Chapter 43: The Passing Mark (Re-uploaded)

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Chapter 43: The Passing Grade (Re-uploaded)

Time slipped away in the monotony of daily lectures and practical exercises, each day passing in a state of profound fulfillment.

A month later. Sunday at noon.

Inside the castle’s dining hall, Anjou had enrolled in Professor Zhuolang’s course on blending oils. After finishing her lunch, she left the dining hall and hurried toward the Oil Alchemy Zone.

The midday sun shone directly onto the dining hall’s terrace, the light shifting to cast a bright screen of radiance beneath the pergola.

Xazo looked up at the cloudless sky, feeling a touch of heat radiating through his black robe. He picked up a copy of the *Starry Night Daily* from the dining hall counter and retreated to a cool, comfortable corner. Sipping on fragrant tea while leafing through the paper, he savored the rare solitude of the weekend.

A figure approached and sat in the seat opposite him.

Xazo lowered the paper to see Mars watching him with a wide grin. "Well, well, look who it is—the busy senior. What brings you over for a chat today?"

Mars raised his arm, pointing to his cuff, where the thread marking his proficiency in Artifact Alchemy had shifted from a single red line to two.

"Congratulations! You've successfully promoted to a Proficient-level Artifact Alchemist," Xazo laughed, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"I’m beginning my training for the Introductory Meditation technique tomorrow."

Mars checked off items on the menu and rang a bell to summon an elemental servant. "You likely won't see me for quite a long time once I start."

Xazo folded his newspaper and set it aside. "You won't be coming to the dining hall for meals?"

"That’s right. When I first begin the meditation practice, the Dean will provide plenty of satiety potions. It should be enough to last me three to five months."

The elemental servant arrived, serving a steak and a fruit platter.

Mars tucked a napkin into his collar, rubbed his hands together, and picked up his knife and fork, saying with a hint of reluctance, "I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like, going months without meat or fruit. I intend to eat my fill in the dining hall for the rest of the day."

"Haha, fair enough. Do you want me to bring you some drinks?"

Mars hesitated for a second. "Two glasses of orange juice, one iced milk, and a sparkling water. I know it’s not healthy, but I’m afraid I’ll regret it the moment I start the meditation."

"Got it, I’ll be right back."

A short while later, Xazo returned with a tray, placing four drinks on the table.

"Can you tell me about the final exams? I’ve finished training on the application problems for Potion, Oil, and Poison Alchemy. The only thing I haven't prepared for is the Artifact Alchemy section."

Mars swallowed a piece of beef, took a swig of sparkling water, and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

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"You’re quite lucky to still be in the Poison Alchemy track. Of course, that’s not just luck; your talent and disposition are both indispensable."

He popped a cherry tomato into his mouth and continued, "Here’s the thing... among the four branches—Poisons, Oils, Potions, and Artifacts—Artifact Alchemy is the most difficult, followed by Poison Alchemy."

"Since you’re a student of Professor Kurov, your practical skills in Poison Alchemy must be solid."

"In that case, you only need to focus on Artifact Alchemy."

"The good news is that the Artifact Alchemy exam only covers the Giant Constructs discipline."

Xazo nodded. "Right, we’ve only taken courses in the Giant Constructs discipline so far; we haven't touched the other two branches."

Mars swallowed the tomato and spread his hands.

"The unfortunate part is that the anvils and high-temperature furnaces needed for Giant Constructs are only available in that department's alchemy zone."

"Professor Bolton, who teaches that course, is not easy to communicate with. You probably won't be able to get into his alchemy zone."

"I’d love to give you some pointers, but my mentor, Professor Bertley of the Elemental Manifestation department, has strictly forbidden me from discussing it."

"So, I suggest you find some classmates from the Giant Constructs discipline and chat with them to learn about their practical experiences."

Xazo bobbed his head, lost in thought.

"There’s one more thing, and I’m only telling you this."

Mars scratched his golden hair. "The freshman final exams are quite brutal. Many students fail to pass even after half a year of retaking them."

*Why? Isn't it just the content from those 25 textbooks?* Xazo blinked, confused.

Mars read the expression on his face.

"Take the simplest branch, Functional Potions, for example. The exam lasts three days, covering one book per day, and every single knowledge point in each book is tested."

"If the maximum score is 1,000, how many points do you think you need to pass?"

Xazo frowned slightly. "800?"

"No, too low."

"900?"

Mars shook his head. "950 is the passing line, and that’s just for one book. You have to take exams for all 25 general curriculum textbooks over 25 consecutive days. You must score at least 950 on every single one of those 25 papers to pass the final exam."

*Hiss...*

Xazo gasped. If he didn't have his "golden finger" to help him, he might never pass as long as he lived.

A wave of anxiety washed over him. If Anjou failed... No, he had to make sure that girl memorized those books all over again!

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Mars leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"You should be thankful, Xazo. Your memory is excellent, and you’re in the Poison Alchemy track. Once you get your hands on the practical tips for Giant Constructs, passing the final exam is a certainty."

After he finished speaking, he picked up his knife and fork to feast on his steak.

"Hearing you say that, I shouldn't waste any more time reading the paper."

Xazo stood up and shouldered his bag. "I need to head to the Poison Alchemy zone. Goodbye, Senior Mars, and good luck with your meditation."

Mars waved a hand, his mouth full of meat and bone, mumbling, "Goodbye. Good luck with your exams."

...

Poison Alchemy Zone.

The alchemy chamber was silent.

Xazo set down his bag and walked over to the plush sofa, calling softly to his mentor.

Kurov set aside his book and looked at his student, who wore a trace of worry. "What is it? Are you having trouble refining poisons?"

"Teacher..."

Xazo’s expression was complex.

No professor had ever mentioned the specific details of the exams. If he hadn't happened to run into Mars, he might not have known that the passing grade was as high as 950 until he was sitting for the test.

"Teacher, do you have any past exam papers? I’d like to use them for practice."

Kurov tugged at the corner of his mustache. "Did an upperclassman tell you? These little rascals... don't go spreading this around. The Dean intended to tell you all in another month."

"But, since you already know... then you might as well start practicing."

Kurov pointed to a bookcase covered by a black cloth. "The past papers are in there. Go help yourself. You cannot take them outside; you must complete them here in the Poison Alchemy zone."

There were one month and two weeks left until the final exams.

The Dean’s plan was to announce the exam arrangements one month from now, two weeks before the tests.

In other words, by starting to drill these questions now, he would be about a month ahead of everyone else.