After the break, the next lessons were non-major subjects like mathematics and physics. I, who had never studied subjects like those, felt overwhelmed by the theories presented. Despite being helped by others, I still couldn't solve the problems.
After the last lesson ended, the day's learning came to a close. I returned to the dormitory building with my head feeling like it was filled with the numbers I had learned earlier. Then I went straight to my room and fell into a deep sleep.
***
The next day, the second day at Etherea. The first lesson today was Herbs and Poison. Although it seemed dangerous, many were interested in this lesson. Perhaps because by studying Herbs and Poison, we could make potions for various purposes, from agricultural needs to adventure needs.
The Herbs and Poison lesson took the most time compared to other lessons, mainly because we had to gather materials from the wilderness to make potions.
The assigned professor entered the class along with some assistants and introduced herself. The professor had long black hair braided to the side and green eyes. Wearing the same uniform as the other professors, but what set her apart was that she wore a hat similar to a beach hat. This made the professor seem relaxed and approachable.
"Hello, kids, my name is Amira Hamilton, and I teach Herbs and Poison. I hope you'll enjoy this lesson for the next year!"
"We will be having our lesson outside the classroom to gather ingredients for making stamina potions. The required ingredients are Lunargrass, Waterrose, and lastly Snakeberry. This task is to be done in groups with a maximum of 5 members."
"You can see illustrations of the ingredients on the sheets provided by my assistants. Well then, good luck!" Other students might not have noticed, but I caught a glimpse of the professor smiling beneath her large hat. I don't know why, but I had a bad feeling about this.
Then the students moved around to form groups.
Clara and Tiana then approached me and asked, "Ryan, can we be in the same group again?"
"Sure, it's better to have a group that has worked together before, right?" I asked the other two, Matt and Alicia.
They nodded in agreement without saying a word, not even looking up as they were focused on the notes provided by the assistant. After creating a group, the other students and I then went out to look for the listed ingredients.
***
In the forest
"Haha... I knew it wouldn't be easy!" I said with a tired face as we ran from the monsters chasing the five of us. The monsters chasing us were a pack of Epihorns. Unlike the ones I had encountered before, these Epihorns had 2 horns, indicating their higher status, and were rated B-.
A little flashback as to why our situation became like this. When we wanted to find Waterrose, suddenly a pack of Epihorns approached us. Seeing the pack of Epihorns, we chose to flee, taking as much Waterrose as we could since we didn't have any equipment.
"Sh@t, I didn't bring my sword. They're too many!" Matt regretted not bringing his sword for emergencies.
"Well, we weren't told to bring them. It seems like the professor did it on purpose!" Alicia grumbled to Professor Amira.
"Enough, no fighting! Can any of you form a sword from your ether?" I asked.
"I can't, I really can't focus at all. But even if I could, how would I make it when my stamina is constantly drained?" Matt shouted at me.
"I can, but I need time. At least 2 minutes of silence and focus," Clara said.
"You'll just be their prey if you stay still like a statue," Matt taunted Alicia.
"Can you two stop arguing for once!?" I shouted at them.
"Tiana, Clara, can you use your ether to speed up our steps?" I asked.
"No, I can't! My stamina has reached its limit!" Tiana said, gasping for breath.
"I can temporarily speed us up with my wind!" Tiana said.
"Then do it!"
"Alright."
Tiana then sped up our steps with her ability, though the difference wasn't significant. But it was enough to escape from the pack of Epihorns. I then focused on creating a solid ether block to explode.
Some Epihorns were hit by the explosion from my attack, but the damage they received wasn't significant. However, my attack widened the gap between us and the pack of Epihorns.
"I should have asked Master to teach me how to fight hand-to-hand." I regretted it silently.
"Think, Ryan, think. How can you get a sword or a long stick? Wait, a long stick?" An idea crossed my mind. Maybe with Etherization, I could make something similar to a sword.
"Guys, give me time. I want to try something."
"If you're just going to experiment, assess the situation first!" Matt and Alicia shouted at me.
"Trust me this time!" Tiana, who had reached her limit, nodded at me with eyes that seemed like they could faint at any moment. Clara also seemed to agree with my idea. Reluctantly, Matt and Alicia followed my lead.
"Alright, let's do it, Matt!" Alicia attacked the Epihorns with Matt to buy time for me.
With their stamina almost drained, the two of them couldn't inflict significant damage on the pack of Epihorns. However, their attacks made the Epihorns more cautious, and those hit by their attacks were thrown quite far.
"We can only attack one more time, I hope it's enough!" Ignoring Alicia's words, I focused on forming a long and thin block, like a sword blade. When I was too focused, one Epihorn almost attacked me. Fortunately, it was thrown off by Alicia's attack.
"Hurry, Ryan! I can't release ether anymore! My stamina is gone!" Alicia shouted at me.
Finally, a thin block formed in front of me. When I took it, it emitted smoke that gradually disappeared. I was ready to strike the Epihorns. When I finished my block, it turned out that we were all surrounded by the Epihorns.
I then shouted, "Everyone, duck!" One sentence from me and everyone ducked. I then launched my attack.
"I'm sorry, Master, but this is an emergency!"
All the Epihorns were hit by my attack. Some were killed, but some were only lightly injured. Unlike the Epihorns I had fought before, they seemed to retreat when many of their companions were killed.
"We're safe!" Everyone shouted with joy. I couldn't help but smile too when I saw that.
I then said to the other four, "We'll continue looking for the remaining ingredients after taking a short break." The other four agreed with my suggestion and then collapsed, gasping for breath after running without a break for an hour.
After the break, we continued to search for the remaining ingredients, making sure to collect whatever we could from the bodies of the Epihorns. After gathering all the ingredients, we finally returned to the classroom.
Professor Amira then said, "Why did it take you so long? The
other students have been waiting!" But when she saw our dirty clothes, she asked again.
"What happened to all five of you?" We then explained that we were chased by a pack of Epihorns. Hearing that, Professor Amira was surprised that there were Epihorns in the academy area. I saw the professor's expression become puzzled because I thought she had placed the Epihorns there. Professor Amira then apologized to the five of us for her carelessness and guided us to the infirmary.
***
After the Herbs and Poison lesson ended, Professor Amira went to the headmaster's office.
'How could a pack of B-graded Epihorns be in the academy area? I have to ask the headmaster about this,' thought Professor Amira, worried about the situation that could endanger her students.
Before reaching the headmaster's office, Professor Amira was stopped by someone with a hood covering their face.
"Can you keep this secret from the headmaster?"
"How could I keep this from the headmaster? And who are you? Your appearance is very suspicious," said Professor Amira, ready to attack the person even though they were in the academy area.
When the person removed their hood, Professor Amira looked very surprised.
"You... why are you here!?"