Xiu carefully placed the final synthesized nutrient paste into its labeled container, cleaned his workstation meticulously, and stopped the digital timer displayed on the nearby screen. He raised his hand towards the front of the laboratory where the examiners observed impassively.
After receiving a curt nod of acknowledgment, he turned and walked out of the practical examination room, leaving behind the other candidates still engrossed in their respective tasks – identifying obscure plant samples, performing simulated first aid on Pokémon dummies, analyzing chemical compositions.
Outside the lab, a staff member directed him back towards the main waiting hall on the first floor. It was still relatively empty; only a handful of other candidates who had completed all five practical stations sat scattered on the benches, looking drained but relieved.
To maintain exam integrity and prevent collusion, candidates were required to wait here until everyone had finished before the final results were released. Xiu finally had a chance to sit down, lean back, and mentally review his performance.
The five practical operations, despite the sudden change in format, hadn't overwhelmed him. Yes, the number of tasks was greater than expected, but the individual difficulty hadn't exceeded the scope of the Junior Breeder curriculum he'd been studying, nor the practical skills he'd honed at the Rescue Station.
Most stations – like material identification or basic pharmacological mixing – he'd completed well within the fifteen-minute time limit. Others, like the simulated emergency first aid scenario or the dietary ration formulation task, he'd finished even faster, in under ten minutes, drawing on his recent real-world experiences. His speed was likely why he was among the first to finish.
'I still don't understand why they changed the rules so abruptly,' He mused, rubbing his tired eyes. 'And why adopt the Intermediate format?.' He replayed his actions at each station in his mind – checking procedures, recalling specific details. No obvious errors came to mind. He felt confident he'd performed competently. 'Whatever the reason for the change, I did what I could.' Dwelling on the 'why' was pointless now. The outcome was out of his hands.
He pulled out one of the Stationmaster's notebooks and started reading, losing himself in the complex theories, blocking out the nervous energy of the waiting hall.
— — —
As time crawled by, more candidates finished their practical exams and straggled back into the hall, their expressions ranging from weary confidence to utter dejection. It seemed most managed to complete the tasks within the allotted time, suggesting the overall caliber of applicants aiming for certification was indeed quite high, even if the passing rate might be lower due to the increased difficulty.
Finally, around three o'clock in the afternoon, a senior staff member entered the hall, holding a datapad. Hush fell over the waiting candidates as their results were about to be announced.
However, instead of posting a public list, the results were being delivered individually. The staff member began calling out candidate numbers. "Candidate 312, please follow me."
One by one, candidates were called, disappearing through a doorway leading towards the administrative section of the Center – the same area Xiu had seen certain candidates being escorted to earlier that day.
"Passed! And Professor Elm's associate gave me specific feedback on my injury assessment technique!"
"Ah, failed the written portion by three points… but the examiner gave me some great advice on where to focus my studies for next year!"
"I didn't pass either, but getting personalized guidance from Dr. Fuji's senior researcher? Totally worth the exam fee!"
"This is new, right? They never did individual feedback sessions before…"
"Must be because of the format change?"
'Personalized feedback? From senior examiners?' Xiu listened thoughtfully. 'That's… unexpected.'
"Candidate 317, please come forward."
'My number.' Xiu stood up, nodded to the staff member, and followed him down the corridor towards the administrative offices. The hallway buzzed with quiet conversations as candidates emerged from different rooms, comparing notes, discussing the feedback they'd received.
As Xiu walked, he saw two figures approaching from the opposite direction. He recognized them instantly – Chairman Silver, the portly guild representative, and General Magnus, the imposing military figure, both from the supervisors' lounge he'd glimpsed through earlier. He quickly lowered his gaze, maintaining a neutral expression, hoping to pass unnoticed. They walked past without acknowledging him.
The staff member stopped before a plain office door. "You're quite lucky," He said to Xiu with a friendly smile. "Catching the exam during this 'reform trial'. Getting one-on-one career advice from a senior qualified examiner… it's a rare opportunity. Take it seriously."
Xiu understood the implicit reminder: Don't waste this chance. "Thank you," he replied politely.
The staff member nodded and gestured for him to enter, then walked away. Xiu knocked once, firmly, then opened the door without waiting for a response, stepping inside calmly, projecting an air of confidence he didn't entirely feel.
The room was small, likely a temporarily repurposed meeting space with functional, albeit unremarkable furniture. At a simple desk sat three individuals. And seeing them, Xiu's carefully constructed composure faltered for a split second. A jolt of surprise ran through him.
Sitting directly opposite him, flanked by two other serious-looking examiners he didn't recognize, was Director Bao Ba.
"Sit down," Bao Ba instructed, his tone neutral and professional, giving no indication that he knew Xiu personally. He gestured towards the single chair placed before the desk.
Xiu complied silently, sitting upright, waiting. 'What is he doing here?'
Bao Ba picked up a printed sheet from the desk – presumably Xiu's assessment summary. He scanned it briefly. "Candidate Xiu," He began formally. "Congratulations. You have successfully passed both the written examination and the practical skills assessment. Your overall score meets the required standard. You are hereby officially certified as a Junior Breeder."
As he spoke, one of the other examiners passed a small, green booklet across the desk towards Xiu – the official Breeder Certificate.
Xiu accepted it silently, tucking it away without any outward display of excitement or relief.
"Now then," Bao Ba continued, setting the results sheet aside. "Let's discuss some specific points regarding your performance during the examination…"
— — —
Less than five minutes later, Xiu emerged back into the corridor. The 'feedback session' had been surprisingly brief, almost perfunctory even. Bao Ba and the other examiners had pointed out minor areas for improvement in his practical techniques, offered generic advice about continued study, and then dismissed him. Bao Ba had maintained his professional distance throughout, giving no hint of their prior relationship.
Xiu walked back towards the main hall, passing other candidates still waiting nervously or heading towards their own feedback sessions. His expressionless face likely made him look like someone who had failed, judging by the sympathetic glances he received from a few passersby. He ignored them, walking silently.
Back in the hall, the atmosphere was still lively. Successful candidates proudly displayed their new green certificates, recounting their experiences, already planning their next steps. Those who hadn't passed were comparing notes, discussing the examiners' advice, many seeming surprisingly upbeat despite the failure, energized by the personalized feedback and the perceived value of the experience. Only those few still waiting for their results looked truly miserable, pacing anxiously.
Xiu found his previous corner, sat down, and pulled out his book again, tuning out the surrounding noise, trying to process the strangeness of the encounter with Bao Ba.
Time passed. The crowd thinned as candidates received their results and departed. Eventually, the hall emptied, leaving only Xiu and a few lingering staff members tidying up.
"You're still here?"
A familiar voice startled him. Xiu looked up from his book. Director Bao Ba stood before him, casual clothes replacing the formal attire he'd worn during the feedback session.
Bao Ba chuckled, that flash of gold again. He neither confirmed nor denied Xiu's statement. "Got a place to stay tonight?" He asked instead.
"Not really." Xiu answered honestly, shaking his head slowly. He hadn't made any arrangements yet.
"Right then," Bao Ba said decisively, turning towards the exit. "Come with me. It's been a few days since we last spoke properly. And congratulations again on passing the exam…" His tone held a familiar hint of teasing warmth as he walked away, clearly expecting Xiu to follow.
Xiu hesitated only a moment, then gathered his belongings and followed the Director out of the Certification Center.
As they stepped outside into the late afternoon sun, Xiu immediately sensed eyes on him. He glanced sideways and saw a woman approaching them purposefully. Familiar pink hair, crisp uniform… Head Nurse Joy.
For some reason, seeing her approach filled Xiu with a sudden, inexplicable sense of unease. He instinctively took half a step back, trying to position himself slightly behind Bao Ba, using the Director's bulk as a shield.
Bao Ba noticed the subtle movement and chuckled, turning slightly. "What are you afraid of, Xiu? It's just Nurse Joy."
Nurse Joy stopped before them, her professional gaze assessing Xiu curiously. "Professor Bao Ba," She addressed the Director first, then nodded towards Xiu. "Is this the young man?"
Bao Ba didn't answer directly. Instead, he placed a hand on Xiu's shoulder, gently nudging him forward. "Well? Aren't you going to greet Nurse Joy properly?"
Trapped, Xiu could only manage a polite, slightly forced smile. "Nurse Joy," he said, offering a respectful nod. "It's an honor."