39 The Potion-Making Class [4]

As the class reached its end, many of the students had completed making their low-rank healing potions. There were a few students who had successfully created the potion, while many others had failed in their attempts.

Nerine, who had also finished making her potion, nodded in satisfaction. She turned her attention to Ember, ready to offer assistance if needed. To her surprise, Ember had successfully created her potion as well, albeit with a slightly lower quality.

'Is this what it feels like to be born talented?' Nerine wondered, her eyebrows furrowing in envy. 'I remember my first attempt—it was a disaster!'

Shaking off her jealousy, Nerine shifted her focus to her other partner, Caius. She expected him to fail due to his unconventional approach and the extra ingredients he used, which were not mentioned in the given recipe.

'Creating a potion requires strict adherence to the recipe, not adding personal touches,' she thought, somewhat perplexed by Caius' approach. 'This is potion-making, not cooking, where you can add spices based on your own taste.'

However, Nerine's thoughts came to a sudden halt as her gaze fell upon Caius's created potion.

!!

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes bulged out of their sockets like a cartoon character. "T-This...!" she stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Caius had not only successfully created the low-level healing potion but he seemed to have managed to make it even better and more potent than hers.

Her eyes shifted back and forth between Caius's vial and her own, disbelief etched on her face. It was as if he had discovered the secret recipe to potion-making while she was left with a mediocre result.

Clap— Clap—

Just as she was grappling with her astonishment, the professor clapped his hands, instantly grabbing the attention of the entire class. "Alright, students, it's time!" he exclaimed, his voice resonating through the room. "Raise your vials if you've successfully created the potion!"

Hands slowly rose into the air, showcasing the fruits of their labor. However, the number of raised vials was considerably smaller than expected.

Out of the entire class, only twelve students had managed to create a potion that met the professor's standards, leaving the majority of their classmates in a state of defeat. Damien, in particular, seemed to be struggling with his potion to everyone's surprise.

'Of course, it's no surprise that Damien struggled with potion-making,' Caius chuckled inwardly. 'Brewing potions was definitely not in his character's skill set. In the game, there was only one playable character who was somewhat Ok at potion-making, and that was Aria. Damien, Caius, and other playable characters weren't exactly the ideal candidates for this class.'

He glanced over at Ember, who had successfully brewed a potion, as expected. 'Ember is always an exception,' he mused. 'She's practically designed to be a perfectionist. Is there anything she can't do?'

As Caius pondered, the professor's voice cut through his thoughts. "Good, good! Considering it's your first attempt, these potions aren't bad at all!" The professor proceeded to commend each student's successful creation, one by one until his gaze finally settled on Nerine's potion.

Nerine held her breath, her heart pounding with anticipation.

"Woah, this potion is the best that I've seen from a first-year student!" The professor exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine surprise and admiration. He approached Nerine and Caius, his eyes fixed on Nerine's vial. "It is truly impressive! It seems you have quite the talent for potion-making."

Nerine's smile turned into an awkward grin as she tried to process the professor's words. Her mind raced with a mix of pride for her own accomplishment and curiosity about what lay within Caius's vial. She couldn't help but wonder how the professor would react to Caius's creation.

As if reading her thoughts, the professor followed her gaze and locked eyes with Caius's vial, his expression morphing into one of shock and disbelief.

"....."

The room fell into silence as all eyes turned toward the astonished professor and Caius's potion. The anticipation hung thick in the air, waiting for the professor's response.

"You...!" The professor finally spoke, his voice trembling with a mix of astonishment and curiosity. "...Did you make this potion with the same recipe given to you?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Caius's vial.

Caius, still sporting a confident smile, replied, "...Yes, but I made a few slight modifications along the way to enhance its potency."

The professor's excitement couldn't be contained any longer. He grabbed Caius by the shoulders, his voice trembling with anticipation. "T-The changes you've made, young man! I want to know every single detail, no matter how minor. Spare no detail!"

The sudden change in the professor's behavior left the entire class speechless, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"...."

Aria, who had been observing the scene with a stern expression, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. 'This guy... He's truly utilizing his knowledge from his previous life to the fullest,' she thought, her gaze fixed on Caius.

She already knew the changes Caius had made to improve the low-level healing potion, as it was Nerine who had discovered them in her previous life with the professor's guidance. The achievement had gained international recognition beyond the academy.

'But here he is, taking credit for their achievement as if it's his own,' Aria pondered, her thoughts filled with a mix of admiration and irritation.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the class, Caius continued to explain the modifications he had made to the recipe, detailing each step and ingredient to the eager professor.

"T-This is truly brilliant!" the professor exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "Caius, you are a once-in-a-lifetime genius student. If this potion is indeed the improved version I think it is, your achievement will be renowned worldwide!" The professor's words were filled with admiration and anticipation.

As the professor continued to gush over Caius's achievement, the rest of the class remained in awe. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing—a first-year student rewriting the rules of potion-making and creating a potion that could potentially revolutionize the field.

"....."

Meanwhile, Nerine stood there in a state of shock. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of everything. 'Why did he ask me to do those minor tasks while making his potion?' she suddenly wondered.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit her. 'D-Don't tell me... It wasn't bullying, but he wanted to teach me how to create the improved healing potion!'

Her eyes widened with a newfound realization, and her gaze shifted to Caius, who was still basking in the professor's admiration. A mix of surprise and respect washed over her. She had misunderstood his intentions all along.

Nerine's initial frustration transformed into an appreciation for Caius's unorthodox teaching method. He had used his own experiments to guide her and help her understand the process better. It was a lesson she would never forget.

With a smile slowly forming on her face, Nerine decided to approach Caius after the class ended. She couldn't wait to express her gratitude and learn more from this unexpected mentor.

***

{Author's Note!}

Dear Readers, In the opening chapters of the novel, my intention is to provide a thorough exploration of the main character's unique skill, allowing you to fully comprehend its capabilities. Additionally, I will take the opportunity to introduce and develop the distinct personalities of the other important characters, setting the stage for a captivating and immersive journey that lies ahead.

I sincerely appreciate your unwavering support, and I eagerly anticipate sharing more updates and thrilling developments with you in the near future.

:)