Chapter 169: Helping a Cat
After a hour.
Arisha flipped to another Chapter. "Now let’s talk about simple potion making."
Immediately, both boys looked terrified. "No..."
Ragnar whispered. "Not potions..."
Arisha ignored him. "There are three basic steps."
She began writing on a sheet of paper.
"Ingredient preparation.Mana infusion. Stabilization."
Noah listened quietly. Even he found the explanation useful.
Making mana potion was important. It comes under the basic survival in forest. It could be very useful. One could create healing potion with right ingredients.
Arisha continued patiently.
"For example, a basic recovery potion requires Moonleaf, Blue Root, and purified mana water."
Draven blinked.
"What happens if I accidentally add double the ingredients?"
Arisha looked at him.
"It explodes."
Draven immediately wrote that down. "Very important information."
Ragnar nodded seriously. "Agreed."
Arisha sighed again.
Then she continued teaching.
And despite all her complaints, she patiently explained mana theory and potion making again and again.
Until even Ragnar and Draven slowly began understanding.
At least enough to survive the upcoming written exams.
Which, for those two, was already a miracle.
---
After more than three hours of teaching, those two had finally managed to learn something.
Ragnar suddenly threw both of his arms into the air and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! This was easier than I had thought!"
Beside him, Draven folded his arms confidently and nodded.
"Hmm... I guess I can pass this exam with flying colors."
The two had completely changed their attitudes after finally understanding a few concepts.
Across from them, Arisha slumped back against her chair with a tired expression.
Her golden eyes stared at the duo as if they were the most ridiculous people she had ever met.
Noah simply watched them with a deadpan expression.
Then he let out a sigh.
"Anyways."
He turned his head toward Arisha.
"How did I do?"
Arisha looked at him for a moment. Then a very small, soft smile appeared on her face.
"You were my light today."
Her gaze briefly shifted toward Ragnar and Draven.
"While I was surrounded by the darkness of these two."
Noah chuckled softly. ’It was really helpful having her teach us.’
His eyes drifted toward the books on the table.
’The lessons felt much easier. It would have taken me far longer to learn everything by myself.’
Just then, Arisha slowly extended her hand toward him.
Noah blinked.
A second later, her palm landed on top of his soft, silky silver-white hair.
Noah’s entire body visibly stiffened.
His eyes widened in shock.
Arisha leaned slightly closer, a gentle smile still resting on her face. Then she gently stroked his head.
"You were a good boy today, Noah."
Her voice was calm and soft.
"You did well. Good work."
"H-Hey!!"
Noah immediately raised his voice in surprise.
"What are you doing?!"
Caught completely off guard by her actions, he leaned backward in his chair, trying to create some distance between them.
Unfortunately, Arisha had no intention of letting him escape.
She leaned forward slightly and continued stroking his hair.
A visible blush quickly formed on Noah’s cheeks.
Meanwhile, Ragnar and Draven watched the entire scene with great amusement.
Their eyes widened.
"Ohhhhh!!!"
Draven exclaimed dramatically.
At the same time,
Whistle~
Ragnar let out a teasing whistle.
Draven pointed toward the pair with a knowing expression.
"This is love."
"Yes."
Ragnar nodded immediately.
"This is definitely love."
Noah instantly turned toward them with a slightly red face.
"This is not!"
His protest only made them grin even more.
Meanwhile, Arisha completely ignored Ragnar and Draven’s comments.
Instead, she continued gently patting Noah’s head.
A faint smile lingered on her lips.
Clearly, she was enjoying Noah’s embarrassed reaction far more than she should have.
And judging from the growing blush on Noah’s face, that only made it worse.
"Okay that’s enough." He said while shaking his head.
As much as he loves to get his head pat by her.
It was shameful to do it in public. Especially in front of his two friends.
Arisha was satisfied so she took her hand away from his head.
Finally he was free.
----
Evening had already arrived by the time Noah left the library.
The orange glow of the setting sun painted the academy grounds in warm colors. Long shadows stretched across the pathways while a cool breeze drifted through the trees.
Arisha had already gone toward the girls’ dormitory after their study session ended.
Meanwhile, Ragnar and Draven had remained behind in the study room, apparently determined to review everything they had learned before their newfound knowledge disappeared.
That left Noah walking alone.
His hands rested inside his pockets as he made his way toward the boys’ dormitory.
The academy grounds were relatively quiet at this hour. A few students passed by here and there, chatting with friends or heading back to their dorms after training.
Noah was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Rustle.
A faint sound came from somewhere nearby.
Noah stopped.
His eyes shifted toward a cluster of bushes growing beside a grassy lawn near the path.
"Hm?"
Another rustle followed.
Curious, Noah stepped off the pathway and walked closer.
The leaves parted slightly.
And something small emerged from inside.
A black cat.
Noah blinked.
Immediately, he recognized her.
The sleek black fur. The vivid yellow eyes with narrow vertical pupils.
The same elegant little creature he and Arisha had encountered before.
"The cat."
A small smile appeared on his face.
However, the smile quickly faded. Something was wrong. The cat was limping.
One of her front legs was injured.
Every step she took looked painful.
The usually graceful creature moved much slower than before.
Noah’s expression softened.
"Hey..."
He slowly crouched down.For a moment, the cat stared at him. Her yellow eyes narrowed slightly.
Noah carefully extended his hand.
Surprisingly she didn’t hiss this time.
She didn’t run away either. Perhaps she was too tired and was in pain.
Or perhaps the injury had made her lower her guard.
Whatever the reason, she simply watched him.
Noah carefully slid one hand beneath her body.
Then gently lifted her. The cat gave a small sound of protest.
"Meow."
But she didn’t struggle.
Noah glanced down at the injured leg. His brows furrowed.
"Looks like you got yourself into trouble."
The cat merely stared at him.
Noah shook his head. Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"Don’t worry, cat."
His voice was calm and reassuring.
"I’ll help you."
The cat blinked once. That was her only response.
Noah adjusted his grip carefully so he wouldn’t hurt her injured leg.
Then he stood up.
The black cat rested quietly in his arms. Her yellow eyes observed the surroundings while her tail hung lazily to one side.
Noah looked down at her.
"You know..."
A grin appeared on his face.
"If Arisha sees me carrying you around after you rejected her so many times that day, she’ll probably be jealous."
The cat stared at him unimpressed.
Noah laughed.
Then he turned toward the dormitory building.
With the injured black cat resting safely in his arms, he began walking back to his room.
