Chapter 30

Zeph's POV

We got back from the wall and had a break for about an hour. It went uneventful with Shumal Sensei dragging about the glorious history of how it was built. I grabbed some lunch as it was almost midday.

Next, we had " Concoctions and Elixirs " with Mariela Sensei. I was actually looking forward to this one because these potions and concoctions put us Folkels somewhat on par with others. Although, I was pretty decent at mixing them Ralph was amazing with them. He had a knack for mixing different chemicals and making new Elixirs.

As I reached the corridor where our class was to take place, Ralph was already there. His eyes were shining due to excitement. "I am so ready for this," he told me while rubbing his hands together. I smiled at him.

We went inside the room and it was like an enormous lab. Both sides of the room were occupied by roof-length cupboards with sliding glass doors. They had hundreds of shelves with thousands of different glass bottles on them. Filled with different kinds of powders, potions, elixirs, special kinds of flowers, herbs, animal parts and other essentials for making different concoctions.

The Center of the room was occupied by large wooden tables which were all painted purple. A few of the tables had chairs around them while others were for making potions. There were cauldrons and gas lamps on the right side, all kept neatly on ceramic shelves.

"Am I in heaven? Zeph pinch me, please." Ralph looked at me with the broadest smile on his face. He was like a child in a candy store. "With pleasure," and I pinched him hard on his cheek.

"Oiee, I asked you for a light pinch, not torture." He replied angrily and I laughed at his expression.

Mariela Sensei appeared in the class: "Welcome to Concoctions and Elixirs, this is where you people will learn to make different types and kinds of potions. You will familiarise yourself with herbs and plants from all the realms, and you will also learn about the famous Crystal trees which are called "Kritalos" and their crystals in detail. Take your seats and let's get started." She addressed us with utmost seriousness, it showed she meant business.

We took our seats. "Take out your notebooks because you wouldn't want to miss a single word of what I have to say." Everyone obeyed instantly.

"Today, we will learn to make The Strength Concoction, it's a very powerful potion that when made right will increase your current strength to double. But if ingredients are not mixed correctly, it can have the opposite effect. It will be bright green if mixed right. Any other colour means you have failed in your endeavour to create a perfect potion. If it's red then it's poison. So, let's get started and remember all of you will drink your potions and demonstrate your strength." She told us with an evil smile on her face.

There was a commotion among others who had never made this before because they never felt the need to feel strong like Werewolves and vampires. But, we had been making this since childhood and it was relatively easier to make with ingredients easily available in our realm. Ralph was grinning and so was Xin Li because it was a piece of cake for us.

After she explained the process and ingredients needed. We were divided into teams of three to make the potion. Since it doesn't work on vampires and werewolves so teams were balanced by adding at least one Folkel or a witch to the teams. I just noticed that Serene wasn't attending today's class so that made us 24. Thinking back I realized that she wasn't with us today when we went to visit the Dark Realm as well. Maybe, she was ill or something.

Tanzil and a brown-haired witch named Frela were added to my team. They tried to introduce themselves but I just nodded and kept my distance. Frela and I took out the ingredients from the cupboard and gathered the equipment needed to make the potion. We took a green gas lamp and waited for Tanzil to bring the ingredients entrusted to her. But I could tell she was struggling and had no clue. I had no intention of helping her but then we had to work as a group.

"I will help her," Frela told me and went to her aid. They returned shortly after with the required ingredients, Tanzil was trying to hide her embarrassment. "I don't see the need to learn this since it won't even help me in any way." She shrugged her shoulder.

"You will learn to make this because I said so," Mariela who was listening replied sharply. "And, I will make sure that you do it alone". Tanzil just glared at her.

"Zeph and Frela, you people will work separately. I want Tanzil to make this on her own." Mariela glared back at her.

We both looked at each other.

"NOW," Mariela gave us a stern look. We quickly took our equipment and ingredients to another table leaving Tanzil alone with Mariela. "What? I don't know how to make this alone, everyone else is working in a team. Why are you being unfair to me?" Tanzil began to throw a tantrum.

"Because I know how to teach a lesson to stubborn students. Since you don't know how to make it, this is a great opportunity for you to learn. Now, get started." Mariela responded in a calm voice but with a threatening expression. Tanzil looked embarrassed, she took her notebook and began to look for ingredients without further debate.

It took us only fifteen minutes to make the solution. Frela looked impressed by my knowledge of the potion. I told her that I have been making it since childhood. It was bright green. I looked over at Ralph who was grinning ear to ear with his perfect green-coloured potion as well. I glanced towards Tanzil who was still struggling to combine all the needed ingredients. All the teams were almost done. Even, Mikasim's team had a light green coloured potion.

"We are waiting for you Tanzil," Mariela glared at her while Tanzil held out a reddish purple potion with lumps in it. Her eyes were a bit fearful now. "Well, the potion won't affect Werewolves and Vampires but the wrong potion will definitely make them sick or can even cause death," Mariela told us with a meh expression.

"Since, all of you had to drink yours as well. So, let's start with Tanzil. Come on, go on take a sip." Mariela smiled at her. Tanzil had a look of shock on her face and couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Umm, no I can't drink that." She replied in a teary voice.

"Drink it, now. Or I will make your boyfriend drink it." Mariela threatened her. The class had gone very very quiet. No one dared even move or blink.

"I am sorry, please forgive me. From next time onwards I will be more attentive and will learn everything. Please, don't make us drink this." Tanzil was literally crying now.

"This happens when you won't listen to the instructions or believe you are too good for this class or what we have to teach you. The nonsense attitude will not work in my class. Leave it outside when coming here. I won't tolerate any rude behaviour. You people will learn whatever I will teach you. The main purpose of this institute is to learn teamwork and become a successful Slayer. Knowing how to make potions and identifying them by visualization is an essential part of being a 'Slayer'." She explained to us in a very calm voice.

"Yes, Sensei!" everyone replied instantly.

She then checked everyone's potions and guided those who couldn't get the perfect colour. Ralph, Xin Li and our team got high praise from her. She looked impressed. Although, she didn't make anyone drink it. Instead gave us vials to label the potion and keep with us.

Tanzil and Ayrden were asked to stay behind, while the rest of us were dismissed. I met Ralph in the corridor and we decided to head to the boy's common room to play some games before our Combat class in the evening.