089 THE POTION MAKING CHALLENGE
089 THE POTION MAKING CHALLENGE
The better option for the teacher was to continue teaching pretending nothing happened at all, hiding his fear and insecurity and swallowing his pride.
As the lesson began, the instructor explained the basics of pharmacology in the Koresh Empire. He demonstrated, showing how to add ingredients to a magical cauldron and apply a spell to sustain the flame.
Leo watched closely, recording every step with his control panel.
After a few lessons, Leo had learned enough from the beginner's class. He decided it was time to move up. Boldly, he slipped into the intermediate class without an invitation.
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"Who are you? You're not supposed to be in our class," a girl questioned Leo.
"He's the Demon of Gullee. Unless you want trouble, keep quiet," Grammers warned her.
The reputation of the "Demon of Gullee" had already spread in the association after Leo's banishing of the teacher's bear summons. The students exchanged nervous glances at Leo not knowing how to react.
The instructor of the advanced class was aware of Leo's notorious nickname, let him stay without protest. He didn't want any trouble with the demon.
A few more lessons later, Leo advanced to the most advanced class, though this time, the teacher wasn't so accommodating.
"You're not enrolled in this class. Leave now," the teacher demanded that Leo leave.
"Just teach," Grammers replied to her dismissively clenching his fists.
"How dare you—" The teacher barely got the words out before Grammers reached her in an instant his fists smacked her across the face.
"Bitch Slap"
Even Leo was shocked by Grammers' actions. His bodyguard was even more of a bully than him.
"I'll call the guards!" the teacher threatened, moving her hands to cast some magic, but Leo only smirked after reading her box marker.
"Name: XXXXX" "Magic: Cakra Mula Tier 9"
"Come on fight me. Are you afraid? ask around and find out what happened to the last guy who tried to stop my boss," Grammers taunted her before he added, "you are better off sticking to your cooking class."
The teacher, clearly more versed in potions than combat, eventually relented.
It was hard for the working class to challenge the aristocrats in the city, and she already knew another teacher was humiliated trying to teach this unruly student a lesson in humility with force and failed.
She needed to overcome the bully with her knowledge. That was her strong point, not fighting.
"Fine. No need for violence. Let's settle this with a test of skill. We'll each make a potion, and if yours meets or exceeds my potion in quality, you win."
"Fine with me," Leo agreed.
"Are you sure Boss, she's a teacher?" Grammers asked concerned.
Leo basically learned everything about pharmacology theory. Now it was time for the practical knowledge and training. The challenge with the teacher was the perfect training.
"Don't worry, lessons are already over", Leo replied to him.
As word of the challenge spread, more instructors and students gathered in the training hall, eager for the spectacle.
"Let's begin," the teacher announced, and the room buzzed with anticipation.
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The teacher placed a magic cauldron on the table and began her demonstration, carefully casting spells to create a magic flame which brews a healing potion.
Leo activated his control panel, discreetly studying the complex magical codes in the cauldron and the teacher's unique spellwork.
"This is a piece of cake for me now", Leo said after copying the magic codes from the teacher's spells.
With practice, Leo could copy the codes of magic cast even from a distance away. This was a far cry from the time he must lean on his old teacher Kassim, learning his magic by doing the 'Titanic' stance with him.
"Huh, got the fuckin codes", Leo told himself satisfied.
When the teacher completed her potion, she proudly held it up.
"This is a potion of healing, minor tier 1 Svad quality, match this you arrogant son of a …," she announced and stopped halfway before finishing her sentence.
She was still a teacher no matter how furious she may be about the unruly student, she couldn't curse and swear. Then she handed the potion to a group of judges to assess her work.
"Yes, this potion is fine," the judges appraised.
Leo stepped forward, taking the same cauldron as the teacher and gathering the same ingredients. Casting an identical spell, he duplicated the teacher's technique flawlessly.
"This casting and control of flame is no less than our best teachers", one judge opined.
Leo's potion was a perfect replica of the teacher's.
"This is a potion of healing—quality equal to, if not better than, that made by her," Leo said, smirking as he passed his potion to the judges.
After examining it, the teachers exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that Leo wasn't a simple student.
"Yes, this is a healing potion, Svad tier 1."
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Soon, the teachers began to suspect Leo wasn't a student who came to make trouble. He might be a spy, sent from another pharmacology association to challenge and outshine them and disgrace their association.
"We must do something about this impostor, he'll make our association look weak."
"We must defeat him in potion making, that is the only way to retain our association's pride."
A second teacher, stepped forward. "I challenge you to another potion-brewing competition."
Leo grinned. "Fucking accepted."
He matched the second teacher's process precisely, winning again.
Several teachers stepped up in turn, each brewing a new potion, and each time, Leo replicated their methods flawlessly, learning a new recipe with every victory.
"Boss, what is the purpose of challenging these teachers?" Grammer asked.
"Hahaha, idiots. These people would never teach me all their tricks even if I begged them, but I learned them all now, the best that they can offer," Leo mused.
Finally, one teacher with a sly smile prepared her potion with extra care, using an intricate, advanced technique.
"This is a good brew", a judge commented.
"But I doubt the Demon would be defeated by that alone", another colleague worriedly suggested.