Kays Translations

Chapter 33: Herbology Test

"Let's begin then."

After declaring the start, I touched the stem of the flame spirit plant through my glove.

I don't know what it feels like, but I grab it gently so that I don't break the stem.

With Silas-sensei standing in front of me and looking at me with expectations, I poured my magical power into the flame spirit plant.

I pour my magical power from my fingertips onto the stem and spread it throughout the flame spirit plant through the vascular bundle.

If I suddenly sent a large amount of magic power, it might damage the cells, so I carefully injected it little by little.

I feel like I'm giving milk to a baby.

I'm afraid I'm going to get a little attached to it.

Even though it is a poisonous plant, after all.

I'd like to cut it off before motherhood sets in.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but… how long should I keep doing this? It would be helpful if you could specify the amount of magic power to be injected."

"I'll leave that up to you to decide."

"What……?"

I raise a loud voice instinctively to the round throw declaration.

I'm supposed to be composed as a lady, but I think I can’t be blamed this time. How could it be a test without any standards or borderlines?

Probably because he doesn't know much about my magic power, he said, "I'll leave it to you.” ...... This throwing around is too much. At the very least, I'd like to know what the criteria are.

"Well….then at least tell me how much magic power Silas-sensei usually injects ...!?"

The words that were supposed to continue after, "Injects," were cut off, and the sight that unfolded in front of me is breathtaking.

The flame spirit plant that I have been injecting magical power in, until now, was suddenly wrapped in white light.

No, is it more correct to say that it’s shining?

In any case, it was a bizarre sight.

I reflexively took my hand away from the stalk of the fire plant and took a few steps back, squinting at the blinding light.

While everyone was bewildered by the unexpected situation, only one person, Silas-sensei wore a smile on his face…

As is the nature of researchers, when they encounter the unknown, their curiosity comes before their fear.

But forget Silas-sensei… What the hell is this light? I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a glowing property in Flame Spirit Plant.

At least none of the materials I've read say anything about it!

I wonder if there was something wrong with my magic infusion that caused this to happen! If that's the case, I'm afraid of what's to come i.e. liability issues! I'm not sure what to do if I'm branded as a criminal for ruining a valuable plant!

I turned pale, "Is restoration magic effective for plants?" having such a desperate thought.

The white light suddenly stopped while I was dripping cold sweat from anxiety and impatience. I opened my eyes halfway and fearfully looked at the potted plant of the flame spirit plant with real fear.

As it turned out, the flame spirit plant had not withered... Rather, it was growing. However, ──── it looked completely different from the picture in the illustrated book.

The flame spirit plant in the book had red flowers like amaryllis and a green stem.

In addition, a pattern was visible on the entire stem, and the leaves were rounded.

And yet, ────the flame spirit plant in Silas-sensei's hands had iridescent flowers with white stems and leaves.

The flower, which is round like a bellflower, has a glowing sphere inside, and the light shines through the white petals, making them look iridescent. The stem was about a meter long, and the leaves were long and slender. The color of the leaves did not match the characteristics of the flame spirit plant in the illustrated book at all.

I think there are few points that match.

What the hell is going on here?

Does it mean that it was affected by my magic power and mutated? If that's the case, will I be held accountable for my actions? Sure the flame spirit plant didn't die, but I indeed turned a valuable experimental subject into a mysterious plant.

What should I do?.......If I get the death penalty!?

"Will recovery magic work? Or should I use time-reversal magic? I can't use recovery magic now that it's mutated."

I muttered loudly to myself, my eyes tearing up as I desperately searched for a solution. I didn't want to end up on death row at my age.

The beautiful turquoise-haired man's emerald eyes sparkled at me as I struggled with my thoughts as if I were about to develop a fever from thinking. He was so excited by the encounter with the unknown that he couldn't resist opening his mouth.

"It's amazing! I had no idea that the flame spirit plant could mutate! This is the discovery of the century! It tickles my curiosity! Oh, it's really wonderful! I must study it right now!"

Silas-sensei walked out with a beaming face.

His cheeks flushed with excitement, he threw out the test and walked straight out of the room.

We were so stunned that we couldn't stop him…

By the time we came to our senses, he had already left.

"What? Did he just leave? We're still in the middle of a test! You’re the facilitator, Silas-sensei! I know you do things at your own pace, but you're too selfish!"

"Um, should I go call Silas-sensei back."

"──── No, that won't be necessary."

It was Nigel-sensei, the martial arts teacher and the cousin of Silas-sensei, who interrupted my words and rejected them.

He stepped forward with a graceful gesture and raised the corners of his mouth loosely, showing no sign of being distraught.

The beautiful man, with the good looks of a woman, picked up the two wooden swords hanging at his sides.

"We're indeed in the middle of an ability test, but the Herbology test is already over. There's no reason why Silas-sensei should be here."

"But then the facilitator ..."

"I'll take over as facilitator. That won't be a problem, will it? Or are you unhappy that I'm filling in for Silas-sensei?"

"No, no! That's not why ...!"

I shook my head vigorously to Nigel-sensei, who tilted his head cutely.

Then, the beautiful blonde man narrowed his garnet eyes.

"That's right. There's no reason for you to be dissatisfied with this beautiful me. I knew that from the beginning because I'm so beautiful!"

Nigel-sensei, who swiftly swept his side hair, smiled confidently.

Cute is not justice, beauty is justice, and he was a weirdo.

His laughter suddenly stopped when he turned his white eyes to me, as expected, Silas-sensei's cousin.

"Well, enough chit-chat, let's start with the final test. As you probably know by now, I will be in charge of the martial arts test. And just like the other subjects, we'll be doing practical exercises."

As he said this, the blonde-haired man held out a wooden sword to me.

I had some idea of what the test would entail, so I took it without hesitation.

It was smaller than the wooden swords the swordsmanship course students usually used, but it was strangely light.

Perhaps they had found a wooden sword that would fit my body. I can probably use this with one hand. Well, as a novice, I may not be able to use a sword one-handed , but…

"The martial arts test is a mock battle with swords. Your opponent is me. The rules are the same as the ones we had in class, except that this time I will allow the use of magic. You may attack me directly with your magic. Do you have any questions?"

"No, I don't."

I shook my head loosely, smiled fearlessly, and looked straight at the beautiful blond man.

I was confident in my strength, and I was not worried.

I was convinced of my victory.

If I'm allowed to use magic, there's no way I can lose!

To be honest, it would have been tough if I had been told that it would be a sword fight only, but thank goodness Nigel-sensei was so generous!

When I couldn't control my cheeks from relaxing, Nigel-sensei narrowed his eyes and took a few steps back to give me some space.

He then held up his wooden sword with one hand as if to show off his maturity.

"I'll let you have the first strike. You can come at me."

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