"Misunderstanding? Don't you know better than anyone else that I invented this potion after more than a year of research?"
"Don't make a scene! How dare you shout at someone! And speak properly. The potion you were researching and the potion I made are completely different things. Stop causing a commotion and sit down!"
As their voices grew louder, the crowd began to gather during this busy time.
"What's going on? Is there a fight?"
"No, a student came and claimed that his potion was stolen."
"Really? I mean, even if he's a professor, would he blatantly steal something like that?"
Indeed, it is not certain whether the owner of that potion is a student or not.
But unless that student is crazy, why would he confront the professor when it's not his own creation?
I discreetly turned back and returned to their side.
"Professor?"
"Adrias? Why are you still here?"
"I had a question while taking the exam just now. Can you answer it?"
"Now is not the right time. Ask your question next time."
"It's about the problem with that potion just now. Why didn't you include Aplica Resin?"
"Huh? Didn't I say I would answer questions later?"
I noticed Beoban's bewildered expression.
And the answer to my question came from the student who had confronted Beoban.
"Aplica Resin is clearly more effective than Citron petals. However, due to a significant drawback, it was excluded from the potion ingredients."
"What's the drawback?"
"It's the cost-performance ratio. The price of Aplica Resin is nearly 20 times higher compared to Citron petals. However, the resulting effectiveness does not show a 20-fold difference. So it was excluded."
Garulf, the student who answered my question smoothly, looked at Beoban with a questioning expression.
And the students who were observing the situation began to murmur.
"What? Is it really the potion he made?"
"Yeah. He's talking as if he made it himself."
"Come to think of it, I've heard stories about arrogant professors plagiarizing their students' theses or artifact patents. Could it be?"
Beoban's expression, which could be seen from the murmuring, gradually deteriorated.
But my questions weren't over yet.
This time, I set a trap...
"Thank you for your answer. Then, what do you think about using Papina butterfly powder instead of Cockroach powder?"
{T/n: idk why they are using cockroach powder}
I intentionally didn't mention the names of certain ingredients.
Since we were still in the middle of the exam, I couldn't directly say the answer.
Of course, Garulf mentioned Citron petals earlier, but I didn't say anything, so he wouldn't know.
I specifically asked about Aplica Resin, which is far from the correct answer.
"Of course! It's true! Using Papina butterfly powder instead of Cockroach powder would result in more harm than benefit! The main ingredient of this potion, Cockroach powder, promotes metabolism and aids in brain awakening. However, if Papina powder is used, it can cause hallucinations, nausea, muscle relaxation, and in severe cases, symptoms of depression."
Beoban was the first to speak among the two people who heard my question.
Seemingly in a hurry, he quickly raised his hand and spoke.
"That's absurd! Using Papina butterfly powder instead of Cockroach powder would bring more harm than benefit! While Aplica resin is known to be more effective than Cockroach powder, it has significant side effects. However, the reason I didn't include it is simply to make it easier to consume."
"What...? What are you talking about?"
Beoban looked at Garulf with eyes questioning his words.
And Garulf, in a somewhat awkward manner, scratched his head and said,
"Of course, Papina butterfly powder is famous for having many side effects. However, the reason I didn't use it was simply to make it easier to consume."
"That's...?"
"While creating this potion, I personally tasted it. It must have been thousands of times by now. And every time I had stomach discomfort, the common factor was when the powder was included. While the powder could be used as an alternative to Cockroach powder, I believed that if it's a potion meant for human consumption, it shouldn't cause stomach discomfort. So I chose Cockroach powder, which is more expensive but doesn't cause discomfort."
The audience applauded Garulf's explanation, filled with his personal experience.
And that applause quickly turned into suspicious glances towards Beoban.
"Oh, no. That... it was to reduce side effects..."
"Of course, when I explained to the professor before, I mentioned reducing side effects. But the side effects I mentioned were not the ones you assumed, Professor. They simply referred to minor stomach discomfort."
"This... this...!"
Beoban stuttered, unable to find words, and eventually burst out angrily.
"Get out of here now! How dare you disturb the sacred evaluation time! Both of you, I will report to the Academy Disciplinary Committee!"
Wow, how pathetic.
In the end, Beoban resorted to his own last-ditch effort.
Seeing Beoban's reaction, the countless students began to jeer.
"Boooo!"
"Isn't the title of professor supposed to be respectable?"
"How can you boldly claim someone else's achievement? You demon!"
"Beoban Fernandez, return your professorship!"
It was as if a protest had erupted, and the surroundings became noisy. Even the students who were taking the exam criticized Beoban.
Despite the loud criticism, Beoban raised his voice even more and tried to argue.
More than half of his words were just an incomprehensible string of shouts, showing how agitated he was.
That's when it happened.
"Silence."
With a single word, the crowd fell silent as if frozen.
Witnessing that remarkable sight, I couldn't help but shudder.
"What is this commotion? I came here because I heard a disturbance."
The person who spoke slowly walked forward.
The surroundings fell into complete silence as Bart Alben, himself, appeared.
He had momentarily created a vacuum state in the surrounding space, and then released it. His astonishing skill and magical power sent chills down my spine.
"T-Tower Master."
"Yes. Beoban Fernandez, you look quite ridiculous. What is this all about? The professor's dignity has been trampled upon."
"Tower Master there might be a misunderstanding..."
"Normally, this matter should be handled by the Academy Superintendent, Berial, but he's currently absent, so I will make the judgment."
At the top of the Academy hierarchy, there is the Academy Headmaster, who is the overall administrator of the Academy, and below them, there are the Superintendents of each department. As you know, there are the Knight Division and the Magic Division, each with its own Superintendent. They handle external affairs and make decisions accordingly.
Rodren Magic Tower is a complex organization with various factions, and the influence of the royal family is particularly strong.
Although Bart Alben, as the master of Magic Tower, should not interfere in the political affairs of the politically neutral Academy, to be honest, no one could stop him if he decided to intervene.
"Beoban Fernandez, first, you will be subject to an investigation by the Imperial Investigative Corps."
"Your Excellency Alben! I am innocent!"
"Innocent? Then, would it be fine if I used a mental magic spell on you right now?"
"Well, um..."
"Anyway, it was your destiny to get caught sooner or later. Berial already knew that the money you embezzled under the pretext of research was not a small amount. Moreover, even after becoming a professor, you openly accepted private commissions. Can you deny it?"
"Ah..."
Beoban collapsed to the ground and clasped his hands together, begging for forgiveness.
"I'm sorry! I will never make such a mistake again. Please, I beg for mercy, Your Excellency Alben!"
Seeing him with pitiful eyes, Bart Alben, with a cold tongue, looked around and spoke.
"That's enough. Why are you all gathered here as if you've witnessed something extraordinary?"
Then, he ordered the students who were taking the exam in the Herbology Department not to worry about their scores and disperse.
"You were the owner of the potion, right? You will have to explain the full story of this incident in detail."
"Yes, Tower Master."
As Garulf nodded, Bart Alben's gaze turned towards me.
"And... Adrias Cromwell."
"Yes, Tower Master."
"Is it you again?"
Hahaha.
That's right. It's just business as usual.
I smiled awkwardly without verbalizing my thoughts.
"Don't laugh like a shameless rascal. You also need to write a detailed statement about today's incident. Make sure nothing is left out."
"Yes, of course."
I felt a bit frustrated for wasting time, but just by getting back at Beoban, it felt like a decade of pent-up resentment was released. It didn't matter.
After Bart finished speaking, he turned around but then spoke to me again.
"I've been watching, and it seems you have a definite talent for potion making. I can expect great things from you. I hope you continue to surprise me."
What? Were you watching from the beginning?
If he didn't appear immediately, was he peeping like a pervert somewhere?
Anyway, he has a wicked sense of humor.
But thanks to Bart, that pathetic professor was dealt with satisfactorily. So let's overlook that.
I nodded vigorously to my mentor.
"Yes, I'm diligently preparing."
"Huhu, you arrogant brat."
Beoban was still sitting on the ground, staring blankly, having lost all spirit.
Bart held onto Beoban and concealed his appearance.
What a sight. That's what you get for messing with the wrong person.
.
.
.
.
"Hoo!"
Exhaling, I thrust my sword forcefully.
Now, the well-defined muscles in my shoulders and arms were clearly showing their presence.
The current time was 2 a.m.
Due to the events with Beoban earlier today, I was taken away by Bart and I didn't have enough time to practice swordsmanship.
Of course, I had been diligently exercising in the fitness room every morning, but what I was doing now was sword training.
Swish!
The sword flashed with a sharp momentum.
As the days passed, the swordsmanship, enhanced by the power of potions, surpassed the realm of a beginner long ago.
'If only I had received instruction from Nickel, my skills would have improved even more.'
Nevertheless, I would soon have the opportunity to receive training from Nickel again.
The reason I held the sword even until this late hour was because Nickel's evolution was about to be completed.
'How will he have changed?'
I was both excited and curious.
I had experienced two evolutions so far: Angela's and the evolution of my talent. The talent evolution was merely a level-up, but Angela's transformation had been a significant change in appearance.
'It felt like the species itself had changed.'
Perhaps Nickel would also change in species, but I couldn't imagine into what.
'There are many types of undead. But he wouldn't suddenly become a Death Knight or something, right?'
I briefly entertained a happy imagination.
In any case, I would soon find out. So I focused my attention back on wielding the sword.
After about 30 minutes of swinging the sword...
[Skeleton Soldier (Legendary) has evolved.]
The system message informed me of Nickel's evolution.
I laid down the sword and prepared myself.
"Finally, it's time. Nickel, come out."
I couldn't hide my excitement as I called Nickel out from cultivation.
Then, a spatial rift opened in the air, revealing a figure that had finally taken on a human form.