"I heard a noble asked you for a duel? " Saelyz asked while crouching down to grabbed one last slime.

A green slime to be exact.

"That’s already spreading around? " Zeres replied while he also crouched down, then his hand shot up to grab the green slime before him.

"Of course it is" Saelyz replied. "You throwing the gloves on his face was also known by now."

"What? "

"Let’s go" Saelyz stood up, not even bothering to answer him.

Zeres followed, on his arms was a little basket, a white cloth was covering the things inside.

"Did you take at least four slimes? We’re all still freshmen, so it’s common to make mistakes—I also took five." She asked, her raven-black hair fluttering behind her.

"I did, I’m not arrogant on my brewing skill."

Saelyz took a glance at him, her golden eyes staring at him meaningfully before she continued her walk.

____________

"Are all students here? " the old professor’s voice echoed within the confines of the large alchemy hall.

Tables stretching wide with burners resting on top of them, Bone-Handled Scalpel Set, Silvered Stirring Rods, and even Essence Pipettes.

"Wow, this must be expensive"

"That’s the academy for you"

"Now I’m scared if I broke anything on this room."

The cadets murmured to each other, their gazes drifting on the tools resting on the white table.

"Now choose your table"

On the professor’s command, all cadets chose their own table, excitement evident the way their noses flared.

Zeres picked a table randomly, then he stared at the old man on the center.

The essnve pipettes will be used to measure the density of mana contained in the potion you’ve brewed.

"Today, we will be brewing the most basic posion, and it’s mana density should be exactly: 15%"

"If the density on the potion you’ve brewed surpassed that or is lower than that— don’t even dream about taking the next lecture, you won’t be able to get out of here unless you’ve brewed it perfectly." The professor stated, his voice stern enough that not even one cadet complained.

Zeres stared at Saelyz, then he smiled. "Thank you" he mouthed.

If it hadn’t been for her help, he’d be stuck there finding the Ygres grass.

"The first ingredients you’ll use should be the slime, but only one for now, after it’s completely boiled, you’ll see a small orb there— that’s their core, save it later as it can help you in aiding the lack in mana density later." The professor instructed, his arms crossed as he walked around them.

"The second will be the Ygres grass, you’ll have to boil it until a pungent smell emerged— then throw the Moiner leaves immediately."

"Then use the pipette to check it occasionally."

"Now begin!"

The cadets grabbed the slimes, then they’re threw it straight at the pot then they light up the burner.

While on the side, some students calmly threw the slime on the pot.

’Rushing will only make you lose focus.’ Zeres thought, as he covered the pot.

Then he grabbed the Moiner plants, carefully removing all of the leaves and neatly arranging them in one place.

Then his gaze went beside him, Saelyz was there—she picked the table beside him earlier.

Make sense, she isn’t that friendly after all.

He waited for a moment, then he opened the pot, the slime had now totally liquidated, and a small silver orb was there.

Zeres picked up the scalpel, then he scooped the orb, taking it out— he covered the pot again.

Then he scanned it with the essence pipettes.

It trembled faintly, then the digits moved.

A total of 2.4% mana density.

It was a taxing process, one where he have to rely purely on his senses that were beyond human.

’I really don’t know if it’s a good thing or not.’ He shook his head slightly, then his hand went to grab the Ygres grass.

He stirred the green liquid that came out from the slime one last time, then he threw the Ygres grass.

He waited for a moment, opening it again, he began stirring the liquid.

The professor’s eyes sharpened as he gazed at the two students, one a woman with Raven black hair and golden eyes, and a vampire with long white hair and crimson eyes.

’They’re quite knowledgeable’ he nodded weakly.

Those two students were occasionally checking the mana density. As a result, some of the observant cadets began copying them.

’They’re a talented’ he thought, his eyes settling on a woman with purple hair, her amethyst eyes were half- lidded as she casually threw in the Ygres grass.

Looking at her, the old man had thought it was just another mistake from an arrogant brat—but it wasn’t, it was all accurate.

’Helize was it? ’

All of a sudden, an explosion occured on the farthest part.

’Now this feels a loth better— teaching newbies~’ the professor smiled, then he went at the spot where an explosion occured.

"This tools will be deducted on your credits" he said.

"How much professor? "

"1000 credits"

"What?! I only receive 200 credits every month." The student mumbled.

"You can do some missions, they earn high with credits." The old professor informed, then he turned around.

____________

The pungent smell of the substance drifted across the entire room.

It wasn’t only coming from Zeres’ pot, it was also everywhere—for example, the named characters... Except Vairel and Haslien.

The face of the professor barely twitched, while Zeres felt like throwing up.

In this room, he was the one suffering the most. With his senses, that was a hell out of an experience.

Saelyz glanced at him, her gaze settling on his tense expression.

"Use this" she slid in a handkerchief.

Zeres stared at it, then back at her.

’Hmm, she’s really kind’

"Thanks" he muttered, barely audible—just enough for the two of them to hear it.

Saelyz just nodded, her attention settling back on the pot in her table.

Zeres did the same, he removed the cover, then he grabbed the five leaves of Moiner then he threw it down the pot.

His hands grabbing the pipette as he stared at it: 9%

A total of nine percent.