Home/The Peaceful Academy Life of a Magic Potion Professor/ch15

Chapter 15

"Unbelievable..."

Kamirgold couldn't tear his eyes away from Garyu's eyes. He'd held out a sliver of hope, but had never truly expected success. Yet she'd done it in just five days... Where on earth had such talent come from? She'd said she was self-taught in the mountains—was there something in those mountains?

"Has it really changed...?"

Seeing their reactions, Garyu looked half-doubtful. Lamiya brought him a mirror. He cautiously held it up to his face. His hand trembled slightly without his realizing it.

"!"

Usually, his eyes would have met him with their usual splendor—but in the mirror, there was only a person with blue eyes. Garyu brought his hand to his eyes, repeatedly checking them.

He'd secretly given up. That was why, when Kamirgold had spoken of her, he'd initially refused. He'd thought it would only leak secrets and waste time. How could she do what the institute doctors couldn't? Nothing worked on the jewel eyes.

"It was... possible."

Garyu couldn't look away from his reflection. Now he could take off that detested blindfold. Perhaps he could even return home. This single eye color had dictated so much of his life.

Lamiya conveyed the precautions to Garyu and Kamirgold, who were both captivated by his eyes.

"Once in the morning, once in the evening. You need to apply the drops twice daily to maintain this eye color."

Both of them snapped back to attention at Lamiya's voice—she was no longer just a professor, but their savior.

"And you'll need to get this eye drop regularly. What I've given you now... should last about two weeks at most. It would be best to pick up more before it runs out."

"Can't you just make a large batch and give it to me all at once?"

Garyu asked. Lamiya shook her head.

"Since this is an entirely new potion, we need to monitor its progress. The ingredient ratios might need adjustment, and though I don't anticipate side effects, we can't be certain. If you're willing to take that risk, I can prepare a larger batch—it'll take more time, but I can do it. However, I won't take responsibility for any side effects that may occur."

Kamirgold waved his hand hurriedly.

"No, no. We'll follow Professor Lamiya's advice. You'll get a checkup from the professor once a week. Isn't that right, Garyu?"

"Yes. If I can maintain this, I'd gladly do so."

Kamirgold couldn't hide his elation.

"I never—I never imagined it would actually succeed! Professor Lamiya, how on earth did you manage it? Did you find some special herb I don't know about?"

Lamiya found the Headmaster's excitement a bit overwhelming, but answered calmly.

"Since all the renowned mages and doctors tried and failed, the first thing that occurred to me was that the jewel eyes might not accept or harmonize with other magical powers. It could be said that because they possess both divine and magical properties, they could harmonize with anything—but if you consider the jewel eyes' power as a new type of magic entirely, you might think differently. In that case, they might instinctively repel external forces."

"Using magic and accepting external magic are different matters, then."

Garyu listened attentively to Lamiya's explanation. He recalled that when magic was used to treat him, he'd never even felt any other force acting on his eyes.

"What I'm saying applies only to the jewel eyes. I only saw them for the first time five days ago, so I don't know how the power in those eyes works or what abilities they possess."

Kamirgold, who had been about to interject, nodded and urged her to continue.

"Go on."

"So I thought that instead of using my own magical power, I could use the jewel eyes' own power to solve the problem. That's why I asked Lord Blanchard to imbue a container with his magical power and collected samples from the cornea. I wanted to ensure that even if the color changed, the feeling wouldn't be alien. Beyond that, I mixed commonly used ingredients for eye color alteration in appropriate ratios. Finding that ratio took some time."

Kamirgold clapped his hands.

"I never once thought of that approach... but hearing it now, it makes perfect sense. Remarkable."

Garyu had one more question.

"Why did you go to the trouble of making it as an eye drop?"

"Applying it directly to the eyes rather than ingesting it minimizes potential side effects. This potion creates a thin film over the jewel eyes after application, concealing their color. Since I don't know much about jewel eyes, I chose this method."

"I see..."

It was a flawless explanation.

"...What exactly is your identity? How is it that someone with your abilities is only now..."

Garyu couldn't understand. He and Kamirgold had scoured every renowned specialist in existence. They'd even searched remote regions. But Lamiya's name—and the existence of a potion-maker with such skills—had never crossed their path.

"As you can see, I'm a magical potions professor."

Lamiya's answer was simple. She only needed to brew the requested potion. She had no desire to engage in unnecessary conversation. Besides, what she'd said was true. She wasn't the head of any organization, nor had she ever operated in secret. Mariposa Academy professor was truly Lamiya's first job.

Sensing Lamiya's discomfort, Garyu realized his mistake. Normally he wouldn't ask such questions, but her effortless success had made the question slip out. He apologized.

"I was rude. That was an unnecessary question. I apologize."

"It's fine."

Since he hadn't pressed her relentlessly, Lamiya accepted his apology readily. Kamirgold was thoroughly pleased with the situation.

"Professor Lamiya, I'm truly grateful. I will reward you handsomely. You've basically saved a man's life. If there's anything you desire, tell me now. I'll do my utmost to grant it."

In that case... Lamiya had only one wish. To continue her peaceful Academy life as it was.

"I'd like to keep working as a magical potions professor here. For life."

Hearing that, Kamirgold burst into a hearty laugh.

"Professor Lamiya, you're so modest. That's something I should be asking of you. Bringing talented specialists to our Academy is a top priority. So I'll exclude this from your reward. From now on, you can stay here with peace of mind—'without fear of being let go.'"

Kamirgold gave Lamiya exactly what she wanted, clearing the air. A faint smile flickered across her usually expressionless face. His eyes widened, and he let out a pleased laugh.

"Seeing your reaction lifts my spirits too. Is it really that wonderful? Anyway, whenever you think of something, tell me anytime."

"Yes, Headmaster."

"We should have a meal together sometime. Now that Garyu can walk around with his eyes open, things are about to get busy. We'll be going ahead."

Kamirgold hurriedly dragged Garyu out, though Garyu seemed to have something to say to Lamiya, hesitating as he was pulled away.

---

The next day, Lamiya left her room in a far lighter mood than usual. There was nothing better than knowing she could live at the Academy without fear of dismissal. She almost found herself humming—something she never did. Now she could eat delicious meals at the faculty cafeteria every day...

"Good morning, Professor Lamiya."

Lamiya, who had been choosing her menu in the cafeteria, looked up at the unfamiliar voice calling her. It was the head chef of the faculty cafeteria.

"Head Chef...? How do you know me..."

She'd never spoken to him before, never introduced herself.

The burly, bronze-skinned, sturdy middle-aged head chef smiled warmly.

"How could I not recognize the person who enjoys my cooking the most? You seemed in a better mood than usual today, so I thought I'd say hello. Haha! Am I being too forward?"

Despite his rough appearance, he had a gentle personality. Lamiya had always been grateful to the head chef for preparing such delicious meals. Wasn't he the one who gave her the greatest happiness?

"Not at all. Thank you always for the delicious food."

The head chef, who hadn't expected to hear such words, scratched his head bashfully and laughed. He knew the rumors about Professor Lamiya—that she was cold-blooded... heartless... like a doll with no reactions. But he didn't think so at all.

After all, while Professor Lamiya might not show much expression normally, when she ate, her eyes sparkled, the corners of her mouth lifted, and she radiated happiness from her entire being. Others might not see it, but to him, it was clear—she was someone who loved food. And now she could express gratitude too...

"I should be thanking you for enjoying my food. Hahaha! Let's see... today's eggs are exceptionally fresh! How about some toast, dipped in egg wash and fried?"

Lamiya's mouth watered just imagining it. She nodded twice with sparkling eyes. The head chef grinned.

"Wait just a moment. I'll have it ready in no time."

He practically danced into the kitchen and soon emerged with perfectly golden-brown toast, handing it to Lamiya.

"Huh? The number of toasts..."

There was one more slice than everyone else's. The head chef winked.

"That's my thanks for your gratitude."

The toast he confidently presented glistened appetizingly, enough to make anyone salivate.

---

After a satisfying breakfast, patting her full stomach, Lamiya headed to her laboratory. The head chef was right—the toast was truly delicious. Toasty, soft, and sweet. It paired perfectly with the yogurt served alongside, and Lamiya ended up eating even the extra toast she thought she couldn't finish.

Resolving to thank the head chef again, Lamiya walked along—and saw a crowd gathered in front of her laboratory. What was going on? At that moment, Professor Anya spotted Lamiya and called out.

"Professor Lamiya!"

She looked terrified.

"Who would do such a thing..."

A servant who worked in the faculty laboratory building covered her mouth with one hand. Lamiya pushed through the crowd to see what had happened. There, in front of her laboratory door, lay the brutally killed carcass of a bird.

Back   Next