"Are you saying it's a misunderstanding? Professor, don't you know better than anyone else that I invented this potion after more than a year of research?"
"You can't keep quiet! How dare you raise your voice at someone! And speak directly. Where do you get off causing a scene and sitting here?"
As their voices grew louder, a crowd began to gather during this busy time when more people were around.
"What's going on? Did they get into a fight?"
"No, apparently a student came and claimed that their developed potion was stolen."
"Really? Well, even if it's true, would a professor, who has such a position, blatantly steal it like that?"
It's true that it's uncertain whether the owner of that potion is a student or not.
But unless that student is insane, would they dare to claim that something is theirs in front of the professor without any basis?
Quietly, I turned back and discreetly returned to their side.
"Professor?"
"Adrias? Why are you still here?"
"I had a question that arose during the exam just now. Would it be possible for you to answer it?"
"Now is not an appropriate time. Ask your question next time."
"It's about that potion. What do you think about using Papina butterfly powder instead of the beetle dust?"
I intentionally didn't mention some of the ingredient names.
Since we were still in the middle of the exam, I couldn't speak the answer out loud.
Of course, before that, Gerlof mentioned the citrus petal, but I didn't say anything, so I didn't know.
I definitely asked about Apflika Songjin, which is far from the correct answer.
As they heard my question, both of them spoke, and this time, Verban was the first to open his mouth.
Seemingly in a hurry, he quickly responded, even waving his hands.
"That's absurd! Using Papina butterfly powder instead of the beetle dust would result in more harm than benefit! The essential ingredient in this potion, the beetle dust, enhances metabolism and aids in brain awakening. However, using Papina powder can cause symptoms such as hallucinations, nausea, muscle relaxation, and even severe depressive symptoms."
Verban gave a near-definitive answer.
Thanks to that, the onlookers watched with great interest, wondering who the true owner of the potion was.
And I was waiting for Gerlof to answer like that.
Now, tell the real answer, Gerlof.
"As a student who owns the potion, I did not refrain from using Papina butterfly powder considering the things you mentioned, Professor."
"What? What did you say?"
Verban looked at Gerlof with eyes full of disbelief.
And Gerlof, with a somewhat awkward gesture, scratched his head and said:
"Of course, Papina butterfly powder is well-known for its many side effects. However, the reason I didn't use it was simply to make it easier to consume."
"What does that mean...?"
"I tried the potion myself while making it. Just counting the number of times, it must have been close to a thousand times. During that time, I frequently experienced indigestion, and the common factor every time was when the powder was added. The powder can be used as a substitute for beetle dust, but if it's a potion intended for human consumption, I don't think it should cause indigestion at least. So, I chose to use beetle dust, which is more expensive but doesn't cause indigestion."
The audience applauded Gerlof's explanation, impressed by his experience.
And that admiration soon turned into suspicious glances towards Verban.
"Oh, no. Those were just to reduce side effects..."
"Of course, when I explained it to you before, I mentioned reducing side effects. But the side effects I mentioned were not the kind you assumed, Professor. They were simply referring to indigestion."
"This, this..."
Verban lost his words, unable to do anything, and finally shouted in frustration.
"Get out right now! How dare you disrupt the sacred evaluation time! You two, I will report both of you to the Academy's disciplinary committee!"
Wow, how pathetic.
In the end, Verban resorted to self-justification.
As the students observed Verban's reaction, they began to boo.
"Booo!"
"Isn't it embarrassing for someone who calls themselves a professor?"
"How can you proudly present something that you stole from your students?"
"Verban Fernandez, return your professorship!"
As if in a protest, the surroundings became noisy, and even the herbalism students who were taking the exam criticized Verban.
Verban, despite the intense condemnation from the surroundings, stubbornly continued to argue.
More than half of what he said was just an incomprehensible series of shouts.
That's when it happened.
"Silence."
With one word, the surroundings instantly fell into silence.
I couldn't help but shiver at that extraordinary sight.
"What's all this commotion? I came because I heard there was a disturbance."
The person who spoke slowly walked out.
As silence fell upon the area, I couldn't help but feel chills at his extraordinary power and magic.
"Ta-Taopu."
"Yes. Verban Fernandez, you look utterly ridiculous. What on earth is this? Your professorial dignity has been trampled on."
"Taopu, there must be some misunderstanding in this matter..."
"The Academy's director, Berial, should have handled this, but since he's absent, I will make the judgment."
At the top of the Academy, there is the Headmaster, who is the overall administrator of the Academy, and below him is the Deans. As you know, there are separate deans for the Knight Department and the Magic Department, and they usually handle external matters.
Roden Martop is a complex organization with various factions, especially with strong influence from the royal family.
While it should have been inappropriate for Bahat, the owner of Roden Martop, to intervene in the political affairs of the politically neutral Academy, honestly speaking, there was no one who could stop him from intervening.
"Verban Fernandez, you will be subjected to an investigation by the Imperial Investigative Corps."
"Your Excellency Alben! I am innocent!"
"Innocent? Then, may I use mental magic on you right now?"
"Well, uh, that..."
"After all, you were bound to be caught sooner or later. Berryal already realized that the money you embezzled under the guise of research was not a small amount. Moreover, even after you became a professor, you openly took personal requests. Can you deny it?"
"Ah..."
Verban remained seated on the floor, speechless.
Then he knelt down and pressed his hands against the floor.
"I'm sorry! I will never make such a mistake again. Please, forgive me, Your Excellency Alben!"
With a cold look of pity, Bahat, who had cooled his tongue, looked around and spoke.
"That's enough now. Why are you all gathered here as if you've seen something interesting?"
Then he ordered the herbalism students who were taking the exam not to worry about their scores and disperse.
"You were the owner of the potion? You should explain the whole story of this incident in detail."
"Yes, Your Grace."
As Gerlof nodded, Bahat's gaze turned towards me this time.
"And... Adrias Cromwell."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Is it you again?"
Hahaha.
Yes, it's just as usual.
Without speaking my thoughts aloud, I just smiled awkwardly.
"Why are you smiling like a shameless person? Write a detailed statement about what happened today. Don't leave anything out."
"Yes, of course."
Although it was a bit of a waste of time, it didn't matter much as long as I humiliated Verban.
After finishing his words, Bahat turned around to leave but spoke to me again.
"I've been watching you, and it seems that you have considerable talent in potion making. I hope you can surprise me. That would be nice."
What? Were you watching from the beginning?
Since you didn't appear right away, were you peeking like a pervert somewhere?
Anyway, it was a bitter inspiration.
But thanks to Bahat, that pathetic professor was dealt with neatly, so I can let it slide.
I nodded vigorously to my mentor.
"Yes, I am preparing diligently."
"Hmph, you arrogant brat."
Verban was still sitting on the floor, looking lost with a blank expression.
Bahat grabbed him and concealed his figure just like that.
How pitiful. It's better to mess with someone who deserves it.
"Hoo!"
Exhaling, I thrust my sword with strength.
The well-defined muscles of my shoulders and arms now had a visible presence.
The current time was 2 a.m.
Due to the incident with Verban today, I didn't have enough time to train in swordsmanship as Bahat pulled me along.
Of course, I still exercised regularly in the physical training room every morning, but what I was doing now was sword training.
Swish!
The sword flashed with a sharp momentum.
The swordsmanship, which had become firmly established and grew more powerful each day thanks to the power of the potion, had long surpassed the level of a beginner.
"If I had received training from Nickel, my skills would have improved even more."
Still, I would soon be able to receive training from Nickel again.
The reason I was holding the sword until this late hour.
The reason was that Nickel's evolution would be completed soon.
"How will it change?"
I was excited and curious.
I had experienced two evolutions so far—Angela's evolution and the evolution of Talent.
Talent was just a matter of advancing to the next stage, so I passed it, and Angela's appearance changed.
"It felt like the species itself had changed."
Perhaps Nickel's kind would also change, but I couldn't imagine what it would change into.
"Undead creatures have many different types. But they won't suddenly become a Death Knight, right?"
I briefly indulged in happy imagination.
Since I would find out soon anyway, I focused on wielding the sword again.
After another 30 minutes of swinging the sword...
[Skeleton Soldier (Legendary) has evolved.]
The system screen notified me of Nickel's evolution.
I put down the sword and mentally prepared myself.
"Finally. Nickel, come out now."
I couldn't hide my excitement as I called Nickel from my nurturing.
Then, a rift in space opened, and finally, something took on a human form and revealed its appearance.