Chapter 13: Is This a Crisis or an Opportunity? (2)

“…Right about now, everyone’s probably harboring a thought like this: ‘We’re not training in Vision or tactics, so what’s with Herbology? Will this class really help me?’ You must be wondering.”

The lecture began.

In the eastern outskirts of the Academy, within a forest.

In the middle of that clearing, Ilai stood atop a wide rock, as if it were a podium, addressing the cadets with an introduction to the lecture.

It was a classroom set up in nature.

The cadets sat on seats carved from tree stumps.

Within the Academy grounds, carved out of an entire mountain, there were many such places.

“All of you enrolled here to join your desired knight order or magic corps. Some of you, unfortunately, might end up assigned to the frontier. Regardless, it’s a given that you’ll undergo countless training sessions and even more real battles in the process.”

“…….”

“That path will undoubtedly be a thorny one. You’ll face minor and major injuries, and on an unlucky day, you might even sustain life-threatening wounds. The class that prepares you for such moments is this very ‘Herbology.’”

Following that, Professor Ilai wrote her name on the blackboard.

“I’m Ilai Dain, responsible for teaching all of you. Nice to meet you all.”

Applause erupted among the cadets.

Though she was a new professor, the cadets’ eyes were filled with deep admiration as they looked at her.

It was only natural.

There wasn’t a single cadet here who didn’t know she was a cleric serving Max Obje or that her skills were exceptional.

Two years ago, during the Battle of Ludwig Plains against the Naimus Empire—another major power on the continent—she had saved countless lives with her formidable holy magic.

She might be a novice at teaching, but she was a war hero who had experienced countless real battles.

Her nickname from that time was the Saintess of Ludwig.

To be taught by such a person, and to be her first disciples, it was no wonder the cadets were thrilled.

The enthusiastic cheers from the juniors.

And among them, there was me.

Clapping.

Soullessly.

My eyes were on Professor Ilai, but my mind was entirely consumed with worries about the Beast Pouch.

What should I do?

Using the excuse of “morning business,” I’d bought myself a mere ten minutes.

But in the end, I couldn’t retrieve it.

Searching this vast forest in ten minutes was practically impossible.

So, I gained nothing but the nickname “Morning Poop Guy.”

Should I have just skipped the class altogether?

But the losses from doing that would be too great.

While I was caught up in these thoughts, Professor Ilai’s introduction was nearing its end.

“Well then, let’s wrap up the lecture introduction here. Before we dive into the class proper, I have something to tell you all.”

Here it comes.

I lifted my head to look at Professor Ilai.

She was already staring at me, smiling brightly.

“In fact, my lectures require an assistant to be my hands, feet, and voice. I’m quite clumsy with teaching, and given the nature of this class, we’ll be moving around a lot. In case of rain or sudden changes, someone needs to handle announcements for venue changes—a reliable friend for the job.”

In that moment, I swear I saw sparks fly from the cadets’ eyes.

It wasn’t just my imagination.

I caught it instinctively.

The position of assistant was a special role that came with tremendous academic benefits.

This… the backlash might be fiercer than I expected.

And my prediction was spot on.

“So, I was planning to choose from among you, but I’ve already selected the perfect candidate. Gerard, would you come forward?”

I stood from my seat and walked toward the rock where Ilai stood.

I hadn’t even taken a few steps when the back of my head started stinging.

As I reached Ilai’s side and turned around, dozens of gazes poured onto my face like a flood.

It felt like staring straight at a peacock’s fully spread tail.

I don’t have stage fright or anything like that, but the pressure from sheer numbers was overwhelming.

Countless eyes.

The emotions hidden within them were disdain and distrust.

As expected, they weren’t happy about me becoming the assistant.

“This is Gerard, a senior from the 888th class. Due to certain circumstances, he’s retaking this class, but he kindly agreed to help me…”

At that moment, someone raised their hand abruptly, cutting her off.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I find this hard to understand, Professor.”

All eyes turned to him.

I checked his face and nodded inwardly.

Of course. If it’s him, I knew he’d react like this.

“Gwyn Gaiard?”

“Yes.”

“What exactly do you find hard to understand?”

A bold response followed without hesitation.

“This class is part of the first-year curriculum. I don’t know what ‘special circumstances’ led to Senior Gerard taking this class ‘two years’ later, but I believe his knowledge of Herbology is on par with ours. It’s his first time, too.”

“Hmm. Go on.”

“Furthermore, even though we’re new cadets, there aren’t any specific restrictions for the assistant role, as far as I know.”

Professor Ilai nodded.

“That’s right. The assistant for Herbology doesn’t need to be skilled with a sword or excel in magic.”

“Then, regardless of class year, everyone in this lecture should have an equal opportunity. The assistant position clearly comes with special benefits, doesn’t it?”

“For my class, I’ve decided to give full marks for attitude.”

That was an extraordinary privilege.

Attitude scores encompassed attendance, class behavior, and assignments.

To Academy cadets, who took every grade seriously, full attitude marks were sweeter than honey.

“Did you hear that? Full marks!”

“So, even if you slack off in class, as long as you do well on the evaluation, you get an A?”

“Come on, they say the position makes the person. An assistant wouldn’t slack off in class, would they?”

“True, but still, the benefits are insane. Is this allowed?”

“It’s the professor’s call, isn’t it?”

The cadets buzzed with excitement.

The atmosphere began to heat up.

In a bad way, naturally.

Most of them already resented acknowledging me as their senior.

They’d likely heard rumors about me even before enrolling, so I’d known for a while that they viewed me through tinted lenses.

And to place someone like me in a position with such immense privileges without so much as an announcement?

Their reaction was only natural.

So, I calmly glanced at Professor Ilai beside me.

It’s time to bring up that clever method of yours—the bet, Professor.

“Hmm. Listening to you all, it seems I was too hasty in making such a big decision. Thank you, Gwyn.”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

“Then let me ask. What qualification do you think is most required to become an assistant?”

Blushing briefly at Professor Ilai’s apology, Gwyn, who seemed to have thought this through, answered immediately.

“Naturally, the most capable person should take the role.”

“Capability, meaning?”

“As the assistant for Herbology, someone with extensive knowledge in the subject would be the capable person.”

“I see. If they also possess passion for the lecture and leadership convincing enough to satisfy everyone, you’d all accept them without complaint, right?”

“Yes. But…”

That guy isn’t such a person, is he?

Gwyn’s eyes, glaring at me as he paused, were clearly asking that.

That cheeky little…

“Got it.”

Suddenly, clap! Professor Ilai clapped her hands.

“Then let’s do this. From now on, we’ll determine who has those qualifications. Anyone who thinks, ‘I meet all the qualifications for the assistant role we’ve discussed!’—come forward.”

At the unexpected declaration, the seated cadets blinked in confusion.

Then, as if waiting for the cue, the first to leap forward was none other than Gwyn Gaiard, who had been talking with Professor Ilai.

Following him, another person stood, causing the cadets who were about to follow Gwyn to awkwardly sit back down.

“Karina Zain.”

A tall female cadet with a sharp voice bowed to Professor Ilai and stood beside Gwyn.

Karina Zain.

The second-ranked student in the entrance exam, just behind Gwyn, and the top of the Psychology Department.

She had an appearance so refined it drew gasps, but her personality was the complete opposite—utterly ruthless.

Gwyn and Karina.

These two were prodigies representing their respective departments.

Moreover, they were heirs of highly influential ducal families among the nobility.

So, when both stepped forward, none of the other cadets dared to follow, only exchanging wary glances.

They knew crossing these two would bring no good.

The Academy’s creed was that commoners and nobles were equal in the pursuit of knowledge.

But did that creed last a lifetime?

No way.

Connections made at the Academy persisted long after graduation into society.

That’s why there’s advice not to obsess over grades if your talent is average but to focus on building connections.

In the original story, Ivan clashed and entangled with these two throughout the plot and yes.

In the original story, it would’ve been Ivan standing here, not me.

“Well then, that’s it.”

With Victor, the third-ranked student, as the last, Professor Ilai accepted no more candidates.

The cadets, who had been hesitating and eyeing each other, let out sighs of regret, but their hesitation alone disqualified them.

“Now, shall we begin the lecture in earnest?”

Professor Ilai pulled something from her pocket.

A fruit, blood-red and the size of a thumbnail.

I couldn’t help but want to sigh the moment I saw it.

No matter how I looked at it, it was identical.

To the Beast Pouch.

“Do you know what this is?”

“Isn’t that… the Twilight of the Dawnflower?”

“Correct. A crystallization of spirit essence formed when a Dawnflower, growing deep within the forest, absorbs the forest’s energy over a long time. Among many spirit herbs, it’s the most well-known to us. Gwyn, have you seen this in person before?”

Gwyn nodded.

If it’s him, he’s not only seen it but probably consumed it too.

The Twilight of the Dawnflower can be obtained with enough money.

For cadets training in mana, spirit herbs are inseparable.

At least among the three standing here, there’s likely no one unaware of the Twilight of the Dawnflower.

“Of course, it’s quite famous. And if you have even a slight interest in Herbology, you’d know its ecology and the environment it grows in. But did you know this? Somewhere in this forest, a Dawnflower bearing this Twilight is hidden.”

The cadets’ eyes widened.

While the Twilight of the Dawnflower is a renowned spirit herb, it’s not something easily found.

Dawnflowers themselves are extremely rare plants, and even if you’re lucky enough to find one, it’s common for them not to bear fruit.

Yet, within this Academy, so close by, a Dawnflower with a Twilight is lying dormant?

Their surprise was understandable.

The quick-witted ones were already piecing together why Professor Ilai had suddenly brought up the Twilight of the Dawnflower, seemingly unrelated to the assistant role.

A smile curved at the corner of Professor Ilai’s lips.

“From now on, you’ll split into four teams to search for it. The team leaders are the four candidates standing here. The leader of the team that finds the Twilight will become our hardworking assistant. Of course, the team members who help find the fruit will also receive bonus points. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?”

“……!”

“Wait a minute, Professor. Teams? Weren’t we competing individually?”

When Karina asked in a sharp tone, Professor Ilai wagged her finger and replied.

“This is the only way to test your knowledge of Herbology, leadership, and initiative. Why? Is this unfair too?”

“It’s not that…”

Karina shot a glare at Gwyn before continuing.

“Then how will you form the teams?”

“That, of course, will be done fairly.”

With that, Professor Ilai smiled at the cadets seated in neat rows.

***

During a break before the competition began in earnest.

I sat on a rock, lost in thought.

The benefits of being an assistant versus the value of the Beast Pouch.

When weighing the two, my heart leaned more toward the Beast Pouch.

After all, if I took it to the Cult, I could earn money and experience points as a reward.

On the other hand, if I brought it to the Academy, I could gain trust I’d never had before, increasing my survival odds.

There were two options, both outweighing the benefits of being the Herbology assistant.

So, would I give up on the bet?—

Of course not.

The Dawnflower, somewhere out there.

I’d find it quickly and claim it.

The Beast Pouch and the Herbology assistant.

My plan was to catch both rabbits at once.

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