The journey to the apothecary institute had to be one of the most memorable and wondrous experiences Emery had ever had in his entire fifteen years of existence. It couldn't certainly compare to those horse-drawn carriages but was on par with the floating castles or even the portal wherein you take one step and then you'd find yourself in a different location in an instant. Still, the thing that stood out the most was the refreshing rush of air on his face and freedom he had felt as if he was a bird flying in the sky.
The gnawing feeling on his stomach didn't last long as he found the sights around him were worth it. Soon, they arrived at a much towering building where there were also lots of flying boats entering and exiting. They landed on one of the balconies and when they got off the boat-bird, Emery followed Master Grom and was greeted by another acolyte wearing a slightly different uniform that had an emblem of a triangular container on the chest.
"Welcome back, Master Grom," the acolyte said, slightly bowing. Just like Master Grom, the acolyte faintly smelled of herbs and earth.
Master Grom nodded in response and said, "Cedric, this is the new recruit. His name is... just ask him his name and give him the standard orientation into the institute"—the dwarf then turned to face Emery and added—"Boy, you don't need to be the best student or anything, just make sure not to embarrass me okay? And... and... remember what I told you earlier, understood?"
Emery chuckled in his mind seeing how the dwarf had turned slightly red again. He kept his face innocent and said, "Yes, Master Grom."
The dwarf cleared his throat again. "Good, good. Oh yes, I almost forgot."
Master Grom grabbed Emery's wrist, placed his palm on top of Emery and both symbols glowed for a moment. He said, "Okay, check your palm now."
[You are hereby invited into the apothecary institute]
[Accept?]
Of course Emery would accept the offer, he needed this!
[You are now an Apothecary Apprentice rank 1]
"Now, that is settled, until next year then."
Emery was over the moon now that he had completed one of the objectives to pass the first year's requirements, to be accepted in any institution. All that he needed to accomplish was to increase his spirit power by using the potions he had received.
Cedric sighed after the dwarf had left. He commented, "Master Grom thinks he's so slick and could whisper without anyone hearing them. I presume he had asked you to do something for him about a certain woman, had he?"
"How did you know, senior?" Emery asked, stupefied.
"It's no secret the master has a huge fondness towards beautiful women. And since you're a first year acolyte, I also presume she's your advisor. That'd make sense the most. Anyway, we shouldn't burn any more daylight. Let us start now, shall we?"
Every word Cedric had said was right on the spot. Emery was astounded at his smartness. He then shook off his thoughts and said to Cedric, "One moment please, senior. If you don't mind, I actually have to..."
Emery took out a bottle from his pouch hanging on his waist and Cedric nodded.
"Ahh, green essence potion, the reward for collecting four-leaf moon clovers."
Emery couldn't help but think how smart Cedric was as he popped open the container.
"Could that not wait though? I mean, it's best we get the orientation done first."
Emery shook his head.
"I'm still a first rank acolyte, senior. It's better I get this one done first before doing anything else," Emery said before chugging down the bitter green liquid up to the last drop. He thought the potion didn't have an effect on his body after he had placed the empty bottle back in the pouch when his guts suddenly warmed and sent a wonderful electrifying sensation throughout all parts of his body, including the tips of his toes and fingers.
He then checked his status and read the following:
[Spirit power has increased by two points]
[You have succeeded in reaching second rank acolyte]
[Battle power has increased by one point]
[Emery Ambrose]
[Battle power 16]
[Spirit power 30]
[Rank 2 Acolyte]
[Rank 1 Apprentice - Apothecary]
[Congratulations! You have passed all the requirements for first year acolytes in the academy]
[All first year acolytes who have passed will gather first thing tomorrow morning]
Just by drinking one bottle, Emery felt revitalized for the day and the dark circles underneath his eyes had disappeared. The breakthrough to second rank had also increased his battle power since when a person crosses a certain limit of spirit power so does the physical attributes.
Emery twiddled the remaining bottles in his pouch. Even though he was determined to share it with Mags, he became tempted to drink all of them at once thinking if he drank the eight, would he break through to third rank?
Emery imagined it with a smile and forgot for a moment where he was when he realized Cedric was still waiting for him.
"I see, reaching your second rank on your last day. You are probably the most untalented acolyte I've ever seen. Looks like you're finished though? Let's go, it's already noon at the moment."
Emery didn't mind Cedric's remark and said, "Yes, thank you for waiting."
"Don't worry, I'm on my fourth year here and I have more time to spend. It's actually your time that's limited." Cedric then invited Emery to walk through the Institute of Apothecary. The senior proceeded to explain that even though it was the people on the frontline that won the war, without the support of the path of crafting, no troops would simply dare to just go to the battlefield.
"The path of crafting is the art, the creation and the core of everything. There are dozens of institutions in the path of crafting, but apothecary is one of the three major crafting institutions" Cedric said.
"How long till be able to create something like this green essence potion?" Emery asked.
"Well, it all depends on the potion's strength. Tell me, how many points did you receive?"
"Two points, from twenty-eight to thirty."
"That's low. I guess master Grom gave you the low-level one" Cedric said as they walked into one of those moving stairs. "That potion isn't hard to make, but its issue is the main ingredient."
"What about a potion that can increase bloodline power?" Emery asked, remembering last night's event.
"That one is much harder to make. On top of its rare ingredients, it needs to be brewed for months and requires special tools to make."
Finally, they arrived in a large hall like a palace library that was filled with imposing shelves and rich book collections. After Cedric spoke to the receptionist, the receptionist summoned several items and he passed them to Emery. "These are the starting equipment for a rank 1 apprentice."
Emery received a set of clothes that is slightly different from the acolyte outfit he was wearing. This uniform had the same emblem Cedric had but with the number one underneath the emblem. Emery also received two scrolls and when he opened it:
[Universal flora knowledge rank 1]
[Analyze flora rank 1]