Are MZ Shamans In Trouble In Romance Novels? - Chapter 84

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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84.

“I’m Kersi Blario, and I’ll be teaching Basic Alchemy.”

With her stern-looking appearance, the children hurriedly found their seats. Everyone knew that Dark Elves had bad tempers.

“Before we begin class, let me ask you one question. Do you know what alchemy is?”

Under her sharp gaze, the new students hesitantly raised their hands. Professor Kersi pointed to a freckled student.

“It’s the fascinating study of turning lead into gold!”

“Wrong.”

Professor Kersi snorted and coldly declared. Alchemy was quite far from fascinating. Wandering through mountains and remote areas to gather herbs, digging for minerals in mines where it was hard to breathe, being cooped up in laboratories repeating combinations—

Alchemy was the study of hard labor.

“Then let me ask one more thing. Why is Basic Alchemy a mandatory class at the Academy?”

The forest became as quiet as a mouse. Even the students found this puzzling. Alchemy was strongly perceived as a secondary field of study wherever you went. You couldn’t turn monsters and enemies into gold to defeat them, could you?

“The field where alchemy is most used in Arkea is elixirs and potions. Do you know why?”

The Empire’s main enemies were heretics and monsters. As such, the imperial family was pouring much of the nation’s strength into subjugating them. That meant the damage was severe. Especially in the Northern Region adjacent to the Dorkan Mountain Range, casualties occurred daily. This was why the potion and elixir fields had to develop.

“The most important thing in monster subjugation is medicine! But you can’t carry loads of baggage every time you go to subjugate them.”

Professor Kersi said that people of the Empire, especially Academy students, should naturally know how to do alchemy.

“The Empire has high mana concentration, so monsters are strong and numerous. But at the same time, the herbs blooming in the mountains and fields are also numerous and highly effective. We need to make good use of that.”

You couldn’t go to a shop to buy potions when you ran out during subjugation, could you? You’d have to make do by grinding up herbs blooming in the fields.

“So this semester, you’ll be running around mountains and fields so much it could be called Herb Gathering Studies. Those who think it’s a waste of time can buy materials with coins. As long as you make potions properly, it won’t affect your grades.”

“Professor. What exactly are coins? How can we obtain them?”

Calisia, who had been half-listening to the class content, raised her hand. She needed quite a few coins to distribute Valkan’s shield weapons.

“Didn’t the Teaching Assistants tell you when you came?”

Professor Kersi frowned as if annoyed.

“Only that it’s currency used within the Academy, and that we can check remaining coins through our access passes.”

“Hmm… Pegasus coins can be obtained through various routes. You can receive them from professors as rewards and punishments, they’re given in large amounts based on exam grades, and you can also get them by taking requests from shop owners within the Academy.”

Calisia finally understood the upperclassmen who had been causing a ruckus in front of the butcher shop. If you had no coins immediately, you’d have to use the Student Cafeteria, and how desperate must that feeling be? Moreover, they had eaten that dog food garbage for a whole year.

“The way to obtain the largest amount of coins is to establish a club and take internal and external requests. But external dispatch requests are still a distant story for new students, so let’s set that aside… Oh, the most important thing is managing your coins so they don’t run out. The moment your remaining coins become 0, you’re expelled from the Academy.”

The faces of the noble-born new students cracked. Academy expulsion was an unspeakable disgrace in high society. It would be better to have failed the entrance exam.

“It seems I’ve scared the youngsters too much. Don’t worry. It’s not immediate expulsion.”

Professor Kersi said that poor students could return to the Academy after serving one year on the Northern Front.

“…Service? You don’t mean military enlistment?”

Calisia looked at the professor with a face that wondered if this was a dream. No, what the hell, it’s not even a world where you must become a soldier, so why is it enlistment for everything?

“There’s nothing to worry about. You’ll have to do mandatory service after graduation anyway. It’s not bad to get experience early. For example, among the seniors who completed mandatory service, there are those whose skills grew dramatically…”

Calisia’s complexion changed by the moment. Mandatory service after graduation was something she hadn’t even thought about.

“Conversely, if your coins reach a certain amount, early graduation is also possible.”

“What’s good about early graduation? Can you enlist quickly? Haha.”

Calisia, who seemed out of it, asked with a bitter laugh.

“You can receive military exemption or be commissioned to a unit with a position two levels higher. In that sense, let me give you a quiz. I’ll give 10 coins to those who get it right.”

Professor Kersi snapped her fingers. Then 10 root plants sprouted from the ground. They had bizarre appearances with plump roots like sweet potatoes with eyes, noses, and mouths attached. Also, long leaves hung down from their heads.

“These are plants called Mantra. They’re about cousins to mandrakes. Line up in front of the one with the best medicinal effect.”

The new students who realized the importance of coins examined the Mantra with fire in their eyes.

“…Hmm. I’ve never seen them in herb guides. Soettong, do you know what they are?”

Calisia turned to look at Ian.

“Well. However, I know that for herbs, those with fresh leaves and thick, glossy bodies are good ones.”

Calisia made a “tsk” sound. She knew that much too.

-Tsk! These young ones don’t even know shame, blooming flowers so flashily!

Then, a gruff voice came flying from somewhere down below. Calisia’s gaze gradually moved downward.

-I was like that in my prime too. Anyway, these youngsters have no subtle taste!

One Mantra that looked withered and shabby was constantly pouring out complaints. It was an herb that had endured long years and become a spirit with a soul dwelling in it.

-If it’s Mantra, it should concentrate this energy within its roots. Puffing up the body like that! There’s no substance… no substance…

Calisia, who caught on to the answer, dragged Ian’s sleeve persistently.

-What use is something so soft! You need to concentrate the energy tight to have a firm body like this old man! Tsk!

“What’s wrong?”

“This one’s been here the longest.”

Calisia declared confidently. Shortly after, Professor Kersi announced the answer.

“There are barely even 10 people who got the right answer.”

Professor Kersi gave a glance to those who got it right. Calisia, Ian, Raktar, Izriel, etc. They were students who stood out, whether in good or bad ways.

“What’s your reason for choosing the 9th Mantra?”

“Me! Me! I want to present!”

Calisia raised both hands and shouted loudly. It clearly looked like an atmosphere where bonus coins would be given.

“You’re overflowing with enthusiasm. Go ahead.”

Professor Kersi slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

“Respected Professor. Isn’t it true that herbs naturally get better medicinal properties the older they are?”

Calisia answered in a very polite tone. To be honest, she looked a bit like a sycophant.

“Why did you think it was the oldest?”

“Mantra are plump when young because their energy doesn’t concentrate well, and the older ones absorb energy well so their bodies become dry and hard.”

“Huh…”

Deep favor appeared in Professor Kersi’s eyes. Actually, Mantra were a rare species that even professors from other subjects didn’t know well. It meant this was difficult knowledge for a mere new student to know.

“It seems you’ve done quite a bit of preparation. I’ll give Calisia Valus not 10 coins but 20 coins.”

Calisia cheered at the pouring coins. She would leave this land before graduation, but anyway, she had to stay in Hellorun for at least a year. She’d go out occasionally to find traces of spirits too.

‘I’ll enjoy everything I can enjoy here! And take every bit of money I can take before I leave!’

She needed coins for a prosperous school life, and money for an abundant fugitive life. Greed bubbled up in Calisia’s eyes.

***

Hellorun’s dormitories consisted of a total of 4 buildings. Nature, Flames, Prophecy, Light. Among them, the one boasting the most splendid exterior was the Cradle of Flames.

“Ugh…”

However, the condition of the dormitory students wasn’t very good. It was the seventh day since enrollment. They couldn’t eat properly because of the cursed chef’s cooking.

“Huhhh…”

Calisia with a haggard face collapsed onto the table.

It was because of Leviathan’s wailing that had continued from the night of the entrance ceremony until now.

-Help me… Please help me…

He said to help remove the vengeful spirits clinging to his scales like barnacles. He said they were draining his energy and making him lose his reason.

-If you don’t help me, I’ll devour you in one bite!

-I’ll give you coins… How about 100 coins?

-200 coins… 300 coins… 400 coins…

Honestly, she was tempted by the coins. But there was one thing that bothered her. Usually, people devoured by spirits became their limbs to be used. Just like Changgui. But why was Leviathan being controlled by the souls?

‘For some reason, I don’t want to get involved.’

Calisia, who shook off her thoughts, turned her head to the side. Ian, who gave off a determined atmosphere, was forcing food down his throat. Tough guy.

“…Damn restaurant, why is it so expensive? 30 coins isn’t some dog’s name.”

Calisia pushed away her plate, saying she had absolutely no appetite. Mana nutritional food or whatever, the moment she took one bite, her stomach felt queasy all day.

“Raktar. What does your father say? Will he change the chef?”

Calisia looked desperately at Raktar who was sitting in front of her.

“…Hellorun is both imperial and an academy founded by the founding heroes. Its independence is recognized.”

“He, basically, said, he, can’t, do, shit, about, it.”

Izriel, who was lying on the table, added unnecessarily. It was natural that Raktar, whose mood had soured, kicked him.

“I can’t stand it anymore! Tell the chef to come out! Hey! Come out!”

At that moment, a brown-haired boy suddenly jumped up from his seat and rushed at the attendants. It was Balak, the second son of the Titan Family, famous for Strong Sword.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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