Steve knew nothing about the pharmacist certification, so Torbj?rn and a few others explained it to him.

"The certification examination is about to begin. The first round will assess your talent. Brother Linken, what was the elemental sensing value assessment in your previous round?" Torbj?rn asked.

"Elemental sensing value? I did not check." Steve responded with a smile. In fact, he was not even clear about what exactly the elemental sensing value was.

"How do you usually refine your serum?" asked Lance curiously.

"I refine it based on my feelings, then constant practice helps in the completion," said Steve, raising one hand.

In actual fact, the Heart of the Universe would conduct the simulated experiment first. Then, Steve would only need to follow the steps simulated by the Heart of the Universe, refining the serum by his feeling and intuition. So, when Steve was asked about the entire refining process, he really had no idea.

"Since you are able to completely rely on feeling to refine serum, your elemental sensing value must be high," said Clinton, staring at Steve in shock.

Everyone else was also surprised. Later on, when everyone knew that Steve had been recommended to take the certification examination directly, they all thought that he must be a peerless genius.

"Earl, maybe Steve is even more of a genius than you," Lance said with a smile.

Earl looked at Steve, his eyes filled with a fighting spirit. He then said, "Hey! I won't lose! Just you wait and see. My grades will be higher than his."

Just then, at the front of the hall, six pharmacists, who were dressed in formal red robes, came out alongside a serious F grade pharmacist.

"Hello, everyone. I am your chief examiner, Alex. My two deputy examiners are Mr. Frank and Mr. Willie..."

After introducing the six people in his group, Alex introduced the rules of the exam, "Today's certification examination is divided into three sessions. The first is the elemental talent test, the second is the pharmacist knowledge question and answer portion, and the third will deal with on-site refining. The certification score will be based on your total score..."

At this time, Steve noticed that, in front of the six people, there were three crystal detectors and some data evaluation instruments. According to Torbj?rn and the others, as well as the invigilators, the crystals could detect a person's elemental talent and the data evaluation instruments were used to provide specific data values.

"Please separate yourselves into three groups, then come forward, so that we can detect your elemental talent," said Alex.

The number of noble apprentices present was nearly double that of the civilian apprentices. Thus, the noble apprentices were lined up in two groups, while the civilian apprentices were all gathered into one singular group. This was mainly because the noble apprentices did not wish to be grouped together with the civilian apprentices, and vice versa.

Steve observed his surroundings, as he took his place in the middle of the line behind Earl and Catherine. At the same time, he also observed the elemental talent detection.

The apprentices at the front of the line put their hands on the crystals. Then, the crystals lit up according to their talents. The light rays contained various colors, as if the elements in the heavens and earth had been enlarged.

"Sethi, talent value 40..."

"Darwin, talent worth 12..."

"Albert, talent value 8..."

Steve had some doubts about the reported talent values...

"How is the elemental talent value determined exactly?" Steve asked Torbj?rn.

Torbj?rn had become accustomed to Steve's ignorance regarding the pharmacist certification examination. In fact, many of the apprentices, who had never taken the certification examination before, did not understand much either.

"Our daily refining of serum is actually very dependent on how we sense the changes in the elements of the serum. The more accurate we sense the changes, the greater the success rate. Therefore, one's affinity for the elements is very important," Torbj?rn explained patiently to Steve.

Steve finally understood that refining serum was not as simple as he had imagined. It was also the first time that he had heard about the elemental affinity theory.

"How is the elemental affinity considered to be good?" Steve asked.

"The higher the elemental affinity, the higher the value of the elemental talent detected. For example, a normal person's elemental affinity is only within the range of 1 to 50, and those with more than 30 are eligible to become pharmacists." Torbj?rn said.

He then whispered, as if he were sharing a great secret, "Someone with an elemental affinity between 30 and 50 would be detected with a greater value of elemental talent. As such, the chances of becoming a pharmacist would naturally be higher for someone with a value above 50. So, in general, the higher the elemental affinity, the higher the elemental talent."

He then added one last piece of crucial information. "As to whether there is a limit on elemental affinity, no one really knows. In the past, there were geniuses, who were said to have values of more than 100, 200, or even 300!"

When Torbj?rn talked about these geniuses, he could not help feel both envy and admiration for them.

"Does the elemental affinity remain unchanged? Does a lower value in elemental affinity translate to a higher failure rate?" Steve asked.

"The value for elemental affinity does not remain unchanged. You can improve the affinity through the serum, training, or practicing the refinement of serum," said Torbj?rn.

He was a bit surprised by the questions, as he had not expected Steve to be so ignorant. In fact, at that moment, he had some doubts in his heart as to whether Steve was indeed an apprentice.

He then continued to explain. "In fact, an elemental affinity can't fully represent the success rate, as anything can be done well with constant practice. However, those with a lower value in elemental talent would need to put in more hard work than those with a higher value."

He concluded, sharing that, "The elemental talent value determines the maximum limit of one person. A grand master pharmacist once said that 'a genius is made up of one percent of talent, plus ninety-nine percent of sweat. But that one percent of talent is even more important than ninety-nine percent of sweat.'"

When he heard the famous saying, Steve suddenly had a feeling of déjà vu.

"I have never checked my elemental talent value. What is my talent value?" Steve wondered aloud.

"The function of the system is temporarily not ready, so I am currently unable to answer your question," the Heart of the Universe reported. "But, I can simulate the most perfect experiment for you, master, and you will get the most perfect result. You see, master, the level of elemental talent does not affect you."

Steve was even more curious to know whether he was talented, as his success rate had been so high, to the extent that he could even do without the Heart of the Universe's help when he refined serums. At this point, the elemental talent detection was still in progress, with the majority of the apprentices being detected with values below 50.

Comparing the two camps, the civilian camp had an average value that was ten points higher than that of the noble camp.This showed the gap between the two camps. However, the noble camp definitely did not lack of geniuses with impressively high elemental talent values.

"Finally! It's Daniel's turn. Guess how much elemental talent value he has?"

"I bet it's over 100. He's the most promising genius in our noble camp."

"For this pharmacist certification examination, Daniel, Catherine, and Earl are 100% capable of passing the examination. It's just that no one knows who will score the highest!"

"Hmph! Although our noble group has one less person than the civilian group, our group will certainly achieve the highest score."

For a while, the two groups of people looked at one another, a sense of provocation in their eyes. Steve also wondered how much talent Daniel would have.

Notes:

Also, I'm currently discussing the terms of signing a contract with WN. There are many terms, so I'm asking WN for clarification and taking advice from my friends. I'll definitely let everyone know beforehand if I end up signing the contract.