Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: My Ability Pat Pat -1
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‘Let’s get a grasp on the situation first.’
My initial panic from realizing I was inside a game—and that the girl in front of me might kill me—faded quickly.
I started searching for a way out of this mess.
From what I remembered, this Ophelia girl was part of the Disciplinary Committee.
[Disciplinary Committee’s Mad Dog Enforcer – Ophelia]
A member of the Disciplinary Committee.
And among them, one of the enforcers with the authority to deal with students directly.
They were the ones who dragged off rule-breakers and passed judgment.
Ophelia, in particular, had earned the nickname "Mad Dog" for going berserk in every fight.
‘Alone with a girl like that, huh.’
I must have done something wrong.
Or maybe I’d been framed.
Otherwise, there’d be no reason for me to be locked up in a place like this interrogation room.
“Hmph…”
Ophelia stared at me intently.
“It’d be better for you to come clean right away.”
“What if I invoke my right to silence?”
“That wouldn’t end well for you.”
Ophelia glared at me with sharp eyes.
But what could she do? I really didn’t know a thing.
After a moment of thought, I decided to be honest.
“I have no idea.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know what I did wrong.”
With this cocky attitude, I got the expected response.
Really? You don’t know what you did wrong?
You did this?
Something like that.
“...Since you keep dodging, I’ll spell it out for you.”
“...”
“Cultivating narcotic plants. That’s the charge against you, senior.”
And sure enough, Ophelia laid out my supposed crime.
Narcotics cultivation, no less.
‘Doesn’t Healing Academy have a rule against that?’
I wanted to say, What kind of healing game has stuff like that?
‘But I can’t be sure.’
Where’s the line anymore? They even threw in heroines stabbing you to death.
Still, admitting guilt right away wasn’t an option.
Not when nothing was certain yet. Bow my head just like that?
My pride wouldn’t allow it.
“Do you have solid proof that it’s narcotics?”
“We already collected the plants you were growing in your room ourselves.”
“No, I won’t admit it. Go pick some fresh ones.”
“Hmph?”
“Come check them yourself. See if they’re narcotics or not.”
A gamble, challenging her to verify in person.
There was a chance they really were drugs, but sitting idle got me nowhere.
“And if they really are narcotics?”
“Then I’ll cooperate fully with the investigation.”
“...Very well. I hope your denial holds up, senior.”
Click.
The handcuffs on my wrists came off.
“Not even cuffing me?”
“No need to fear an unarmed regular student.”
“Pretty confident, huh.”
“More than you, senior.”
She had a sharp tongue.
Yeah, that’s how you avoid getting pushed around.
“Then let’s go.”
Was it some homing instinct?
I’d never been this way before, but my feet moved on their own.
“Lead the way, senior.”
“I’ll prove it. I don’t grow that stuff.”
“We’ll see when we get there.”
Ignoring the killing intent prickling my back, I walked on.
“It’d be wise not to try anything funny.”
“Got it, got it.”
Running would just get me caught by Ophelia anyway.
And the crashing waves made me abandon the idea entirely.
‘Where could I even go on an island? No boat in sight.’
Waves crashed against the shore.
The breeze carried the sharp tang of salt.
Healing Academy. No, Winchester Academy, the stage of Healing Academy.
Winchester Academy was built on an island isolated from the mainland.
The surrounding seas were plagued by storms, and the deep waters teemed with monsters.
Boats came only rarely to such a place.
For all its remoteness and menace…
‘It’s pretty gorgeous.’
No wonder it was the main stage for a healing game.
Mist-shrouded forests with a dreamlike haze, neatly maintained paths.
A glimpse sideways revealed a crisp blue horizon stretching to the sea.
I’d love to sit on a bench and catch my breath, but…
“How much farther?”
“Almost there.”
“You’re not stalling, are you?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I hope not.”
Not the time.
First, let’s collect those plants.
That should give me some direction.
We arrived in the residential area where regular students gathered.
Small and plain compared to the nobles’ district. The academy preached equality, but these details revealed the truth.
Anyway.
I ignored the stares and headed for the house with the blue roof.
“This the place?”
“Yeah.”
“Pretty ordinary for a criminal’s home.”
“Guess we’ll find out if I’m a criminal soon enough.”
“That we will.”
Feeling the piercing glares, I pulled out my key.
It fit perfectly, and the door swung open.
The room was… utterly ordinary.
Not too small, not too big. Just average.
The only unusual thing was how one wall was completely overtaken by potted plants.
Ophelia pointed at them with a finger.
“Those plants.”
“...”
“Well? Tell me what they are.”
I approached the flower bed and stared at the plants.
Sadly, I had no skill in identifying them. I was a psychology major, not botany.
But I still had one trick up my sleeve.
‘Identification.’
Even if this was the Healing Academy sequel world and I’d gained game abilities, gathering one should reveal what it was via the system.
‘Let’s see.’
I plucked one of the neatly planted herbs.
Shluck.
It came out easily, without resistance.
The moment I held the plant, text appeared before my eyes.
[Gathering Compendium Registered: Lavender - A herb with sedative and calming effects, helpful for temporary insomnia or stress relief.]
Sure enough.
‘Just a herb.’
Lavender, at that.
Wasn’t that a super common plant?
“It’s a herb. Just lavender.”
“I figured.”
“The kind you see everywhere—”
Hold on.
What did she just say?
“We already knew that.”
She already knew?
Ophelia stepped forward and pulled a pouch from her pocket.
Inside were a few dried petals glowing faint purple.
“We’re not idiots in the Disciplinary Committee. We had students from the Druid Department verify them, of course.”
“And?”
“Slightly modified, but plain old lavender.”
I felt a pang of confusion.
“Then why lie about it being narcotics? What’s the reason?”
Ophelia sighed as I spoke.
Her heels clicked with irritation.
“Simple. Ward filed the complaint. Said you were illegally growing drugs, Ethan.”
Ward?
Rang a bell.
Who was it again…
“Ward… Ward… Oh.”
I remembered.
“That slimeball?”
“Yes. That slimeball.”
For the first time, we were on the same page.
“It was that guy.”
Healing Academy 2 had a noble character named Ward.
The classic arrogant noble villain, steeped in elitism.
He clashed with the protagonist and stirred up various incidents.
“He reported me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Probably sore about losing to you in some duel. No idea what it was about.”
He’d crossed the line this time.
Lucky for me, it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared.
I’d thought I was headed to the Disciplinary Committee basement.
Phew.
‘Wait a sec.’
Relief aside, one thing didn’t add up.
“Then why come to me personally?”
If it was a fake report, she could’ve just gone after Ward and called it a day.
“Just in case. To double-check it was ordinary lavender. And… the accuser’s a noble. Gotta put on a show.”
Ah, so basically…
“For appearances?”
“Exactly. My showing up here checks the box. I’m kinda famous, you know.”
“Seems like it.”
“So you can get back to your routine, senior. Just… don’t grow any narcotics. If rumors like that start…”
Ophelia trailed off, her eyes flashing.
Like a hunting dog eyeing prey.
She looked fierce.
Is that why they call her Mad Dog?
“I won’t.”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
She softened her gaze, then rubbed her eyes with a finger.
She looked exhausted.
‘Exhausted?’
That means…
“I need to get Ward’s warrant issued, so I’ll be going.”
“...”
“Thanks for cooperating. See you.”
“Hold on, Ophelia.”
“What? Filing a formal complaint?”
“No.”
“Of course. I get it. Even if it was for show, it’s unpleasant. Take it out on Ward when we charge him with false accusation—”
She really doesn’t listen.
“Hear me out.”
“...Fine?”
“Can’t send a guest away empty-handed. Have some tea first.”
The charges were nothing major.
[Herb Tea Brewing LV1], right?
Might as well test my abilities now.
‘Besides.’
Ophelia intrigued me most.
Fierce like her Mad Dog rep, but not the murderous type.
You can’t know someone right away, sure… but isn’t that what talking’s for?
“I’m busy.”
“You’ve got time for one cup.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll make it. Just drink and go.”
Ophelia hesitated, then…
“Alright. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but refusing hospitality from someone who helped isn’t polite.”
She finally sat.
“Wait here. Be right back.”
Leaving Ophelia behind, I opened a small blue box to make tea.
[Ice Golem Box - A box made from an ice golem’s ice core. Essential for summer.]
It held only a bottle of water, but that was enough.
‘Everything I need is here.’
I set a kettle on the counter—like a gas stove—and filled it with water.
“Those lavender leaves… Did I grow them?”
“Yes, but…”
“Can I have some?”
“Here.”
“Thanks. Need dried leaves for this.”
As I set the lavender down, text floated in the air above the boiling kettle.
<Recipe>
[Beverage Crafting]
Like this, huh.
Below <Recipe>, categories appeared. Selecting [Beverage Crafting] expanded the recipes.
The screen showed various recipes and images.
Most were grayed out, sadly.
Probably unlocked by gathering ingredients or finding recipes.
Only [Lavender Tea] was available now.
‘No choice. If this is all I can make, it’ll have to do.’
I pressed Lavender Tea firmly.
Tension hit me—I wasn’t exactly a tea expert.
I usually just used teabags.
Dump in hot water, steep roughly.
But apparently, there was a proper way.
My body moved on autopilot, starting the process.
Rubbed petals to release aroma, boiled water, cooled to perfect temp, then the performance began.
Glug-glug-glug.
Hot water poured from the spout in a graceful arc.
From on high, it drew a vivid curve into the cup.
Smooth motions I could hardly believe were mine.
Fluid as water itself.
Ophelia watched, eyes wide in surprise.
“Senior, have you ever worked as a bartender?”
Her shock turned to fascination.
Not a bad sign. A little interest might lower my odds of dying?
‘For that…’
To perfect it, I prepped lavender—fresh flowers this time.
Rinsed clean, plucked a few, floated them on top. Pretty is tasty, after all.
Final touch done…
Pooof!
A yellow starburst and puff of smoke filled the room with fragrance.
[Success! The dish is complete!]
[Skill - Herb Tea Brewing effect increases the tea’s efficacy.]
[Lavender Tea - Herb tea made with lavender. Helps with insomnia and stress. Finished with floating flowers for extra aroma. A fine, classic brew.]
Lavender Tea, complete.
Just like in the game—beautiful yellow hue.
“I-I’ve never seen tea this pretty…”
“Tastes even better, I bet.”
“That confident?”
“Try it.”
“Yes, senior. Cheers.”
Clink.
Ophelia lifted the cup, savoring the aroma lightly.
Then, whoosh—she blew gently to cool it.
“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—”
“...”
“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—”
“...Like iced tea better?”
“Sorry. I’m bad with hot drinks.”
She kept blowing for ages.
Finally, when it cooled enough, she took her first sip.
The liquid slipped past her lips and down her throat.
Her verdict:
“...It’s good.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Work’s been piling up lately… This relaxes me. Thanks, senior.”
Ophelia sipped steadily, looking very pleased.
As the cup emptied halfway…
Ding!
‘A message?’
Text appeared in the air.
[Target’s tension has eased. Special skill Pat Pat is now available.]
‘Pat Pat, huh.’
Weird name, but it was my power now.
‘...Let’s try it.’
Time to see how this skill worked.
[Use special skill - Pat Pat to enter conversation with Ophelia Scarletstar?]