Home/The Peaceful Academy Life of a Magic Potion Professor/ch27

Chapter 27

Whether it was because of the nightmare or lack of sleep, Lamiya—who would normally have offered a simple word of encouragement or said nothing at all—found herself rambling on at length.

No sooner had she finished than she regretted saying so much.

"Yes... Professor!"

"I think that makes sense too..."

"We'll be back."

To her surprise, the students—from whom she'd expected no response at all—began reacting, one by one, even if not loudly. Lamiya's pupils widened slightly, just enough that no one would notice.

The magical potions students were still nervous, but they stood beside the swordsmanship class far more composed than before. Once Kamirgold confirmed the students were ready, he signaled to Benjamin, who began explaining the rules.

"The rules of the courage match are simple. Once you enter the cave, you'll come to a fork. Each class will take a different path, and the goal is to retrieve a flag bearing the symbol of Mariposa Academy, which has been placed deep inside. The class that returns with their flag first wins."

Both classes held their breath, focusing on the explanation.

"The magical potions class has fifteen students, while the swordsmanship class has twenty-four—so we'll even out the numbers. If any student is unwell or wishes to withdraw, please step forward. Professor Karon?"

Called upon, Karon answered.

"Yes. Since there are no cowards in my class, we've selected participants by academic ranking. The bottom nine will not be participating in this match."

Judging by their expressions, it was easy to tell who the lower-ranked students were—those with red faces from wounded pride, and those hanging their heads in dejection.

"Very well. Let's begin without further delay. Do your best to navigate the cave and return with your flag. Please take your positions."

The swordsmanship and magical potions students lined up in two rows. Loki stood at the head of the magical potions line, with Prince Raymond at the head of the swordsmanship line. After one last look at the students, Benjamin launched a signal flare into the sky.

Bang!

At the signal, the students rushed into the cave. Prince Raymond and his followers deliberately shoved past the magical potions students, shouldering them aside.

"We'll be waiting outside with the flag—try not to cry."

Prince Raymond said, curling his lips arrogantly.

"Heh heh heh."

"Did you bring extra pants? You might wet yourselves. Heh heh."

The swordsmanship students disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind laughter and mockery. Fortunately, the magical potions students only flinched slightly; they didn't rush, entering the cave with composure.

"U-ugh... I'm scared."

Olive clung tightly to Media's arm. Loki, who was walking ahead and urging them to hurry, also had cold sweat on his face. But he didn't stop walking into the cave. The swordsmanship students had gone so far ahead that their voices were no longer audible. After about five minutes of walking, they reached a fork.

"Which way did the swordsmanship class go?"

Loki, at the front, stopped and spoke. If they accidentally took the same path, they could be disqualified for breaking the rules. Jacqueline stepped closer to examine both paths, then pointed to the right.

"There are a lot of footprints on the left, so we should take the right."

"Nice."

Loki and Olga nodded in admiration. Having narrowly avoided an unexpected obstacle, the magical potions students headed down the right path. Their eyes had adjusted to the darkness by now, so they weren't as frightened as before. The girls walked holding hands or linking arms with their friends.

After walking for a while longer, they were greeted by a large door.

"A door... in a cave?"

Media's eyes widened in confusion. Peter spoke quietly beside her.

"Since the Headmaster got involved, it must be his doing."

Who else would have both the resources and authority to go this far?

"Wow~ that's quite the scale."

Vassen whistled, arms crossed behind his head. He was one of the few who seemed unfazed—actually, the only one besides Akira Sorin.

"Uh...? There's no... doorknob?"

Jacqueline frowned, trying to see better. Olga stepped closer and felt around.

"It's a hole...?"

Where the doorknob should have been, there was a hole shaped like a lion's mouth.

"..."

"..."

No one said anything, but they instinctively understood what they had to do.

"I think... we have to put our hand in that hole."

Olive said in a voice as quiet as a mosquito, clinging tightly to Media's arm. But everyone heard her.

"..."

No one stepped forward. Of course not—what might come out of that hole? Their hearts began pounding wildly. They were terrified, all looking at each other. Then—

"How about using the low-grade calming potion now?"

It was Vassen. Loki thought to himself, Was this guy always this talkative? But he didn't say it out loud. He was a commoner, but his father was apparently a well-known merchant...

"We only managed to make enough for four people!"

Jacqueline objected. Though Professor Lamiya had adapted it for beginners, it wasn't that easy for students who'd neglected their studies to brew it perfectly. Even as a low-grade potion, the process was quite intricate from their perspective. They'd also been too busy preparing other things to devote much time to the calming potion.

"We only need one person to drink it. We can't afford to hesitate here—the swordsmanship students will get the flag first."

He had a point. And he wasn't finished.

"I think Loki, as our leader, should do it."

"!"

Caught off guard by the sudden nomination, Loki looked flustered. But the students' eyes had already settled on him.

"Ahem."

Thinking about how far ahead the swordsmanship students must be, he couldn't afford any more delays. Reluctantly, Loki took the low-grade calming potion from Peter and downed it. Looking at the dark hole, it tasted bitter.

Fortunately, the potion worked—his mind quickly calmed. Instead of fearing the darkness, he focused on the thought that he needed to put his hand in that hole to open the door.

"Alright, here I go."

Standing before the lion's mouth handle, Loki took a breath and slowly inserted his hand. Someone—he didn't know who—swallowed audibly.

"Huh?"

Loki tilted his head and pulled his hand out. Nothing had happened. Olive and the others sighed in relief.

"What is this...?"

Instead, there was a small note in his hand. It read:

"In learning, all are equal. What is this?"

Was that supposed to be some kind of proverb? Was the Headmaster preaching even here? Loki grumbled.

At that moment, the tightly shut door slowly began to open.

---

"Do you think the students will do well?"

Once both the swordsmanship and magical potions classes had entered the cave, Benjamin approached Lamiya.

"If they're prepared, they'll be able to make good use of what they have."

Lamiya answered flatly, her gaze fixed on the cave.

"I hope it's a good match. I also hope the children learn something from this experience."

It was a truly educator-like sentiment. But Lamiya was skeptical.

"I'm not so sure. If everyone had prepared and approached this fairly with their own strength, that ideal outcome might be possible... but I think the chances of that are slim."

Benjamin looked at her, slightly surprised. Her gaze remained fixed on the cave.

"People don't change easily."

---

At that moment.

"This is... deliberate, right?"

Peter said, staring at the broken wooden bridge. Media examined the cut marks on the ropes and nodded.

"It seems like the paths are different at the entrance but merge in the middle... there's no way they could have known that in advance. It looks like they cut it just in case."

"We can't afford to fall behind here..."

Especially since the swordsmanship students were already ahead. Peter looked at the water before them. Fortunately, the distance wasn't impossible.

"Who can swim?"

The implication was clear.

"You want to swim across?"

Media responded.

"We don't have time to find another way. Those who can swim will have to help those who can't. Fortunately, it's a short distance."

"Ugh... we're going to get soaked..."

"What if it's deep..."

Some students showed signs of reluctance. Peter's expression hardened at the negative responses—there was no time to convince each person. But then, unexpected backup arrived.

"What are you hesitating for? You want to lose like this?"

...It was Loki.

The two hadn't spoken at all since that incident. Strictly speaking, Loki had been avoiding Peter. And Peter, harboring no good feelings toward him, had no desire to talk either.

So Peter thought:

This guy... just how much does he hate losing?

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