First I made a small flame appear in midair. I could just use a normal fireplace but I wanted to test their fear of flames. Next, I took a small beaker, added in some water and the herb used for the infusion.
"Make sure you fill the beaker to about a third, be warned, its shape makes judging the content hard. After adding the herb you heat it over the fire and stir it from time to time. Be careful, when heating you can't let the temperature get too high or the glass will break. However, if you take too much time you'll also fail. Lastly, the glass will heat up so use the wooden tongs you were provided."
While slowly saying that I had followed my instruction and completed the task. Next, I strained the liquid through a filter to clear out the unwanted remains of the herb. I didn't comment on this action. It was a little test to see who paid close attention and dared to do something without my instructions.
Now it was time for the examinees to be tested. With an overly dramatic wave of my hand, I made a flame like mine appear above every table and gave them each one set of ingredients. The stakes were high but I wanted to make this test as efficient as possible.
"If any of you feel that this test is not something you wish to try at you may step away from your table and wait at the side. I won't think less of you for doing so, knowing your limits is also a valuable skill."
Four muscular boys stepped back in unison and shuffled to the side of the hall. Usually, I wouldn't comment but I couldn't hold myself back.
"Don't think that being more physically oriented makes you unsuitable for potioneering. If stepped back for that reason I urge you to try."
"Thank you Sir but we can get a job as city guards so we don't want to take the opportunity to get a good job away from the others."
"Really? Have you ever held a weapon?"
They all became incredibly dejected. The tallest one that had answered me before looked especially ashamed.
"No we haven't but the city guard often takes in people for menial labor so we can still get accepted."
So they weren't going to join the city guard but become their servants. And despite knowing that and being ashamed of it they still did it. I retrieved a sword from my storage dimension and handed it to them.
"Make sure not to cut yourselves and return it after the tests are done."
They looked very confused but I turned away before they could react. Upon turning I was faced with a bunch of teenagers staring past me trying to get a good look at the sword.
"Sigh, and what are all of you doing? Shouldn't you be doing something with the stuff in front of you? If you're worried about not getting a good look at the sword I can give you all some time to hold it after the test."
They immediately returned their focus to the ingredients before them. Based on the way half of them overfilled the beaker I could already tell that this would become a steamy test.
Not long after, the first guy started yelling as the water in the beaker boiled over and burnt his hand. He lost his grip on the wooden tongs and dropped the beaker. It shattered upon impact and was soon followed by a couple of similar shattering noises as seven more participants failed.
"Holy power come to me, angel ring."
I used an AOE healing spell. A ring of light expands from my hand and heals all the burns on the participants' hands as they are touched. I motion for them to step away from the tables.
The remaining eight all got through the process without hurting themselves. Of the eight herbal infusions, only two were passable. The others were completely messed up and would probably not have the intended effect.
I'd hoped for more to pass the first test but at least I wouldn't have to think up a second test. I pulled out a few more common swords and made sure everyone got to hold one at least once. After I had more or less satisfied their curiosity, I retrieved the swords and told all of them except the two that passed my test to return to the orphanage.
"So, the two of you passed the test and as promised I will teach you how to make potions. However, there are some conditions. All of your potions will be bought by our merchant guild at half the market price. You will have to sell exclusively to us until you have trained two apprentices that can replace you. Finally, you aren't allowed to share any knowledge you are taught until you have graduated from being an apprentice."
"Understood."
I bet they hadn't understood half of what I just said. Oh well, their problem and not mine.
I made the stone tables disappear and cleared away the remains of the test. Then, I told the two girls to follow me to my room. In a non-creepy way that was.
"Before you start with potions I'd like to initiate you into using magic. You won't need it until you attempt to make intermediate potions but you should start to practice early. Take a seat on the floor and concentrate on your surroundings. Try to feel the magic flowing around you."
"B-But we don't have any talent for magic!"
"Utter rubbish! No one in this world has no talent for magic. Admittedly, your talent is average at best but you won't need great talent to reach the point of making superior potions and I will also be helping you."
They obediently sat down and closed their eyes trying to feel...
Normally, even a genius would take a while to sense the surrounding magic. I had no intention of waiting for such a long time so I employed a little trick.
I released some of my magic into the room and made the ambient's magic density increase to the point where it could cause ordinary humans to feel uncomfortable. It would be a wonder if they still couldn't feel it.