Became a Childhood Friend of an Academy Genius

38 – Investigating the Potion

I never thought I’d run into this Pingchang here.

When I stared blankly at this unexpected meeting, he showed his teeth and growled at me.

It’s as if if you have something to make an excuse for, look at that proud snout somewhere.

‘What do you mean?’

I couldn’t understand why.

Is there something I did wrong? I want why are you doing that?

In fact, I can guess the reason to some extent.

Like the line he just uttered for the first time, and at least he tried to take the time to teach it, but commoners and the like would reject it and say what to do about being here.

It must be clear that this guy can’t see the books piled up in front of us.

“Do you have business?”

“Huh. What’s the matter with you?”

I asked if there was business in case I didn’t know, but the answer that came back was as expected.

Anyway, can’t you stop that beggarly snort?

Combined with that protruding snout, it is truly a scene that gently scratches the inside of a person.

If there is a spatula anywhere, I want to hit it with one and insert it. What kind of duckling is Ji?

“Then go on your way. Because we are busy.”

I waved my hands as if I was chasing out a small merchant and issued a congratulatory order.

I’m already busy, but I don’t have time to deal with ping-chaeng like this.

I turned around, thinking that he wouldn’t want to talk to someone he wasn’t even dealing with.

Then, from behind, with a voice that was even colder than before, Marie put her words into her mouth as if repeating what I had said.

“… What? We?”

What part did that guy get the heat from?

I want to believe that I am not so stupid as not to know that the plural of “I” Is “We.”

Or is it that he can’t see Tina next to me?

Whether it’s stupid hair or a crooked eye, there must be a serious flaw somewhere.

As the silent confrontation began again between Marie and I, Tina, who was looking at us alternately and moving her head left and right, spoke to Marie, whom she did not know.

“I…. Miss Marie Lesty, right?”

“Yes. Is that right?”

Also, I thought that a commoner would say something, but surprisingly, he responded normally except for his characteristic tick-tick tone.

“If you don’t mind, can you help us with our assignment? Actually, Professor Fenneline’s group assignment is until next week….”

“… Professor Penerine? You mean the one in charge of herbalism?”

It must have been quite an unexpected answer, but Marie dreamed in a daze with her eyes wide open.

Indeed. Come to think of it, among the freshmen who entered this year, we were the first to receive an assignment from Professor Penerine, let alone a group assignment.

It’s not too strange to think it’s a big deal.

“Yes. Actually, for the first time this time, they gave us a group assignment, and that’s what makes Moker’s prank.”

Tina continues her explanation in a relaxed tone as if imitating Elisha, without any loud words when talking to me.

At this, Marie’s eyebrows were slightly wrinkled, and he put her hand on her waist and tilted her body upright.

Somehow, it seems that his expression has become brighter than before. Is it because of the mood?

“If it’s Moquere’s prank…. It’s a pretty annoying potion. Do you know the recipe?”

“No. This is my first time making it…. How about Miss Lesty?”

“I’m not the type to know too well. I know roughly the level of ingredients that go into it, but the quantity and manufacturing process….”

Maybe the fact that he didn’t know everything hurt the guy’s pride, Marie swallowed her whispers and slightly avoided her gaze.

He’s a guy who builds his ego in a very strange place.

It’s impossible for a person to know everything in the first place, and I think it’s great enough to know that much for a person like me who is sick of theory.

Is this a difference of opinion?

Not wanting to see more of them hesitating and twisting their bodies, I stepped between them and cut off their words with a single knife.

“Anyway, you can help me?”

“… Eh?”

Then, the guy’s pink eyes, which had been rolling around so much that I couldn’t even tell where he was looking, turned to me.

“You said that. I know roughly the amount of ingredients that go into it. Speaking of which, let’s use this for today’s class.”

I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with the classes he’s been forced to take on anyway, but if he has his own reasons, he decides to use that as an excuse to get help.

“… Are you okay? I don’t know too well.”

“It must be better than us.”

After all, Tina only had experience in making other potions, but she had almost no knowledge about Moquer’s prank itself.

Not to mention me.

People with even trivial knowledge are worthy of welcome with open arms, so he held out a book on his desk and recommended it again.

“Ha, I can’t do that. Then let me help you a little.”

A guy who opens his mouth in an arrogant manner, brushing off his pink hair that reaches down to his neck.

But for today, he responded with a short applause for the guy who will be our good information shuttle.

If you can get one manpower like this, it’s cheap.

* * * *

Palak. Palak.

In my ears, only the sound of flipping papers resonated.

About two and a half hours after I arrived at the library and opened the book.

The red sunset had already disappeared and it was getting dark outside, but when the other two showed no signs of leaving, I was too embarrassed to get up.

‘Anyway, it’s pretty tough. This.’

After lightly stretching and moving my neck from side to side to release stiff muscles, I turned my gaze to the book again.

Thanks to Mari’s joining, the speed of finding information definitely increased, but even so, it didn’t reduce Tina and I’s work.

These thick books on herbalism and potions. Among them, the process of finding out only the contents that correspond to Moker’s prank and examining whether or not they fit each other was quite arduous.

Just by looking at this, you can see how comfortable the internet is that you used to use in your previous life.

In this world, if there was magic or a machine that could find out what you want from a book, it would be a hit, but it seems there is no such thing.

As I was turning the page like that, the name of an herb caught my eye along with a picture drawn in black and white.

‘Nostalgia.’

A key ingredient in Moker’s Mischief.

I’ve been looking through them one by one since it’s not listed in other herbal medicine books, but I’m finally meeting you here.

“Marie. Is Nostalgia this flower?”

“Huh? … That’s right. I also found a way.”

Thankfully you were right.

Now that I’ve found it, where should I read the explanation?

‘Nostalgia. It is a plant distributed near the Biscanian Mountains in the southwestern part of the Alcadia Empire, and mainly lives in places that are not easily reached by humans, such as cliffs. It is characterized by yellow petals and long roots, and the scent of nostalgia is said to be insufferable to humans.’

I don’t quite understand what you mean by the fact that it’s a fragrance that humans can’t smell, but I read it all the time and didn’t find anything special about it.

However, what bothers me is the part about the habitat where it is mainly distributed.

It’s worth it, the Biscania Mountains are located almost at the opposite point of Delos Academy Island.

Wouldn’t it be quicker if you could take a carriage and arrive in a week?

‘I’m sure you’re not saying that we should go all the way there to find us, right?’

A chill ran down my spine as a sudden disturbing thought ran through my head.

Amman Even if this academy goes crazy, I think that’s a bit too much.

Tuk-tuk.

“Hey, Tina. Look at this.”

“Huh? What is it?”

He tapped the shoulder of Tina who was next to him and unfolded the area where Nostalgia was written.

“This flower is said to live near the Biscania Mountains, but are we really going to have to go there?”

“That, well… ? I don’t think it’s normal, but I can’t guarantee it.”

“… Crazy.”

No, where is the idiot who goes that far for a school assignment?

Couldn’t you rather go outside and buy some from the herbalist?

“I can see what you’re thinking, you better wake up.”

Before I could think, I heard Marie’s shrill voice from the side.

“What?”

“Nostalgia. At first glance, where did you intend to buy it from?”

“Do you even read minds?”

“Huh. You’re such an idiot that I can only see your true feelings.”

I’ve never thought of myself as smart, but even so, this guy shows her true feelings through her expression.

Somehow, it’s a bit humiliating. I don’t know if the other person feels that way because it’s Mari.

“Anyway, that’s a plant that can’t be found on the market.”

“I can’t find it… why? Not even drugs.”

“It’s because it has the same effect as a kind of drug. Not for humans, of course.”

Not for humans. It’s a pretty strange expression.

Come to think of it, even in the description of Nostalgia earlier, it was written that people cannot smell the scent of this flower.

It must be a fairly unusual plant.

As if noticing my doubts, Marie continued her explanation while holding a pen in her hand.

“That flower exudes a fragrance that only beastmen can smell, but that seems to be quite lethal. In the days when the beastmen were persecuted, people didn’t care, so they were sold in the market, but not now.”

“You really know everything.”

Maybe the reason why it’s not written in the book is because it was written during the time when the beastmen were persecuted.

Whatever the reason, it means it’s a pretty dangerous flower.

Of course, it doesn’t matter to us humans.

“If you really need that flower, why don’t you ask Elisha?”

“Elisha? Why is Elisha here?”

Marie presented me with an unexpected plan while thinking about where to find Nostalgia.

When I questioned Elisha’s name that popped out of nowhere, he shook her head with the pitiful look he used to see me normally.

Anyway, even though I was trying to be nice to him for helping, he’s the guy who cuts all of my points with just one action.

“It’s stupid. It’s because the Crozel family owns half of the Biscania Mountains. In the Great War 30 years ago, Balzac won it by single-handedly defeating the followers in that mountain range. Don’t you even know this basic common sense?”

Balzac means Balzac of the Red Sword.

Even in the original work, he is the seat of the Five Great Heroes, and is currently the head of the Crozel family.

While I felt welcome because it was a name I hadn’t heard in a very long time, I was disgusted by Marie who was trying to inject me with this kind of background as basic common sense, so I wanted to punch her.

Anyway, you can ask Elisha.

I don’t know if you’ll listen.

“… ….”

First of all, I decided to meet Elisha tomorrow and was about to leave her place, but for some reason, Tina, who darkened her face and carefully looked at the book I had opened, came into her eyes.

“Hey, Tina. Let’s go slowly I will close the dorm.”

“Eh? Oh, uh, yes.”

His reaction was a beat slow, but he hurriedly grabbed his bag and got up from his seat.

Then he took the book I was looking at and said he would borrow it, and ran to the librarian.

Anyway, since I know the location, I should be able to come and see you again tomorrow. You’ve been working really hard.