As the morning sun filtered through the crystalline windows of the Alchemy Hall, golden light cascaded across the polished marble floor, dancing on the rows of long tables. The soft clink of glass, the distant crackle of a simmering potion, and the gentle whoosh of morning breeze from enchanted vents blended into a quiet symphony of anticipation.
The classroom gleamed sterile, sacred, almost sacred. Each marble table was meticulously arranged with brewing tools, jars of vibrant herbs, powdered minerals, and delicate alchemical glassware that shimmered like crystal under the light.
Tick… tick… tick…
The tension ticked louder than the wall clock.
At the front of the hall stood Professor Elira tall, graceful, and unshakably composed. Her sapphire robe fluttered with the faintest breeze, trailing arcs of starlight-like shimmer. With each subtle shift of her body, power radiated from her like a dormant storm. Her azure eyes, cool as glaciers, swept across the classroom with piercing focus like she could read the very essence of their souls.
Then silence.
Not a breath dared break it.
Finally, her voice rang out sharp, clear, and absolute.
"Today, we begin the qualification exam for the 1-Star Alchemy Novice Master Certification."
BOOM!
It hit like thunder, not in volume, but in weight. The room tightened with unspoken pressure.
"This exam will determine more than your title. It will challenge your knowledge, your instinct, your creativity and your composure under pressure."
Murmur…shuffle…clatter!
A flask slipped from a student's hand,
Thud!
Hitting the table before rolling to a stop. Others clutched quills, tightened grips, or stared wide-eyed at the professor.
Heartbeat. Heartbeat. Heartbeat.
Anxiety hung in the air like smoke.
Then
SNAP!
Elira raised a single finger.
Silence dropped like a guillotine.
"Three phases," she continued, eyes glinting. "Three trials. Succeed, and you will earn your badge as a recognized novice alchemist. Fail…"
Her words lingered. Chill. Echo.
"You may try again in one year."
GASP!
A few students tensed visibly.
The pressure was no longer subtle. It was crushing.
Jack, seated near the center, kept his breathing steady. Whoosh… in. Whoosh… out. His fingers were still, but his gaze? Locked in.
The moment he had trained for… was here.
And he wasn't going to let it pass.
"And I repeat…" Professor Elira's voice rang with measured weight, each word etched into the very air.
"Three tests… of the qualification exam for the 1-Star Alchemy Novice Master Certification."
BOOM!
Her mana surged lightly, and with a graceful wave of her hand, three luminous diagrams burst into existence midair formed from swirling mana glyphs and intricate arcane runes, each glowing with a soft hum of alchemical resonance.
HUMMMM…
"The exam is divided into three core steps: Ingredient Identification, Theory Test, and Practical Potion Crafting."
Each title pulsed in the air like a heartbeat.
"Each step is crucial. You must pass all three to earn your certification. There will be no exceptions."
FWOOSH!
The diagram on the left zoomed forward.
"Step One: Ingredient Identification. You will be presented with ten random herbs or ingredients. You must name them correctly, explain their alchemical properties, and classify them as Low, Mid, or High Quality."
FLASH!
The ghostly images of Glowpetal, Thornbloom, and Lucent Moss shimmered briefly glowing, thorny, delicate then dissolved into glowing dust.
"Step Two: Theory. This section will test your comprehension of herbal interactions, potion balancing, neutralization techniques, and elemental compatibility."
As she spoke, complex mana circuits, alchemy circles, and formulae appeared midair. Numbers, lines, and symbols spun slowly, casting glowing reflections on students' wide-eyed faces.
"Step Three: Practical Crafting. Each of you will draw a random 1-Star Potion Recipe. Using the ingredients provided, you must properly extract, prepare, and brew your potion using standard tools."
THUD!
Tables across the hall shifted slightly as students straightened, the words landing heavily in their minds.
"Your brew will be judged on accuracy, stability, clarity, and effectiveness."
SHING!
With a final shimmer, the mana diagrams vanished like dust caught in the wind.
Professor Elira's piercing gaze swept across the room. Students now sat upright, expressions serious, hearts pounding.
Ba-dump… Ba-dump…
Jack's fingers flexed subtly. His breath steady, yet anticipation surged beneath his calm face.
Then, Elira's lips curled just faintly.
"Good," she said softly. "You all seem to grasp the structure. That will make this smoother."
CLAP!
A sharp sound echoed through the chamber.
"However," her tone shifted slightly cooler, more tactical "due to time constraints and our packed schedule, we will be doing things a little differently today."
Rustle… murmur… glance!
The air trembled with renewed curiosity.
"We will begin directly with Step Three: Practical Potion Crafting."
WHOOSH!
A subtle pulse of magic activated the classroom's supply stations drawers slid open, mana-lit cabinets clicked, and shelves rotated, revealing rows of sorted ingredients.
"While you're focused on your brews, I will evaluate Ingredient Identification and Theory with each of you individually as you work."
Gasp!
Some students exchanged worried looks. Multitasking during the hardest phase?
Elira raised a hand, her calm voice unwavering.
"This method allows us to maximize time. It also replicates real-life field conditions pressure, distraction, and time-sensitive decision-making. Traits every capable alchemist must master."
BOOM…BOOM…BOOM…
The tension slammed down like a battle drum.
Jack exhaled slowly.
Whoosh…
This wasn't just a test. It was a trial by fire.
And he was ready to burn.
"You will each draw a recipe at random," Professor Elira announced, her voice calm yet commanding. "It could be any 1-Star potion, ranging from Low-tier basic brews to High-tier advanced concoctions. That means luck and adaptability will play a part."
SNAP!
A sudden crack of mana echoed through the hall as Elira flicked her fingers.
WHOOSH!
A glowing, translucent box shimmered into existence before the class, pulsing softly with magic. Inside, slips of parchment floated midair, swirling in a gentle spiral like enchanted feathers, each one glowing with arcane script.
She gestured with a flick of her wrist. "Form a line. Draw your recipe. Then head to the alchemy stations."
Chairs scraped, boots tapped, and murmurs buzzed like bees in a hive as the students scrambled into a line. The air grew heavy with a mix of anticipation and dread.
CLINK!
One by one, students reached into the glowing box. The moment their fingers brushed a slip, it shot into their palm with a faint zing of energy.
Mira, a quiet girl with sharp eyes and steady hands, drew her slip with a silent breath. She peeked at it Minor Healing Tonic. Her eyes widened, then relaxed. It was manageable.
Beside her, Ryven cocky, confident, always smirking and chuckled as he glanced at his own slip. "Flameguard Elixir. Lucky me."
Further down the line, others weren't so lucky.
"Gah… Veilmist Potion?" one boy groaned.
"Energy Focus Tea? That one's so unstable..." a girl whispered, pale-faced.
Once the last student held their slip, Elira snapped her fingers again.
CREAK...
A heavy side door groaned open, revealing rows of shelves glittering with jars, vials, and pouches each neatly labeled and sealed. The ingredient vault.
Gasps echoed. That room was normally off-limits.
"You may collect what you need," Elira instructed. Her tone sharpened. "Do not waste resources. Misuse or overuse will result in immediate point deduction."
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Their footsteps echoed on polished stone as they rushed toward the vault, some skimming notes, others whispering ingredient combos to themselves.
Mira moved with quiet purpose. Her mind already raced through the Minor Healing Tonic's recipe Glowpetal, Dewleaf, Windberry. Simple, yes, but deceptively delicate. She ran her fingers over the jars, feeling for the right balance of scent, weight, and energy.
CLINK…
Jars gently settled in her basket.
Across the room, Ryven grabbed Thornbloom and Emberroot with casual flair, though sweat beaded on his forehead as he searched for Crushed Salamander Scale and Liquid Lava Resin.
He muttered, "Where the hell is it…" before finally spotting the bright red vial.
SLAM!
He grabbed it a little too fast.
Professor Elira strolled through the aisles like a prowling hawk, clipboard in hand, her eyes sharp and unblinking. She paused behind a trembling boy who'd spilled his measurement of Spirit Vine Powder, watching him with thinly veiled disappointment.
Back at the stations, metal clinked, burners flared, and cauldrons hissed. The true trial had begun.
SCRAPE... SCRAPE... CRUSH...
Mortar and pestles ground herbs in steady rhythms.
BUBBLE... FIZZ... HISS...
The alchemy lab came alive with sound ingredients reacting, mana flaring, liquids boiling, powders dissolving.
Mira's cauldron emitted a soft simmer, glowing faintly green. She worked methodically Dewleaf first, then Glowpetal, gently stirred counterclockwise to preserve the essence. Her Windberry puree was added in a soft swirl, releasing a soothing aroma like early morning dew.
Professor Elira stopped beside her. "Explain your ingredient choices."
Mira didn't miss a beat. "Glowpetal for its gentle healing essence. Dewleaf as a purifying blend base. Windberry to restore stamina and harmonize the potion's energy output."
Elira gave a small nod. "Proceed."
She moved to Ryven, whose cauldron was crackling slightly, an ominous sign.
"Liquid Lava Resin. Its purpose?"
Ryven forced a smile. "Uh… it boosts fire resistance and stabilizes Salamander Scale's heat properties?"
Elira raised a brow. "Partially correct. It also acts as a mana binder. If your temperature is off by even two degrees…"
POP! His potion sputtered slightly. Elira stared at it, then back at him.
"…you'll destabilize the entire brew."
Ryven paled. "Noted…"
Time ticked on.
Steam curled, potions changed color some brightening to success, others darkening in warning. One student's mixture exploded with a sharp
BANG!
Sending a foul purple mist into the air. Coughing and curses followed.
Finally, Elira raised her hand. "Place your completed potions in the evaluation trays."
THUD. CLINK. CLACK.
One by one, vials were placed into ornate trays with arcane circles etched beneath them. Elira examined each with her mana probe thin threads of blue light extended from her fingers and analyzed crystals that shimmered with magical light.
She paused at Mira's. The tonic shimmered with a soft amber hue, the liquid smooth and balanced.
She dipped a mana thread in.
ZING!
"…Stabilized. Clean essence. Minor impurities… within acceptable limits. Well done."
Mira exhaled slowly, her hands trembling slightly now that it was over.
Next was Raven's. His Flameguard Elixir glowed a molten red. Elira's expression was unreadable.
She tested it.
"…Slightly over brewed. Viscosity's off. Barely held together by your mana infusion. Still effective, however."
Ryven grinned weakly. "Told you I had it."
Others weren't so lucky. One girl had over crushed Frostroot and turned her potion into bitter sludge. Another's mixture had reacted with ambient mana and froze mid-stir, cracking her cauldron.
After the final inspection, Elira stood at the front, eyes sweeping across the exhausted but proud class.
"You have completed your 1-Star Novice Master Alchemy Exam. Results will be posted tomorrow. Those who pass will receive certification from the Capital City's Alchemy Guild Branch."
A moment of silence.
Then a collective sigh swept through the room. Some students cheered quietly. Others simply sat down, drained but satisfied.
But one thing was certain each had earned more than just a grade. They'd faced real pressure, real danger, and real alchemy.
Elira's expression softened just a little.
"You've all done well today," she said, voice quieter now. "Whether you pass or not… this was your first true step into the boundless world of alchemy."
DING...
The classroom bell rang, soft and melodic.
And so, they began to pack up, hearts racing, minds buzzing, and souls ignited with the thrill of creation.
---------
To Be Continued…!!