Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: 24. Let's Do One Thing Together
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Rustle, rustle.
The narrow path leading to the academy's back mountain.
Following silently behind Professor Clay, who climbed without making a single breath, the students moved in pairs.
"Today, we're gathering azure moss. The kind that grows in damp rock crevices or around old tree roots deep in the forest."
The professor's voice wasn't particularly loud or soft, but perhaps because the path was so quiet.
It rang out clearly enough to reach even me at the very back.
"Listen up. Azure moss carries a blue hue, just like its name."
"And it's extremely delicate. Even the slightest rough touch will make it wilt or discolor right away, so harvest it with care—like handling a baby."
"Yes, sir!"
'Overdoing it a bit.'
As if he were some training camp instructor.
As soon as he finished speaking, the students scattered, rummaging through the forest in search of moss.
Of course, no matter how many commoner students there were, how many could have actual experience gathering herbs in a forest like this?
"H-Hey, is this it maybe?"
"Dunno... Honestly, I can't tell it from weeds."
"Same here..."
"Just look for the ones with a blue tint."
Most of the students—no, maybe everyone except me and Hyera.
They peeked at the professor nervously, flipping over patches of ground based on the info he'd given.
"Miss Hyera."
"Y-Yes? Y-Yes, sir!? Wh-Why are you calling meee?"
"Over here."
I beckoned the unnecessarily tense Hyera and found a spot with fewer people, shaded and secluded.
"Um... E-Evan, young master?"
"Call me casually. We're just fellow students."
I was nobility in name only, practically disowned by my family anyway.
So I wished she'd drop the noble talk.
'Though explaining my whole situation would be weird too.'
Saying something like, 'I'm a bastard, so no need for noble treatment,' as an intro? Yeah, no.
I shrugged after a moment's thought.
Gulp.
After agonizing, she nodded vigorously, as if she'd made up her mind.
"O-Okay... G-Got it. Uh, got it...!"
"Just call me Evan. I'll call you Hyera too."
"Y-Yeah! E-Evaaan... Hehe."
Her face lit up like she'd accomplished something huge, fists clenched tight.
If I said she looked like a hamster stuffing its cheeks with sunflower seeds, would she get mad?
"B-But Evan... Where are we going...?"
"Hm. This spot looks good for gathering."
I'd been about to settle down anyway.
'Perfect here.'
A faint blue glow seeped from the damp rock crevices. That had to be the azure moss.
Plenty of it too, so if some discolored during harvest, I could just grab more.
And it was secluded enough to slack off until the professor called us back.
"Alright."
I nodded in satisfaction, plopping down and rolling up my sleeves.
Hyera fidgeted over, hesitant.
"E-Evan! B-But you're a noble... Let me handle the dirty work..."
"It's fine. A little dirt won't kill me."
I brushed the soil off my hands and grinned casually.
I'd dealt with way worse rolling around in the mountains.
Try standing in a blizzard for an hour—no, even thirty minutes.
Compared to that, this dirt play was practically a vacation.
"Hyera, check that rock crevice over there? Looked like some good ones earlier."
"O-Okay...!"
Hyera scurried off almost at a run to inspect it.
I glanced to confirm she was harvesting carefully, then started slowly myself.
Azure moss lived up to its name, with a subtle blue sheen at the leaf tips.
Not super obvious, of course.
Anyone clueless about herbs wouldn't distinguish it from regular moss.
You had to know what you were looking for.
"Got one."
I reached for the shiniest one.
The texture was cool and soft against my fingertips.
'Handle delicately, huh.'
Bzzz.
I focused a bit of mana at my fingertips and gently pried it loose.
Yanking it would damage the roots for sure.
Slowly. Keep the roots intact, not a single leaf harmed.
Crack. Crackle.
"Done."
It popped off perfectly into my palm, roots whole, glowing faintly.
I'd only known it from books, so I was a little nervous, but my hands worked better than expected.
'Maybe I've got a knack for this.'
I chuckled at the silly thought and dropped it in the basket.
Harvested this cleanly, even that damn professor couldn't nitpick.
"Wow...!"
A small gasp from the side. I turned to see Hyera peering into my basket with wide eyes.
"A-Amazing, Evan! Harvesting it perfectly, roots and all...!"
"Just got lucky."
I replied flatly to her overly enthusiastic praise.
Honestly, it was skill, not luck—but no need to brag.
"N-No way! Azure moss has fragile roots. One wrong move and they snap. I failed a ton at first..."
She shook her head hard, denying my modesty, eyes sparkling with genuine awe.
Her initial shyness was gone; talking about her passion made words flow easily.
'If she acted like this normally, Rosalyn types wouldn't push her around.'
"How're you doing, Hyera? Find any?"
"Y-Yeah! Got a few... Wanna see?"
She shyly held out her basket.
Inside were several pristine azure mosses, rivaling mine.
"...Nice. You've got real skill."
"Hehe... Th-Thanks. I've helped my parents gather herbs since I was little..."
Her face flushed again, eyes twinkling behind her glasses.
She looked just like a puppy thrilled by praise. Without thinking...
Pat, pat.
I reached out and lightly stroked her head.
Soft hair against my fingers.
"E-E-Evan!?"
Ah.
She jolted, hands flying to her head, stumbling back. Only then did it hit me.
"...Sorry. Reflex. Just wanted to pet you."
"H-Huh. N-No!"
'Hold it in.'
She clutched her burning cheeks, flustered. It was so cute I nearly burst out laughing, but I held back.
Laugh now and it'd be a total misunderstanding.
"That should be enough waiting. Everyone, gather up!"
The professor's voice echoed faintly from afar.
Didn't feel like much time had passed, but apparently it had flown by.
"Looks like we've got plenty. Time to head back?"
"Y-Yeah!"
Her basket was already heaping, yet she looked so wistful as she stood from her crouch.
I added the last of my moss and rose.
[By the way, my lord. Isn't that a bit much azure moss?]
"...It's all part of the plan."
"Y-Yeah? Evan, d-did you say something?"
"Nah."
She glanced back from ahead, but I shook my head.
Wasn't talking to her.
'If I process and sell this right, I could make some decent cash.'
I gazed fondly at the full basket.
Azure moss was just a mana recovery aid on its own.
But mixed right with other herbs, it made solid potions.
Tricky to craft, sure.
And everywhere—academy included—demand for potions never stopped.
Of course, I'd need a skilled crafter.
Stockpiling materials without processing skills? Useless.
Glance.
"Heh... A bit short, but this should be enough, right?"
I eyed Hyera, still looking regretful.
Who better than her?
Passionate about alchemy, proven skills.
And easy to work with... er, good communicator.
'Perfect. Time to recruit her.'
I matched her pace and broached casually.
"Hey, Hyera."
"Y-Yeah?"
"You know how to make potions?"
"Hm? Y-Yeah, basics at least."
Figured. She was the only early-game potion-maker.
I inwardly cheered, suppressing a grin.
"...So, potions from azure moss?"
"M-Moss? Hm..."
She paused, pondering.
Then slowly opened her mouth.
"...N-Never tried, but it could work."
Bingo.
No need to ask more.
Just needed confirmation.
"B-But moss alone won't do. Need catalysts, more ingredients..."
I nodded along vaguely as she explained eagerly.
I knew moss alone wasn't enough.
Extras required too.
"Ah, that's fine. I can get them."
I said confidently to her puzzled look.
Locations were already mapped in my head.
"...Really?"
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Yeah. That's why... I need your help with something."
"Help? With what?"
Exactly. No one else could do it.
I put on a serious face, grabbed both her hands.
"Let's partner up on a job."
"...A job?"
She blinked at my sudden pitch.
"Yeah. I'll get the materials, you brew the potions. Split the sales 50-50."
"B-But... Can we sell stuff in the academy...?"
Hahaha!
...Of course not. Getting caught would be chaos.
Unauthorized potion-making and sales? Serious rules violation.
Demerits at best, suspension at worst. Risky.
'If we don't get caught, no problem.'
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Officially? No."
"Th-Then we shouldn't..."
She trailed off, hesitant.
Strong aversion to breaking academy rules, huh.
'Just a little more push.'
Time for the clincher.
"Hyera. You need money, right?"
"...Huh?"
Her eyes shook, hit right on target.
Alchemy was a money pit.
Reagents, tools, materials—all pricey.
For a commoner like her, a real burden.
She was S-Class talented, got perks, but not enough for her alchemy cravings.
"Think about it. Buy those rare herbs you want. New alchemy gear."
Her eyes wavered wildly at the devilish whisper.
Probably picturing fancy cauldrons and exotics floating in her head.
"I'll handle all materials, risks too. You just brew safely."
I landed the final blow, sure she was hooked.
"Sound good?"
She swallowed hard.
Desire versus reason waged war visibly.
After agonizing, she finally nodded.
"...O-Okay. But... We can't get caught. Ever."
"Obviously."
I grinned confidently, patting her shoulder.
Contract sealed.
No backing out later, got it?