Chapter 23

"Aa, I'm so tired."

The fatigue from yesterday's work still lingered in my back.

I must have overdone it digging holes.

Classes at the academy are starting today.

For the first week, we are allowed to freely attend any elective courses we choose.

Dragging my heavy body, I made my way to the first class of the day: Herbology.

It was the first subject that piqued my interest among the electives, so I came without hesitation.

When the time came, about 30 students gathered in the herbology classroom.

It seemed there were slightly more females.

The instructor was also a woman.

"Thank you all for coming. I am Amari, and I will be teaching herbology."

After the bell rang, the woman introduced herself as Amari. She looked to be in her 30s, and her round glasses frames accentuated her gentle face.

"Herbology is a very practical field of study. What you learn today could be useful tomorrow."

Yes, that's exactly why I chose this subject.

I have no interest in theoretical studies.

To put it bluntly, I want knowledge that can make money.

Good herbs can be traded for high prices by merchants. I intend to gain as much knowledge as I can from this class.

"Herbs are somewhat expensive for the average person to obtain. My goal is to develop a variety that anyone can easily grow. I also run a seminar, so if you're interested, feel free to join."

Amari smiled gently.

There's a wonderful person here too.

"However, since this is the first class, please feel free to look around the herbs. I would be happy if you decide to officially take this course after becoming interested."

The instructor smiled again. Yes, it's a healing smile.

"By the way, don't bite the herbs just because your mouth feels dry. Some of them can be dangerous."

Following the instructor's instructions, everyone freely examined the herbs.

The herbology classroom is on the north side of the school building, using a first-floor classroom.

Inside the classroom, plants suitable for indoor cultivation were placed, and those better suited for outdoor cultivation were properly placed outside.

Incidentally, this classroom alone has a wall broken through to connect directly with the outside.

Herbs are also hung on the walls and ceiling, and the variety and number of herbs cultivated outside are abundant.

The vast land is being fully utilized. There is far more to see than can be covered in one hour.

Looking into the distance, I could see something like a greenhouse.

Thinking about how many herbs they must be cultivating made me a little excited.

"Hey, you're Kururi Helan, right?"

A boy in a hood approached me as I was looking at the herbs.

He was on the shorter side, and his complexion was a bit pale.

Actually, he stinks!!

A strong herbal smell was coming from him.

"Y-Yes, but I'm trying not to breathe through my nose," I replied.

"I'm Tot Gap. I'm interested in you."

"H-Huh?"

Oh no, I can't focus on the conversation.

Ah, he stinks so much!

"Ah, are you bothered by the smell? Wait a moment, I'll take off this jacket."

With that, Tot removed his hood and jacket, placing them in the corner of the classroom.

As he approached, I cautiously tried to breathe through my nose.

It doesn't smell!

Phew.

It doesn't smell!

"That's something I wear to keep people away. Most people who don't like the smell tend to leave."

People repellent!? I've never heard of that before.

"By the way, do you have something to talk about?"

"Yeah, I'm glad you're interested in herbs. I want you to see the varieties I've developed."

"Developed? You've created herbs?"

"Yep. I'm a genius, you know. Come on, this way."

He led me to an area with many greenhouses.

He took me into one of them, and I looked inside.

Herbs were hanging from the ceiling and densely planted on the ground.

There were hand-sized ones and even ones as tall as a person.

They were all strange herbs I had never seen before.

"What do you think? They're all herbs I've created."

"All? Isn't this the herbology classroom?"

"Yeah, but I'm part of Amari's seminar, so I've borrowed one greenhouse."

"Wow, that's impressive."

I walked around the greenhouse a bit.

Although I had never seen these herbs before, some of them were very beautiful.

They were so beautiful that I touched them with my hand.

The leaves were smooth.

"You can touch that, but don't smell it. You'll end up sleeping until tomorrow and losing some of your memory. I've already conducted clinical trials, so the effects are confirmed."

Clinical trials? That's a scary thing to say.

Who did the trials? Is it okay to ask!?

I cautiously moved my hand to touch other herbs.

"You can touch that too, but don't eat it. It will make you vomit everything in your stomach. By the way, I've also completed clinical trials for that."

Who did it to!?

"Is there any herb that's safe?"

"Well, this one. If you smell it, you'll fly to heaven. It will take you to a world of free imagination for a whole day."

That's not good!

I pushed the herb Tot handed me back to him.

It seems our values are a bit different.

"Is there anything more practical, like herbs that can cure diseases?"

"Of course."

He went to the back of the greenhouse, saying he would be right back.

He seemed to be digging in the ground.

"Can I help?"

"No, it's fine."

After a while, Tot returned with his hands dirty.

He held something that looked like a distorted root.

"If you eat this, you'll feel a surge of energy throughout your body. It could be useful for patients who need a temporary boost of strength during surgery."

"There is something like that. Show me more of these."

"Well, there aren't many. This one is actually a failed experiment. I was trying to create a herb that would make muscles expand. This is more like a prototype."

... What is he aiming for?

I want to ask a little more.

"There's even a love herb. I think it could sell for a good price."

"Hmm..."

... I might want one.

"Let's get to the main point. I called you, Kururi, because I'm interested in your club. There are nearly 50 members, right? I want a few of them to be my test subjects regularly. Of course, I'll pay them."

I see.

"Of course, I refuse. It's too dangerous. Can't you continue with the subjects from your clinical trials?"

"There's only one. That would result in insufficient data."

"But I can't lend my club members. I'm the responsible club leader."

"Che, I thought you would understand."

Tot looked down and clicked his tongue.

He looked quite disappointed. I feel a bit sorry for him.

"Why are you so desperate to develop herbs?"

"..." Tot didn't answer, still looking down.

"Well, if you don't want to say, that's fine."

"... It's about money. I'm a noble, but from a small branch of a minor fief, and I'm the fourth son. I need to earn my own living in the future. I thought you, being a noble, were doing blacksmithing for the same reason, but I was wrong."

... No, you're not wrong! I can't tell him my true thoughts.

I'm forging iron to ensure I won't struggle in the future!

We are actually comrades!

"Huh, I see."

"Are you laughing at me? That's why I hate spoiled noble brats."

Tot's mood seemed to be at its worst.

"Is there any herb that could make a lot of money?"

"Huh!?"

"I'm asking if there's a herb that can make money."

"Well, I haven't sold any yet, so I don't know. But the love herb might sell."

"Hmm, controlling people's thoughts is too dangerous. Let's skip that one."

"What about a herb that opens all your pores?"

What is that?

I almost commented.

"Your development is quite extreme."

"Yeah, I usually act on impulse."

"Anyway, make a list of herbs that might sell. I'll help you sell them."

"Really!? Why?"

"Well, let's talk about that another time."

"Got it. When do we start selling? We can start tomorrow."

"Selling at the academy is not a good idea. Besides, it's not organized yet.

We'll sell them three months from now, during the summer break, in my Helan territory. We'll develop the necessary herbs until then. I'll help after school, so let's work hard."

"Thanks. I'll handle the development, Kururi!"

Tot showed his best smile of the day, despite his pale complexion.

"My territory is famous for its hot springs."

"I know, it's famous."

"Many ladies seeking beauty come here. How about it? Can you smell the money?"

"Yeah, I can! It smells so strong!"

"Herbs that enhance beauty are what we need now, Tot!"

"Beauty, herbs that enhance beauty..."

"That's right. Those are the herbs that will make money. Moreover, we need herbs that have no side effects, no matter how much is used."

"No side effects? That's impossible."

"We have to do it anyway. Don't underestimate the desires of the ladies!"

"... Che"

Looking at him, Tot was gnawing on his nails. It seemed his mind was already racing.

"Got it. I'll try. If you have any ideas, Kururi, please share them. I'll take them into consideration."

"Got it. Let's visit here a few times a week. Our goal is to complete one beauty herb by the summer break in three months."

"Got it."

I'm sure Tot and I are making the most lecherous faces today.

Why do people make such lecherous faces when thinking about money?