[Ren Hilton's POV]
"...And what am I to make out of this mess?" I questioned, my gaze fixed on the figure standing before me.
"Shut up," the beast girl snapped, her words dripping with frustration and impatience.
She stood there, an intriguing blend of contrasts. Her tanned skin provided a warm backdrop for the two cat ears perched atop her head. As her ears twitched slightly in response to my presence, a distinct frown etched its way onto her features—a frown that could only be described as vicious in its intensity.
A bit of brown fur slightly covered her body, giving her an air of wildness that contradicted the civilized setting. Silver-grey hair cascaded down her back, a striking contrast against her skin. Yet, it was her eyes that held my attention the most. Squinted in irritation, they were the color of rich coffee, exuding a mix of annoyance and a hint of intrigue.
The thin frames of her glasses perched on her nose seemed to punctuate her overall look. They brought to mind illustrations of characters from games I had seen before—a touch of nerdy charm that seemed out of place in the current situation.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips, tinged with a touch of exasperation. To understand the events that had transpired, we would need to rewind time a few minutes and delve into the sequence of events that had brought us to this moment.
...
[A Few Minutes Earlier]
A yawn escaped my lips, a testament to the weariness that had settled into my bones. Descending the stairs, I stretched languidly, the events of the past few days still fresh in my mind. The last Beast Mastery class had concluded without a hitch, leaving a sense of accomplishment in its wake.
'What do you mean "well"... you literally acquired one of my powers,' Blaze chimed in, his tone a mixture of awe and amusement.
He wasn't wrong. The acquisition of the Umbra-mana had caught both of us by surprise. It was an extraordinary occurrence, given that the infusion of such power through an Amulet of Convergence was an extremely rare phenomenon.
A Winged Pardus, like Blaze, was a creature of complexity. Among its many abilities, there were a select few that set it apart from other SS-tier mana beasts. The most intriguing of these was its manipulation of shadows—a power that defied explanation, much like the enigmatic creature itself.
But I think it was just because his messed up DNA or something...
The dark and light elements remained undiscovered as of yet. The blessing of Ellora, the goddess of light, had yet to touch Adam, leaving those elements dormant and waiting for the right moment to emerge.
And today marked a significant event. The departure to Elishia Forest was imminent—Adam, Mary, Elsa, and a handful of others were readying themselves for the journey. However, Raven, for her own reasons, had chosen not to partake in such matters, her disinterest apparent in her absence.
After having eaten and taken a refreshing bath, I stepped out of the dormitory, leaving its confines behind. As I made my way through the campus, I couldn't help but notice the intense glares that bore into me from every direction. It seemed like every student I passed was directing daggers of resentment and hostility my way.
Their gazes held a malevolence that was almost palpable, yet I remained unfazed. I had long since adopted an attitude of indifference towards such matters. The opinions of others mattered little to me, as long as their animosity didn't intrude upon my peace.
"I pray for them that they don't..." Blaze's voice echoed within my mind, his words carrying a mixture of concern and amusement. As I glanced up at the bright sun that hung in the sky, I couldn't help but share his sentiment.
With a nonchalant shrug, I continued on my way,
Today, the ominous effect of the curse seemed to have escalated to an alarming 2 percent, a development that left me bewildered. The rapid increase was baffling, a puzzle I struggled to solve. There was no discernible reason for its surge, and to make matters worse, there appeared to be no means of halting its progression.
However, a certain theory circulated—a theory that likened the curse to the world's own auto-correct mechanism. In this explanation, the curse functioned as a cosmic force, tirelessly striving to align the main storyline of reality, eliminating any irregularities or disruptions that might arise along the way.
The irony lay in the fact that the closer I ventured to the main cast of characters, the more potent the curse's influence became. It was as if the very fabric of my existence was being woven into the tapestry of their lives, my choices and actions molded to fit the predetermined course of events.
...
A class on potion making was scheduled for the day, and I found myself drawn to it. The allure of the class, a brief respite from the complexities of the curse and its implications, tugged at me.
'I don't know what to feel about you at this point,' Blaze's exasperated voice sounded in my mind, 'You act like....nerd and criminal at the same time..agh'
Tap*
I entered the potion making classroom, the scent of herbs and various magical ingredients greeted my senses. The room was spacious, with long wooden tables arranged in rows, each equipped with a variety of glass vials, cauldrons, and intricate tools. The walls were adorned with shelves holding an array of herbs, roots, and exotic components, each labeled meticulously.
At the front of the room stood the professor, a woman with an air of eccentricity about her. Her hair was a vibrant shade of indigo, cascading down her back in unruly waves. Her attire was equally eclectic—layers of mismatched clothing that seemed to reflect her unique personality. Strands of beads adorned her neck, producing soft clinks as she moved.
"Welcome, students, to the art of potion making!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm, her voice carrying a musical lilt. "I am Professor Night, and I shall be your guide through this fascinating journey of concoctions and elixirs."
The class listened attentively as she explained the basics of potion making—the delicate balance of ingredients, the importance of intention, and the significance of timing. Her passion for the subject was infectious, and even those who might have initially been disinterested found themselves drawn into her world of magical brews.
"Today, we shall delve into the realm of healing potions," Professor Night announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Healing potions, as many of you know, are a fundamental part of any mage's arsenal. They mend wounds, cure ailments, and restore vitality."
She demonstrated the meticulous process of creating a basic healing potion, carefully combining crushed herbs, a droplet of moonwater, and a sliver of sunstone in a simmering cauldron. The mixture glowed briefly before settling into a soft, soothing shade of blue.
"Now, your task is to replicate this potion," Professor Night instructed, her gaze sweeping across the room. "And get in groups of two, as we have fewer cauldrons. Remember, precision is key. Each ingredient has its purpose, and a slight deviation can lead to unexpected results."
As I looked around, I realized that I was left alone, a fact that Blaze, despite his jesting, was quick to point out. 'Aww, I feel bad for you... poor princess,' he quipped, an undercurrent of amusement in his voice.
"What happened..." Professor Night stepped forward, but her words trailed off as she observed my isolation. There was a hint of sympathy in her expression, as if she could sense my predicament.
"Hmm... maybe I'll work alone then," I mused aloud, deciding it was best to secure a cauldron for myself.
"Hey! You three over there, why not one of you join this student here!" Professor Night's voice suddenly rose, directed at a group of students huddled in a corner. They flinched at her words, and the air seemed to grow tense.
*Silence*
A heavy silence followed, punctuated only by the uneasy shuffling of feet.
I didn't quite understand why, but the atmosphere now felt oddly melancholic. "It's fine..." I began to reassure the professor, but my words were cut short by the sudden flinging open of the classroom door. My attention shifted to the figure that entered.
'Why are you so unlucky?' Blaze's question echoed in my mind, his amusement tinged with a hint of sympathy.
"Professor, please teach me how to make a healing potion!" Raven's voice rang out, her arms laden with an assortment of items. My eyes widened as I caught sight of what appeared to be the head of an Earth Bison in her grasp. It was a perplexing choice of ingredient, to say the least.
"Mm... why not partner up with-" Professor Night began to suggest, her words interrupted by Raven's vehement outburst.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE! YOU CRAZY FUCK!!???" Raven's words were laced with anger and disbelief, directed at the...me?
Have we met before? How does she know me?
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[A/N: For anyone wondering about mass release,yeh ....horaay I'll be uploading chapter with a gap of two hours....why? Just cause it's fun...w-why are y'all angry!!!! I won't upload all at once....cough*]
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