Kays Translations

Chapter 434: Leon’s Skill

After tea, I guided Leon to the herb garden in a corner of House Mulan’s estate. When he heard that House Mulan already had one, his eyes widened and he sprang to his feet. Marquis and Marchioness Mulan both clutched their heads at the sight. Hey, this wasn’t my fault, all right?

“Wow! It’s smaller than the one at the Royal Academy, but the medicinal herbs and detox grass are growing so vigorously… Hmm? Is this mana grass? You can cultivate it here?”

Leon charged into the herb garden with tremendous energy. This time, I had brought Lady Hilda along to restrain him. Of everyone in House Mulan, she seemed best able to be firm with Leon.

However, even Lady Hilda was shocked by the herb garden.

“When was this created? Nothing like it existed when I returned about a month ago.”

“Sister, Julius created it soon after arriving. There weren’t enough potion ingredients growing along the roads through the Mulan Marquisate, so he decided to cultivate them here.”

Lady Hilda gave me a rather stiff smile and nodded, as though she wanted to ask whether such a garden could truly have been completed so quickly. Then something caught her attention. Her gaze moved to a magic tool protruding beside the garden, and Leon followed it with a tilt of his head.

“Master, what is that magic tool?”

“It’s a sprinkler magic tool. It waters the plants automatically at the appointed time.”

Naturally, it sprayed water produced through magic. Combined with the plant nutrient, that helped the herbs grow vigorously and remain healthy. Lady Hilda regarded me with a mildly suspicious expression. Sharp as ever.

“I’ve never seen a magic tool like this. The Royal Academy’s herb garden didn’t have one. Everyone filled watering cans at the well and watered the plants by hand.”

“Julius, you made this magic tool, didn’t you?”

“Strictly speaking, Rosalia designed it. I merely reproduced her design.”

“Since when has Rosalia been capable of designing magic tools?”

Even Lady Hilda appeared astonished. I was glad I had credited Rosalia with the sprinkler’s design. Had I claimed it entirely as my own, rumours about me would have spread throughout the Mulan Marquisate.

“Sister, that isn’t all Julius made. He also built an improved shower magic tool and a star-shaped magic tool—all in half a day.”

“Half a day?”

“Half a day.”

Lady Hilda and Leon repeated the words in unison, then stared at me in awe. I felt my cheek twitch. Caro would receive the cheek-squishing punishment later. Definitely.

“Leon, you may use any ingredients growing here. I’ve also prepared plant nutrient, so use that as well. It will make the plants grow even more vigorously.”

“You completely changed the subject.”

“As expected of Master. You prepare for everything!”

Lady Hilda stared at me. Leon triumphantly clenched his fist. He had unquestionably become a devoted Julius believer.

I harvested several medicinal herbs and some detox grass from the garden. Naturally, I intended to have Leon demonstrate his ability next.

I would bring Caro and Lady Hilda to the compounding room as well. If they witnessed Leon’s skill, it might repair the poor impression he had made earlier. I needed to improve his standing before Marquis Mulan told him to abandon his goal of becoming a magic pharmacist.

“I think it’s time for Leon-sama to demonstrate his abilities. Lady Hilda, Caro, would you like to join us?”

Both of them tensed at the suggestion. Magic potions probably still carried a powerful association with dreadful tastes. Caro had eaten Cold Cookies before, but perhaps she regarded those as sweets rather than medicine.

“Sister, Caro, I want you both to see what I can do now. Will you come?”

Leon evidently realised how far his standing had fallen and felt a sense of crisis. If he retained that much reason, he would probably be fine. At least he understood the importance of trust.

Leon appealed to them with eyes like a pleading puppy until they reluctantly agreed. It would be safe enough with Fabienne and me present. If he began making anything dangerous, I would stop him by force.

“So this is the compounding room. I’ve heard about it, but this is my first time inside.”

“Mine too. It smells sweet.”

“That’s because I made some extra Cold Cookies.”

“Cold Cookies? What are those, Master?”

Leon reacted immediately, resembling a hungry puppy. I couldn’t resist letting him try one. I also explained their effects to Lady Hilda and offered her one. Although cautious, she ate it.

“This is… a cookie, isn’t it?”

“Sister, it isn’t merely a cookie. It’s a delicious cookie!”

“That’s right.”

Lady Hilda seemed unable to process the situation. When I explained that Cold Cookies were a kind of magic potion, she was astonished. Leon, meanwhile, practically sparkled with admiration. He immediately asked me to teach him the recipe, but I held him back by saying, “First, I’d like to see your abilities, Leon-sama.” Otherwise, we would never move forwards.

“Now then, Leon-sama, please compound an elementary healing potion.”

“Leave it to me.”

Leon’s expression changed completely. His puppy-like demeanour vanished, replaced by a serious gaze and firmly set lips. If he always behaved like this, his family would surely feel more at ease.

Leon skilfully compounded the elementary healing potion. It was the same flavourless, odourless elementary healing potion I had made at first. Had he learned this method at the Royal Academy, or directly from Giovanni-sama?

When I asked, Leon explained that Giovanni-sama had taught the method at the Royal Academy.

“Well done.”

“That’s impressive. It has no unpleasant smell. Leon, you’re not half bad.”

“So this is an elementary healing potion. This is my first time seeing one.”

Lady Hilda had clearly recognised Leon’s ability; the sharpness in her gaze softened. Caro watched the completed potion with keen interest.

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