Chapter 1234: A Great Teacher?
Chapter 1234: A Great Teacher?
"If your name is called, it will mean that you have answered one or more questions incorrectly and have been eliminated from the promotion test. However, do not be discouraged. As long as you study well, there will always be a chance in the future." Rozomius stated.
He then continued, "Apothecary Vern, Apothecary Ravia, Apothecary Karr, Apothecary Taro, Apothecary Urapalogona, Apothecary Synx and... Apothecary Clariwen. I wish you the best on your journeys."
Those who had their names called were left devastated. Now that they failed this time, they would have to wait half a year before being able to take the grade five Apothecary promotion test again.
If the situation was the same as the promotion tests of previous years where there were many times participants, perhaps they could have accepted their elimination with more ease. However, to fail when there were already few enough people to move onto the next round—how could some of them not feel wronged?
"I... This isn’t fair! I definitely answered the first two questions right, but that third question was complete nonsense! If it’s not effects, Natural Energy or temperature control, what else can separate a grade four and grade five pill? It has to be overall usefulness and quality!" One of the failed participants, Taro, voiced.
"That’s right! Apothecary Rozomius, the question you asked is too unfair! You clearly stated that it would be information that all grade five Apothecary should know, but your question went against that!" Clariwen stated with a frown.
Several of the Apothecaries present were shocked that Taro and Clariwen dared to speak so rudely to the Rozomius.
Not only was Rozomius a grade seven Apothecary and grade six proctor, he was someone who had stepped into the legendary realm. More importantly, they did not simply have an issue with his question. The way they worded made it sound as if they were directly questioning and insulting his character!
"Those two morons... They are promising young talents of their families who were called geniuses from a young age, but they like to play around and put in no effort. Hmph, serves you right for declining my offer." Pierce thought to himself.
Taro and Clariwen were both part of influential noble families that resided in Danaharpe. While their families were not on par with someone like the Duvelle family, they still held important positions among the nobles of Danaharpe.
If not for their families’ name, they would not dare to openly protest like this in the middle of a promotion test against a well experienced Apothecary like Rozomius.
"You two are out of line! Who are you to question Apothecary Rozomius’ judgment and character?! Do you wish to be banned from all future promotion tests?!" Koralena said sternly.
"Apothecary Rozomius asked a question that 28 other participants had no trouble answering. It is arrogant to believe that you know all. It also shows a failure in your understanding of the basics of what it takes to be a grade five Apothecary." Po stated with a sharp gaze.
"T-That’s why I’m saying it doesn’t make any sense!" Taro said as he nervously took a step back; however, he felt as though he had been genuinely wronged. He also knew that his family would step in as always to protect him if a problem did occur.
Rozomius held his hand up as Koralena and Po took a step back. As an experienced Apothecary and proctor who had overseen many promotion tests over the span of decades, Rozomius had run into his fair share of Apothecaries like Taro and Clariwen that could not accept the results. It was typically always a sheltered young noble given everything by their family who acted out in such a way.
Of course, their disrespectful actions could be seen as a direct attack on the Apothecary Guild. And, as Koralena mentioned earlier, could lead to a permanent ban being placed on them in regards to future promotion tests. But, Rozomius also disliked seeing talent go to waste due to the fault of a person’s upbringing.
That’s why, whether it was an Apothecary from a noble family or a person from a small village who invested everything to reach this place, Rozomius believed that they deserved a chance to grow as an Apothecary.
"Apothecary Taro, Apothecary Clariwen—the words I spoke earlier remain true. I say these words not just to you, but to all of the young Apothecaries and that is, there is no shame in failure—only in the lack of ability and character to learn from it. The question I asked is indeed information that all grade five Apothecaries should be aware of as long as they have spent time watching a grade five or higher Apothecary crafting pills." Rozomius explained unhurriedly.
He then continued, "Being from such distinguished families in Danaharpe, Apothecary Taro and Apothecary Clariwen surely does not lack the resources to hire a grade five Apothecary as a tutor. But, in the end, it has nothing to do with the resources of your family, but your determination to become grade five Apothecaries."
"Since you have applied for this promotion test, then I am sure the person who handled your registration informed you of the free classes held by the Apothecary Guild for those participating in the grade five promotion test. After all, I personally informed the staff to heavily push the free classes to all participants so that they could be fully prepared. Those very classes are held two times a day every day for a month leading up to the grade five promotion test. If you attended that class once, you would have learned what you missed today and understood why what I asked holds such a fundamental importance when it comes to being a grade five Apothecary." Rozomius stated.
’I see. That must be why the person who registered me seemed so troubled.’
When Izroth registered for the grade five promotion test, the young woman who registered him explained the free classes. However, since the promotion test was beginning soon and the next class was not until tomorrow; it meant that Izroth would not be able to attend any of before the promotion test.
’Since I don’t look like I’m from a noble family, she must have been worried that I would be walking toward my own failure. That aside—Apothecary Rozomius is more caring than he comes off. Someone in his position has no need to explain himself to failed participants. Nor does he have to go out of his way to personally tell the staff to push the free classes. When it comes to trephasias, he might be the closest one I’ve seen with human qualities.’
Given the length of their lifespans, trephasias tended to take things slowly and took their time paying a great attention of detail to things. Because of this, they also tended to be more logically driven and detached from making emotional judgments.
The most logical course of action in this situation was for Rozomius to have Taro and Clariwen forcibly removed for causing a disturbance. However, instead of shutting them down, he held them accountable for their own actions, asked them to learn from their mistakes and even used it as a teaching opportunity for those present.
’This kind of person makes a great teacher. If I find the opportunity, I should try bringing him over to the Mystical Realm Palace.’
While Izroth would have Rygar acting as a teacher at the Mystical Realm Palace for the next year, there was no promise that he would be a good at teaching. After all, just because one could do something well, did not mean they were able to teach others how to do the same.
Not to mention, Rygar had no choice but to honor the bet. And, despite the favorable conditions Izroth offered him to get the time his as a servant reduced, there was bound to be bitterness left in him regarding what took place during the Right of Challenge.
Despite both Rozomius and Rygar being grade seven Apothecaries, the difference between the two was like that of night and day.
Of course, Izroth knew that it would not be easy to recruit someone like Rozomius. Money alone was not enough when it came to recruiting high grade Apothecaries. This was even more so for someone like Rozomius, whose fortune was probably one of the greatest in the entire Apothecary Guild due to how long he had been an Apothecary.
’If I want to bring him over to my side, I have to offer something more tempting than money alone. He has also been a part of the Apothecary Guild for decades. If he is like most trephasias, then it will be hard to convince him it’s worth leaving for a place that’s still in its early stages of growth. But, if it’s with his character, it might be possible.’
There was also the fact that Rozomius was a legendary realm powerhouse. Having someone in the legendary realm be a direct part of the Mystical Realm Palace would be undoubtedly beneficial.