Chapter 20: Lei Yin’s Notorious Name

“Why are you still following us?!” Little Merlin turned her head, only to find Dutaine leading his group of youths right behind them.

“There’s only one path to the Pharmacist Apprentice Assessment. Just because you walk it, does that mean we can’t? Is the Pharmacist Guild owned by your family?” Dutaine scoffed, retorting with a smug, triumphant air.

“Don’t mind him,” Lu Yuan said. “If he wants to follow, let him.”

In front of the Pharmacist Guild’s Apprentice Assessment Room, Lu Yuan and Merlin made their way, with Dutaine and his dozen or so young apprentices trailing close behind.

The procession created an imposing atmosphere. The young woman at the front desk, responsible for handling pharmacist assessment procedures, spotted the formidable group from afar and quickly emerged from behind her counter.

“Are you gentlemen here for the Pharmacist Apprentice Assessment?”

“Yes, I’m here to register my apprentice for the pharmacist assessment,” Lu Yuan replied.

“Ah? You are also a pharmacist?” Hearing this, the young woman’s beautiful eyes swept over Lu Yuan, and she visibly froze for a moment. She quickly realized her lapse in etiquette, bowing apologetically, her face now showing a clear deference. “I apologize, esteemed Pharmacist. I spoke out of turn. I will process your registration immediately.”

She then retrieved a yellowed, ancient parchment from the counter, gracefully holding a pen in her delicate hand. Looking up, she smiled sweetly at Lu Yuan. “Sir, please state your apprentice’s name and age, as well as your own name. I need to register you.”

“Merlin Ambrosius, age twelve. Instructor… Lei Yin.” Lu Yuan hesitated briefly, ultimately deciding against using his own name.

“Lei Yin?” The young woman’s small hand, gripping the pen, suddenly trembled upon hearing the name. Her gaze at Lu Yuan filled with alarm.

The reputation of “Poison Pharmacist” Lei Yin was legendary in Usutal City, a name that resonated far and wide. Though she had only recently joined the Guild, the name was already infamous to her. Never having met Lei Yin in person, she was startled to learn that the man before her was the notorious Poison Pharmacist. Her pen, poised to record, involuntarily froze.

“Hahahahaha.” Witnessing this, Dutaine, who had been trailing Lu Yuan, burst into laughter. “Lei Yin, just look at yourself. You’ve frightened the poor girl half to death. The name ‘Poison Pharmacist’ truly lives up to its formidable reputation.”

“How tedious.”

Lu Yuan shook his head, speaking earnestly to the young woman at the front desk. “There are others waiting in line. Please complete my registration.”

“Ah… yes…” The young woman nodded hastily, scrambling to record the details. Her subsequent handwriting was noticeably much messier.

Lu Yuan, however, paid it no mind. His only concern was getting the registration completed smoothly.

Once the registration was finalized, the young woman bowed gracefully to Lu Yuan once more. “The registration is complete. Esteemed Pharmacist, please withdraw for now. Those participating in the assessment should proceed into the examination room to wait. The pharmacist responsible for the assessment will arrive shortly.”

As she spoke, she gestured towards the large door behind her.

Lu Yuan was already aware, from Lei Yin’s memories, that the supervising pharmacist for the apprentice assessment needed to recuse themselves to avoid any conflict of interest, so he raised no objections.

He gently patted Merlin’s small head. “Go on in. I’ll wait for you upstairs. Don’t be nervous about the exam; it’s fine even if you don’t pass.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle! Just look whose apprentice I am! An exam of this level is absolutely no problem,” Little Merlin declared, waving her tiny fists with a confident expression.