章 1943: First Exam

The truth was, Grand Master Hazard held the authority to confer the Master apothecary rank upon Emery without doing the exam if he so wished. Yet, understanding that such an act required pulling strings with another Grandmaster and with the exam imminent within a week, Emery decided to decline the offer. His refusal stemmed not only from the desire to earn the prestigious title through merit but also from a deep curiosity about the nature of the impending exam.

"Yes of course, I am sure a genius like you would ace the exam!" Grand Master Hazard had said, offering words of encouragement before Emery applied for the exam a few days back.

With the grand master's advice resonating in his mind, Emery opted to adopt the name Merlin. The alias was an already established and well-known apothecary, a persona he hoped would not only contribute to the success of his future apothecary shop but also provide some distance from the infamous record associated with his real name.