"We wish to see the principal," the elders who'd gone to bring the new students from Emerald village—Elder Kelvin, and Elder Jacob— announced with a small smile. They were standing in front of a big residential building with two disciples standing as guards in front. One of the white-robed disciples clasped his fist respectfully.
"We're sorry to inform you that our teacher has gone into seclusion. But as his direct students, we can deliver whatever message you have to him." He explained.
The elders exchanged glances and shook their heads. "We don't want to worry Junior about it. How about this? When Principal Gary is out of seclusion, can you let us know?" Elder Jacob suggested.
The disciple studied the elders carefully. To have rushed there immediately after returning from their trip, what they had to say must be important. He was naturally curious.
He clasped his fists again. "That won't do, Elders. Please, tell us what you want to tell our teacher." He insisted, but the elders were adamant. They wanted to report that Simon—a supposed countryside bumpkin whom they wouldn't even spare a second glance—had cleared the examination with an astounding performance. It was a shameful affair, so they didn't want to let others know, except the principal of the academy. He had to know that a new talent was now a student at their academy.
After exchanging more pleasantries, the elders took their leave, leaving the disciples behind.
"What do you think, Dylan?" The disciple behind came over and asked. They were both Blessed disciples, direct students of the principal. Of course, their level of discernment was high.
"Elder Jacob and Kelvin are austere men, unbothered about most things. But did you notice the slightly fearful look in their eyes as if they'd encountered something scary?" Dylan asked with narrowed eyes.
"I saw it. What do you suggest?" His partner asked.
"Let's follow them. We'll surely discover something." Dylan decided.
His partner—Brian—nodded in agreement. Concealing their presence, they trailed the men who'd gone away just a few minutes ago. The men moved in the direction of the registration hall. They seemed to be engaged in a conversation.
"I forgot about that young man's slight issue." Elder Kelvin clasped his forehead. Elder Jacob was about to question him when his eyes widened in realization.
"You're right. That fellow hasn't taken his examination yet. But that shouldn't be a problem. He should be at the registration hall by now. The disciples will set up the examination on his behalf. With his talent, he should be able to clear it." As Elder Jacob spoke, awe flowed into his voice. During the banquet, the village head of Emerald village had told them that Simon treated his illness with just a few silver needles, rousing stalks, and Calming balm. Their jaws had dropped to the ground, and they'd been amazed at the young man's talent.
"I know. But no matter how talented he is, have you forgotten that there are many geniuses here at the Sanctum? I'm just worried he won't fair well." Elder Kelvin shook his head. They didn't notice the two young disciples behind them.
Soon, the duo arrived at the registration hall. There was a little crowd gathered, and the disciples were whispering amongst themselves.
"What's happening?" Elder Jacob spotted one of the new disciples he'd selected from Emerald village, and who seemed to be Simon's friend. The latter clasped his fists respectfully.
"Elder Jacob. Earlier on, we came to register ourselves, and receive our identity badges just like you instructed. Well, Simon explained that he wasn't a physician yet, and would like to take the examination. But at that moment, a First Disciple interrupted him, and challenged him to a bet." Gabriel explained with twitching lips.
"A bet? Did Simon accept? No, tell me, what was the bet?" Elder Kelvin asked anxiously.
"He challenged Simon to clear his level one examination in three hours. If he passed, he'd let the matter go. But if he failed…Simon will become his servant." Gabriel explained.
Both elders sighed. "Simon is bound to lose for sure." Elder Kelvin said, shaking his head.
Gabriel nodded. While he had a high opinion of his friend, the level one physician examination was simply too difficult. He knew, because he'd taken a week to clear it. Three hours was simply asking too much, even from a very talented physician.
"But what do we do? We can't allow Simon become a servant on his very first day of enrolling." Elder Jacob whispered in a hushed voice to his colleague. Elder Kelvin sighed.
"This is an academy. Even as elders, you know we can't stop competitions between those proud fellows." He reminded his friend.
Every disciple at the Sanctum of Physician was a genius in their own right. No one was mediocre. As talented geniuses, they were bound to be proud individuals.
"If it comes down to it, we can intercede on Simon's behalf." Elder Jacob finally decided.
"It is starting!" A loud voice called out just then. Everyone rushed out of the hall, toward the direction of another large wave-like building. That was where all examinations were held. A young man was standing in front, his hands placed behind his back.
"Alright. I'll be starting now. If I win, don't forget that you'll become my servant instead." The young man said.
The black robed man in front of him fumed. "You're just a countryside bumpkin. You won't win. I am the third record holder, clearing my level two examination within three hours, thirty minutes. Do you think you'll fare any better?" He snickered.
"Indeed. Brat, you should be glad that First Disciple Michael is willing to bet with you. It's your honor." Another black robed disciple said.
Simon shook his head, not bothering to waste his breath. He wanted to clear his level one examination, but this fellow just had to interrupt and brag before him. What better way of establishing dominance was there, than winning a bet before a large crowd? Two elders stepped forward at that moment. Recognizing them, Simon clasped his fists.
"Elder Kelvin, Elder Jacob." He greeted with a small smile.
They nodded and turned to the black robed disciple. "First Disciple Michael. Simon Wang is a talented boy we selected a few days ago. Even if he fails, can you give up the condition of the bet?" Elder Kelvin asked with a small smile.
Michael hesitated. But his subordinate wasn't having it.
"A talented individual? More like a arrogant brat." He scoffed.
Michael waved his hand. "Don't worry, Elders. I won't go too far. This is the Sanctum. I just want to teach him humility." He smiled.
The elders nodded. "Alright."
Hearing their conversation, Simon was tempted to roll his eyes. To think a day would come, when a mere mortal from the lower world would want to teach him humility. But his brows furrowed just then. Even if he used a hundred of his normal speed, he'd clear the examination in two minutes. And that could prove to be a little extreme. Maybe he would use just a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of his strength. Having made the decision, he nodded to himself.
However, the others assumed that he was having second thoughts about the bet, and wanted to back out, and they sneered at him.
"Are you afraid now that you know that Michael is a First Disciple? No one will allow you back out now." Someone sneered from among the crowd. The others nodded in agreement. Registration day at the Sanctum of Physicians was the perfect opportunity to display their strengths, and awe the newcomers. It was always exhilarating.
"Afraid? Let's start now. How will the examination be conducted?" Simon asked.
"There are two ways to pass the level one examination. One, is to treat an animal who'd been sick for a few months. The time limit is two weeks. The second way, is to treat the animal, and raise its strength. This is the hardest type of examination, and the time limit is short. You only have two days." Michael explained smugly. When he'd cleared his examination, he'd used the first type, but he cleared it in a short period of two days! And his level two examination, he'd cleared it in three hours, thirty minutes. That was a huge feat that he'd always bragged about.
He noticed the sour expression on Simon's face, and convinced that the latter was getting pressured, he smirked. Most disciples were gathered there today, and that was the perfect time to put down this newcomer. The thought of it left him excited.
However, what was going on in Simon's mind wasn't pressure, but he was seriously debating if he should clear the examination within two minutes or not.
'Aiyaa. I shouldn't think too much about it. Perhaps, if I use the second method, I'll clear it in five minutes. That shouldn't be too shocking.' Simon thought to himself.
After his decision, Simon stepped into the wave-like building. Unlike a normal building, this one had a mirror exterior that could allow one look into the activities inside, thus terminating every chance of cheating.
The disciples began discussing fervently.
"Which one do you think he'll choose?" One of them asked his partner. The latter didn't hesitate.
"Should that even be a question. The first one of course. Do you see how worried he was looking when he went in?" He sneered. He was also a First Disciple. His hair was packed in a bun, and he had a slight scar on his face.
"Then, how long do you think he'll take?" His friend asked after a nod.
"I heard he's from Emerald village. Such a local person would take two weeks. After all, no matter how talented he is, he can't possibly match up to even the dullest of our disciples." Scar face replied. They continued looking.
Elder Jacob and Elder Kelvin had anxious looks on their faces. They were confident of Simon's strength, but his proficiency in medicine was uncertain.
"The building will light up according to the examination chosen. If he chooses the first one, a white glow will rise up. The second examination will induce a brown glow." Elder Jacob said.
After waiting for a while, everyone began frowning. There was no glow from the building.
"It can't be that he couldn't even choose an examination, could it?" Elder Kelvin frowned.
Michael smiled evilly. "I'm not surprised. He's just an ignorant–" Before he could go on, a blinding green glow enveloped the building.
"Green glow? H-h-how could that be?" His eyes widened, and he whispered with a hoarse voice.