Reaching for the Stars

Chapter Thirty-One

Of course, my fun didn't seem to last very long, because I hadn't been speaking to Carina very long after we had gotten my clippings, when Professor Takeshi sends me a message, via a Wind Falcon though this was the first time I had received a message from one, so I was unsure what to do. "Don't fuss, just grab the letter from it, it will just hover there until you do." Thankfully Carina was fully aware of what to do and had no problem telling me just that.

After reading his note I was slightly confused, Carina had given me privacy but was still staring at me curiously, no doubt hoping I would tell her what the letter was about, which I had no problem doing. "Professor Takeshi asked me to meet up with him in his office, saying he has something to speak to me about, though the note didn't say what, and funnily enough I don't actually know where his office is." I was nervous, did they assume I was cheating because of my rapid improvement?

"Relax, it can't be that bad if you got a reward for excelling in class today, beside I know exactly where his office is, so I can direct you there. It's quite easy to find really, go to your classroom and at the front of the room, near the table where Professor Takeshi usually demonstrates the potions, there will be a door that you likely haven't paid much attention to, that is his office." I give her a big smile, still feeling a little stiff, but relieved to at least know where I have to go.

She laughs, shaking her head with amusement at my nervousness. Before shoving me forward, forcing me to go find Professor Takeshi, so with her urging I make my way back to the classroom. A classroom that is oddly empty for this time of day, most of the time there should still be plenty of students here working, but the room was empty, except for the door to Professor Takeshi's office which was partially open.

When I knock hesitantly on the door, it swings inwards by itself, and I am surprised to see Professor Takeshi and Professor Rayax in the room. "Ah, Elianna, I am glad you came so quickly after receiving my note." I stand there in the doorway unsure if I should even enter.

"Have I done something wrong, professor?" His eyes widen in surprise as he stares at me, shifting nervously in the doorway.

"No, not that I am aware of. Please come in, take a seat." I do so hesitantly, still unsure as to why I was here. "Now Elianna, do you mind taking out the potions you brewed today and allowing Professor Rayax to look at them, please?" My eyebrows furrow in confusion, not knowing why they would want those, but I quickly do as requested, handing over the two potion bottles to Professor Rayax.

He opens them and takes a small inhale of each one, before his eyes seem to widen and he stares at me in astonishment. "Did you truly brew these yourself?" I nod my head slowly, unsure why he didn't seem to think I made them myself. "Who showed you how to make them?" I blink at him in confusion, did they think I was having some sort of outside help?

"No one, I have books, many books on herbalism, poisons and potions alike." If possible, his eyes seemed to get even wider.

"Speak truly, did you study herbalism at another academy before you came here? Be wary, I will know if you are lying." His voice was sharp, but as they both stared at me seriously, I can't help but feel very pressured.

"I never went to another academy, all I did was study the books I have for a few months and try to make some potions, I wasn't very good at it to be honest, though I had memorized a bunch of potions and stuff from my books." That wasn't exactly a lie, I had indeed, but I had not memorized the antidote that I used to pass the entrance exam into this academy, of course my words were phrased so that they were fairly close to the truth.

I wasn't sure how Professor Rayax would know I was lying, but I didn't want to risk telling an outright lie, so a partial truth it was. "Where exactly did you get these books?" This felt like some sort of interrogation, what did exactly do they think I did?