After lunch with his classmates, Valred headed to his next class. Unlike most students, the future Count of Castaigne had a packed schedule. From Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., his days were filled with lessons. His relentless dedication set an example for others—if someone of his status and talent worked this hard, how could they not strive to improve?
Valred's diligence inspired his peers, and the teachers were delighted to see their students' increased enthusiasm. The academy's atmosphere flourished, and it was clear that these students would grow into capable individuals, a boon for both Sylvanian and the Castaigne County.
Today was Wednesday, and at 1 p.m., Valred chose to attend the Nature Magic Sequence class taught by Professor West, a two-hundred-year-old vampire. Apart from his mastery of dark magic, West had traveled to the wood elf territories, where he had acquired knowledge of druidic practices. He was particularly skilled in elemental summoning, even surpassing some high-ranking druids. His expertise and colorful personality made his class a popular elective.
As mentioned, both teachers and students dined in the same hall. After lunch, Valred and a few classmates followed Professor West to his classroom on the fourth floor, helped with the setup, and then the lesson began.
Professor West looked like a typical vampire noble—white shirt, black tailcoat, a delicate, almost sickly appearance, and golden hair tied into a ponytail. The only unusual touch was a wreath of branches atop his head, giving him a slightly eccentric air.
Once the preparation was complete, West clapped his hands, cleared his throat, and addressed the semicircle of students: "Alright, everyone, settle down. Today, we're diving into the world of druidic potions. Those tree-dwellers might live like savants and have a few screws loose, but their knowledge is valuable and complements traditional alchemy quite well."
The students laughed, their mirth laced with disdain for the wood elves. Most intelligent species were staunch racists, and this mutual contempt was a major source of conflict in the world.
This was especially true among spellcasters of different races. While ordinary people often viewed mages as strange creatures, spellcasters from different races considered each other insane due to their clashing values, beliefs, and theories. It was a case of "the pot calling the kettle black."
Druidic nature magic often relied on plants found in forests, particularly the temperate broadleaf forests of Athel Loren, the wood elves' homeland. In such environments, they could harness the power of trees to cast spells that even high-level mages would admire.
"But remember, tree-dwellers are just that—tree-dwellers. Outside the forest, they're nothing! Without the right herbs for their meditative rituals, they can't enter their trances. Without abundant green winds of magic, they can't wield potent druidic spells. Their overzealous conservationism leaves them without iron tools or decent armor. Their primitive tribal structures prevent them from forming professional armies. So, defeating them is simple—just lure them out of the woods!"
"Professor West, we're here to learn about druidic potions, not military strategy. Could you calm down a bit?" a student interjected, unable to contain himself. Valred couldn't help but laugh.
Though West had once made quite a stir in Athel Loren, his actions had also earned him the wood elves' relentless wrath. Dozens of high druids and hundreds of rangers had pursued him across thousands of miles from Athel Loren to Sylvanian. It was only because, as he had said, the elves were like toothless tigers outside the forest that he managed to escape alive.
This was why the mere mention of wood elves sent West into a frenzy.
"…Sorry, I got sidetracked. Alright, let's begin. Over the past few days, we've covered all the useful medicinal herbs found in Sylvanian. Today, we'll explore how these herbs can be combined with other alchemical substances. Some of these insights are my own discoveries, so you won't find them anywhere else. Pay close attention."
As West launched into the lesson, the students listened intently. Some even took out recording crystals to "copy" the material.
Despite his eccentricities, West was a treasure trove of knowledge. His expertise in druidic herbology alone would have made him a top botanist in Valred's previous life. He could pluck a random weed from the roadside and explain its properties in detail.
He could peel a piece of bark and uncover its medicinal value. His knowledge of herbs seamlessly integrated with other schools of potion-making and alchemy, creating endless possibilities. Even the high druids of the wood elves couldn't match this versatility, as they focused solely on druidic practices.
The class lasted an hour and a half, and both teacher and students were left wanting more. Though the academy provided textbooks, nothing compared to learning directly from a skilled instructor.
Seeing the students' eager expressions, West laughed, patting them on the head. "If you want to learn more, come back tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere. I'd love to see if I can turn you all into druidic masters. Imagine the look on those tree-dwellers' faces—they'd be redder than their own backsides! Ha ha ha!"
As West devolved into his usual madness, Valred exchanged a resigned look with his classmates, shrugged, and prepared to leave. However, West stopped him, saying, "The headmaster wants to see you. Drop by his office before the end of the day."
"What's it about?" Valred asked.
"Good news!" West replied with a mischievous grin.
Valred shrugged, deciding not to engage with the eccentric professor. Since Headmaster Asta rarely summoned him without reason, Valred decided to prioritize the meeting over his next class.
He excused himself from his classmates and made his way to the third floor, where Asta's classroom was located. Since it wasn't his teaching hour, the room was empty. Seeing Valred, Asta smiled and beckoned him in.
Valred, familiar with the headmaster, got straight to the point. "Professor West said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, there's something I'd like to discuss. It's not urgent, but I thought you should know," Asta said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Valred, still relatively inexperienced, didn't catch the subtlety and nodded, indicating he was listening.
"In the next few days, we'll have some new students transferring to the academy. I'd like you to get to know them."
"New students? Transferring?" Valred was puzzled. From the headmaster's tone, it seemed these students weren't from the Castaigne County but from the other three families. This was unusual, but he didn't see how it concerned him.
"Also, once they arrive, they'll be staying at your place," Asta added, unable to suppress a chuckle.
"Wait, what?!"