Chapter 43: Potion Making Part 1
"What is this comic thing that you mentioned?" Jettam asked in wonder.
"Ah-" Eliana stared at his innocent face as she tried to find the right words to explain, "It's like, a book with pictures. It's really interesting cause it's written in different formats. I prefer reading it in vertical scrolling..." She blabbed, her hands drawing circles in the air.
Jettam cringed not understanding one bit. He gave Kylon a look who was as clueless as he was. They didn't have the heart to cut through her dialogues, especially when she looks excited talking about the comic thing. They ended up hearing her out despite that.
Eliana can be talkative when she wants to, that's for sure.
"Oh shoot."
Everyone halted on their tracks, they turned to Eliana with wondering looks. Eliana's eyes were wide open from realization, her hands cupped her mouth.
Zathur's brows knitted in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Eliana stepped back from the group. "I need to go, I almost forgot about the supplementary class!"
"Hey! Wait!"
Eliana dashed away from the Ethereals. Having to attend an extra class was already bad enough, getting late would be a perfect edge for the unfortunate event.
'The last corner to turn and I'll be there on time!' She thought.
But of course, this wasn't her day. Just as she turned, a hard body greeted her. She was sent back harshly. The wound on her injured shoulder immediately sent waves of electrifying pain from the clash. Her butt bounced a bit, but it didn't matter. Her shoulder was hurting more than her butt.
"It's her."
Eliana looked up as she tried to soothe her throbbing shoulder. As expected from the bratty voice. It was the girl from the cafeteria, Aelin.
Eliana cringed when she moved to get up. Hopefully, the wound wasn't moved too much.
"Haven't you heard, running in the hallway is forbidden," Aelin remarked.
Eliana wanted to roll her eyes. It was clear to her that she was the one at fault this time, "I'm sorry." As much as she didn't want to, it was only right to apologize.
Both parties gave each other a blank look. Eliana dared not to blink to show her fierceness. Almend sighed deeply, it was loud but the two girls ignored him.
"Look--" Almend stepped in, "Lady Eliana already apologized, so let it be Aelin. And Lady Eliana, please do refrain from doing this mistake in the future." He gave Mynzi a look asking for a little help.
Mynzi who preferred to be quiet was left with no choice. She pulled Aelin by the arm to resume their walking. Aelin didn't budge this time.
Almend gave Eliana a subtle nod before leaving as well. Eliana's eyes followed their retreating figures. Fortem felt small when she meets the people with whom she doesn't want anything to do with.
She snapped out from her thoughts and sped walk towards the assigned classroom.
When she arrived, Yehven was already there. He was standing near the window. Eliana was sure he knows she has arrived given that the steps she took were loudly echoing along the hallways.
He just might not be interested, she thought.
She sighed deeply as she walked towards the nearest table. She pulled a random chair and carefully sat feeling a slight pain from her shoulder. The collision hurt her that was for sure. Eliana was already cursing those three in her head.
"Good, the two of you showed up." Professor Symnar entered the room and went straight towards the teacher's table. "Eliana, are you well?"
Eliana smiled at him. "I am sir, thank you for your concern."
Symnar nodded and turned his attention to the other side. Yehven was still looking out the window as if he couldn't care less of their presence. "Yehven go pick a seat near Eliana and we shall start."
Yehven calmly followed. He looked bored. Eliana ignored him choosing to focus her attention on the professor in front.
"All right," professor Symnar opened the notebook he brought to start his instructions. "All the materials we will use are here, there is no need to venture for them. Now, the two of you can start. Here follow this."
Eliana sighed and stood up to get the paper Symnar held out. Yehven looked rather uninterested so she might as well take the lead. She read it as she walked back to her chair. Instruction on how to make an Erumpent Potion.
The Erumpent potion is a highly explosive potion that explodes when touched by an external force.
Eliana paused finally at her chair. She looked up meeting the Doctor's eyes. "We're going to make an explosive potion?" She cleared her throat to avoid showing her shock.
Symnar nodded casually. "Yes. What may be the problem?"
Eliana shook her hand to dismiss the discussion. "Nothing sir, we'll start with the experiment now." She awkwardly laughed.
"Very well, I'll be here to observe. Do not hesitate to ask a question. The essential kits are there-" he pointed to the side where a row of cabinets are located with labels corresponding to the appropriate wearables and needs to use on different types of experiments. "Be mindful."
"Yes sir."
Eliana took the needed things. She wore the protective longsleeved brown coat that resembled a lab coat. The material was thick and a little heavy specifically because it was made for dangerous experiments like explosives. Next was a face shield, to avoid injuring their faces. And finally, white gloves.
Yehven finished preparing earlier than her, so he took the tray with the materials to use back to the table with him first. He then immediately started with the experiment.
Eliana shook her head, what a great partner he was.
"I'll mash the horn and lizard tail," She waited for a response but received none. "Apparently, the dude is mute." She muttered. She noticed Yehven pausing for a second, "What?"
"Do your share so we can get out of here." He said and carried on.
"Sure."
They worked silently. After some time, everything was going well and they were almost done.
"How many exploding fluids do we put?" Eliana asked she was holding the bottle containing the said fluid. Yehven was busy molding the clay that would absorb the potion later on. "Hey, answer me. It feels like I'm talking to air."
Yehven ignored her last sentence, "Read the instructions, it's in front of you."
Eliana rolled her eyes, his tone wasn't very friendly at all. "I wouldn't ask you if I can read it well can I?"
Yehven looked at her with a boring look. "You illiterate." He grabbed the paper and scanned through. Unfortunately, the part with the measurements was smudged, it must've gotten wet.
Eliana shut her mouth close which she dropped from shock by Yehven's insult. She saw how him frowning at the paper. She smiled mischievously, "So? How much do we put? Mr. Literate."
Yehven glared at her before looking to the front. Symnar who was reading a potion's guide book fell asleep. "Hey." He called. Symnar didn't move a single muscle. "Hey!"
Eliana raised her eyebrows at him. "You're so rude." She shook her head in disapproval. Yehven whipped his head to her which made her pause, "Uh-"
"Say that again." Yehven challenged.
Eliana rolled her eyes at her before walking to where Symnar was sleeping soundly.