CHAPTER 65: [66] COMPLETING THE QUEST

Fifteen minutes into the cooling process, the pill was solid enough to hold its shape. Twenty minutes in, and it had hardened to the point where it could be handled. At exactly twenty-three minutes, Theon opened the furnace.

Inside, resting in the center of the chamber, was a single pill, the Nightingale Pill

The pill was about the size of a large cheerful. But the color was purple and there were white lines that circles around the surface of the pill.

The fragrance that wafted from the pill was certainly intoxicating and Several people in the crowd unconsciously took deep breaths, their bodies instinctively recognizing the pill was something good.

Theon reached into the furnace with a pair of jade tongs and carefully lifted the pill out, placing it on a special examination plate that had been prepared.

The entire refinement process had taken three hours from start to finish, which was considered extremely fast for concocting a Grade 2 pill.

Most Geneticists attempting the Nightingale Pill for the first time would take five or six hours, and all would fail entirely on their first several attempts.

President Ryan eyes were extremely wide open and he unconsciously took a step forwards, his eyes examining the pill very seriously.

He picked up a specialized magnifying lens and studied the internal workings of the pill from multiple angles.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as thw president checked the pill.

After what felt like an eternity but was actually only about two minutes, Ryan set down his lens and turned to face the crowd then suddenly broke out into a ole.

"This is a perfect tier Grade 2 pill."

The hall erupted into chaos.

"Impossible!"

"How can someone who just passed Grade One certification produce a master-level Grade Two pill?"

"This has to be some kind of trick!"

The nobles couldn’t believe their ears as they shouted in denial.

The other Grade 2 Geneticist who had accompanied President Ryan immediately moved as they examined the pill.

They passed it from hand to hand, each one using their own examination techniques to check the pill authenticity. And one by one, their faces revealed shocked expression.

"President Ryan’s assessment is correct. This pill exhibits spiritual resonance. The energy patterns are textbook-perfect. I’ve never seen a Grade Three Geneticists produce pills of perfect quality."

Another Grade 2 spoke out. "The Heaven’s Mill manipulation of the Moonshade Lotus petals alone requires years of practice to master, yet his execution was smooth and refined."

The noble apprentices who had been so eager to mock Theon earlier were now silent, their faces twisted with complicated expressions of disbelief and anger, but they didn’t dare voice out their words now that the Grade 2 Geneticist are speaking.

Osborn looked like he’d swallowed a fly. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and for a moment it seemed like he might say something, but ultimately he kept his mouth shut.

Meanwhile, Theon’s friends from the civilian camp were celebrating.

"I told you he could do it!" Gordon shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

Clay was shaking his head in wonder, his eyes slightly moist. "In all my years, I’ve never seen anything like this. To think that someone from our civilian camp could produce such a miracle."

Mayor was simply laughing unrestrained with joy

Klein’s reaction was perhaps the most interesting. Rather than jealousy or resentment, his face showed determination. "Seem I have to work harder."

Theon met his gaze and nodded.

And then there was Jasmine. She had moved closer during the examination, drawn by professional interest to watch Theon’s technique. Now she stood only a few feet away, her dark eyes behind her glasses studying him with an intense curiosity.

"Your Heaven’s Mill technique," she said suddenly. "The spiral pattern you used was a seven-fold harmonic convergence, wasn’t it? But it’s only theoretically mentioned in the ancient texts but I’ve never seen anyone actually execute it. Where did you learn to perform the technique?"

Theon considered how to answer. He could hardly explain that the system had implanted the knowledge directly into his brain along with the muscle memory to execute it perfectly.

He frowned slightly and decided to answer with a shrug.

"I studied it from old manuals,"

Jasmine’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Which manuscripts? I’ve read on alchemical theory and I’ve never encountered a detailed explanation of how to execute that technique in practice."

"Perhaps you should read more then," Theon replied with a slight smile.

For a moment, Jasmine looked like she might press the issue, but then she simply nodded and stepped back. However, it was obvious she wouldn’t easily back down.

President Ryan raised and gradually the hall quieted down. "Based on Geneticist Theon’s exceptional performance in both the theoretical examination and the practical refinement, I am pleased to announce that he has passed the Grade Two Geneticist certification with distinction."

Ryan personally retrieved a Grade Two badge.

While the Grade One badges were simple circular designs with a single star, the Grade Two badge was octagonal with two stars arranged vertically.

"Congratulations, Grade Two Geneticist Theon," Ryan said formally, pinning the badge to Theon’s chest right beside the Grade One badge he’d received less than an hour ago.

***

After the ceremony concluded and the crowd began to disperse, with most people heading out to spread news.

Theon’s friends surrounded him with congratulations and questions. He answered patiently, sharing generalities about his preparation while carefully avoiding any details that would reveal the system’s existence.

Eventually, though, the crowd thinned as people departed, many heading to celebrate or commiserate depending on their own examination results. Theon was preparing to leave as well, planning to return to Galaxy Reign Academy, when President Ryan approached him once more.

"Geneticist Theon, might I have another word with you in private?" Ryan asked, though his tone suggested it wasn’t really a request.

Theon glanced at his friends, who nodded their understanding, and followed Ryan a room on the second floor.