174 What the fuck is happening?



[Ren Hilton POV]

After a moment to catch my breath from the earlier laughter, I composed myself. Genuine laughter was a rarity for me, and it felt refreshing, but I needed to shift my focus back to the task at hand.

Almost as if on cue, Professor Night reentered the room, her gaze moving between Raven and me, inquiring about the situation.

"What's happening here?" she inquired, her tone even and calm.

I gave a casual shrug. "Umm... we had a little accident," I admitted, casting a quick glance towards Raven. Her posture and the way she held her robe suggested her embarrassment.

Blaze's voice chimed in, laced with mock concern, 'Oh no, the poor girl got wet! How tragic!'

Suppressing a chuckle, I replied, "Don't worry, it's not that tragic."

Professor Night raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "Is everything alright?" she prodded further.

I nodded, still fighting back a smile. "Yeah, just a minor mishap during potion-making," I explained, giving her a reassuring smile.

Raven's cheeks were still pink, but she seemed to be regaining her composure from the unexpected soaking.

"How did this happen?" Professor Night's gaze shifted towards me, her expression taking on a more suspicious tone,"Did you do something?"

I shook my head, baffled by her question. Is she implying that I'm responsible for this?

'Perhaps it's because you have a track record of being troublesome,' Blaze's voice interjected.

"I assure you, I didn't-" I began to explain, but Raven stepped forward, her actions drawing my attention.

"He didn't do anything. It was my mistake. The bison head I brought with me fell into the cauldron, causing it to become unstable," Raven explained, her voice steady.

Professor Night seemed to take a moment to process the explanation, her fingers rubbing her temples as she sighed. "I see," she said with a hint of exasperation in her tone.

"Anyways, I'll check the potions now," Professor Night announced, her attention turning to each cauldron and station as students presented their completed potions. Unfortunately, Raven and I had nothing to show for our efforts.

Most of the students were finishing up their potions, and from what I could see, they turned out quite well.

"Both of you will stay here until you get it right," Professor Night declared, ending the class. The other students left one by one, leaving behind a mostly empty classroom.

"Anchoo!!" Raven sneezed suddenly, her sneezes sounding rather frequent.

The classroom felt oddly quiet with just the three of us – the professor, Raven, and myself – not to forget Smokeball too...so four of us.

I walked behind the station, picking up a root for the potion-making process. Raven joined me, her presence felt as she handed me another ingredient without meeting my gaze.

"I'll... I'll help," her voice was soft, almost hesitant. She began gathering items from the nearby shelves, her actions deliberate and careful.

'Whoa... now that's some character development,' Blaze's comment echoed in my mind. I resisted the urge to dip him in the cauldron, trying to focus on the task at hand.

*Tap*

Raven flinched suddenly as Smokeball, jumped down from my shoulder. 

'Not today bitch.....not today.' He sauntered toward Professor Night, who seemed rather fond of him. It was a common phenomenon – women and their affection for cats.

I looked back at Raven, who seemed to be trembling slightly. Her left hand was shaking as she picked up an ingredient.

"Thanks," I said to her, sincerely meaning it. I reached for the moonstone, which was another component of the potion.

"Hmm?... Why?" She looked at me, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. I noticed the tremble in her left hand didn't subside. Perhaps the rumors had left a lasting impact on her perception of me.

"Because you clearly stated that I didn't cause the accident," I replied with a faint smile. It was a relief not to have to defend myself once again.

She fell silent for a moment before responding, "I just told the truth."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed by her straightforwardness. It seemed that Raven had undergone a change, becoming a bit more docile than before.

"Well, whatever, let's finish this up and be done with it," I suggested, eager to wrap up the potion-making session. Ending things swiftly seemed like the best course of action.

As for why someone like Raven, who was in her second year, was present in a first-year potion class, it turned out that her motivation was rather touching. She had learned that her grandfather was feeling unwell back home, and being a caring granddaughter, she hoped to create a healing potion for him. Little did she know that her grandfather's ailment was more severe than she realized, rendering her efforts futile in future.

"Hey, is this how it's supposed to be?" Raven suddenly asked, seeking confirmation about the stirring motion. I nodded in response, appreciating her attention to detail.

A few minutes later, our potion was ready – a lime green liquid that shimmered with an otherworldly glitter.

"Professor, we're finished here," I announced, signalling the completion of our task.

Professor Night approached our station, carefully inspecting the potion we had created. Her scrutiny encompassed every aspect – the hue of the liquid, its texture, and the faint gleam that danced within. After a brief evaluation, she offered a nod of approval.

"...done," she acknowledged, her words holding a bit of praise. "In spite of the earlier mishap, you've managed to produce a decent healing potion."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Raven's lips, her eyes revealing a touch of contentment. It seemed our successful potion-making had alleviated the earlier embarrassment.

"Thanks, Professor," I remarked casually, though her lingering gaze made me wonder if there was something more on her mind.

Raven went her way without saying anything—maybe just hurrying as she has to talk with Adam before he leaves too.

'Oh yeah, that guy is leaving for Elishia Forest today, right! Blaze was a bit shocked. I understand, as we don't involve ourselves with them much.

'Wanna share something about them?' Blaze asked, and my response is:

'Nah....let it be.' I am sure that Adam would handle it just like in the game.

But still, in short, it'll take them two months,first finding Elsa's imprisoned parents and then taking back the throne as they gather a few of the loyal ministers and... just that.

'Man, a lot is going on with the main plot, huh? Blaze's remark was true.

'It's all done now; I just have to go and sleep.' I thought so, but-

...

[After a few minutes.]

'Astronomer?' Blaze's voice echoed through my mind.

'I think I should.' I am sure I am in the worst time of my life.

"You are Ren Hilton, right? Asked the knight in shining armour.

Her golden hair was tied in a long ponytail as her emerald eyes focused on me,her hand on the sword hilt as if aware of my presence.

"Long time, no see. I smiled as I looked back at Amelia.

When I left the classroom and was on my way to the dorms through the hallway, I heard someone call me from behind, and yeah, it was none other than Amelia Clay.

"You were a student here? She asked, Why's she talking like she's familiar with me?

"Yeah, I am. I stopped mid-sentence as I saw another epitome of existence running towards us.

"Amelia!!" Her chest was bouncing to such a degree that it was hard for her to balance herself and try not to fall forward.

"Amelia!!" Saying this, Elsa ran: Adam is waiting out. Were you talking with someone? She lessened her pace.

Tch Blaze clicked his tongue.

"Yeah, I know this guy. She pointed at me without even thinking as she said, I once suspected him to be connected to a criminal I was looking for."

"C-criminall!!?" Backing up a lot, she hid behind Amelia.

'Look, now you scared her! Blaze was smiling hard for her.

Well, I think I should take my leave. I turned around and was about to leave while another one came out.

"Oh, um, why is it taking you so long?" Asking this, Adam came from behind me, followed by none other than Mary Kleine and Isolde Halloway.

I said nothing as I just began walking in a different direction. I'll just leave the place without talking, but-

"Hey." A low voice was heard as I turned, only to see Mary looking at me with a frown in her face, like she was thinking a lot.

You're calling me? I asked, but there wasn't any response, so I just began leaving until she grabbed my arm to stop me, I guess.

"Hmm?" I was confused. What does she want?

"Wh-what...." And she questioned me.

Audacity of this bitch—she stopped me and is asking me what happened?

"You grabbed my hand." I think I was getting a bit annoyed at her.

"Hey, can you back off a little from her?" says the blond-haired prince on the white horse. Can't they see that she's the one who grabbed my arm?

Flick*

Flicking away her hand, I just gave them all a final look.... before leaving for real.

But soon she said,"Ren....don't bother me in academy." And yeah it was quite shocking.

When did I bother her? Why is she so cranky....?