Chapter 66: The Dangerous Invitation

“Now, let’s try Potion Making!”

“…….”

“Hurry!”

Professor Huein was staring intently at Zion’s face with sparkling eyes.

Zion found that gaze burdensome.

It felt like a cousin asking to play with him.

Zion closed his eyes for a moment and steeled his resolve.

‘I have to fail this time no matter what.’

The reason for the failure was unknown.

Speculating, it was probably because of the part where he shouted “Polishing” at the end of the chant.

Because magic in the ‘Magic Tome’ is activated simply by shouting the magic name.

‘This time, I won’t say the skill name at all.’

Zion took a deep breath and pulled up his magic power.

He had succeeded at once just a moment ago, but this time he will definitely fail.

He started chanting with that in mind.

“…Nature’s energy, pure essence.”

“Ah! You’re wrong from the start!”

“Create new water in this place!”

Despite Professor Huein’s pointed remarks, Zion continued to chant until the end.

‘I’ll definitely fail this time.’

He omitted or changed many words.

In his head, he imagined not success, but failure, with his magic power exploding.

He didn’t even shout the magic name at the end, so it was certain to fail—

Hwaaaak!

“……!”

Contrary to Zion’s wishes, the magic power started to move with a flash!

Geometric patterns were embroidered in a jumble, and herbs and magic stones were lumped together.

It mixed with water and was sucked into the empty bottle.

‘No way….’

The bright red liquid filled the empty bottle in an instant.

It was a healing potion that could be made with the 1st circle magic ‘Potion Making.’

A clumsy magic with no magic name was manifested.

“Wow!! I’ve never seen a guinea pig like this in my life as a professor!!”

“…….”

“Amazing! Amazing!”

Professor Huein’s eyes were wider than he had ever seen before.

Professor Huein, jumping up and down and enjoying herself.

The healing potion Zion made sloshed in her hand.

…She looked like a child enjoying a tomato juice.

‘I can’t fail because of the Magic Tome’s correction…?’

Like a cat landing perfectly no matter how high it is thrown.

Zion’s magic had a crazy ability to manifest 100% no matter how clumsily it was cast.

Probably because of the ability of the ‘Magic Tome’ he had….

That fraudulent ability was firmly holding on to Zion’s ankle.

“Zion! You have a talent for alchemy magic!”

“…No, I don’t think so.”

“What! If you don’t have talent, everyone else is an earthworm. The path of alchemy magic is open to you!”

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t thought about it yet….”

“Uh-huh! Listen!”

Professor Huein’s explanation continued.

“What do you think is the advantage of the Alchemy Magic Department?”

“Well. I don’t really….”

“It’s overwhelming money!”

“…!”

Zion’s ears twitched.

But if happiness cannot be bought with money, it is necessary to think about whether there is not enough money.

It’s a famous saying, but Zion agreed with it.

‘If you enter a department that makes a lot of money… it’s unconditionally beneficial.’

The phrase ‘department that makes a lot of money’ has several meanings.

It means that there are job opportunities, that it deals with promising industries, and that the department can be pushed at the university and national levels.

Especially for Zion, it was like a sore finger.

‘My department in my previous life… wasn’t friendly with money.’

Zion’s origin is the College of Natural Sciences.

Naturally, compared to the College of Engineering, the research budget was less than half…

Thanks to that, Zion’s advisor had to run around for various events and conferences to get research funds.

Of course, Zion, who had to fill his vacancy, was also dying.

“Among my proud researchers, there are cases of selling original recipes or making a jackpot by making potions directly with them!”

“……!”

“Zion, you can do it well. So come to the Alchemy Magic Department! I’ll actively push you!”

Professor Huein, crossing her arms and shouting in a haughty posture.

Zion’s eyes wavered at the confident presentation.

‘Well, I needed money too….’

Whether it’s modern or medieval fantasy world, money is important.

Even Zion might not be able to continue school if he didn’t raise money by next semester.

He couldn’t help but be more attracted to her words.

“Come on, take my hand!”

“…….”

“Hurry!”

Professor Huein reached out her hand as if asking for a handshake.

Zion’s hand moves automatically.

Yes, if he can make money in the Alchemy Magic Department….

Squish.

‘…Squish?’

Was the sensation of his hand this soft and cozy?

Zion’s blurry vision slowly returned to normal.

What came into his eyes was… someone huge.

Professor Shivrina had squeezed between Zion and Professor Huein.

Then what is this huge and soft thing he is holding now…

…………Huh?

“S-S-Sorry!!”

“Hehe, it’s okay. I was a little… surprised, but I’ll forgive you because it seems like a mistake.”

Professor Shivrina smiled as she straightened her clothes.

Then, she turned around and looked at Professor Huein.

“Professor, as I said before… it’s class time.”

“Huh?! Ah, I know. I was so excited that I….”

“Really~ It’s hard if you keep ignoring me. …Will you follow me for a moment?”

“What…!? No, I’m sorry! I was wrong, so stop… Uwaaah!!”

Dragging-

As Shivrina lightly grabbed Professor Huein’s hand and walked.

The small and frail Professor Huein had no choice but to be dragged away.

The two professors left the classroom through the front door.

Right after that.

-Aaaaaaaah!!! St, stop it!!

“……What?”

The students’ movements stopped at once at the screaming sound coming from beyond the wall.

Was she doing some terrible torture?

While the frightened students were only looking at the front door.

Creak!

Finally, the screaming stopped and the door opened.

“Hehe, sorry. I left my seat for a while during class. Professor Huein, please apologize properly too.”

“…I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Professor Huein, who had become gaunt in an instant, bowed 90 degrees and asked for forgiveness.

“Oh my? You have to do it to the students, not me.”

“Th, that’s right. …I’m sorry.”

“There was a commotion for a while, but let’s all focus again and learn alchemy magic! Your time is precious~.”

Shivrina, still smiling softly with her eyes narrowed.

The students couldn’t even ask what the screams were.

…They just thought they shouldn’t make Professor Shivrina angry.

---

About two hours later.

“Good job! There are many useful guys in this guinea pig batch!”

Thump!

Professor Huein, with her arms crossed and a satisfied smile.

The class was successfully completed.

The reason why she can laugh like this is….

“Geibolg Rodenburk, Serene Camillea, Hagen Brental, and… Zion. You can be happy. You have a talent for alchemy magic!”

Four students, including Zion, succeeded in manifesting 1st circle alchemy magic during class.

“If you have no schedule, those of you who succeeded in magic can come to my lab as it is! Because there are various things I want to show you next.”

“Oh oh….”

“Now, if you don’t have any more questions for Professor Huein, I’ll end the class as it is. Those students who have been called, please follow Professor Huein if you have no schedule afterwards~.”

Professor Shivrina smiling brightly.

There were no additional questions and the class ended as it was.

Zion got up from his seat and approached Professor Huein.

What followed was Geibolg.

“Hahaha! Good job, Zion.”

“…Geibolg. You have a talent for alchemy magic.”

“Hmm?”

Geibolg stroked his chin at Zion’s words.

“Well, rather than having talent… it’s the power of pre-learning!”

“…Pre-learning?”

“Before coming to the academy, I had a court wizard as a tutor and learned up to the 1st circle of magic for each attribute!”

Thump!

Geibolg explaining while raising his index finger.

…Geibolg is often forgotten because of his friendly image, but he is from a prince of a small country.

If he pre-learned magic from a court wizard, it was understandable to do alchemy magic.

‘Come to think of it, he was the vice-chief?’

Always cheerful and often mistaken because of his appearance that seems far from studying.

Geibolg was the vice-chief freshman of the Academy Magic Department.

Even if it is one level below the chief, it means that he has the ability of the 2nd level of the Magic Department.

Then the chief is…

Ggug.

When he turned his head at the sensation of pulling his sleeve.

Serene was looking up at Zion.

Speak of the devil, the chief freshman.

“Zion, let’s go together.”

“Serene is also interested in alchemy magic?”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

“Really? Have you ever learned alchemy magic before?”

“Yes, I learned it from a book.”

“I see….”

Serene didn’t let go of Zion’s sleeve and was sticking to him.

“Tsk, it’s all about learning through pre-learning anyway.”

“……Huh?”

When he turned around at the sharp voice.

A chubby male student was glaring at Zion.

Is he talking to me?

“…Me?”

“Yeah! You, you are. A damp commoner. You were acting like you were trying it for the first time.”

“It’s not like that….”

“Don’t play innocent! You dirty guy. As expected, commoners are dark inside.”

“Hmm….”

The long-awaited sharp abuse made Zion think of Estroza for no reason.

Come to think of it, this guy was one of the followers next to Estroza?

“Wait a minute! I can’t let that word go.”

“…O, pr, professor?”

Step, step.

Professor Huein walked out in front of Hagen Brental.

The innocent face he showed in class was nowhere to be seen.

Professor Huein was shooting with sharp eyes that felt cold wind.

“Do you think I can’t even distinguish whether students have pre-learned or not?”

“Yes? Ah, no, I didn’t mean that….”

“It’s on a different dimension with you who somehow memorized it and floated the magic. Chant shortening, non-chanting, and even twisting the chant to produce perfect results!”

Professor Huein, pointing at Zion and spewing out heat.

Hagen Brental’s shoulders shrank even more.

“I want to kick you out as it is, but… I’ll let you see it once. Think of it as an honor to come to my lab.”

“Th, thank you. Professor….”

“There is no second time. …Hmm, I showed an ugly figure. Everyone go.”

Professor Huein walked ahead, fluttering her hair.

“I’ll let you enjoy the honor of seeing my lab.”

“…Yes!”

“Be careful not to miss it.”

So Serene, Zion, Geibolg, Hagen Brental.

The four followed Professor Huein, who was walking quickly.

‘What will Professor Huein’s lab be like?’

Professor Ronda Magret’s lab was desolate because there were no graduate students,

Professor Lunia’s cabin… It was so dirty and messy that it was dizzying just to imagine.

The only thing that felt like a ‘lab’ was Professor Noias’ lab.

“We’re here! Come on in!”

The door opened with a loud shout.

When they went inside…

“…Wow.”

Zion was impressed by the appearance of the lab that made him exclaim.

‘It’s a real fantasy itself?’

People in busy lab coats.

Of course, various chemical products, state-of-the-art equipment confused his eyes.

It was so wide and varied that he wondered what it was used for.

“Hehehe! You can look at it more. You guinea pig students.”

Perhaps the students liked the reaction, her mouth didn’t think about coming down.

Even Zion, who was related to graduate school, was surprised, so how about the other students?

…The only one who didn’t change her expression was Serene, who had a sleepy expression.

“Come on in more. There are facilities I want to show the guinea pig students—”

“Th, the door opened… escape… escape… cough!”

Thump!

A man who was about to pass by Professor Huein fell to the floor.

A man with a zombie-like appearance.

The hand of Serene who grabbed Zion’s sleeve was strong.

“…P, professor? This person is….”

“Hmm, no need to pay attention. Hey! Someone come here!”

Clap clap!

When he clapped twice, all the people who were moving busily looked at Professor Huein.

As if the command ‘If you clap twice, pay attention’ was entered.

“Would you clean this guy up? Put him in the lounge for about 1 hour.”

“…That professor.”

“What?”

“This guy hasn’t been in the sun for several weeks, so he’s out of his mind….”

As he said, the comatose graduate student’s face was full of dark circles.

It was scary to hear him muttering ‘sunlight… sunshine… I miss it…’ in a hoarse voice.

But Professor Huein said without blinking an eye.

“It can be solved by feeding him potions properly!”

“…Yes?”

“Feed him a potion first. And if you feed him the ‘The Energizer Maximum Power Cookie’ made by Zion, the guinea pig… no, Zion, it will be solved.”

“Th, still….”

“Come on, move quickly! Or are you defying me?”

“S, sorry!”

Flutter!

The graduate student ran away with a colleague as soon as he mentioned the research fund cut.

Zion stared blankly at the back, and Professor Huein smiled brightly as if it were nothing.

“There was a commotion for a while. Don’t worry too much. It’s always like this.”

“……O, th, that’s right?”

“Of course! Of course. Ah, you over there. Would you close the door?”

“Ye eh….”

Drrrrrr- Thump!

The door of the professor’s lab, which feels heavy for some reason.

It closed with a thump.

The ominous locking sound followed belatedly.

“Then I’ll show you more of the inside of the lab. Follow me.”

“…….”

“Come on, hurry.”

Professor Huein’s eyes start to be filled with dangerous glints.

… A cold sweat dripped down from Zion’s back.

Zion’s graduate-student senses scream:

This Professor, she is the most dangerous of all the professors I’ve met so far!