"When you are finished please return your packet to Master Devram and take your seat again. You have two hours.” A little twinkle entered the High Master's eyes as she said, "Your first trial beginsnow—you may start."
The questions started simply.
They ranged from the impact that Master Theodore DuClare had on potion making during The Celestial War and how it was vital to the success of the Solerian Army, to how goddess flower interacts with and strengthens various other potions.
How to properly brew a fever potion and whether it was swirled counterclockwise or clockwise before administering.
The questions continued to get harder as I worked my way through the packet. A few stumped me and I had to sift through my mind for Merle's voice. Our various lessons and long days in the shop's brewing room swirled around before I was able to scribble my answers down.
I breezed quickly through the measurements portion of the packet, a smirk on my lips as I did so.
Numbers I never really had an issue with.
What is the exact measurement of Goddess root powder added to the Elixir of Euphoria?
Exactly how many grams of crushed Navarrian sea star must be added to make an active hair lengthening potion?
It was the very back of the packet that truly gave me pause, my brows furrowing ever so slightly.
"Exactly fifty minutes left," Master Malek's wheezing voice called out to us. I tapped my pen against the packet thoughtfully.
The last question stood starkly against the page, but the words danced before me seemingly mocking me and my inability to answer it.
In three pages or less, explain why you want to be a Master of Potionry and how you would contribute to Tavarrian society with your Mastery.
Hesitating, pen hovering above the start of the first line, I contemplated.
Why did I want to become a Potions Master?
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely, but if I had a choice would I have chosen the path for myself? I liked caring for others and I had always had an aptitude for potion making, unlike Bran, so Merle had poured her training into me and I had just gone along with it. How could I not? Merle had given me everything. Joining the Potion Society and gaining my Mastery had been Merle's dream for me and in turn had become my own dream, but was it truly my desire?
"Oh Nine Hells," I grumbled. The man two rows down shot me a rather nasty look at the noise. Ignoring him, I began to write.
Two pages later and satisfied enough with my answer, I stood, packet in hand, as I walked to give it to Master Devram. There was still nearly twenty minutes left, and I was the third to turn in my packet.
Slumping back into my seat I rolled my neck, working out the kinks that leaning over the table for nearly two hours had brought on.
The last twenty minutes went excruciatingly slowly, but when the time was up, everyone had turned theirs in. The man who had given me an annoyed look was the last to hand over his packet, passing it to Master Devram only three seconds before High Master Belcomb had called an end to the trial.
"I congratulate you all on completing your first trial, your results will be out by the end of the week. Your second trial will be held next week and contain a morehands onapproach," she informed, and the little smile on her lips had my nerves on edge. "I look forward to seeing you all then. If you have any questions, please refer to either Master Malek or Master Devram. Thank you all.”
With a satisfied smile, I packed up my belongings.
One down, two to go.
Chapter Eight
Smoothing out the beautiful lilac dress I wore, my eyes took in every detail as I stood before the mirror. I had never worn a dress quite this fine; rarely wore dresses at all. I owned very few and the ones I did were elegant, but simple. Touched only for special occasions or holidays. This dress, however, was simply stunning.
The color was vibrant, bringing out the beautiful flush beneath my skin. The material was light and airy, shifting in an elegant twirl around my legs every time I moved. It had a flattering sweetheart neckline, with little strips of fabric that fell off my shoulders and hugged my biceps for sleeves. The top of the dress acted as a corset, embracing my curves in all the right places. I turned slightly, eyeing the silk ribbons of the corset, a shade or two darker than the rest of the dress. The skirt flowed down and out to my ankles, a beautiful fabric that moved almost like water. Strands of silver thread were woven through and shimmered as the material caught the light.
My fingers brushed the chain of the necklace that rested on my collarbone, the pendant hidden beneath the neckline.
Upon returning to the shared dormitory, after a thorough interrogation of how my first trial had gone, Rena had thrown open my little closet to search for an outfit for the party the barracks was hosting. It very quickly became apparent—to her utter disappointment—that I had nothing to wear for the evening. My closet was lined only with the issued robes for an apprentice of the Institute and a few changes of my usual tunic and pants. I hadn’t thought I’d have a need for any of the dresses I'd left hanging at home in my wardrobe.
Rena had been on a mission then, quickly seeking out a girl named Hana. It became apparent as to why once we found her, as Hana had a very similar build to me. Average height, generous curves formed through rigorous exercise, but that was where the similarities stopped.
Rena had quickly convinced the girl to loan me a dress for the night, a request that had my cheeks flaming as I insisted that I was fine wearing the robes or my tunic and pants, but Rena had simply waved me off.
