41: Year-end Assessment (I)

After the gathering ended, Green adjusted his mindset.

He once again immersed himself in the intense and monotonous pre-study lessons.

Still adopting a 'take it as it is' approach, Green simply made minor modifications to Allie's plan and used it as is.

Thanks to Allie for the plan! During this period, Green also verified his skill level in refining the three types of semi-finished Magic Potions.

All of them had improved significantly.

However, Green did not reveal this in Old Sam's Lab, instead maintaining a steady rate of progress, gradually showcasing his potion refining skills.

When facing a situation, one must be cautious; if you need to hide a trick, you must hide it.

Time flew by... While Green was busy with his studies, refining potions, and Knight training,

the end of December arrived, and so did the annual assessment.

The first year of the third five-year study plan was about to pass...

"Green..."

"This year's Pharmacology Apprentice exam has some changes..."

"I'm really worried about you."

Andy said to Green with a worried expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Aren't they all testing those three? Are they going to test the refinement of low-level potions now?"

Green joked.

"The content of the exam hasn't changed, only the format has," Andy replied. He was the proctor for this year's Pharmacology Apprentice assessment, recommended by Old Sam's Lab, and had just returned from the exam briefing.

"Hmph..."

"What's the big deal? It's normal for the exam format to change, isn't it?"

"Maybe those instructors got tired of it and wanted a change of pace, can't they?" Lilith said dismissively.

However, Green looked at Lilith, and it seemed she knew something in advance.

Recalling Lilith's unusual behavior these past few days, Green guessed that Lilith must have known about the exam changes beforehand.

But Green wasn't worried; it was a strength-crushing situation, no matter how much Lilith jumped around, she wouldn't get very far...

"In previous years, it was a weighted assessment, which is what I've always told you."

"The extraction of blue demon leaf accounts for 10%, the refinement of Knight's Water for 20%, the refinement of Magic Water for 20%, and the refinement of Mental Power Water for 50%."

"Each subject is graded out of one hundred, and then the weighted scores are added together to get the final total score, determining the ranking."

"This year, a progressive selection system is being adopted."

"That means the four assessments will be conducted in order of importance; you must pass one to take the next."

"Each subject has a minimum passing standard."

"If you don't meet the standard for the previous subject, you won't be eligible to take the next one," Andy explained.

"The specific passing standards haven't been announced; they said they would be revealed at the assessment site."

"So, you all need to be fully prepared; the assessment in three days requires your full effort."

... "Mmm..."

"I will. It seems I need to practice blue demon leaf extraction more these three days. I've practiced it too little, and my hands are rusty," Green said with a smile.

"Yes, Green, I also need to practice blue demon leaf extraction. Let's discuss how we can stagger our times for extracting blue demon leaf."

Miller added from the side.

"You two discuss it; don't include me. What's there to practice about blue demon leaf? It's ridiculous," Lilith said disdainfully. She had received insider information.

The assessment standard for Knight's Water was the one that had changed the most this time...

Green ignored Lilith and focused on discussing staggered practice times with Miller.

Green also planned to use all of his Golden Finger quota for these three days on the extraction of blue demon leaf.

This was also Green's exam secret: sharpening the spear at the last minute, even if it's not fast, it will still shine.

The extraction of blue demon leaf could be said to be Green's weakest subject.

The other three subjects were more difficult... but they had all been boosted by the Light of Origin, and Green had poured countless efforts into them over the past six months, reaching the limit of his current Spiritual Power and knowledge.

Green hadn't made any progress in the refinement of these three semi-finished Magic Potions for a month...

The day of the assessment arrived...

Green also welcomed the historic moment to test the results of a year of study.

For the next four years... whether it would be feasting on meat or counting every pickle depended on this wave.

Green was assigned to Examination Room 3 in the morning, which was an unfamiliar laboratory.

The assessment site was very strict... Green and the others were all searched and then had to pass a Spiritual Power test by a Wizard Array detector.

It was said that this was to check whether the apprentices had taken any Spiritual Power-stimulating potions before the assessment.

Green, of course, hadn't, and passed smoothly.

Green initially thought this was just a formality.

Unexpectedly, when it came to the fifth apprentice, the Wizard Array detector sounded an alarm, and that apprentice was then led away, crying profusely—his exam qualification was revoked on the spot.

It seems that no matter in which world, there are always people who want to take shortcuts.

Unlike me, even with a Golden Finger, I still study diligently.

I am the good student, I am—Zeng~Green~XiaoXian!

...Green stood by experimental table number two.

On his left and right, spaced one meter apart, there was one proctor each.

Five meters behind him sat a row of ten potion apprentices waiting for their assessment; they now had an additional identity: invigilators.

Not far away, a chief examiner paced back and forth, patrolling the entire examination room.

Green's ears, however, were exceptionally quiet; he couldn't hear any footsteps or noise... This was because the protective Wizard Array of the experimental table had been activated, providing sound insulation, dust prevention, interference prevention, and an attack warning function.

Moreover, a large display crystal was directly above the experimental table, facing Green, showing every pore on Green's face clearly.

Clearly, this was the Wizarding World's surveillance camera.

Seeing this setup... Green couldn't help but relax. He had previously worried that someone might engage in favoritism or cheating, which could pose a threat to an honest student like him.

Now there was no need to worry... It seemed the academy was more concerned about such things happening than Green was, and their preventive measures were so comprehensive that even ghosts probably couldn't cheat, Green mused inwardly...

Just then,

the chief examiner's voice came from a small black box in the upper left corner of the experimental table.

"Five candidates, please pay attention. The first assessment—blue demon leaf extraction—will begin in five minutes."

"Now, the examination rules will be announced."

"No cheating in any form is allowed. No Spiritual Power potions are to be consumed. No early termination of the assessment is allowed."

"Each candidate has three blue demon leaves. The examination time is one hour. The passing standard is 70% utilization rate."

"Achieving the standard with any one blue demon leaf is sufficient. There will be no extra points for excellence in this assessment."

"Now, the assessment begins."