Dude I think the reason you feel this has been blown out of proportion is perhaps the way you phrased the question. I get that you are eager to earn your blue belt, really I do, but as most of the guys here have said, it really shouldn't be about that.
If it was me I would have attended the seminar and enjoyed learning from Firas, to get your blue belt at the end should have felt like an added bonus, not the main goal.
Like John Meija mentioned, our gym is exactly the same, work your balls off on the mat, everyday is a grading at our school when we drill technique and spar. Belt promotions can happen any day that we train, when our instructor sees the individual is ready.
In all honesty, if I were you I would probably be looking for somewhere else to train. Granted this is an outside view looking in, but I really don't like the idea of someone I don't know watching me roll for an hour then deciding what belt I deserve. What if I'm having a good day? What if I'm having a bad one? I think the system of your instructor watching you every lesson, watching you grow and knowing you as a person on and off the mat is the best system for ranking and what separates BJJ and 10PJJ from most martial arts.
Love the Chauncey quote also, "You are whatever belt you think you are".
Enjoy the journey my brother.
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