As I stepped out of the classroom, a clear sky and a cool breeze carried fallen leaves in the air.
Looking up at the high noon sun, I smiled.
"Oh no."
I held the just-received grade report in my hand.
No, no.
Let's think positively.
If I had returned late from the gathering the previous day, I wouldn't have been able to take the exam in the first place.
The only thing I should regret is forgetting that today was the day of the exam.
"But at least the afternoon lecture is the evaluation for next week. That's fortunate."
To be honest, I only knew that Silk's class, which takes place in the afternoon, had an evaluation next week. I naturally assumed that the morning lecture also had an evaluation next week. Lately, there have been so many chaotic events that I completely lost my sense of time.
While I couldn't have imagined such things when I was Kim Jin-ho, lately I've been strongly feeling the prominence of Adrias' personality.
"After all, the body is Adrias."
Even if I try to insert the same memories of Kim Jin-ho into Adrias' mind, it doesn't mean that Adrias becomes Kim Jin-ho. Each person is a case unto themselves.
"Tomorrow is Intermediate Herbology. Thankfully, it's a field I feel confident in."
I was aware that Professor Verban, who teaches Herbology, holds negative sentiments towards me. But since the evaluation is something that all students will be taking, I can't just single myself out and slack off.
...I'm sure of that.
Contrary to my expectations from the previous day, when I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it, a scene unfolded before me that made me burst into laughter.
"Why is no one here?"
The herbology class was clearly in the afternoon.
Since the details of the evaluation were only given on the day itself, I entered the classroom without any thoughts and followed the schedule. But there was no one there.
There was only a note on the blackboard stating that the evaluation would take place at the outdoor plaza.
As I hastily read the note and went to the plaza, I saw numerous students conducting experiments at various stations, while other students passed by, observing.
"What is this?"
Unknowingly muttering to myself, I pushed through the crowd and made my way inside.
Coincidentally, I spotted Professor Verban's back and immediately approached him.
"Professor."
"Hmm? Ah, Adrias. Why are you so late?"
"Late? I arrived at the classroom on time."
"I clearly informed everyone about the evaluation location and time through the tablet. Didn't you check?"
That bastard.
Was he aiming for this?
Unfortunately, I didn't have a magic tablet.
As an artifact, the tablet was optional, not a necessity like textbooks. That meant it cost a considerable amount, which, as a poor Adrias, I couldn't afford.
"Join us as quickly as possible."
"Professor, I apologize, but I don't have a tablet, so I have no idea about the evaluation or its contents. Could you please explain?"
"What? You're a noble but don't have a tablet? How strange."
What's he trying to do now?
He's blatantly mocking me.
Quickly, tell me the exam details and explanation.
As I sent a gaze of pressure, instead of the professor, one of the teaching assistants who was standing by his side approached and explained.
"Let me explain. Recently, Professor Verban invented a new potion using his own power."
"Oh my!"
So, it seems like he was just showing off, raising his shoulders?
Anyway, I don't like what he's doing.
"This evaluation involves analyzing the potion created by Professor Verban. Each experiment station contains a sample of the potion he made. You can determine the ingredients and mixing ratio in the potion using these samples. Interaction and communication with other students are strictly prohibited, and the time limit is until 8 PM on the same day. You only need to describe the parts you've discovered on the exam paper."
"Now, even though it's a little late, go and try."
"Understood."
Suppressing my personal emotions, I calmly headed toward an empty experiment station.
But why are we doing this outdoors?
Of course, it doesn't matter where I do it, but the presence of spectators bothered me a little.
"Now, all of our herbology students have gathered. The student who just arrived is the famous Adrias Cromwell. Not only did he create a new potion, but he also captured a dark magician. Quite a talented fellow."
While standing at the experiment station, I was about to check the potion created by Verban when he suddenly started introducing me as if he were a clown.
"What's going on now?"
Verban, you...
You really got me, huh?
It seems like Verban thinks that the potion Luciya and I made was merely an addition by me.
So, he's openly mocking me, right?
"Now let's see how this amazing student completes the herbology evaluation in record time. Although I don't expect any student to pass this evaluation perfectly, Adrias Cromwell seems to be an exception. I'm really looking forward to it!"
Ignoring the look of disbelief from Verban, he continued to babble as if it didn't matter.
Then, many students passed by, stopped, and looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.
Stay calm.
Do you think I'll be swayed by this?
Honestly, I was swayed.
In a good way.
"I must uncover the secrets of this potion."
No matter what happens, I resolved to unravel every aspect of the potion within the given time.
It seemed like conducting the evaluation outdoors wasn't solely intended to undermine me.
Since there was a magic ingredient store nearby, students were freely allowed to purchase ingredients and immediately use them for their experiments with the permission of the teaching assistants.
Of course, all the expenses were covered by the academy.
"This is an awakening potion."
Not long after I started the experiment, I quickly figured out its effects.
Now that I knew the effects, I could easily determine its properties, chemical reactions, and potency by comparing them to in-game items.
"But Verban actually made something."
I diligently mixed and shook different ingredients, observing the reactions.
Luckily, I found a similarity between one of the expected items and its reaction, and I immediately jotted it down.
"Intermediate Boost Potion. I used this quite often in the game."
Although it had less usage compared to healing and regeneration potions, I occasionally used it.
Moreover, its grade was higher than I expected, which was quite surprising.
Verban is more capable than he appears.
His title as a professor wasn't just for show.
"If I do well, I might be able to complete it by 8 PM."
My fighting spirit ignited like never before, and no one could stop it.
In the midst of a situation where everyone was watching, I boldly gathered the ingredients specifically for the Intermediate Boost Potion and began searching for the mixing ratio.
"Ahem, Adrias, hmm?"
As expected, Verban immediately came to my experiment station.
Without turning my head, I continued the experiment and replied, "Yes, Professor?"
"That..."
Verban, unable to ask how I figured out the ingredients, rambled on for a while before finally speaking.
"Y-You're working hard. It seems like you're heading in the wrong direction, but stay strong."
Huh? Now he's openly flattering me?
You're the one going in the wrong direction, you jerk.
"Yes, I'll take care of it. You must be tired from supervising, so why don't you rest in the shade over there?"
"...."
I could sense Verban's rough breath in response to my blatant provocation.
Yet, I kept my gaze fixed and continued to search for the mixing ratio without paying any attention to him.
After a while, I felt that Verban was still standing next to my experiment station, observing me.
What? Still here?
"Professor? Are you still here?"
When I ignored him once again, Verban's face twitched, and he quickly turned and walked toward the opposite side of the shade, as if he didn't want to follow my advice.
I really want to punch him in the face.
As time passed, it was already around 5 PM, and many students who had finished their afternoon classes and were going for an early dinner gathered outside.
"It's almost done."
Indeed, talent is formidable.
Of course, having the sample potion provided was a significant help, but with my talent for potion-making, I was able to find the mixing ratio for the Intermediate Boost Potion within a few hours.
"Just a few more attempts..."
"Professor, I'm done."
Someone raised their hand and spoke, breaking my train of thought.
When I saw the owner of the drowsy voice, I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
"Luciya, is that you?"
Amidst the scattered bags of snacks and crumbs that didn't fit the atmosphere of an experiment, there was a potion with the same color as Verban's potion, completely made by Luciya.
"So soon?"
"Yes, can I go now?"
"Um, you should write down the list of ingredients you used and the mixing ratio on the exam paper before leaving."
"Here you go."
Luciya submitted her exam paper and left without hesitation.
As she walked away, our eyes met, and she curved her sleepy eyes into a smile and said, "Senior, I won this time."
With those words, she left without looking back.
Once she left, the students who had been watching started praising Luciya Everlast, their voices filled with admiration.
"Hey, isn't Adrias Cromwell the co-creator of potions with Luciya?"
"That's right."
"Why is he still struggling?"
"Hey, come on. Even if you compare him to Luciya Everlast, she's a genius. Can he be compared to a genius?"
I vaguely heard their voices, and without realizing it, I followed Luciya with my eyes.
When I first met her, I felt like I couldn't catch up with her, let alone compete with her.
But now, the emotion I felt was frustration.
Strangely, I was feeling a sense of competition towards her.
"Adrias, my boy."
I laughed quietly in my mind.
I made an effort to refocus on the experiment.
If I had arrived on time, could I have beaten her?
No, focus on the task at hand.
Time passed, and it was around 5:30 PM when Luciya left.
"It's done."
Finally, I figured out the mixing ratio.
I wrote down the discovered mixing ratio on the exam paper and stood up.
"Are you going to buy ingredients?"
A teaching assistant nearby asked me.
"No, I'm done."
"Done?"
"I found the answer."
"....Really? Oh, uh, congratulations."
The teaching assistant seemed confused and blurted out words that didn't fit the situation at all.
And it seemed like Verban had also heard that I found the answer as he stared at me with wide eyes.
"So, you really found the answer?"
"Yes, here it is."
As I handed him the exam paper, Verban alternated his gaze between me, the potion, and the exam paper, his expression filled with disbelief.
That's right, it's like a toad responding to its prey.
"D-Did you really do this?"
"You saw it, didn't you?"
"I-It's hard to believe."
What's with him?
Anyway, I calmly turned around, leaving Verban to bury his face in the exam paper and the potion.
It's not like there's anything written on them other than the names of the ingredients and the mixing ratio.
With a sense of accomplishment, I left my place without attracting attention.
The students who had been watching me, as well as the students who were participating in the evaluation, looked at me with eyes full of astonishment.
Even the onlookers around me were saying something.
That's right! Praise me like you praise Luciya!
"Yeah, as expected. It wasn't a lie that he invented a potion."
"That Adrias guy does have some talent, after all. The gods are fair."
Why am I not exclaiming like they are?
Still, I felt satisfied because I had demonstrated my abilities sufficiently.
"Well, Professor, take care or go for a stroll."
I made a slight slip of the tongue, but Verban was too busy burying his face in the exam paper to pay any attention to me.
Anyway, it's not like there's anything written on the exam paper other than the names of the ingredients and the mixing ratio.
As I was about to leave with a satisfied feeling, suddenly, a commotion broke out among the crowd, and someone emerged.
"Professor Verban!"
He seemed like an upperclassman compared to me, and he ran towards Verban with an indignant expression.
"Professor! How can you do this?"
"Hmm? Gerolf, what's the matter?"
"What's the matter? Right now, right here, the potion that's here! Didn't I make it? But now you're using it for evaluation!"
"Oh, my! What nonsense! So many people are listening. Isn't it a misunderstanding?"
Oh ho?
This is getting interesting.
I stopped my footsteps, smiled, and thought, maybe I should show a bit of arrogance to both Verban and this student to relieve his frustration.