Who's The Prey

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

Lia's gaze fell on a notebook on the lectern. She stepped forward and picked it up.

The skinny apprentice noticed Aaron was still frozen in an awkward posture and quickly moved to support him. "Aaron, what's wrong? Don't say anything unnecessary in front of Lady Lia."

He tugged hard at Aaron's arm, only to realize the man's body was stiff as a board, he couldn't even speak.

"W-We'll be leaving now." The skinny apprentice and another companion quickly lifted Aaron and rushed out of the classroom.

Watching them flee in panic, Robb couldn't help but feel a touch of envy at the absolute authority a High Apprentice held, Lia didn't even need to say or do anything. Her mere presence was enough to send these bullies scurrying.

Just as they exited the crowd, Aaron suddenly started coughing violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. His body felt like it had been pounded by a hammer, his internal organs seemed displaced.

"Aaron!" The skinny apprentice's face turned pale as he recalled Robb's seemingly casual finger strike. A chill ran down his spine. "How could that…"

"That kid isn't…" Aaron managed to squeeze out a few words, his face as white as paper. "Don't touch him again…"

They exchanged glances, cold sweat pouring down their backs.

If they'd actually lured that guy into the wilderness… it's hard to say who would've been the real prey.

...

Lia picked up her notebook and turned to leave, but as if something had just occurred to her, she looked at Robb:

"Apprentice Reyne, I've heard of you from Hugo."

Robb was surprised. "Lady Lia, you know Lord Hugo?"

"He mentioned you signed up for the potion master certification."

Her tone carried a rare note of concern: "As someone who's been there, let me give you a word of advice: don't aim too high too soon."

Her expression turned serious. "Alchemy is one of the fields that values practical experience the most. No matter how gifted you are, without sufficient accumulation, it's hard to pass the exam. I suggest you gain a few more years of experience first."

Robb thought to himself how quickly news spread within the faction.

But it was also possible that Hugo had used internal channels to learn about his registration in advance.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lady Lia," Robb replied politely. "I'll give it serious thought."

"The faction has a special rule for internal apprentices," Lia continued. "If you change your mind, you can withdraw at any time before entering the exam hall. Your registration fee will be fully refunded."

Her tone wasn't forceful, more of a heads-up.

"Hugo seems very confident in you. But personally, I believe rushing often leads to failure. That's all, I need to go."

With that, she turned and left, her tall figure soon disappearing down the corridor.

The remaining apprentices looked at Robb with strange expressions. They'd clearly overheard that he'd signed up for the potion master certification.

To them, a professional potion master was a lofty figure, someone whose overall value and status could surpass even many High Apprentices.

A newly promoted Elementary Apprentice daring to take on such an exam? Absurd.

Then again, it wasn't really their concern. Everyone was busy. Who cared if he really intended to attempt the certification?

Leaving the classroom, Robb reflected on the knowledge and techniques he'd learned that day.

The paid courses were indeed complex and had strict advancement requirements, but they clearly accelerated the learning process and significantly boosted his abilities.

[Spell Construction (Novice) +2 XP]

[Mental Disruption (Novice) +2 XP]

Both skills had improved noticeably, far surpassing the results of solo training.

Self-study might be safe, but it was nowhere near as efficient as systematic instruction.

"I have to seize this chance to speed up my progress," Robb thought to himself. "No more training in isolation."

Moreover, he'd heard that many one-on-one tutoring sessions with instructors were only available to those who had completed their advanced courses.

To access those paid consultations, he'd have to finish the full curriculum.

As he left the teaching area, the dark fog forest was already shrouded in nightfall.

A distant, faint beastly howl echoed through the forest, sending a chill down his spine.

Robb quickened his pace, heading toward the dorms.

...

The Day of the Potion Master Certification Exam

At the first break of dawn, as the light pierced through the canopy of the Black Mist Forest, Robb had already risen and prepared himself.

He double-checked his tools, the Silverwing Separator was particularly crucial. It could extract the purest essence from ingredients in the shortest time during potion-making. Madam Elena's frequent advice echoed in his mind:

"Remember, a potion master's value isn't in how many formulas they know, but in how effectively they bring out the full potential of every drop."

"All set. Time to go." Robb adjusted his attire, gathered his supplies, took a deep breath, and stepped out of his dorm.

Walking through the morning mist of the Black Mist Forest, he felt both nervous and excited.

The potion master certification only came around once every six months. For him, this was a rare opportunity.

If he missed it, he'd have to wait another six months, and his plans simply didn't allow for delays.

At the central hall, more than twenty people had already gathered at the steps, none of them familiar faces.

Some wore tattered robes and looked weathered from travel; others were dressed well but appeared exhausted, likely from a long journey; some were wrapped tightly like mummies, with strange limbs barely visible beneath their robes…

"This certification exam really is special," Robb thought. "Even wandering apprentices and non-humans from outside the forest are drawn to it."

"Next, please! Hurry up!" a tired-sounding middle-aged female apprentice shouted from the registration desk.

When it was Robb's turn, he stepped forward and submitted his application form along with the fifteen magic crystal fragments. He'd heard that non-faction participants had to pay double.

The registrar, an apprentice woman nearing her forties, glanced at the form and immediately looked surprised.

"Robb Reyne? Just became an Elementary Apprentice?"

She looked up, scrutinizing him with a mixture of disbelief and concern. "Kid, are you sure you want to take the potion master certification?"

Robb nodded, calm. "Yes, I'm ready."

The registrar gave a short laugh and casually set his form aside.

"You know how low the pass rate is for this exam? Even those who've studied potions for decades barely scrape by."

She lowered her voice, tone turning almost sympathetic, and held out the pouch of magic crystals.

"Here's my advice, there's still time to back out. If you voluntarily withdraw, I can use my authority as a registrar to refund your fee in full. That's a special privilege we offer only to faction apprentices."

Robb smiled slightly, recognizing her good intentions, and politely repeated his request: "Thank you very much, but I'd like to proceed with the exam."

"Kids these days… never listen. You'll wise up once life slaps you around a bit."

Seeing his determination, the registrar could only shrug. She stamped the form with a magic seal: "Effective immediately. Don't say I didn't warn you."

After thanking her, Robb received his exam badge and followed the trail of floating light-element markers to the waiting area.

About a dozen candidates were already seated there, most of them visibly anxious.

Robb scanned the room and saw that nearly everyone was far older than he was.

An elderly man with white hair was carefully reading an Alchemy notebook, his fingers stained from years of handling reagents; an aged lizardfolk with short horns sat in a corner, eyes filled with both exhaustion and hope; several middle-aged candidates in their thirties or forties were murmuring quietly, occasionally casting curious glances at Robb.

A few people noticed the young newcomer and showed surprise or doubt.

But most quickly returned to their preparations, too focused to waste energy on jealousy or suspicion.

Most of them had experienced failure too many times and knew to concentrate entirely on the exam.

Only one short, chubby middle-aged man whispered to his companion:

"These youngsters always think Alchemy is all about talent."

"Why bother?" the companion replied in a flat, almost numb tone:

"I've taken this test five times in thirty years. Every time, there's someone young and cocky. And the result?"

They exchanged bitter smiles and fell silent.

Their conversation was soon drowned out by the tense atmosphere. Robb focused on his final checks and didn't hear a word of it.

"Attention, candidates!" a faction staffer in a standard gray robe walked in. "The exam is about to begin. Please follow me to the testing hall."

The exam hall was a large circular room. Dozens of glowstones embedded in the walls provided steady, bright light.

At the center was a semicircular long table, behind it sat three examiners.