The Tree Elf's Disciple Offer
Living in the middle of a forest with no nearby villages meant that digging up a single herb like this was no big deal.
Though I didn't expect it to come right out like that.
And for the professor to take an interest so quickly...
Something feels off.
Murdersonal approached me and examined the herb I'd pulled up from every angle.
The herb, reacting to my Divine Power, had obediently extended its stem straight and proud.
"You... have... talent.... You pulled it... perfectly... Do your parents... have anything to do with... alchemy... by chance...?"
"Nope."
"Or perhaps... you lived... in a forest...?"
"Yeah, I lived in the forest."
"Even so... this is... impressive work...."
The tree elf handed the herb back to me, her face twisting awkwardly.
So... that's her smile?
"You... have talent...."
"Thanks for the compliment, even if it's empty flattery."
"No... not flattery... I don't do... that sort of thing.... You have... a gift for alchemy...."
...All for handling one herb?
"I haven't even made a potion yet."
"That doesn't... matter.... The most important thing... in alchemy... is a delicate touch... If you can handle herbs... with care... it'll help a lot... when making potions too."
Fair enough. People with good dexterity are good at making stuff with their hands, period.
But I couldn't quite wrap my head around her being so convinced after just one herb.
"You look... like you don't get it...."
Professor Murdersonal nodded, as if she understood my confusion perfectly.
"You'll understand... as you take the class...."
"...?"
Wait, you're just gonna leave it at that?
Murdersonal started heading back to her spot but paused.
Right next to me.
Ashy was mangling her herb.
Crunch!
"Ah! Broke it again...."
The crushed herb in her hands looked like it was screaming in agony.
Ugh, that precious thing...
No matter how you sliced it, she clearly couldn't control her strength enough to handle herbs delicately.
But she seemed totally oblivious to why.
"Why is it so fragile...?"
"...Herbs... aren't trees.... They just look similar...."
She was so dumbfounded she even pointed out the obvious.
Ashy's ear tips flushed red.
She was genuinely embarrassed.
"Try again... gently...."
"Yes, got it."
Ashy gripped the herb stem with an ultra-careful expression.
No, if you grab it like that—
Snap!
And just like that, one herb departed this world with its body snapped in half....
"Ahhh...."
"You... stop pulling now... No more for you...."
The stem was shattered beyond repair.
Since every bit of her strength was infused with mana, recovery seemed impossible.
Ashy nodded glumly, shoulders slumped.
"Okay...."
As Murdersonal returned to the front, the dejected Ashy placed her hands neatly on her lap.
I whispered to her so quietly no one else could hear.
"Didn't you say your mercenary days helped with this stuff?"
"I never said I could do it...."
True, but still.
I held back from teasing her.
Her slumped shoulders and reddened ear tips were rare sights....
I'll let it slide this time.
Teasing could wait.
I didn't say I wouldn't.
"P-Princess...."
"Don't talk to me."
"Y-Yes...."
Umaru fidgeted, unsure what to do.
In her hand was a slightly sloppy but intact herb.
But in Banasi's—
"...These herbs are too frail. Right?"
"O-Of course! The herb was so frail it snapped on its own!"
—a herb snapped clean in half.
Whether from the humiliation of failing at one simple herb, Banasi wore a rare expression of restrained emotion.
A faint glow spilled from the broken herb.
Whoosh—the herb vanished, and the spot where it had been pulled wriggled.
Pop.
A fresh herb regrew perfectly.
Banasi glared murderously at it, then suddenly noticed something.
"Gently... no! Gently! Like handling your own child! You gonna yank your kid that hard?"
"Ch-Child...? Wh-Whose...."
"Try imagining anything weird and you're dead. Anyway, how do you not control your strength?"
"...For someone with your or my physical abilities, it's normal not to control this yet."
"Normal? Norrrrrmal? There's no such thing! Keep at it till you get it."
"...Can't I just stick to brute force?"
"I could probably take you."
"...."
Ashy Blue—top of the freshmen class, cold as the sea and hard to approach—was getting absolutely grilled.
It was novel, a bit bewildering.
Wasn't this the girl who stayed stone-faced even facing her father?
...She into that kinda thing?
She seemed almost... enjoying it?
"Umaru."
"Y-Yes?"
"Step aside a sec. I need to talk to Eugene."
"...Princess. He's—"
"Umaru."
Umaru tried to persuade her but gave up at Banasi's icy tone, nodding.
"...Understood."
As Umaru stepped away to ask Murdersonal a question, Banasi stared at her mangled hands, wiped them with a wet wipe, and headed to Eugene.
"No, more gently.... Huh?"
Eugene, helping Ashy, made a puzzled noise at Banasi's approach.
Banasi's pride stung at needing help from a fellow student, but she swallowed it.
...Can't be empress if I can't even pull one herb.
"Got a sec?"
"Huh? Sure. Ashy, you okay?"
"Mmm...? No? Not at all."
"?"
Banasi and Ashy's eyes met.
Those deep, unknowable dark blue eyes curved into half-moons, holding an emotion that could be fondness or hostility.
"Long time no see, Princess. Hope you've been well."
"...Of course I have. You too, Ashy?"
"Naturally. Got a new business venture going—it's booming."
...Business?
Ashy's gaze flicked to Eugene, then back.
Banasi caught it and inwardly scoffed.
Ha.
So, hands off the guy she had her eye on?
"...."
Banasi almost said she didn't care but paused.
Eugene was handsome. Black hair to his shoulders, red eyes, slim idol-like features....
She acknowledged his looks, but he wasn't her type.
But seeing Ashy react like that...
This could be fun.
Banasi licked her lips subtly, shifting her expression.
"Is that so? Must keep you busy."
Ashy's face twitched at the change.
Oh, this is fun.
Delighted by Ashy's unfamiliar reaction, Banasi tucked her hair behind her ear, leaned in slightly, and whispered to Eugene.
"Mind helping me out?"
A proposal even a noble guy couldn't easily refuse.
But Eugene was a man among men, beyond petty nobles.
"Uh... me?"
"?!"
Rejected flat-out!
It sounded like he hadn't heard, but his intent was clear: no.
"..."
Her poker face slipped in shock, but she recovered like a true princess.
Looks not working...? Fine, he was hot himself, and with his company...
It made sense.
I'm way prettier.
Adria was comparable, but Banasi was more mature and alluring.
At least that's what she thought.
Since looks failed, time for plan B.
He loves money, right?
Ahem. Clearing her throat, Banasi tried again.
"Naturally, I'll pay you properly."
"Oh... proper compensation? Then yeah, I'll help. Ashy, be right back."
"Have fun~"
"...."
One word about money and Eugene gave the OK sign. Seeing that—and Ashy's cheer—made Banasi's gut boil.
But she decided not to take it personally.
Money was the easiest thing to handle in the world. With enough cash, it'd never betray her!
Thought he didn't hear. Whatever, money's money.
Of course, Eugene loved money like crazy, but he wasn't obsessed.
Not that he wasn't.
It was just free money this time!
"Alright. Teach me how to pull this easily."
"I'll explain it so even a kindergartener gets it."
And ten minutes later.
"No! Don't grab it like that! Lighter, sooo~ftly. You ever held a baby sibling?"
Acting casual didn't mean this casual, did it?
...Did I drag him here for nothing?
"Today's... class... ends... here...."
"Thank you for your hard work!!!"
Class was finally over.
Ashy and Banasi had spiked my blood pressure; my neck throbbed.
Agh, my neck...
Rubbing it as I stood, the professor at the front beckoned me.
"?"
Following her out of the classroom, she led me to the room opposite.
Clank, rattle.
The lab.
Stepping into the room buzzing with experiments, I blinked around in confusion.
...What the hell is this place?
Not illegal experiments or anything—just standard ones everywhere.
How much sunlight for photosynthesis, best nutrient efficiency...
"Uuuugh...."
"How many hours did I sleep...?"
But why were they all zombies...?
In this shocking scene, the tree elf proposed with a benevolent smile.
"Won't you... become my... disciple... in this class...?"
"I'm already taking your class."
"No... I mean... my personal disciple...."
In other words...
'Join grad school and hang with these zombies?'
I glanced behind Murdersonal without thinking.
One zombie—er, assistant professor—shook her head vigorously, arms in an X.
Shake shake!
Murdersonal slowly turned; the assistant went wild, shaking head and body in a dance.
"Wheee... so funnn~...."
I decided then and there.
"Thanks for the offer, really...."
"If you're grateful... then join us...?"
"No, I need... a bit more time to think...."
No way in hell I'd be her disciple!
Murdersonal looked disappointed but let me go without pressing.
Phew. Dodged a bullet.
Almost joined the zombie horde.
Ashy, waiting outside, asked curiously.
"Eugene. Where'd you go?"
"Took a quick tour of hell...."
"?"
After Eugene left, Murdersonal's wooden tendrils twitched.
What a shame...
He carried the scent of someone who'd lived long in the forest.
Plus, only she—a tree elf—could sense the aura of a priest beloved by the gods emanating from him.
But... plenty of chances ahead...
Nothing beat alchemy.
Great money, high status, useful everywhere...
These days, priests loved easy cash— no way he'd turn down her offer.
Just wait...
Behind her, the zombie-like assistants shuffled around, groaning "Uuuugh...."...