The Duke's words struck deeply, reverberating in the minds of both the Dean and the Vice Dean. His statement wasn't merely a critique of the Academy's graduates—it was an indirect but pointed remark on their own shortcomings as leaders of the institution.
It forced them to confront a glaring truth: despite their best efforts, the Academy's standards had not produced the results the Southern Duke sought, particularly in the field of alchemy.
Within the world of alchemy, a practitioner's capabilities were rigorously classified by the Alchemist Guild. These rankings were a testament to the quality and complexity of the potions they could create.
Grade Four Alchemists, regarded as highly skilled, were capable of producing items such as the Highest Grade Healing Potions, Mana Potions, and poisons—an achievement that, for many, marked the pinnacle of their craft.
