Chapter 26: Herbalism

[Chapter 21 is now available.]

'Oh... so there's also those professors huh.'

Seely was absorbing the information the system scanned from the latest chapter and found out some professors and the courses they chose but still..

After the old man finished speaking, the acolytes were a little flustered.

"What now? How should we choose?" Beirut asked worriedly.

"Paying is definitely better than not paying! This is common sense!"

"But... I only had 1 magic crystal left; my family sacrificed one thousand troops to get merely 2 magic crystals but now I have nothing! I swear that thief will get punished sooner or later."

Beirut was angry but he couldn't do anything about it. Leylin was startled ...

'You stole Beirut's magic crystals?!' Leylin was a little mad since his brother chose to stole magic crystals from their group too. Stealing from Jayden is okay with Leylin though.

'Did I? I didn't remember. Watch and learn brother. Deception is very normal in this world.'

"The value of magic crystals is higher than I expected. When I extorted some from Ourin earlier, I really lucked out!" Leylin actually said that out loud to not get suspicious of others of him. Extorting because of a fight and stealing secretly is two different things, at least from the perspective of this acolytes.

"That's not right, the Chernobyl Islands is also known to Magi as the Barren Islands. Magic crystals are already scarce, so the value of them is quite high. Here my friend, a magic crystal because I feel generous enough. May you remember me through this." Seely suddenly said.

'F*ck' Leylin couldn't hold back the curse. His brother is way too shameless.

Beirut was so moved, he actually wanted to kneel but Seely stopped him.

"In the future, remember my kindness that I gave to you and I'll also receive your kindness when you become a magus." Seely made it clear. Pag me back when you already can!

Seely gave Beirut a magic crystal and made a solemn face.

'Shameless.. but.. effective.' Leylin.. was forced to accept in front of future benefits.

"Alright! First up, Raynor!" The old man said.

"Which are you choosing?"

"I...I don't have any magic crystals left, can I first buy on credit? I am a fourth-grade acolyte!" Raynor blushed.

"Not a bad aptitude! A pity, however, rules are rules!" The old man shook his head.

As he pointed at a crystal ball on the table, Raynor's name appeared within, along with many other unfamiliar names, flickering as they appeared.

When the black python Spotty spat out a letter and dabbed on the crystal ball, the words finally stopped flickering, "Raynor! Your mentor is Gafrin!"

"Take this! A set of acolyte robes and an identity badge! A crystal ball which contains an elementary meditation technique! And your room number and keys are there too!"

The old man threw the black sack containing the items to Raynor and then snapped his fingers. *Bang!* A black ball suddenly appeared in the room and floated in midair.

"Follow this shadow slave, it will bring you to where your mentor is!"

The old man made a gesture to send him off, and Raynor helplessly followed the black ball out.

"Next! Rousey!"

The one, who laughed at Dorotte earlier, Rousey, was called. Although his complexion had recovered a little, there was still cold sweat on his face.

"Oh! What do I see? A nightmare hex! What a pitiful fellow! You're going to suffer for the next month!"

"Could...Could you remove this hex?" Rousey's voice quivered.

"Definitely! One hundred magic crystals! No credit allowed!" The old man agreed crisply!

Rousey shook his head and took a magic crystal from his robes, "I want to choose my own mentor!"

"En!" The old man accepted the magic crystal, and handed a compendium, which looked like a dictionary, to Rousey, "The mentors who are willing to accept apprentices are all there, take your time and pick!"

"Bang!" An hourglass appeared on the table, the sand falling slowly.

"I forgot to mention earlier, a magic crystal only allows for one turn of the hourglass. If you exceed it, you have to pay another magic crystal!" The old man grinned.

Rousey swallowed his saliva, and looking at the sand grains falling non-stop, he flipped through the pages in a hurry.

"This hourglass seems as though it lasts only 5 minutes worth of time! It is not even enough to skim through!" Leylin's pupils shrank.

'Choose KROFT.' Seely said like a demon whispering in Leylin's ears

'I get it. I get it. Stop pestering me about it.'

Leylin really is curious why Seely wanted him to choose Kroft.

"Time's up!" In accordance with the voice, the compendium closed automatically and made a loud snapping sound.

"How is it? Have you chosen? Or do you wish to have another look?" The old man asked.

"I have decided! I choose Mentor Vivian!" Rousey sucked in a deep breath.

"Take your belongings and follow the slave!" The old man threw a black sack, identical to the one from before, to Rousey and summoned another shadow slave.

Rousey bowed humbly and followed the floating slave out the large doors.

"Next up, Kaliweir!'

The old man continued calling, and Leylin scrutinised the acolytes who went up. Kaliweir seemed well off, as he paid 3 magic crystals and looked through the compendium before making a choice.

'That's right, I left Kaliweir's magic crystal. I felt that he'd need those.' Seely thought when he was thinking back then if to get everyone in this group their magic crystals but decided against it at the last minute.

As for Beirut, Although Seely gave him one...he still did not pay the 1 magic crystal in the end. His mentor was chosen randomly, and he did not know if the results were good or bad. Beirut bowed deeply to Seely as both a from of an apology and gratefulness.

Seely just waved it off as "If this is what you choose, I cannot do anything about it. I wish you luck."

'Should I try that too?' Seely is truly a bad influence to Leylin since even Leylin was being slowly convinced by the power of deception.

"Next! Leylin!" The old man called Leylin's name.

Leylin inhaled deeply and walked to the front.

"I'll choose on my own!" Leylin handed a magic crystal to the old man.

"You know the rules!" The old man snapped, the hourglass flipped over, and time started elapsing.

The compendium was rather heavy, and the material seemed to be of high quality.

Leylin hurriedly flipped through the pages, and continuously skimmed through the information on the parchment.

"It is the language of the Chernobyl Islands. It seems like it has been specially prepared for us acolytes of this area."

"A.I Chip! Record and extract the information!"

'Brother, I'm sorry but I want to at least take a look before choosing.' Leylin communicated with Seely and apologized.

'I know. Choose KROFT.' Seely didn't care and just repeated. He made his voice even seductive a little.

Leylin was thinking on the lines of 'The devil can tempt you. The devil can temt you. My brother is not a devil. My brother is not a devil. My brother is not a devil.'

'Pft..hahahaha' Seely can't help but laugh. LG course he made it so that Leylin wouldn't hear it in his mind or else Leylin might fault him for distracting him from his "window shopping" of professors.

'

"Mentor Lester, Department of Souls, specialises in transformation, neurology, and composition of radiation."

Able to provide information on 3 topics free of charge.

Requirements: The acolyte must assist in an experiment every month, and cannot be declined for any reason!"

"Mentor Dorotte, Department of Shadow, specialises in anatomy, conversion of energy, and necromancy."

Requirements: acolytes must pay 1 magic crystal per month, and at the same time, cooperate with experiments!"

"Mentor Kroft, Department of Potioneering, specialises in medicine, herbalism, and neutralisation of energy."

Able to provide information on 1 topic free of charge.

Requirements: acolytes must always help with the cleaning of the experimental lab, preparation and handling of various herbs, and at the same time, assist the Magus in carrying out herbal concoctions (on the basis that they cause no harm to the acolytes!)"

"Mentor Estelle, Department of Curses, specialises in curses, dissecting of human anatomy, and soul studies."

Able to provide information on 5 topics free of charge. The category is chosen by the acolytes, and can guide acolytes in their studies at any given time!

Requirements: Cooperate with one experiment! Only one!"

The pages flipped, and let out a rustling noise. By the time the last grain of sand fell, Leylin had managed to flip to the last page.

"Your memory isn't bad, which is useful for your studies in the future! How is it? Who will you choose?" The old man smiled and asked.

"KROFT. Choose K-...I mean I choose Professor Kroft" Leylin almost said the exact same words his brother was saying.

'You happy?' Leylin asked in his mind.

'Very.' Seely replied.

"Alchemy?" The old man was a little surprised, "You wish to become an alchemist? The effort and resources invested are extremely horrifying! Do you want to change? I think Dorotte suits you well!"

"Thank you, sir!" Leylin earnestly bowed, "I have a hobby for alchemy, and have also acquired some knowledge in this field beforehand."

"The mortal world's perception of alchemy is totally different from that of the world of Magi!" The old man shook his head. Then, seeing Leylin's resolute gaze, he couldn't help but exclaim,

"Since you have already decided, so be it!" After speaking, the old man took a quill pen and scribbled on the parchment paper.

"Here are your belongings, follow the shadow slave to where Kroft is!"

The old man handed a sack over to Leylin.

Leylin bowed deeply went to the side.

"Oh... not leaving yet? Let me remind you that 'that' shadow slave is not gonna be around forever."

Leylin looked at the shadow slave and then replied.

"I know but... I'm waiting for someone." Leylin insisted on staying.

"Boy, even if you have friends or family here, they might not choose the same professors." the old man warned him.

Leylin realized that fact too early so he looked at his brother Seely since he still doesn't know why his brother insisted on Kroft. He can see the benefits of choosing Kroft but... he doesn't know why Seely was so adamant about it or how he even know Kroft.

"No, I'll come with him. I'll also choose Kroft. Me and my brother will stay together." Seely came from the crowd and boldly said.

"You, young ones don't know what's good for you. You should choose the professor that's in line with your interest and abilities to better progress on that road. More importantly, not everyone can be talented at Alchemy. You should know your limits boy. I am warning you now, don't regret it later." The old warned again but this time to Seely.

"You must be mistaken I never said I was interested in Alchemy or that what I chose wasn't in line with my interest, abilities and talents." Seely replied.

"Then why did you choose Kroft?"

"Herbalism." Seely simply said.

"H-herbalism?" The old man thought this boy was wasting his time. If he ain't going to learn alchemy then knowing herbs isn't that good.

"That's right. My highest Affinity is with the Plant element and I have interest in gardening. More importantly, Kroft is the only mentor with that has s close enough relation to my affinity. He teaches Herbalism, does he not?"

"Hmmm.. I see, I see. Very Well but that's still 1 magic crystal. If you can't pay, I'll make sure that my python here chooses a "great" professor for you for talking back to me."

"I'm sorry but there's no need. Here is 1 magic crystal. Thank you for listening to my reasons."

Seely handed his magic crystal to the old man.

"Hmmm.. Still know how to be humble. A nice attitude you have but I won't be forgiving as other professors here. Go on and follow the shadow slave your companion is with since you're going in the same place" The old man waved his hand and said some incomprehensible words and the shadow slave shook a little before going back to normal.

"With this, your professor will understand why there's only one shadow slave for the both of you. Next!"

The old man didn't waste any more time on Seely and accompanied the next acolyte.

...

"Herbalism? Is that for real? Although it does makes sense but could that really help you?" Leylin was doubting his brother. This brother of his might have other intentions.

"I just thought that since you like to benefit so much and I'm sure you already know the potential of potioneering so let's not play around. This is operation "Earn Magic Crystals through Course Teamwork!"

"Nice name but how exactly? ...dont tell me.. ! Wait.. Can you really do that????"

"Do what???"

"Can you make the herbs needed for potioneering?!"

"What do you think?~ Okay... Praise me."

"My brother is a genius!" Leylin had to admit that of they were able to pull this off, the magic crystal could pile up so much!

"Yeah. Yeah. Of course since you'll be the one potioneering I'll let you take 60% of the profit." Seely thought that as a brother, he should help him rather than take advantage of Leylin.

"No, I can't do that. We both contributed so you should take half. 50/50." Leylin said adamantly.

"You might be misunderstanding something brother." Seely told Leylin.

"Misunderstanding something? Should I have 40%?" Although it was heartbreaking for Leylin, it was still alright since his brother was the one who put the plan together and suggested Kroft.

Seely shook his head slowly.

"No, silly. I thought you were the smarter one between us. With my plant affinity and ability, my herbs will always have extra. I'm confident about it! So, what do you think I'll do with the rest? Will I just let them rot in some corner and be lose their usefulness?" Seely asked seriously.

"You'll sell them." Leylin thought it only makes sense to sell the extra herbs.

"See, you are smart. I had to plan that for a long time before I made it to that conclusion." Seely showed a tired expression.

"Really?" Leylin was impressed at both himself for thinking about it and at his brother for taking the essential preparations for his plan.

"Nah~ I'm a genius so I thought of that after I took a peak with the list of professors. You know that scanning thing your A. I. Chip has? Well I have something like that using my mind (system), so I went and used it when the old man was talking. I chose the professor that's both easy on the requirements compared to others, a professor that we will benefit from and that we will be able to stay together."

"Oh...impressive indeed... wait..... but isn't that dangerous? What if the old man found out?"

Leylin was thinking of the possible consequences

"But he didn't right? I also made sure that he won't. It's okay to relax now." Seely reassured him.

"Okay. If you say it like that then I can relax."

Leylin believed in his brother's ability since he has proven himself too many times already even if he's eccentricity gets the better of him most of the time.

The black coloured ball floated in front and occasionally spun in a circle. Its speed was not too fast, and with Leylin's body of a peak Preparatory Knight and Seely's high stats, they easily followed along.

From time to time, there were acolytes passing, but they did not look at Seely or Leylin in astonishment.

They followed the shadow slave and passed through several corridors, two large halls, and a garden. It then stopped in front of an area designed for experiment labs.

The shadow slave turned translucent, and immediately passed through the door, leaving both brothers outside.

Leylin was speechless, yet he did not dare knock on the door. Therefore, he just waited outside patiently.

Seely just stood there, wondering what Kroft really looked like. It's mostly different from what he imagined when he was reading the chapters of the people in the story.

After a moment, there came a middle-aged man's voice.

"Leylin and Seely huh? Two at the same time...Enter!"

"Yes!" Leylin pushed opened the doors of the experimental lab while Seely silently followed.

A sweet and spicy aroma filled the laboratory room, mingling with the odour of poisonous fumes and liquids, which made Leylin and Seely furrow their brows.

'I think I smelled something that seems to be like a deodarant.' was the thought that past through Seely's mind.

A huge table took up the space of almost half the lab, and placed on it were various test tubes, flasks and beakers, as well as some other apparatus that Leylin could not identify. This made Leylin recall his previous life.

Seely saw herbs stocked and we'll stored in the shelves then nodded his head.

Leylin saw this and thought that Seely approved of the herbs way of being stored.

'Let's pretend to know something.' Seely thought deep in his mind.

In front of the laboratory table, there stood a white-haired, middle-aged man who wore white robes. His collar was embroidered with golden patterns, and his eyes emitted a golden light, like two golden gems.

'Ah~ Gandalf the White...' Seely couldn't help but compare.

"I'm Kroft, and I've heard the details from the shadow slave. So then, Seely and Leylin, are you willing to become my apprentice?" The middle-aged man put down the test tube in his hands and said solemnly.

Before Leylin could answer.

Seely blurted out.

"Yes, White One."

Leylin: ...

Kroft: ...

Seely: Oops?