CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 87: WHO IS THE PREY?

"I just forgot something, came back to get it."

Leia’s gaze fell on a notebook on the podium, then she walked forward to pick it up.

The skinny apprentice noticed Aaron maintaining a strange posture and quickly went up to support him: "Aaron, what’s wrong? Don’t say anything unnecessary to Lady Leia."

He grabbed Aaron’s arm with force, only to find that Aaron’s entire body was stiff and couldn’t even speak.

"We’ll... we’ll leave first." The skinny apprentice and another companion quickly helped Aaron and left the classroom in a hurry.

Ron watched their embarrassed retreat, a bit envious of the absolute status of an Advanced Apprentice — she didn’t even need words or actions, her mere presence was enough to scare off these cowardly bullies.

Just after leaving the crowded area, Aaron suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood, his entire body as if struck by a heavy hammer, with his insides seemingly displaced.

"Aaron!" The skinny apprentice’s face changed drastically and, recalling Ron’s casual gesture earlier, couldn’t help but shiver: "How could it..."

"That guy... is not..." Aaron struggled to utter a few words, his face pale as paper: "Don’t touch... him..."

The few exchanged glances, cold sweat streaming down their backs.

If they really tricked this guy into the wilderness, it was uncertain who would be the prey then.

.........

Leia picked up the notebook, turned to leave, and suddenly seemed to remember something, looking at Ron:

"Apprentice Ralph, I’ve heard Holt mention you."

Ron was a bit surprised: "Lady Leia, do you also know Master Holt?"

"He said you signed up for the Alchemist certification exam."

Leia’s tone carried a rare trace of concern: "As someone who has been through it, I want to remind you: don’t aim too high."

Her expression turned serious: "Magic Potion Making is one of the subjects most reliant on practical experience. Even with high talent, without sufficient accumulation, it’s very difficult to pass the certification. I suggest you accumulate more experience for a few years before trying."

Ron thought inwardly, the dissemination speed of information within the school is truly astounding.

However, it might be that Holt learned of his registration information in advance through some internal connection.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lady Leia." Ron politely responded: "I will seriously consider it."

"The school has special provisions for internal apprentices," Leia continued: "If you change your mind, you can withdraw at any time before entering the exam room, and the registration fee will be fully refunded."

Her tone was not coercive, more like a reminder:

"Holt seems to have great confidence in you, but personally, I think rushing often leads to failure. Alright, I have to go."

After saying this, she turned and left, her tall figure quickly disappearing down the hallway.

The few apprentices left around showed strange expressions in their eyes; they had obviously overheard Ron registering for the Alchemist certification.

In these apprentices’ view, a Professional Alchemist is an unattainable existence, with overall value and status even surpassing many Advanced Apprentices.

An Elementary Apprentice who just got promoted dared to challenge such a certification, it was simply daydreaming.

However, it was unrelated to them, everyone was busy; who cared if he really went for some Alchemist qualification certification.

Leaving the classroom, Ron reflected on the knowledge and skills he learned today.

The paid courses, though complex with harsh progression conditions, indeed accelerated the learning process and significantly helped improve strengths.

[Magic Construction (Introductory) Experience Points +2]

[Spiritual Interference (Introductory) Experience Points +2]

Both skills showed obvious improvement, much more efficient than his own solitary practice.

The closed self-study method, although safe, was far less efficient than systematic guidance.

"I must seize this opportunity to accelerate progress," Ron thought inwardly: "I can’t keep working behind closed doors."

Moreover, I’ve heard that many one-on-one consultation opportunities with masters are only available to apprentices who have taken their advanced courses.

For the sake of those paid consultation opportunities, he must complete all these courses.

Leaving the teaching area, the night of Black Mist Jungle already enveloped the surroundings.

In the distance, a faint beastly howl could be heard, sending a chill down the spine.

Ron quickened his pace, heading toward the dormitory area.

.........

On the day of the Professional Alchemist exam, as the first ray of dawn pierced through the canopy of Black Mist Jungle, Ron had already gotten up and prepared.

He repeatedly checked his tools, with the Silver Wing Separator being particularly important, as it could extract the purest essence of herbs in the shortest time during refining.

Lady Allen often said a phrase to herself, still echoing in her ears:

"Remember, the value of an Alchemist lies not in how many recipes one knows, but in how to make every drop of potion exert its greatest effect."

"Everything is ready, it’s time to set off." Ron tidied up his attire and the items to bring, took a deep breath, and walked out of the dormitory.

Strolling in the morning light of the Black Mist Jungle, his mood was slightly tense but full of anticipation.

The semi-annual Alchemist certification examination was a rare opportunity for him.

If he missed this time, he would have to wait another six months, and his planned schedule simply couldn’t afford any delays.

Arriving at the Central Hall, more than twenty people had already gathered in front of the steps, with hardly any familiar faces for Ron.

Some of the people wore tattered robes, carrying the air of travel;

Some were dressed finely yet looked exhausted, as if having come from a long journey;

Some even wrapped themselves so tightly like mummies, vaguely revealing exotic limbs beneath their robes...

"The Alchemist certification exam is indeed quite special." Ron thought to himself: "Even the wandering apprentices and aliens outside the Black Mist Jungle are drawn here."

"Next, please hurry!" On the duty desk, a middle-aged female apprentice, looking somewhat annoyed, loudly called out.

When it was Ron’s turn, he stepped forward and submitted the application form and a registration fee of fifteen Magic Stone Fragments. It was said that those outside the School had to pay double fees to participate in the Alchemist certification.

The duty officer—a female apprentice nearing forty, glanced at the form and immediately showed obvious surprise on her face.

"Ron Ralph? Just became an Elementary Apprentice?"

She raised her head, carefully examining Ron up and down, with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes: "Young fellow, are you sure you want to participate in the Alchemist certification examination?"

Ron nodded, his expression calm: "Yes, I am ready."

The duty officer snorted softly, casually placing his application form aside:

"Young man, do you know how low the pass rate for this exam is? Even those old apprentices who have studied Alchemy for decades mostly barely pass."

She lowered her voice, with a tone almost of pity, intending to hand back the bag of Magic Stone Fragments directly:

"I’ll give you a suggestion—there’s still time to withdraw. If you voluntarily give up, I can use my authority as a duty officer to refund your registration fee in full, a special privilege only available to apprentices within our School."

Ron smiled slightly, knowing she meant well, politely repeating his request: "Thank you very much for your kindness, but I wish to continue participating in the exam."

"Ah, young people... never listen to advice. You’ll settle down after suffering a loss."

Seeing his insistence, the duty officer could only shrug, took the form placed aside, and stamped it with a Magic Seal that took immediate effect: "Don’t blame me for not warning you then."

After bidding farewell to the duty officer, he received the exam identifier, led into the waiting area by the deliberately arranged Light Element Guide in the air.

Already sitting there were over a dozen participants, each with varying degrees of tension and anxiety on their faces.

Ron scanned the room and found that most of the examinees seemed much older than him:

An elderly man with white hair was absorbed in reading a Magic Potion Notes, his fingers darkened from years of contact with potions;

An aged Lizardman with two short horns on his head sat in a corner, his eyes full of fatigue and hope;

And several middle-aged people, appearing in their thirties or forties, quietly conversing about something, occasionally casting curious glances at Ron.

Although a few noticed this young examinee, their eyes flash with surprise and doubt.

However, most soon withdrew their gaze, focusing on their preparations.

At this critical moment, wasting energy on envy or doubting others is foolish.

Most of them had experienced many failures and had long learned to concentrate all their attention on the exam itself.

Only one short and stout middle-aged man couldn’t help but quietly say to his companion:

"These young ones always think Alchemy is something that can be mastered by talent."

"Why bother caring?" His companion responded with a calmness almost numbing:

"I’ve taken this exam five times in the last thirty years, and every time I see some confident young faces, and what happens?"

The two exchanged bitter smiles and said no more.

This conversation quickly drowned in the tense atmosphere of the exam venue, as Ron focused solely on his final preparations, not hearing this idle chatter.

"Attention all examinees!" An apprentice in a standard gray robe from the School walked in: "The exam is about to begin, please follow me to the exam hall."

The exam hall was a spacious circular room, with dozens of luminous stones embedded in the walls, providing bright and stable lighting.

In the center of the room was a semicircular long table, with three examiners seated behind it.