, Izroth’s potential appeared to be far above that of his peers. This meant that the destructive force of his Natural Energy of Lightning would grow several times stronger much earlier than normal. Worst case scenario, it might even be impossible for him to craft a grade five pill!