Ch. 18 - Challenge
Ding! Ding! Ding!
"Perfect timing, class dismissed. Remember to read pages twenty-three to thirty-two for homework tonight. There will be a pop quiz tomorrow in class regarding it." (Professor Oxford)
I walked up to Mrs. Oxford.
"Do you have a question, Azrail?" (Professor Oxford)
"Umm. I was wondering if I can have some more bitterweed."
"Oh," Mrs. Oxford replied in a pleasantly surprised tone.
"May I ask why you want it?" (Professor Oxford)
"After trying it out in class, my mind felt clearer and more focused, and I quite liked it."
"Sure, Azrail. Give me a moment, please." (Professor Oxford)
After saying so, Mrs. Oxford walked into the storage room connected to the classroom and came back holding several pots.
"All these pots have several bitterweeds growing in them. If you only pluck the leaves of the bitterweed without pulling out its roots, the plant would be able to regrow its leaves with no problem. The bitterweed is not a water-intensive plant as you only need to water them twice a week." (Professor Oxford)
"Thank you, professor!"
"You're welcome. Also, remember Azrail, anything done excessively is bad. Make sure not use the bitterweed too often or else your body will develop an immunity to its effects." (Professor Oxford)
"I will remember that. Thank you, professor. Have a good day!"
"See you tomorrow, Azrail." (Professor Oxford).
----
"What were you talking to Mrs. Oxford about?" (Valde)
"I asked her for some bitterweed."
"Why?" (Valde)
"So, I could chew on it more."
"Do you like the bitter taste or something?" (Valde)
"No, but I don't hate it."
"So, why would you ask for more bitterweed then?" (Valde)
"Because my mind felt clearer and more focused after chewing on the bitterweed."
"Really? I didn't feel anything different while chewing the bitterweed." (Valde)
"Why is that?"
"Probably because my body already developed an immunity towards it." (Valde)
"How is that possible?"
"Because I have had much more potent mind-enhancing plants and medicine in the past. The bitterweed's mind-enhancing property was probably too weak for me to feel it." (Valde)
"Wow, how did you feel after using those?"
"I felt like I was omnipotent. It's very addicting actually, I'm glad it was only a onetime thing." (Valde)
"What's our next class, by the way?"
"It's lunch." (Valde)
"Oh. Honestly, I do not feel that hungry, you?"
"Same." (Valde)
"Want to skip lunch?"
"What would we do then?" (Valde)
"I don't know, maybe just chill in the common room."
"Sure."
"Let's head to the House of Gorgon. I need to drop off these pots of bitterweed in my dorm."
"Lead the way then." (Valde)
Valde and I headed towards the House of Basilisk, located at the northwest corner of the school grounds. I walked into the House of Basilisk alone without Valde because only basilisk members could enter the House of Basilisk. Since Valde belongs to the House of Raven, he wasn't allowed to enter.
Inside the House of Basilisk, I quickly dropped off the bitterweed in my room before heading out to join Valde.
"Now to the common room?" (Valde)
"To the common room."
The common room was an area in the school for relaxation and entertainment purposes. I hadn't gone to the common room yet, so I didn't know what to expect.
----
There weren't that many people in the common room, granted it was currently lunchtime. Couches and chairs mostly made up the common room. There were some games in the room but nothing very entertaining—quite a letdown, to be honest.
"I expected there to be more."
"Same here. Who knew the common room was so… barren." (Valde)
"Any other ideas?"
"Want to spar?" (Valde)
"Spar as in fighting?"
"Yeah." (Valde)
"Where did this come from?"
"You asked for an idea, and I gave you one. It might not be the best idea, but it's still an idea." (Valde)
"Sure, I guess."
"Let's head to the gymnasium then."
The gymnasium was not that far away from the common room, so we got there in no time. Inside the gymnasium, Valde hopped into a pit-like structure and beckoned towards me to come in.
"What is this?"
"It's a fighting ring." (Valde)
"What now?"
"Take off your robe." (Valde)
"Huh?"
"Your robe will get in your way during the spar. Better to take it off now." (Valde)
"Oh. Wait, I thought we were going to have a spar using magic."
"Do you know any attack spells?" (Valde)
"No."
"So that isn't possible, is it?" (Valde)
"Yeah, you're right."
"Azrail, do you have any fighting experience." (Valde)
"Yeah."
"How much?" (Valde)
"Only a bit, why ask?"
"So that I know how easy I should go on you in order not to obliterate your ass in the first exchange," Valde said with a provocative smirk.
"Oh, is that a challenge?"
"It sure is." (Valde)
"You'll regret underestimating me. Don't cry if you come out of this with a broken nose."
"As if you could ever hurt me." (Valde)
"Bring it on!"