CHAPTER EIGHT
After that weekend, I promised myself not to attend any social gatherings of these prestigious people. I've shamed myself more than I could afford.
Craige told me everything what happened and I want the earth just to swallow me. To think that the man I saw fucking a girl is a prince?
But on the other thought... isn't he's rich? Why can't he afford a hotel or an inn?
Shut up, Celine! He must likes
I used the three hours of free time I had to sleep, not just because I was tired, but because my whole body still felt the strain from the physical training earlier. Every muscle seemed to have its own complaint.
Our last subject today?
An experiment on different types of medicinal plants, from simple remedies for headaches to emergency treatments like insect bites, fevers, and more.
As I walked toward the Academy greenhouse, I tried to fix my hair even though I still felt a little out of it.
Everyone was required to bring their own gardening gloves and a small knife to collect samples. My classmates were excited—me?
I was just trying to keep my eyes open.
The moment I entered the greenhouse, the fresh scent of basil, mint, and other plants I didn't even know the names of hit me. Our professor pointed to a list of plants we needed to find, identify, and note down their uses.
"Pick three plants and list their medical uses, potential risks, and how they should be prepared," the professor said, handing us the checklist.
I looked around. The plants all looked so strange—tiny green ones that looked like funny little brushes, violet ones with wrinkled leaves, and another one that looked like a cactus, but wasn't.
"That one has anti-inflammatory properties," Craige suddenly said from behind me, pointing at a low-growing plant with a strong smell.
"Stop following me," I said.
He just smirked. "I'm not following you. We're partners, remember?"
I sighed. Right. Partners for this experiment.
At least this one didn't require me to run around with a freaking bucket. When it comes to this, Craige is a bit more serious than he is when we don't have class.
"Here, it's a poisonous mushroom. They say that once eaten, it can put someone into a coma they never wake from—unlike that fairytale story about a young girl who ate an apple from a totally creepy old woman," I said to Craige, who was already frowning at my probably non-existent fairytale references.
"Oh well, I read a story about Snow White once. She's a beautiful girl with seven dwarfs by her side—"
"I know. Why the hell are you telling me that?" He looked a bit confused. Wait… Fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm actually exist here?
Really?
"Besides, she didn't eat an apple. She drank wine from a creepy old man."
Oh.
A different version.
"Snow White loved grapes, so when that old man said the wine was made from grapes, she didn't even hesitate to drink it. What a waste of beauty if you don't have any brains. This," he said, pointing to one of the creepy plants that seemed to move on its own.
I blinked in surprise. The stems were really creeping forward, curling as if they were alive. I took a step back.
"What kind of plant is that?" I whispered.
"Devil's Whisper." Craige's tone was serious this time, different from his usual playful attitude.
"It's not deadly, but it can release pheromones that affect the brain. It can cause hallucinations and dream-like states. In some records, it's used in dark rituals or to interrogate prisoners without physically touching them."
A shiver ran down my spine. Dream-like state? Like… an illusion?
"You should have a layer of mana protection around you if you touch this," he added.
"And never, ever bring it near your mouth."
I swallowed. Noted.
"This is just… weird," I said, trying to calm my nerves. "Why does a plant like this exist in our school greenhouse?"
"Controlled environment," Craige replied.
"The Academy studies plants for both healing and defensive magic. This one," he pointed to a plant that looked like lavender but had black flowers, "is used to treat burns and inflammation but only if mixed with purified water and powdered fire crystal. If you don't get the ratio right… it burns instead of heals."
Literal balance between healing and harming. No wonder proper training was necessary.
"You're surprisingly knowledgeable," I whispered.
"Of course," he smiled.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling a little. Somehow, even with creepy moving plants that seemed ready to attack, I could breathe easier with someone like him around, though I still couldn't help wondering why he always had to be there.
"Let's finish this fast," I said. "Before something else moves."
When we were done studying the plants assigned to us, we quickly handed them in to our professor.
"I heard you didn't have any accident today, Sera." I smiled at her, since the physical training is my first subject before this.
And it so happened that most of the physical training these past few days are excessive.
It's a recurring thing, not just a one-time incident.
"Yes, Professor. Professor Mogemot reduced my track." I smiled at her, and she nodded while reading what we had written down.
"That's good. So I expect you'll be able to attend my class, no more absences, Miss Sera, okay?"
Ah, the aftermath of my incident, huh?
"Yes, Professor," I said quietly.
She dismissed us right after we finished our research and study about the plants.
I didn't leave the academy greenhouse immediately since Professor Tierresa was still there and she didn't bother asking why I was still around.
I started reading the names of the plants and their uses, quietly to myself.
"You're not allowed to stay here, you know." I glanced at her, but she wasn't making any effort to actually make me leave.
"Professor Tierresa, is it true that wine can be poisonous?" I asked, staring at the leaves of a belladonna plant.
Belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade. Its dark berries glistened under the soft greenhouse light, innocent-looking, like cherries in shadow.
She finally turned fully toward me, one gloved hand brushing off imaginary dust from her coat.
"It depends." She said.
She stepped closer, and her gaze didn't leave mine.
"You see, some bottles, if forgotten in the wrong cellars, or sealed with the wrong kind of cork can grow bacteria or mold. Not all of it is deadly, but some strains? They release mycotoxins. Invisible. Tasteless. Slow."
I swallowed hard, unsure if the chill in my spine was from the greenhouse breeze or her words.
I turned to her. She bent down to get one of the berries of belladonna and ate it as if it was the most delicious fruit she's ever tasted.
"Then I guess... even people can be poison," I said quietly, not expecting her to stop.
But she did. She looks at me.
"Once they're sealed in the wrong vessel... left too long in darkness... they change," I added.
"Ferment into something else."
She stares at me as if she can read me. As if she knows what I am talking about.
Without thinking much, I also pick up a berry of belladonna.
And ate it without any hesitation but even before I could finish chewing it, my eyes turn black and lost all my consciousness.
"Moron—" that's the last word I heard from professor.