On Themis [6.4 SPOILER]

[Lurina]

Emet's test to see if Hermes is 'qualified' to take the seat of Fandaniel is essentially to see if he can steel himself to make a species go extinct with his own hands, even if his very nature rails against it.

I don't know where you're getting this from. Emet's final line to Hermes after the lyakon is dead is "Join the Convocation, Hermes. You do not belong here." along with a pained expression.



It's obvious he's trying to get him to change jobs in that moment because he realizes Hermes is grossly unhappy in a position that requires him to regularly euthanize animals, not because this has all been some sort of test to see if he's got enough grit to be part of the Convocation. If anything, he comes across as disconcerted by the whole series of events.

And then after Hermes gives his big speech about how the way the Ancients treat life on the star is wrong, Emet says:

...I don't know what answer he's searching for, or if it is within our power to give it. But I believe he would make a fine Fandaniel, and that if he rejects us out of hand, we will all be lesser for it.

Doesn't strike me as a situation where someone was being judged on their ability to march to the party's drumbeat.