Chapter 97

Yesterday's volunteer work at the church went smoothly.

This month, since a child awakened to the power of light magic, it seems various responses will be necessary... However, the priest seemed to have thought it through and said, "If help is needed, I'll let you know, but it's fine."

When I returned home in the evening, Lanna told me that I had been summoned to the Apothecary Guild to come the next day.

Lanna, with a casual, "It's troublesome, but I got the document," handed me a summons... It seems my brother was also present and apparently sent them away.

I immediately went to my master's house to consult, and he decided to come with us.

The 2nd of the third month.

In response to yesterday's summons, my brother, master, and I went to the Apothecary Guild. ...I felt a strong pressure the moment we stood at the entrance.

"Quite a warm welcome, isn't it?"

My brother, who was with me, exuded a combat-ready aura, smiled, and escorted my master into the meeting room, walking confidently. I followed behind them.

The people at the entrance chased after us, but what's going on?

Actually, I was the only one summoned. However, I had consulted with my master, and even though I said I could handle it alone, both of them insisted on coming as a precaution.

"The one who summoned me is Crane, the apprentice apothecary. Those not involved should leave."

"I am Granos, Crane Medici's brother. I'm just a retainer today. Surely, there's no problem with a noble's child bringing a retainer? Besides, what do you mean by 'apprentice'? You wouldn't call a senior apothecary an apprentice, right?"

"Hmm... I didn't hear you were a noble."

"I'm his adopted daughter. In terms of status, I am a noble. Moreover, I'm a young woman. Without a retainer, I could be subject to rumors that would tarnish my reputation."

"Pamela Medici..."

"Hey, hey. Is it the Apothecary Guild's etiquette to address a viscount without a title? If you don't know your place, shall we change the venue? Do we need the lord's presence to have a conversation?"

My brother seemed really into it, enjoying himself. His expression was blank, but when a beautiful person is angry, it's scary... He stepped in front of my master and my master, intensifying his aura, ready to bully the Apothecary Guild people.

I don't like the Apothecary Guild people either, so I think it's fine.

"Can both parties agree to this? Lord Granos, as a retainer, you don't have a seat... Lord Pamela and Miss Crane, please take these seats."

"Ah. I'll stand. It's easier to react quickly that way."

He placed his hand on the sword at his waist. It's not good to draw it in town... but since he's also a bodyguard, he's allowed to carry a weapon. However, it was a bit childish.

"Mr. Rekarst... but we only summoned the young girl."

"She's a viscount's daughter. Consider her status. As the Apothecary Guild, be mindful of your attitude towards nobles. The guild staff is at fault."

"It's too late. The staff and the apothecaries always have this attitude."

Mr. Rekarst, who seemed to be the chairman, tried to mediate and apologized to my master... but the guild staff's attitude... I knew the relationship with the Apothecary Guild was bad, but if even the staff is like this, I don't want to show my face here in the future.

Mr. Rekarst, a man in his 50s with a slightly stern look and glasses, was trying to manage the situation while being considerate of us. He sat in the center, with my master and me by the window, and my brother standing behind me.

On the opposite side, three people in formal attire sat down, likely important figures. Two people who had been hostile towards us since the beginning also took their seats.

"Let's begin. It's been a while, Lady Pamela Medici, Viscount Granos Medici. And, Miss Crane Medici, it's nice to meet you. I am Rekarst, the new head of the Apothecary Guild in Maarestat. I hold the title of Royal Apothecary, and my father was ennobled to a baron for his achievements. I am currently the successor. In this meeting, I will speak as the head of the Apothecary Guild."

Hmm. So, you just arrived in town yesterday and summoned me?

Is the new Apothecary Guild head neutral? It seems he has met my brother before and doesn't show any hostility or contempt. A Royal Apothecary and a baron... he's a high-ranking person.

The important people sitting in front of me don't seem to have any hostility. However, the staff members are glaring at us, showing clear hostility.

"Miss Crane Medici. We would like you to take an examination as an apothecary. The three people in front of you will oversee the examination. They are Lord Cruze, the head of the Royal Apothecary Guild, Lord Halber, also a Royal Apothecary, and Lord Michele, the head of the Commercial Guild in this town. The people on the side are staff members and are just observers, so you don't need to worry about them."

All the staff members seem to have hostility towards us. However, an examination... I haven't heard anything about it.

My brother and master also seem to be listening without prior notice.

"Mr. Rekarst, what kind of examination is this? Could you tell me why I should take it?"

"Miss Crane Medici, your position as an apothecary is somewhat special. You are not affiliated with the Apothecary Guild. If a problem arises with the medicine you sell to customers, the Apothecary Guild could be held responsible, which would be problematic. We would like to verify your skills. If there are no issues, we can treat you as a quasi-member, even though you are not a guild member. For example, you can sell through the Commercial Guild, like Lady Pamela."

I don't want to be involved with the Apothecary Guild... If I refuse, will I be called a fake apothecary? Or maybe the purpose is to fail me...

"I have a question. Since I am not affiliated with the guild, will it be a problem if I don't follow your orders?"

"If we want to request something from you individually, we will do so through the Adventurer's Guild. The examination is to determine whether you have the skills of an apothecary."

I see...

It doesn't seem to be a lie? If they want to verify my skills, I have no choice but to do it...

"What is the content of the examination?"

"We would like you to create the medicine we specify. The materials for the concoction are provided, and we have a recipe ready."

"Can I use either the provided recipe or my master's recipe, or only the provided one?"

"You can use either. The examination will end when the materials run out. The number and variety of medicines you create will determine your pass or fail."

I see... So, the more I can create, the better. Comparing the recipes and considering how many I can make is also part of the examination.

"Can I bring my notes?"

"There's no problem with that. You can use anything else you need, except for additional materials. Shall we start immediately? If so, we'll move to the preparation area."

"Yes. But since it will take a long time, I would like seats for my master and my brother."

"Hmm... Ah, I apologize. I understand. I'll prepare them."

I was just laughed at. Because my master and brother will definitely worry and won't leave, and I don't want them to stand the whole time.

Seats were properly prepared for both of them, but the exam overseers will stand to watch. The staff will also stand. However, the new guild head will sit. A chair was prepared next to my master. They seem to know each other.

Well, it's fine.

Let's focus.

The examination begins.

<Granos' Perspective>

"Mr. Rekarst, was it good? Such an easy examination?"

"Hehe... Indeed, that examination content is easy. She's an excellent student."

The person who laughed in response to my master's question was the person introduced as the personal apothecary of the second son of the Duke of Kyanite, whom I met in Cynoaves. He became the head of the Apothecary Guild in this town yesterday, holds the title of Royal Apothecary, and is a baron himself. He seems to be an excellent apothecary. My master apparently had a decent relationship with this man's father.

"I don't really understand, but is it an easy examination?"

"Yes, it might be difficult if she's nervous... but she seems eager to finish quickly and go home. There's no problem."

"The examination content is the same as last year's Royal Apothecary examination. Only one person passed last year, but the overseers claim the passing conditions are the same."

"The quality has dropped significantly. I checked the list Crane was holding to make it visible to us, and she can make 80% of the medicines. The material management is not a problem for her."

My master had thoroughly checked the list. There are 100 recipes, with 10 super-grade, 20 each of high-grade upper, middle, and lower, and 30 mid-grade upper. He said it's not a problem.

"The condition is to create one super-grade medicine, but you said it's not a problem?"

"Indeed, she thinks the examination is to create as many types as possible. Given her personality, she will start with the recipes she has made before... but in the end, she will try to make the super-grade recipes I didn't give her, just like the high-grade ones. She can't judge the difficulty of the recipes based on the names or the difficulty levels of the medicines."

"...Scary."

As my master predicted, she started with the mid-grade ones she is familiar with and easily made the medicines on the list. The medicines are being made steadily, and she seems to be enjoying it.

She seems to be more suited to being an apothecary than an adventurer. I think she has high abilities in both.

However... she is comparing the borrowed recipes and taking notes. She seems more interested in the content of the recipes than the examination.

She will probably try different methods later... I need to make sure she doesn't stay up all night studying in the room.

"Crane seems to be enjoying it, but the other side looks pale. What's the actual situation, Master?"

"Of course, it's impossible to make high-grade medicines without failing. Once they realize she is better than them, they will react like that."

"How did you raise her to that level? I want to learn and teach my students."

"She's an adventurer. If she explores dungeons and slays monsters, her level will rise quickly. It's natural for her to grow faster than just making medicines."

Actually, it's the result of power leveling. Still, she has been making steady progress due to her efforts.

After watching the examination for a few hours, the number of medicines she has made has already exceeded 60 types.

Even if she fails, she succeeds the next time, so it's safe to say she is making them without any problems.

"I didn't expect her to have such skills... She's making the high-grade middle ones normally."

"No, the high-grade middle ones should have a lot of failures. She might have mass-produced concoction medicines in the past week, during which I was busy and couldn't watch her..."

"Master, Crane has been asked by the Adventurer's Guild to make a large number of concoction medicines for stampede prevention, and she has also been making them for us... The team has grown. Naga has forbidden work in the workshop after 10 PM."

"That's... well, she tends to overdo it, so it might be a good thing. She will listen to Naga."

The materials for the concoction medicines were also collected in large quantities by Naga and the others, so she could make as many as she wanted. Making them in bulk is difficult when you fail, but she has been making them in bulk more often since she stopped failing...

It's a good thing that my master is watching her proudly.

"The guild has become more flexible than in the past, but do you have any intention of returning?"

"No. I accept that you became the guild head... but there's no point in reconciling now."

"For the sake of your student?"

"Her skills. She will have customers even without the Apothecary Guild... and she can fight as an adventurer, too."

He glanced at me, so I nodded.

She is indeed excellent as both an adventurer and an apothecary.

To begin with... I feel like I've been harassed by the guild staff since the beginning. It's not just my imagination.

She is ignoring them, so I'm not making a fuss... but the relationship won't improve. If my master were to reconcile with the Apothecary Guild, it would be different.