SMMA 84

Chapter 84

Yonellia quickly responded to Ihan’s words.
The Willow Professor praised the students as commendable.
“Well done. Even without the professor here, you took care of the plants yourselves. That’s not something anyone can do.”
“Thank you.”
As the atmosphere lightened, Ihan asked about the visitor’s identity.
“Excuse me, but who might you be?”
“Oh, as new students you don’t know me. I am the professor teaching botany. Call me Professor Willow.”
The name matched the appearance perfectly.
Gainanado thought of the talking oaks from the mountain he met before and cautiously raised his hand.
“Are you related to the talking oaks?”
“I’m a willow, they’re oaks, little troll.”
“Huh? I’m human.”
“Right? But I’m a willow, not an oak.”
“……”
Ihan decided to choose his words carefully before Professor Willow. It seemed the professor disliked being grouped with similar trees.
Professor Willow walked slowly over, waving a branch to poke the fallen bull.
“Looks to be Thunderstep’s bull. Clumsy dwarf, as always.”
‘Damn. It really was the professor’s bull.’
Ihan cursed Thunderstep in absentia.
If the monster was strengthened with potions, why couldn’t he control it well and prevent this commotion?
“Did you subdue the bull with paralysis curses?”
Professor Willow eyed the students quizzically.
Impressive for first-years, as such powerful curses were rarely wielded by novices.
“We used weakening potions before the curse.”
“That must’ve been hard. Admirable.”
The professor shook a branch, causing vines to grow and entangle the bull into a wooden cage.
“I’ll inform Thunderstep once he returns.”
“Was the professor caring for the plants here?”
Priestess Siana asked cautiously. Professor Willow answered slowly.
“Yes. My garden is elsewhere, but I was asked by Thunderstep to look after the Artificers’ Hall today. Annoying, but he had to meet an imperial official.”
“Really? I thought he went to the market with Lightningstep.”
“……”
Professor Willow stopped abruptly.
“…Is that true?”
“Yes. You can ask Lightningstep later.”
“……”
The professor stood still, but a leaf swung violently at the end of a branch, hinting at his mood.
“You are from the Wadanaz family, right?”
“?!”
Ihan was slightly shocked when the professor suddenly guessed his name.
“What’s there to be surprised about? I’ve heard about you from other professors. Anyways, thank you for reporting.”
Professor Willow spoke gently in gratitude.
“Is there anything you need? If so, say it.”
“…We want to practice alchemy. Is there a place to find materials or potions?”
“Hmm…”
The professor pondered.
Though the vast school grounds had abundant materials, most suitable places were dangerous for freshmen.
Ihan carefully observed Professor Willow’s expression.
Though the professor was a tree spirit-like being, Ihan could see through any pretenses.
Now’s the chance!
Ihan gambled.
“Could we borrow from Professor Thunderstep’s laboratory… Ah, no, that was rude.”
He bowed embarrassedly. But Professor Willow waved a branch approvingly.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Really? But…”
“It’s fine. When Thunderstep returns, I’ll tell him a bull came in and stole from here. And I’ll pick out things you can take.”
The professor then headed toward the third-floor stairs.
Priestess Siana looked at Ihan.
“I think Lord Ihan of Wadanaz should never join an evil cult.”
“?”

The moment they stepped onto the third floor, darkness welcomed them. Light spells were powerless.
“Be careful not to lose your way. The paths are very complex here.”
Professor Willow waved a branch, and something began rushing through the dark.
The door marked ‘Laboratory 6’ loomed.
Clank!
The professor turned the handle and opened the door. Inside, blue smoke froze everything. Willow quickly shut the door.
“This laboratory should be permanently sealed.”
He pushed Laboratory 6’s door and called forth a few other labs. Most were chaotic. In Laboratory 17, water fell upward from a distorted space. Laboratory 29 was devoured by black darkness.
Ihan took out paper and diligently recorded the professor’s movements, unsure when they’d return here.
I see.
He realized the third floor’s layout.
Few traps existed on floors 1 and 2 because the third floor was a half-maze.
Without knowing what room contained what, or how to open a lab, coming here was pointless.
Breaking the magic here was dangerous—who knew what disaster might occur?
The answer was to proceed carefully from the start.
Like in academia, there was no shortcut in thievery.
“Laboratory 6 is reached by two left swings, then number six. Laboratory 17, four right, one up, then seventeen. Laboratory 29 is…”
“Found it.”
Professor Willow located a suitable lab. Ihan quickly tucked away his notes inside his coat.
This lab looked like a typical alchemist’s workshop, filled with potions and apparatus.
The students entered with slightly fearful expressions, recalling the chaos in the labs they’d seen earlier.
“Here you go.”
Willow swept up the tools and flasks, tossing them one by one. Ihan caught and carefully stored them in a leather sack without hesitation.
“Did I give too much?”
“No, professor. We’re grateful.”
Ihan handed full sacks to friends, who took out fresh sacks.
The speed of their exchanges made Professor Willow question if they were using some artifact.
“This should be enough for practice. I didn’t give you anything too dangerous or precious to Thunderstep.”
“That’s plenty.”
The professor waved his branch, tidying the lab as if a thief had ransacked it.
Tools and drawers returned to their places and closed.
Professor Willow scowled at some wilting potted plants and summoned a watering can.
“I’ll help.”
Ihan volunteered.
I must impress.
Though it was unlikely Willow would report to Thunderstep, one never knew.
Besides, it never hurt to earn the professor’s favor. Who knew when Willow’s lessons might be needed?
Unaware of Ihan’s plan, friends rolled up sleeves to help. Ihan shook his head.
“You should go back.”
“Why? Wadanaz? We want to…”
“We don’t know when Thunderstep will return. You should take the sacks back to the dorms.”
“!”
The friends admired Ihan’s command.
Indeed…!
Ratford looked impressed.
“You’re remarkable. I have nothing to teach you.”
“Don’t praise me so, Ratford. You still have much to learn.”
Yonellia sensed the odd but warm atmosphere and stayed quiet.
“Then I’ll move first, Wadanaz.”
“See you at the dorm.”
The students groaned, carrying sacks down. Ihan noticed Yonellia remained.
“Why?”
“I thought one helper was necessary. Even if I’m gone, someone can guard the sacks.”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Don’t ask if I should get mad.”
Yonellia warned with a finger. Ihan changed the topic.
“…Thanks, Jena.”
“Southern dialect?”
With a smile, Yonellia grabbed the watering can.
Honestly, she didn’t expect Ihan to be skillful with plants.
Caring for plants was complicated—just watering required understanding.
Some needed little, some needed much.
Warm, clear days required more watering; cold, humid days less.
Rare and fragile plants were even more difficult to care for.
It required both knowledge and intuition.
Yonellia, experienced with reading alchemy tomes back home, was confident. Ihan… not so much.
“Good job.”
Professor Willow praised warmly.
Both Ihan and Yonellia were no novices with plants.
Ihan, noticing Yonellia’s surprised gaze, asked in confusion,
“Why?”
“Oh… you watered too well.”
“You’ve done it often?”
Ihan wasn’t the only one who had ventured into plant care.
He had been reluctantly compelled by the professors but had grown to like gardening.
In a previous life, he cared for the professors’ pots; now, he tended the Wadanaz garden out of boredom.
Yonellia looked at Ihan with a joyful, admiring expression.
Those with niche hobbies often felt great joy meeting others like them.
“You too…! You wondered why your family’s servants did such things?”
‘Not really.’
The Wadanaz family was laissez-faire, unconcerned whether Ihan wielded a sword or tended plants.
Still, Ihan didn’t want to disappoint Yonellia, who had helped him.
“Of course I did. But I didn’t care. Thought it would come in handy for alchemy someday.”
“Ihan…”
Yonellia looked at him as if wanting to award him a “Best Friend” medal.
Not only Yonellia but even Professor Willow was moved.
“To meet students who cherish plants… follow me.”
Willow led them down the stairs. Ihan and Yonellia dried the moisture and followed.
Maybe he’ll give us more.
Ihan hoped so silently, feeling the professor’s happiness.
Had he not volunteered, he’d be nowhere near this.
Reaching a corner of the second-floor greenhouse, Willow stopped and gestured to the plants.
“You. Water all plants here.”
“?”
Ihan’s face stiffened at the unexpected order.
Was Willow one of those rare professors who gave extra work as a reward?
If so, that could be truly terrifying.