216 THE PHARMACEUTICAL LICENSE
[In the Pharmaceutical Association of Sodom City]
The group entered a sprawling hall packed with aspiring pharmacists, all gathered for the mass testing event in Sodom City.
The new law forbidding unlicensed medical practices had drawn a flood of applicants eager to legalize their businesses and continue trading.
Bara and her sisters registered for the exams and prepared themselves for the challenges ahead.
The first test was largely theoretical, focused on identifying and analyzing ingredients. It was an easy hurdle for the sisters, who had honed their skills while working in the Lilleo-Megane pharmaceutical factory.
Ingredient sorting and quality checks had been part of their daily routine.
"This is going to be a breeze," Bara said confidently as she joined her sisters for the test.
Hundreds of applicants were tested in the large hall. When the session concluded, Bara returned to the group, her excitement evident.
"I passed the first round! And so did all my sisters!" she exclaimed.
Leo smiled but remained cautious. "This is just the beginning. I doubt the next tests will be as simple."
From the edge of the room, Leo noticed a few people watching them with clear hostility. Their glares were unmistakable, and their intentions didn't seem friendly.
"Hostility Ratings: 100%"
It was clear they were targeting the representatives of Lilleo-Megane Pharmacy.
The second round of testing was a practical examination, but this year it came with an unexpected twist.
"Erm... due to the unprecedented number of applicants in this year's pharmacist registration exams, we've made adjustments to the second round," announced President Willy Moore from a raised podium.
"It will now be a test by elimination. Only the highest scorers in each batch will advance to the third round."
The room erupted into protests.
"This is unfair! What about those who qualify but don't score the highest?" one applicant shouted.
"We understand your concerns," President Moore said calmly, "but we are legally limited in how many licenses can be issued this year. These measures are necessary."
Megane leaned toward Leo and whispered, "What do you think about this sudden rule change?"
Leo frowned. "Something doesn't add up. This feels like more than just fucking crowd control."
It was soon Bara and her sisters' turn to be tested. As they approached the testing area, they noticed an unusual arrangement: all five sisters were placed in the same batch.
"This is great!" Bara said with a grin. "We'll all move on to the next round together."
Megane's face darkened. "No, this is bad."
"Why do you say that?" Bara asked, puzzled.
"There are five of you in the batch," Megane explained, "but the other five participants are the best pharmacists from the Cergontyn family."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'the best'?"
"They're already licensed pharmacists," Megane said grimly. "They've voluntarily relinquished their licenses just to retake the exam. And now they're directly competing against our girls."
Leo's jaw tightened. "They fucking gave up their licenses so they can sabotage us."
"Exactly," Megane said. "It's a calculated attempt to block us from securing any licenses. The Cergontyn family is behind this—I'm sure of it."
Leo clenched his fists, his gaze narrowing on the Cergontyn group.
"We'll deal with this. But for now, Bara and her sisters need to focus on their task. If the Cergontyn family thinks they can fuck with us, they're in for a fucking surprise."
-----
The ten examinees gathered in a grand hall where ten cauldrons were arranged in a circle, each glinting under the soft glow of enchanted chandeliers.
The rules were simple: each contestant had to use one of the cauldrons to brew a specified potion within the time limit. The potion's precision, potency, and purity would determine their scores.
Bara and her sisters took their positions, their hands slightly trembling as they adjusted their tools and ingredients. While they brewed potions before, this was their first high-stakes test.
Anxiety gripped them like a shadow.
Across the circle, the opposing contestants exuded calm confidence. They were seasoned professionals—licensed pharmacists retaking the exam. For them, this was a walk in the park.
"What are we going to do?" Megane whispered urgently to Leo, her voice tinged with worry. "There's no way our girls can beat those experienced pharmacists. They've got years of practice on their side."
Leo observed the scene with narrowed eyes. "We'll see," he murmured.
Stepping closer to the cauldrons, Leo discreetly examined the magical codes etched into them as he opened his control panel, his tool for hacking in this world.
He scanned for tampering or signs of sabotage in the cauldrons but there was none. After a moment, he straightened up and crossed his arms. "The cauldrons are clean. The Cergontyn family isn't cheating—at least, not directly by fucking with the cauldrons."
Megane frowned. "So, they're just relying on their overwhelming experience to win?"
"Exactly," Leo said.
"And that's the problem!" Megane said, frustration spilling into her voice. "Our girls don't have that kind of experience. How can they possibly compete?"
Leo's lips curled into a faint, mischievous smile. "They might be playing fair," he said, "but that doesn't mean I fucking will."
Megane's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see."
-----
"These novices don't stand a chance against us," Ajit scoffed, stirring his ingredients confidently. "We have years of experience, the best training, and top-tier ingredients. There's no way we can fail."
"Just focus on the job, Ajit," Amil said, casting a wary glance toward the other contestants. "Underestimating opponents can be dangerous."
Ajit sneered. "What can they do? Pharmacist work isn't child's play. Those girls are way out of their league if they think they can match our years of expertise."
As the test began, the Cergontyn team activated the enchanted fire beneath their cauldrons, murmuring spells to stabilize the flames. Suddenly, a flare erupted, the flames roaring far too high.
"What the hell?" Ajit exclaimed. "Who tampered with the cauldron?"
"This isn't the time to talk. Fix it before it ruins the brew!" Amil barked, quickly adjusting the magical runes.