Today was another hopeful day, because it was already Friday.
He'd cleared the Shadow World on Monday, rested on Tuesday, turned in his report on Wednesday, and taken the association's exam on Thursday.
It had been a very full week.
There were about three weeks before their next trip to the Shadow World. Dekan needed to set aside some time to make a few more Tier 3 cards for himself and Cornelia.
It was time to make himself a Tier 3 Summon Card.
And it was time to upgrade his Venomous Ground Spikes, too.
He could also make Cornelia a more durable Tier 3 weapon card.
But before any of that, there was an elective class this Friday that Dekan had been looking forward to for a long time.
He decided to take it seriously.
After sitting in on classes for the previous two weeks, he'd finally chosen two subjects: Medicine① and Potions②.
The school had a fairly flexible application process for elective classes.
Since every student had different talents and prior knowledge, students who could provide sufficient proof might be allowed to skip prerequisite courses.
The prerequisites for Potions② were Herbology① and Potions①.
Dekan had shown the course dean enough examples of his potion-making, and successfully got permission to enroll directly in Potions②.
As for why Dekan wanted to study medicine, let's leave that aside for now.
His reasons were quite intriguing.
After their required classes ended in the morning, Dekan and Cornelia went their separate ways.
Dekan's Potions② class was in the afternoon, so he couldn't go to the library with Cornelia.
But Cornelia knew he had class that afternoon, so she hadn't planned to go to the library either.
Dekan noticed that Cornelia was heading toward the back mountain again.
This time, he was genuinely curious.
Maybe he should follow her and take a look next time.
He'd noticed that Cornelia seemed a little down today.
Her expressions might be limited, but her eyes could speak volumes.
Or maybe Dekan just had a special talent for understanding her thoughts.
It was time for Potions②. About twenty students had gathered in the potion classroom.
Now that the two weeks of trial classes were over, everyone who remained had officially enrolled in the course.
Most of them were girls.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm glad you chose to take this class."
The teacher was a woman, too. Ms. Maria looked to be about thirty, wore glasses, and seemed very gentle.
She looked like the sort of person who was deeply compassionate toward the sick.
"Potions is an extremely practical subject, especially in everyday life."
"Also, although it's difficult to bring finished potions into the Shadow World, we can often use materials found there to make the potions we need on the spot."
"What you learn today might come in handy as soon as tomorrow. I'll do everything I can to guide you!"
Dekan nodded repeatedly as he listened to Ms. Maria.
The class taught not only theory but also provided plenty of materials and opportunities to experiment.
Dekan could make the most of the school's resources.
Honestly, with a course this useful and well-run, he wouldn't mind taking a few more.
Even if his reasons weren't quite the same as those of most students.
"In Potions①, we focused on restorative potions. In Potions②, we'll focus on functional potions."
"Today's lesson is about how to deal with unknown toxins."
As she spoke, Ms. Maria put on a pair of gloves and held up a small bottle.
"This toxin was recently developed by the Alchemy Academy. It was extracted from a newly cultivated poisonous plant. It's highly toxic, but easy to neutralize. Today, we'll learn how to extract the ingredients for an antidote from its companion plant."
This was the part Dekan had been waiting for.
His gaze was practically boring through the bottle of poison.
Ms. Maria began demonstrating the process, and Dekan listened with rapt attention.
Before he knew it, the class was nearly over.
"For your assignment, I want you to successfully make an antidote. You have a week to complete it. After class, you're welcome to keep using this classroom, as well as the Alchemy Academy's pharmaceutical lab."
Afterward, Ms. Maria handed each group a sample of the diluted toxin and prepared a set of the required ingredients for the students.
For safety, students would work in pairs, and each pair was given two doses of the antidote Ms. Maria had just made.
That way, if anyone was accidentally poisoned, their partner could help them.
Each pair had a long table to work at, with more than enough room. Dekan had been so absorbed in the lesson that he hadn't even noticed when his lab partner arrived.
But now it was time to greet her properly.
After all, they'd be doing the assignment together.
"So you've finally noticed me, Dekan."
Dekan turned and found her face very close to his.
A faint, sweet fragrance wafted over him.
She was a beautiful woman who didn't seem to understand personal space, with black hair and dark eyes that were bright and clear.
Her features were exquisitely delicate, as if carved by the Creator's hand into a masterpiece.
Even sitting down, she looked tall and slender.
Had she really been sitting this close to him the whole time?
Dekan was surprised, but he didn't look away or lean back.
He couldn't let her get the upper hand.
"If you'd come any closer, I might have noticed you sooner," Dekan replied calmly.
"Then the teacher might have warned us, you know."
The long-haired beauty said this with a smile that never left her face.
As soon as she finished speaking, she leaned even closer.
She was practically pressed against Dekan now.
A chill shot straight up his spine.
It was instinctive alarm, as if she were a beautiful flower laced with poison.
She was wearing the Alchemy Academy's second-year uniform, yet she gave off such an intense sense of danger.
Dekan reluctantly leaned back to get away from her, then shifted his chair a little farther aside.
He had to admit she was beautiful, but he had no fondness for people who inexplicably got so close to him.
"Could you keep a normal distance from me?"
"Sorry. I got a little carried away observing you."
She answered, still smiling.
She didn't seem intent on making things difficult for Dekan, and moved a little farther away.
"What's your name?"
Dekan didn't know his new lab partner's name; she'd only shown up for this class.
"Mie."
She sat quietly, still smiling.
Dekan: "Are you busy later?"
Mie: "No."
"Then let's finish the assignment before we leave."
Dekan didn't like putting off until tomorrow what he could finish today.
Mie nodded, clearly agreeing with him.
Before you continue