SSS-Rank: I Create My Own Quest

Ryan leaned back in his chair as his fingers rubbed his chin.

Granting permission for the examination would be easy enough, he had the authority to authorize it immediately.

But if Theon failed, it would reflect poorly on both of them.

On the other hand, if Theon somehow succeeded, it would be a remarkable achievement that would elevate both their standings. A sixteen-year-old Grade Two Geneticist would be exceptional news, the kind of prodigy that drew attention and resources.

And there was always the possibility, however remote, that the Fifth Envoy had foreseen this.

Perhaps providing the invitation letter had been her subtle way of positioning Theon for accelerated advancement, knowing that someone would recognize her seal and offer opportunities accordingly.

If that were the case, then refusing this request might actually be working against the Fifth Envoy's plans, which would be unwise.

After a long moment of consideration, Ryan nodded. "Very well. If you're certain this is what you want, I'll authorize the examination. We can conduct it today while the examiners are still present and the facilities are already prepared. But understand that the standards will be rigorous. I won't lower the bar for you simply because you're young or because you performed well on the Grade One examination. If anything, given your unusual circumstances, the scrutiny will be even more intense."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Theon said with quiet confidence.

Ryan smiled slightly and stood. "Then let's return downstairs."

-----

When Ryan and Theon came out from the upper floors and returned to the main examination hall, the remaining crowd which included the newly certified Geneticists who had lingered hoping to learn what the private meeting had been about, looked up with intense curiosity.

Ryan's voice carried clearly through the space as he announced, "Geneticist Theon has requested to take the Grade Two Geneticist examination, and I have granted permission for the attempt to proceed immediately."

The entire place was instantly gilled with noise.

"What?!" Osborn, who had returned after his humiliating naked run and changed back into his robes, looked like he'd been slapped. "That's impossible! No one attempts Grade Two certification on the same day as Grade One!"

The other noble apprentices joined in with sneers and mocking laughter.

"He must be delusional from his earlier success!"

"This is going to be embarrassing to watch. I almost feel sorry for him."

"He's going to fail so thoroughly and destroy whatever reputation he built today."

Even some of the newly certified civilian Geneticists looked doubtful. Clay spoke up hesitantly, "Brother Theon, are you sure about this? There's no shame in waiting a few years to build up more experience first. Rushing into Grade Two could end badly."

But Gordon, Mayor, and Klein wore different expressions. They had seen Theon exceed expectations twice already today, first with his perfect theoretical score and then with his flawless serum refinement. They were beginning to understand that Theon operated by different rules than everyone else.

"You can do it, Theon!" Gordon called out enthusiastically.

"Show them what you're made of!" Mayor added with a grin.

Klein simply nodded, his competitive spirit recognizing a worthy rival and silently wishing him success, even as he wondered how Theon continued to produce miracle after miracle.

Then there was Jasmine. She stood apart from the others, her dark eyes fixed on Theon with that same analytical curiosity. Unlike everyone else who was either mocking or cheering, she simply watched and waited, clearly intrigued to see how this would unfold.

Ryan raised his hand for silence. "Apprentice Corvin, please prepare the Grade Two examination materials. We'll begin with the theoretical portion immediately."

Within minutes, a holographic display screen materialized, ready to present the examination questions.

Before sitting down to begin, Theon took a moment to access his system interface, something he could do entirely within his mind without any external sign of what he was doing.

"System," he thought silently, "I want to pass the Grade Two Geneticist examination."

The familiar notification appeared in his mind's eye:

-----

[DING! Quest Created]

[Objective: Pass the Grade Two Geneticist Examination]

[Reward: Advance to Perfect Grade Three Geneticist + Tier 3 Beauty De-Aging Pill (x3 bottles)]

[Accept Quest? Y/N]

-----

Theon's mental eyebrows rose slightly at the reward. While it wasn't as dramatic as the Tier Six pill manual he'd received before, advancing directly to Peak Grade Three Geneticist would be an enormous leap forward.

And the Tier Three Beauty De-Aging Pill was nothing to dismiss either. Each pill would directly freeze his physical appearance for thirty years, preventing the aging process from showing on his face and body.

For cultivators who often lived for centuries, maintaining a youthful appearance was also important, especially for the ladies.

With three bottles and three pills in each bottle, he could maintain his current appearance for about 200 years.

"Accept," Theon confirmed mentally.

Theon settled into the examination seat and faced the holographic display. The theoretical test began immediately, questions scrolling across the screen in rapid succession.

The questions were indeed more challenging than those in the Grade One examination. They dealt with complex topics like the resonance harmonics between different elemental energies during multi-stage refinement, the mathematical ratios required to balance opposing alchemical forces, the subtle variations in technique needed when working with ingredients from different dimensional zones, and dozens of other advanced concepts.

But with his Grade two knowledge, the answers flowed from Theon's mind as easily as breathing. His fingers moved across the holographic interface with smooth confidence, selecting responses, filling in detailed explanations, and even drawing diagrams when questions required visual representations of alchemical processes.

The crowd watched in silence as Theon answered the questions without any pause.

Aaron, who had administered the Grade One examination, stood watching with his mouth slightly open. He was a Grade One Geneticist himself and had attempted the Grade Two examination three times before finally passing.

He remembered how difficult those questions had been, how many hours he'd spent agonizing over answers he wasn't sure about.

Watching Theon move through the same examination as though it were a casual review of basic concepts was genuinely disturbing.

Forty minutes later, Theon submitted his completed examination.

The holographic display processed his answers, and the results appeared almost immediately:

Score: 1,000/1,000

Perfect Score

Another perfect theoretical examination. The hall erupted in chaos.