The elder mage looked at the name on the exam paper: "Gaode."
He didn’t know Gaode personally, but he recognized the name. After all, the matter concerning Gaode had first spread among the instructors before reaching the students.
"Interesting! How fascinating!" he marveled inwardly at the sight of the name, picking up his teacup to take a sip.
Of course, he kept his face completely expressionless. Although the elder mage belonged to the neutral faction, common sense dictated that he, like most people, wasn’t optimistic about Gaode’s chances of fighting for first place in credits. But now, he had changed his mind.
To master such an easy-A course so well proved that he was a serious student. A student of this disposition, one who would do something as "crazy" as taking sixteen courses simultaneously, must possess some degree of confidence.
"Young people these days!" Recalling the horrifying number of sixteen courses once more, the knowledgeable elder mage still found it utterly outrageous. But with the facts already partially laid out before him, he could only concede to his old age.
As for Gaode handing in his paper early, the other students taking the exam in the classroom were slightly startled, but they didn’t think much of it. The image of *General Magic Recognition* as an easy-A course was deeply rooted in everyone’s minds. It was like a math exam—if someone handed their paper in early, you would think they were a genius. But if it were a literature exam and someone handed their paper in early, you would at most think, "This guy sure writes fast!"
After handing in his paper and leaving the examination room, Gaode did not return to his dormitory. Instead, he hurried to another building in the academy to catch his next exam.
The final exam for *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* was also scheduled for this morning. Of course, to prevent a scheduling conflict for students enrolled in both, the specific exam time was staggered with that of *General Magic Recognition*.
Because he had handed in his paper early, the examination room for the *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* course hadn’t even opened by the time Gaode arrived. Students were temporarily barred from entering and were made to wait outside the classroom.
With nothing else to do, Gaode simply closed his eyes, concentrated, and recalled the Composite Rune diagram in his mind to pass the time. Time flew by once he had something to focus on. By the time Gaode noticed the conversations around him growing increasingly chaotic and opened his eyes, it was almost time for the exam.
Outside the examination room, the area was already packed with students waiting to take the test. *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* was also a mandatory branch course for *Magic Potion*. After all, if you didn’t even recognize medicinal materials, how could you have the nerve to call yourself an alchemist? Therefore, the attendance rate for this course was equally high, and the number of students taking the exam was quite large.
Coming back to his senses, Gaode noticed that quite a few of these students were frequently casting glances at him, accompanied by hushed discussions. Under the watchful eyes of the "spectators" and "gamblers," the sixteen courses Gaode had elected to take had long been fully exposed. Thus, most people also knew that over these two days, Gaode would face the final exams for three courses.
Excluding the easy-A course *General Magic Recognition*, this exam for *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* was undoubtedly the first real test of Gaode’s skill level. These students, eagerly waiting for a good show, were full of curiosity about what kind of results Gaode could achieve. Now that the man himself was right in front of them, it was naturally not surprising that he drew a bit more attention and discussion.
Amidst the students’ heated discussions, the examination room finally opened, allowing the students to enter.
The final exam for *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* was also an indoor test, but its specific format differed greatly from that of *General Magic Recognition*. In the spacious room, dozens of bluestone tables were arranged, each bearing a sealed box.
As soon as they entered the examination room, the students who had just been eagerly discussing everything quieted down, their expressions turning serious. The atmosphere became somewhat oppressive and anxious. Because the failure rate for *Medicinal Materials General Knowledge* was actually quite high, everyone felt more or less nervous and apprehensive.
Following the seating arrangement, Gaode went to his assigned bluestone table and sat down. As usual, the staff first verified the students’ identity nameplates. After that was completed, the supervising instructor in charge of this exam officially announced the start of the test.
At the crisp chime of a bell, a hazy light barrier slowly rose around each bluestone table. The barrier took the shape of an inverted bowl, enveloping the bluestone table along with the examinee seated in front of it. As the barrier descended, Gaode found that his vision was restricted to the bluestone table; he was completely unable to see anything outside.
"An anti-cheating measure?" Gaode wondered inwardly.
"Everyone, open the box in front of you. Note that no sounds are allowed during the exam... Furthermore, exchanging medicinal materials or looking at others’ answers is strictly prohibited..." The supervising instructor’s voice, carrying a trace of unquestionable authority, transmitted from the outside.
Gaode quietly tore the seal off the box and opened it. A fragrant scent, mixed with the unique aromas of various medicinal materials, immediately wafted against his face. Inside the box were numerous medicinal materials, each marked with a corresponding number. Every stalk was a carefully selected sample. Beside them lay a parchment scroll.
Gaode picked up the scroll and opened it. The exam questions were written on it.
Question One: "Please detail the name of Medicinal Material No. 1, its most common place of origin and geographical characteristics, medicinal parts, medicinal properties, and common applications."
Gaode took a deep breath and shifted his gaze to the medicinal material labeled No. 1 in the box. It was an herb with a unique shape. Its leaves were slender and its edges serrated. Its stem was covered in fine downy hairs, and small, pale purple flowers bloomed at its tip, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Medicinal Material No. 1..." Gaode muttered in his heart. The information regarding it naturally popped into his mind without him even having to deliberately recall it.
Gaode picked up his pen and began writing his answer below the question.
"’Purple Down Grass’ is produced in large quantities at the southern foot of the Estrella Mountain Range. The climate there is humid with long hours of sunshine, and the soil is rich in vital substances, making it an ideal place for Purple Down Grass to grow.
"The roots of Purple Down Grass are rich in various active ingredients and are commonly used to make potions that promote wound healing...
"In addition, Purple Down Grass can enhance the stability and effectiveness of a potion, and is also commonly used as an auxiliary medicinal material in the concoction of unstable magic potions..."
Question Two: "Please analyze and compare the similarities and differences between Medicinal Materials No. 2 and No. 3..."
Gaode quickly shifted his thoughts, turning his attention to the medicinal materials labeled No. 2 and No. 3 in the box. Medicinal Material No. 2 was a seemingly ordinary herbaceous plant with broad, dark green leaves. Its surface was covered with a layer of microscopic dew, emitting a faint scent of vegetation, while its roots appeared thick and sturdy.
At first glance, Medicinal Material No. 3 looked almost identical to No. 2. However, as Gaode picked up both herbs and gave them a light sniff near his nose, he could vaguely detect a slightly bitter, exotic fragrance from No. 3.
Instantly, he formed an initial judgment in his mind. He picked up his pen again and began to write his answer on the parchment: "Medicinal Material No. 2 is ’Evergreen Ivy,’ renowned for its tenacious life force.
"Its vines are rich in magic power and its medicinal properties are mild. It has the effect of relaxing muscles, stimulating blood circulation, and relieving fatigue. It is often used as an auxiliary medicinal material to enhance physical strength.
"Meanwhile, the roots of the Evergreen Ivy, due to their powerful life force, are considered one of the most important ingredients in producing life-recovery potions...
"As for Medicinal Material No. 3, although its appearance is identical to Evergreen Ivy, the slightly bitter, exotic fragrance it emits is unique to Bitter Green Vine.
"Apart from the smell, the leaf edges of the Bitter Vine often have fine serrations, which Evergreen Ivy lacks... Bitter Green Vine possesses moderate toxicity... If mistakenly used as Evergreen Ivy, it will cause..."
Question Three: "Please describe and explain the special growth conditions of Medicinal Material No. 4 and their impact on its medicinal properties..."
Question Four: "Regarding Medicinal Material No. 5, please elaborate on the importance of its harvesting season, and explain the changes in its medicinal properties when gathered at different times, as well as how these changes affect its efficacy in magic potion concoction..."
Question Five: "Please list and compare three medicinal materials that are similar yet distinct in medicinal properties to Medicinal Material No. 6. Analyze their respective characteristics, medicinal advantages, and potential alternative uses..."
There was a total of twenty questions, each worth five points. The breadth and depth of the knowledge points covered in the questions were enough to give most students a headache. However, as long as it was an assessment leaning toward theoretical knowledge, it wouldn’t be a difficult problem for Gaode, who had studied under the blessing of [Divine Guidance Skill+].
In terms of comprehensive theoretical knowledge, no student in this course could compare to Gaode. Therefore, sweeping through all twenty questions, Gaode didn’t get stuck on a single one, spending no more than three minutes per question.
About fifty minutes later, Gaode packed up his things, stood up, left the barrier of light, and handed in his paper early once again.
As soon as he stepped out of the barrier, Gaode realized that although you couldn’t see the outside from the inside, you had a completely unobstructed view of the inside from the outside. With a sweeping glance, Gaode could see the students inside the various barriers. They were either furrowing their brows tightly, writing furiously, or holding the medicinal materials with their eyes wide open, as if doing so would allow them to spot something...
It was a microcosm of the examination room. Gaode silently submitted his paper and departed at a leisurely pace.
At this moment, another benefit of the barrier became apparent. Its sight-isolating effect ensured that all students could only focus on themselves, unable to know how the other students in the room were faring. This way, their mindset wouldn’t be influenced by the outside world.
Academic underachievers probably all shared this experience: during an exam, when you were scratching your head and feeling overwhelmed by the difficulty of the questions, someone in the same room handing in their paper early could sometimes bring more psychological pressure than the questions themselves.