Chapter 496: 496. 200 year old essence preserved

"You learned about handling beast tissues and their essences during your first-year classes," the old professor began. "Now, we will move on to how we preserve beast essence and prevent it from degrading over time."

"There are methods that we use to completely stop the aging of essence and stop its degradation. For example, we process litres of essence from a colossal green whale essence that has been preserved for over two hundred years. By normal standards, it should have degraded within five years, yet through our preservation methods, we have managed to retain 66% of its potency even after 200 years. Isn’t that fascinating?"

A faint old smile remained on his face as he spoke.

"By the end of the first half of this year, you will learn every stabilizing agent that has been discovered throughout our history. From the most useless ones, preserved till now to be seen as a history class, to the most effective ones that will continue to help you for the foreseeable future."

As he spoke, he opened the large book resting on his desk before clapping his hands together lightly.

"I look forward to teaching you about all of it. Perhaps some day, one or more of you will discover even better methods and help this kingdom grow even more prosperous."

With that small speech, the professor began the lesson properly.

Before Theo could even fully immerse himself in taking the detailed notes, the class was already over.

Only one hour had passed.

"I will see you all tomorrow. We will begin the practical lessons on the very first preservation method we used in the early times. That way, you can really get into the thought process behind how our techniques evolved over the years. You all may leave now."

Many students immediately rose from their seats. Some yawned as if they had just endured the most boring class of their lives, while Theo simply sighed.

The three-hour daily classes he had endured for three months every single day aside from the holidays had completely ruined his sense of time during lectures.

’The next class starts in twenty minutes, so I still have time to rest...’ Theo thought, inwardly laughing at himself.

He opened the book the workers had distributed at the beginning of the class to really get into the concepts.

Most students had already left, while a few stayed talking or resting in the class.

The old professor noticed a lone student completely absorbed in his book while making notes.

His eyebrows rose in curiosity, and he slowly approached with his cane.

Theo was so engrossed in his book that he even failed to notice the sound of the cane tapping against the floor, even though several students had already turned to look at the approaching professor.

Only when he felt like someone had entered his sensory range did Theo finally lift his head from his notes.

And now, it was his time to be surprised.

The professor, who should have either been at his desk or already gone by now, had just walked over and sat beside Theo.

"What is your name, student?" the old man asked after letting out a small sigh as he slowly settled into the seat.

"Theo Merrick," Theo introduced himself. "Today’s class was wonderful, Professor Dorian."

"Hahaha, don’t sugarcoat it, Young Theo. Most of the students were asleep through half the class," the professor replied while curiously glancing through at Theo’s notes.

"You are already trying to learn the future material? Don’t you have a class in 10 minutes?" he asked right away, not even giving Theo a chance to respond to his earlier comment.

Theo smiled. "My next class is about Hybrid combat styles. I am fairly used to physical activity, so I can use my mind to study until the very last moment, Professor Dorian."

His words made the old man simply stare at him for a few seconds with a casual look.

"Are all Merricks like this?" he asked, genuine curiosity written all over his face. "You are the first from your bloodline I have seen in all my 70 years of my life. Somehow, it makes me want to meet your father before this old man finally rests." He chuckled softly.

When Theo looked into those aged eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of pity, though he didn’t let it show on his face or in his eyes. He couldn’t let the old man notice.

"Believe me, it’s perfectly fine if you haven’t seen my father. He’s a rather chaotic man. The rumors don’t do justice to his actions," Theo said lightly, hoping to ease the mood, surprising the professor.

Instead, the old man burst into loud laughter, drawing even more curious glances from the nearby students.

"It’s the chaos that keeps the heart young; always remember that." The old professor placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder before slowly standing up.

"It was nice meeting you, Young Theo. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow."

Theo stood as well and gave him a respectful farewell.

As he turned, he noticed several students quickly jerk their heads away after being caught staring at him. The sight almost made him want to laugh out loud.

Still, Theo simply packed his book and notes before heading for the next class, the one that would finally involve actual training.

He walked through groups of unfamiliar students who had already formed close circles since their first year.

But Theo didn’t mind. He already had a lot of things going on in his mind, and he had long since decided that the only social interaction he truly cared to invest in was his club.

When he finally made his way toward the training grounds to practice on his own, Theo suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Inside the training grounds stood three other students wearing the same academy uniform as him.

At the far corner, beneath the shade of a tree, stood Carlos.

The moment Carlos noticed Theo staring at the unfamiliar students who were inside his peaceful training grounds, he causally raised his hand in greeting.

The students followed Carlos’s gaze and turned toward Theo, only to find him staring daggers at their instructor instead.

This was going to be an interesting class.