As Armis and Aurelia chatted in the corridor, Alan and Lyco walked behind them, lost in their own conversation, heading towards the classroom.
"Try to focus your thinking, imagine an image in your mind, and then concentrate on how it works, its mechanism," Alan advised Lyco. Lyco pondered this for a moment before approaching Alan with a question.
"So, what you're saying is that I have to become that thing? Is that what you mean, Alan?" Lyco inquired, prompting Alan to respond with a chuckle.
As they conversed, Alan's attention was drawn to Armis and Aurelia entering the classroom ahead of them. Following closely behind them was a man in a teacher's robe, his slicked-back hair adorned with a distinctive white strip of hair on his sideburns. Alan's gaze locked onto this man, his sharpening pupils following his moving figure.
As the man entered the classroom, Alan felt a sense of anticipation. His eyes widened as he observed the man's demeanor—an unmistakable aura of anger and purpose. Alan's glare intensified as the man glanced back at him before disappearing into the classroom. Alan could sense that this man was not just a teacher but someone with a sinister agenda.
As Alan followed the man into the classroom, he brushed off Lyco's questions, keeping his focus fixed on the man ahead. It was as if Alan feared that diverting his gaze for even a moment would lead to something dreadful unfolding.
Alan's intense focus was broken when the man directed his attention towards Alan's group with a voice dripping with narcissism and misogyny.
"Would you students kindly take your positions at the tables? I'm already pressed for time and have no interest in wasting more of it on teaching you lot the basics of classroom courtesy," the man remarked.
Surveying the classroom, Alan noted its stark differences from the others. There were no chairs, only tables adorned with two flasks of liquid—one purple, the other red. The walls, painted in a dull shade of grey, were adorned with windows, while behind the teacher's platform, caricatures of two leaves were etched into the wall, each labeled with the names "Sanita Herb" and "Venata Herb."
Alan positioned himself at the table behind Armis and Aurelia's. He maintained his piercing glare at the man, who began speaking in a dispassionate tone.
"My name is Master Venatus Venanatust, and I specialize in the research of herbs and resources found in Relic Castle, which we will be discussing today," Master Venatus stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
After his introduction, Master Venatus paused, his frustrated gaze momentarily drifting outside the classroom gate. Resuming his address, he said,
"Please forgive me, as I do not have much time on my hands. Today, we will focus solely on two herbs. Please observe the two vials sitting in front of you on the table."
Master Venatus then picked up the vial of red liquid from his platform, prompting all the students to inspect the identical vials on their respective tables.
After shaking the vial slightly, a small cloud of smoke of the same hue emanated from it. Master Venatus continued,
"This is the extract of Sanita herb found in the forest area of 11th to 15th floor in Relic Castle."
As he spoke, Master Venatus raised his other hand and swiftly chewed off a small part of his finger, causing blood to drip from the wound. The act shocked everyone in the room, including Alan, but their astonishment only grew as Master Venatus dropped a small amount of Sanita herb extract onto his fresh wound. With a slight glow of red hue, the wound skin healed as if it were new.
Alan blinked in disbelief, realizing that he was witnessing something unprecedented in all his travels.
While he had encountered medicines that excelled in healing wounds quickly, none matched the miraculous effects of the vial sitting before him. This revelation shed light on the prosperity of Pompeii despite its isolation from the world. Every kingdom, regardless of size, required medical resources to thrive, and the ability to share such knowledge through trade was crucial for their well-being.
"Before you attempt that yourself, I'd like you to observe the effects of the other vial,"
Master Venatus insisted. With a swift motion, he hurled the vial of Venata herb towards the wall near the entrance. Instantly, the wall ignited without a flame, emitting smoke as the portion touched by the liquid turned charred black. Approaching the wall, Master Venatus gently nicked it with his boot, causing the entire block of stone to deteriorate before everyone's eyes, leaving Alan stunned with surprise once again.
"This is Venata herb extract," Master Venatus declared as he resumed his position on the platform.
"It's the most potent venom known to mankind. Just a touch of it is enough to crumble the limbs of a giant man. It's abundant on lower floors, like the 6th and 7th. So, my advice to you all is to be cautious of what you touch as you explore these floors. Beware of its effects." With a pointed gesture towards the caricatures of the Venata flower, he emphasized the warning.
"Now, feel free to experiment with the vials yourselves," he concluded, granting the students permission to proceed with their tests.
As everyone heard Master Venatus's instructions, there was a moment of hesitation. Instead of reaching for the purple Venata Herb vial, they all opted to experiment with the Sanita herb vial.
Some students went to extreme lengths, chewing off their thumbs and watching in amazement as they regenerated them with the potion. Others poked at their eyes or scratched their arms deeply. Armis shocked everyone by punching himself so hard that the sound reverberated in the classroom, leaving his eye swollen with blood. Aurelia acted swiftly, pouring the Sanita herb potion on his face, and within moments, his eye returned to its normal state.
Lyco followed Master Venatus's example and gnawed on his finger, while Aurelia clawed at her hand. With the Sanita herb potion, both wounds vanished. Alan watched this chaotic scene unfold, feeling a sense of madness gripping the classroom. He glanced at Master Venatus, noticing the grim expression on his face, as if he were relishing the sight of students harming themselves.
Alan's thoughts raced as he looked down at the two vials on the table. Without hesitation, he made a split-second decision. In a daring move, he grabbed the Venata herb vial and gulped it down, followed swiftly by the Sanita herb vial.
All eyes were fixed on Alan as he embarked on his daring stunt. A searing sensation surged through his stomach, as if flames were raging within him. His abdomen throbbed with pain, and he instinctively gripped the desk with such force that its sides splintered. Concerned, his friends rushed to his aid, but Alan remained resolute, his eyes wide and his lips sealed tightly as if bearing the weight of a mountain.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, a chilling sensation washed over him, replacing the searing pain with an icy coldness in his stomach. Alan raised his head, sweat dripping from his temple, now cooled by the unexpected sensation. A smile slowly crept back onto his face.
"Remarkable, Mr. Alan," remarked Master Venatus, his voice tinged with taunt and a sinister smile playing on his lips.
"If you're interested, I have a variety of potions back in my Tarium. You could serve as an excellent test subject, should you wish." His gaze bore down on Alan with a stern intensity, leaving an unsettling aura in the air.
"As you witnessed, exemplified by Mr. Alan's bold demonstration," Master Venatus continued, the Sanita herb serves as a panacea for any injury, including those inflicted by Venata herb. However, the issue lies in its rarity. While Venata herb proliferates abundantly on various floors, Sanita herb is a precious rarity, only attainable after extensive searches on specific floors. Additionally, while Venata herb poses inherent danger even in its natural form, the potency of Sanita herb can only be harnessed through the extraction of its leaf juice, mixed with honey harvested by fairies on Floor 9," elucidated Master Venatus, stepping out from behind his platform.
"In addition to these, Relic Castle harbors a myriad of botanical wonders, ranging from aphrodisiac spores to mind-controlling mushrooms found on the heads of the Manus ants. However, due to the exigency of my current task, I'm afraid I must dismiss you for the day."
As the students began filing out of the classroom following Master Venatus's dismissal, Alan lingered behind, still grappling with the implications of the newfound knowledge. He trailed behind Lyco, the last to exit. Pausing at the doorway, Alan scrutinized the damage inflicted by the Venata herb on the stone, contemplating the potential consequences had he not imbibed the Sanita Herb.
"Alan, a moment please," Master Venatus's voice cut through the air, halting Alan in his tracks. Turning to face the teacher, Alan acknowledged him with a respectful nod. "Yes, Master Venatus?"
"I would like to speak with you... in private, if possible," Master Venatus's tone was serious, his gaze unwavering.
Alan glanced back at his concerned friends, then back to Master Venatus.
"Armis, everyone, do you mind waiting for me in the food hall?" he asked politely, a humble smile on his face.
"Sure, please hurry back. We'll be waiting," Armis replied, echoed by nods of agreement from Aurelia and Lyco, before they made their way towards the food hall, leaving Alan to face Master Venatus alone.
As the group departed, Master Venatus waited until they were out of earshot, his gaze fixed on them.
Alan could sense the impending confrontation, feeling the weight of Master Venatus's scrutiny. He knew this encounter was inevitable, likely tied to Master Venatus's objection to Alan's victory in the trials.
Throughout the class, Alan had sensed the sinister aura emanating from Master Venatus, understanding the potential danger of missteps in this confrontation. With caution in mind, Alan kept his hands behind his back, nails digging into his palms.
"So, Mr. Alan, that was quite a bold move you made there," Master Venatus remarked, his tone laced with veiled suspicion.
Alan responded with a forced smile, masking his apprehension.
"What can I say, sir? Theory only gets you so far; true knowledge lies in practical experience."
Upon hearing Alan's response, Master Venatus bit his lip in frustration before speaking.
"Well, there are other, more effective ways to gain practical experience. But if you prefer this method, I could show you some vials that would align with your approach."
Alan politely declined, asserting his preference for controlling what enters his body.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I like to maintain control over what goes into my body."
Master Venatus's tone turned accusatory as he countered, his posture lowering, lips quickly reaching for Alan's ears,
"Oh really? Then what about being in control of where you venture... outsider!"
Alan's eyes widened at Master Venatus's words, sensing suspicion and blame in the teacher's voice. Alan's instincts alerted him to the fact that Master Venatus had something on him. Despite his lack of knowledge about the situation, Alan chose to maintain calm composure.
"Out... what? What are you talking about, Master Ve—-"
"Enough of the facade, Mr. Alan, or whatever your real name may be. You can tell me the truth now. I know you are not from here."
Master Venatus mached Alan's eye level, his frustration evident in his tightening voice. Alan, maintaining his calm, reciprocated the interrogation.
"Yes, I am not. I hail from the East End of Pompeii."
"No! No! No! What I mean is you are not from Pompeii. Tell me the truth before I report you to the Holy Guards, you foreigner!" Master Venatus's frustrations exploded as he screamed at Alan, leaning back up, stomping his feet on the ground.
"You have no proof, do you?" Alan's sudden realization sparked a grin on his lips,
"Huh?" Master Venatus exclaimed.
"You have no solid proof backing up your claim of me being an outsider, do you, Master Venatus?" Alan turned toward the exit, his tone amused as he stepped on Master Venatus's secret.
"So I won't stop you from reporting anything to anyone. You are free to try. But remember this, I have more ways to prove my belonging here than you could present reasons behind your claim." Alan glanced back at Master Venatus, his eyes filled with ferocity, trying to instill fear in him.
Upon hearing Alan's response, Master Venatus laughed maniacally and charged outside, exclaiming at Alan as he pushed him aside.
"Ha ha ha! Fine, don't tell me. Come the founding festival, and then you will tell me everything while groveling at my feet, as a servant of mine, LIKE EVERYONE!!!"
Alan felt a surge of fear as questions raced through his mind. What did he mean? What was he planning? What is he going to do at the festival? Alan pondered these questions as he made his way towards the food hall, glancing back with the corner of his eye again and again, with rising apprehension.