Dekan’s Elective Course
Today was another day full of hope, because it was Friday.
After finishing the Shadow World on Monday, taking a rest on Tuesday, handing in the report on Wednesday, and going to the association for an exam on Thursday—it was indeed a fulfilling week.
There was about three weeks left before the next trip to the Shadow World. Dekan needed to take some time to replenish the tier-three cards for himself and Cornelia.
It was the right time to craft tier-three summoning cards for himself.
It was also time to update the Poisonous Ground Spike cards.
Additionally, he could also make more durable tier-three weapon cards for Cornelia.
However, before doing those, which was also on Friday, Dekan had a highly anticipated elective course.
He decided to study it carefully.
After two weeks of trial classes, he eventually chose two courses: Medicine ① and Alchemy ②.
The school had a fairly flexible application mechanism for elective courses.
Considering that every student had different talents and foundations, if enough proof was provided, they might be allowed to skip the prerequisite courses.
The prerequisite courses for Alchemy ② were Herbology ① and Alchemy ①. Dekan provided the course instructor with a sufficient display of alchemical works, successfully obtaining the teacher’s permission to take Alchemy ② directly.
As for why Dekan wanted to learn medicine, let’s set that aside for now.
His motivation was quite intriguing.
After the morning mandatory classes, Dekan and Cornelia went their separate ways. Since Dekan had Alchemy ② in the afternoon, he couldn’t go to the library with Cornelia.
However, Cornelia knew Dekan had classes in the afternoon, so she didn’t plan to go to the library either.
Dekan noticed that Cornelia was heading towards the back mountain again.
This time, Dekan was genuinely curious.
Maybe next time, he could follow her and see what’s going on.
Because he noticed Cornelia’s mood seemed a little down today.
Although her expression was monotonous, her eyes spoke volumes.
Perhaps it was Dekan’s unique understanding talent that allowed him to easily comprehend her thoughts.
…
It was time for the Alchemy ② class, and about twenty students had gathered in the alchemy classroom.
After the two weeks of trial classes, those who remained were all officially registered students in this course.
Most of them were girls.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m very pleased to see you’ve chosen this course.”
The teacher was female; Teacher Maria looked around thirty years old, wearing glasses, and appeared very gentle.
She was undoubtedly the embodiment of benevolence and medical ethics.
“Alchemy is a highly practical field of study, and it is particularly essential in real life.”
“Moreover, although it’s difficult to bring finished potions into the Shadow World, we often can create the needed potions on-site in the Shadow World using the available materials.”
“The knowledge we learn today might be needed tomorrow, and I will do my best to guide all of you!”
Listening to Teacher Maria’s words, Dekan nodded repeatedly.
This course not only taught theoretical knowledge but also provided ample materials and experimental opportunities.
Dekan could fully utilize the school’s resources.
Honestly, such a well-meaning and practical course was one Dekan didn’t mind selecting more of, even if his motives differed from most students.
“In Alchemy ①, we focused on recovery potions. In Alchemy ②, we will concentrate more on functional potions.”
“The topic for today is how to deal with unknown toxins.”
As Teacher Maria spoke, she put on gloves and held up a small bottle.
“This potion was newly developed by the Alchemy Department, extracted from a newly cultivated poisonous plant. Its toxicity is severe, but it’s easily neutralized. Today’s class will focus on how to extract the antidote from its accompanying plant.”
This was the most interesting part for Dekan.
His eyes seemed to pierce through the vial of poison.
Teacher Maria then began demonstrating the process, and Dekan listened attentively.
Before he knew it, the class was nearing its end.
“The assignment for all of you is to successfully make an antidote; you have one week to complete it. The classroom will be available for use after class, as well as the alchemy labs.”
After speaking, Teacher Maria distributed diluted samples of the poison to each group, along with the necessary materials that had already been prepared for the students.
Due to safety considerations, the experiments were conducted in pairs, with each group receiving two doses of the antidote Teacher Maria had prepared earlier. If anyone was accidentally poisoned, they could help each other.
Each pair of students was assigned a long table, with plenty of space. Dekan was so focused on the lecture that he hadn’t noticed when his partner arrived.
But now, it was time to introduce himself to his partner properly.
After all, they had to collaborate on the assignment.
“You finally noticed me, Dekan-kun.”
When Dekan turned around, he discovered that the person was already very close to him.
A delicate fragrance wafted over.
She was an alluring beauty, with black hair and black eyes, her gaze clear and bright.
Her face was exquisitely beautiful, as if carved by the finest artist.
Even sitting down, her tall, slender figure was evident.
She was so close all this time?
Although Dekan was surprised, he neither averted his gaze nor moved back.
He had to maintain composure.
“If you had leaned even closer, I might have noticed you sooner.”
Dekan replied indifferently.
“Then the teacher might have scolded us,” she said, her smile not fading.
As soon as she finished speaking, she leaned forward even more.
She appeared almost as if she was going to stick to Dekan.
A sudden chill ran up Dekan’s spine.
This was an instinctive sense of danger, as if she were a beautiful yet highly toxic flower.
Even though she was dressed in the second-year uniform of the Alchemy Institute, she radiated an unusually strong threat.
Dekan helplessly leaned back slightly and moved his chair a little further away.
Although he admitted she was beautiful, he felt no goodwill toward someone who came unnaturally close to him.
“Can we keep a normal distance?”
“Sorry, I was a bit absorbed in observing you.”
She replied with a smile, showing no intention of making things difficult for Dekan and moving a bit further away from him.
“What’s your name?”
This new partner had only appeared in today’s class, so Dekan didn’t know her name.
“Mia.”
She remained sitting, still smiling.
Dekan: “Are you busy later?”
Mia: “No.”
“Then let’s finish the assignment before we leave.”
Dekan didn’t like delaying matters till the next day.
Mia nodded, clearly agreeing with Dekan’s idea.
