Chapter 240 No Room For Error

As Suzuka and Silvia engaged in a lively chat, the passage of time brought forth other exam participants. The room gradually filled with a diverse group of aspiring herbalists, each carrying a unique aura of anticipation. Their collective eagerness hummed in the air, adding a layer of excitement to the atmosphere.

Just as the buzz of conversations reached its peak, Professor Harvey Finch made his entrance, a key in hand to unlock the doors of the exam room. The students immediately directed their attention toward him.

Once the doors swung open, revealing the neatly arranged tables inside, the participants filed into the room. The sight that greeted them was a colorful assortment of different herbs carefully placed on each table. It was a captivating display, showcasing medical herbs that would be the focus of their examination.

Professor Finch gestured for everyone to find their seats, and as the participants settled in, he began to explain the details of the exam. His voice echoed in the room, carrying a sense of authority and knowledge.

"Welcome, everyone. Today's examination will test your proficiency in herb identification and your understanding of their properties. You will find a variety of herbs on your tables, and your task is to correctly identify each one. Take note of their characteristics, medicinal uses, and any potential contraindications. This is a comprehensive assessment, so make sure to utilize all the knowledge you've acquired throughout your studies."

"As for the test," Professor Finch continued, "accuracy and attention to detail will be the key. Herbology is a precise discipline, and your ability to discern subtle differences can make all the difference. Your task is to make 3 potions using the ingredients on your table. Health, stamina, and mana potions can be made using the ingredients you are presented with. But! There is no room for error, if you fail and waste at least a bit of the ingredient you won't have enough to make all 3, resulting in failing the exam. Now, let us begin. You have the duration of one hour to demonstrate your botanical knowledge. Good luck, everyone."

With those words, the room fell into a focused hush as the participants directed their attention to the herbs before them. The examination had begun, however, it quickly became obvious that the herbs provided were not sufficient to concoct health, stamina, and mana potions simultaneously. Suzuka furrowed her brows, mentally cycling through every combination she knew, but the numbers and varieties just didn't add up. The alchemical puzzle before them seemed to be missing crucial pieces, leaving everyone in a confused state.

Suzuka exchanged glances with the other participants, silently acknowledging the shared realization that something was wrong. The test presented an impossible challenge, not due to the complexity of alchemical recipes, but rather an intentional omission of key ingredients. It was clear that a trick or trap was woven into the very fabric of the test.

Professor Harvey Finch, observing their confusion, maintained an unreadable expression. He seemed to be gauging their reactions, subtly assessing how each participant approached and grappled with the unexpected dilemma. The room lingered in tension, awaiting the next move in this unexpected alchemical chess game.

Suzuka blinked in surprise as she watched Silvia, who seemed to be in on some secret joke, calmly mixing potions. Silvia's soft chuckles hinted that she might have solved the trick. The ticking clock urged others to join the potion-making frenzy, hoping to beat the time crunch. Feeling a bit lost, Suzuka glanced at her ingredients, scratching her head as she pondered the recipes she had in her head.

During her confusion, Suzuka took a deep breath and concentrated hard. She studied the ingredients as if they were pieces of a puzzle, trying to fit them together in a way that made sense. After a short while, it clicked - she spotted a pattern, a hidden trick in the test that had eluded her before. Excitement bubbled up as Suzuka realized she had figured out the trick.

Not wanting to waste any more precious moments, Suzuka took charge. She grabbed the components needed and began the potion-making process. With each measured step, she followed the recipe in her head, making sure everything was just right. The cauldron hissed and bubbled, filling the air with enticing smells as the ingredients transformed.

As the concoction approached completion, she poured the brewed mixture into waiting bottles, finishing her potions.

As the exam concluded, a majority of the participants found themselves on the wrong side of success, leaving only a handful standing tall. Among the triumphant few were Silvia and Suzuka, who had managed to navigate the tricky test successfully. However, not everyone shared in their victory, and unhappy participants approached the professor to voice their grievances, convinced that there was something wrong with the test.

One of the participants, with a scowl on his face, pointed accusingly at the potion ingredients laid out on the tables.

 "Professor, this exam was unfair! There's no way anyone could have figured out the correct potions with these bizarre ingredients. You can't make health, stamina, and mana potions with these ingredients! it's just impossible! It's like you wanted us to fail!"

Another participant chimed in, "Professor, it wasn't a fair test! We were set up for failure! This is ridiculous!"

Yet another student with a resentful expression, shouted, "This test was impossible! The ingredients were a mess, and there was no way to make the potions you told us to. You set us up for failure!"

The Professor, unfazed by the accusation, responded calmly, "The purpose of the exam was to evaluate your adaptability and problem-solving skills. Potion-making is not always straightforward, and real-life scenarios can be unpredictable. This test was designed to reflect those challenges."

The Professor, maintaining a composed demeanor, continued, "I understand your frustration, but let me clarify something. In alchemy, accuracy and attention to detail are paramount. The instructions were intentionally broad, and it was up to you to discern the nuances of the ingredients. I never specified that you had to make health, stamina, and mana potions. I simply mentioned that you could create three potions using the given components."

The Professor gestured toward the tables with remnants of potion-making ingredients.

 "For those who succeeded, they demonstrated not only their proficiency in potion-making but also their ability to think critically and solve problems. If you feel you fell short, use this as a learning experience. Pay closer attention, analyze the details, and adapt to unforeseen problems. This is the essence of alchemy."

He concluded with a stern yet encouraging tone, "Alchemy is a discipline that demands precision. Take this as an opportunity to refine your skills and approach challenges with a more discerning eye. If you wish to discuss your concerns further, feel free to schedule a meeting with me at a later date."

Some participants grumbled, but a couple of them seemed to recognize the merit in the Professor's words. The atmosphere in the room shifted as they began to disperse, each participant reflecting on the lesson learned, whether about alchemy or adapting to challenges.

Silvia, who had been quietly observing, timidly approached Suzuka, a shy gleam in her eyes. 

"Well, it seems we both pass again, Helen. B-but I meant... um... no offense by saying that. I know it was an easy test, of course, you would pass. I... I just meant it as a compliment, that's all."

Suzuka, nearly failing the test turned her gaze away and with a nervous laugh said, "Heheh! Yeah... yeah, it... it was easy. No problem at all, knew it right away. You did a good job too."

Silvia gently smiled and said, "Thank you, but such an easy accomplishment is not even worth praise. Well, I did well this time but I still need to learn a lot and improve my skills."

Suzuka, still absorbing the experience, managed a half-smile. 

"Yeah, not bad at all. Let's keep refining our skills and stay ahead of the game."

Suzuka, trying to gracefully exit the conversation, glanced at her non-existent wristwatch with a fake sense of urgency. 

"Oh! Look at the time, I need to go. My combat evaluation exam is coming up, and I don't want to be late! Catch you later, bye!"

Silvia watched Suzuka rush down the hall, offering a gentle wave. 

"Bye, Helen. I hope we meet again."

With a sigh of relief, Suzuka made her way to the combat room after finishing the alchemy exam. She took a seat in the spectator's area on the bench near the fight arena. The professors had yet to arrive, and only a handful of other participants were scattered across the room, engaged in hushed conversations.

The minutes ticked by, and just as Suzuka began to wonder when the professors would make their entrance, the door swung open. Professor Rodger Woodruff burst in, radiating an infectious energy that instantly lifted the room's spirits. His wide grin and boisterous greeting resonated with the students. As the Combat, Defence, and Physical Education teacher, he was a well-known figure among the participants.

"Good day, fighters of the mystical arts!" Professor Woodruff bellowed, his voice carrying a jovial tone. 

"I hope you're all geared up for a thrilling display of your skills. Because this arena will soon see some action!"

The students responded with a mixture of cheers and applause as Professor Woodruff ascended the arena. Following him were Professor Jennifer Wong, the Magic Box Power Combat teacher, and Professor Lorraine Silva, specializing in Elemental Magic and Control. The trio briefly introduced themselves, giving the participants an overview of what to expect in their respective segments of the competition.

The professors laid out the details of the exam, which would consist of three challenging parts.