Mandrake root.
A bizarre magical organism that defied easy classification—was it a plant? An animal?
Physically, it resembled a fat radish with a perpetually grumpy human face. And when pulled from the ground, it would unleash a blood-curdling scream like a pig being slaughtered.
Its ridiculous appearance and dramatic shriek made it a favorite subject for first-year dissection classes in potionology.
Why? Because it was loud, strange, and most importantly—harmless.
At least… usually.
Just because a mandrake wasn't dangerous didn't mean it couldn't carry danger.
Ken stared at the crate of mandrake roots and the one he'd carefully marked. Its leaves were slightly wilted, and its sour face looked even more constipated than usual. A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Ken's eyes.
That one right there—his masterpiece.
A product of his signature technique: toxic Arcane spells.
As an attribute, poison magic lacked the explosive impact of Hysteria's fire or the speed of Linen's wind, and it even came with the risk of harming the caster.
But it had two unmatched traits: stealth and persistence.
Ken had already infused that one mandrake with a slow-spreading toxin. As it was dissected, the poison would seep into the handler's body.
The mark he'd placed was a warning—to Linen—not to touch that one.
If this went according to plan, Ken could play the role of shocked teacher while pretending to treat the poisoned Hysteria, conveniently ignoring Elena.
Once the toxin took hold, Elena would be forced to drop out.
And the consequences? Minimal. Hysteria, a royal heir, would be "heroically saved" by him. And a commoner like Elena? A "mishap" during class. Nothing more.
Ken would carry out the action—Linen would cover the fallout. It wasn't like the prince could rat him out.
You understand me, Your Highness.
Ken shot Linen a look.
Linen, having noticed the look, thought for a moment—then suddenly understood.
Devious. You truly are the perfect teammate.
Linen's eyes lit up with admiration.
You're trying to get me to destroy the mandrake myself and trigger a penalty for our whole study group, right?
That way, Elena loses precious credits, Hysteria loses face, and I lose any goodwill with both. Triple kill. Brilliant!
Got it, Linen signaled subtly with an OK gesture.
"Each group leader, please come forward to collect your mandrake," Ken announced calmly.
He'd already reviewed the group assignments in advance. By default, the student who submitted the registration form was considered the group leader.
In Linen's group, that was—Elena.
The poison's for you, Ken smirked inwardly.
One group after another came up. Before long, it was Linen's team's turn.
Naturally, both girls had been watching the eye contact between the two men very closely.
"Elena, quick—go up there and take it before that scheming loser gets near that creepy teacher!" Hysteria hissed.
"Right," Elena nodded and moved forward—only to be blocked by a hand.
Linen.
"There might be danger. I'll get it," he said calmly.
Ken's doing his part—I have to hold up mine.
Linen planned to fake a clumsy drop on the way back. Quick, clean, believable.
Danger?
You're the danger!
Hysteria wasn't having it. Before Linen could say another word, she snapped:
"No way, bottom-feeder. Elena is the leader!"
"Tch. Fine, but you'll regret it."
When the girls didn't fall for it, Linen backed off.
Then, unexpectedly, another hand intervened.
"Elena?" Hysteria blinked.
"Shia. Let's let Linen-kun do it," Elena said softly, her voice firm.
Hysteria looked down at her in surprise, just as she was about to argue—then saw the calm certainty in Elena's eyes.
She trusted him.
Grumbling, Hysteria gave in with a sharp stomp of her boot.
"Whatever. Don't blame me later."
Linen hadn't expected Elena's trust—and for a moment, he felt a twinge of guilt.
No time for second thoughts. Ken's committed—I can't back out now.
I'll make it up to them later. For now, we move.
Resolved, Linen approached the crate.
All other groups had already collected their specimens. Thanks to their argument, his was the last.
The sabotaged mandrake sat alone in the corner.
Ken, who'd been waiting gleefully for the show to begin, suddenly froze.
Wait. Why is Linen coming up?! Wasn't Elena supposed to grab it?!
He could poison a commoner. But Linen?
Even a trace of poison in a royal would bring the Shadow Knights down on him like a hammer—and then the Tower of Chronomancy's cover would be blown.
Ken started frantically signaling with his eyes: No! Go back! Send Elena!
"Ken-sensei, I'm here to pick up our mandrake," Linen said cheerfully.
He blinked back in code: Relax, they trust me completely. Everything's going great.
And since it's the last one, no backup sample—score!
Reaching out, Linen made for the marked mandrake.
Just before his fingers touched it—snatch!
Another hand intercepted him.
Ken.
Before Linen could speak, Ken forced a laugh.
"Ahaha! No need for you to carry it, Your Highness. I'll bring it down for you myself. You can take this chance to observe the others."
As the subtle tingling in his arm began to spread—a clear sign the poison was already in effect—Ken's forced smile twitched with pain.
Of course, Linen thought, enlightened again.
Doing it right at pickup might've been too obvious. Good call, Ken. Very smooth.
Ken, you are the best teammate.
"Thank you, Sensei."
They walked back to their team's table. Each step felt like a year to Ken as the poison crept deeper. He couldn't detox publicly without revealing himself.
Finally, they arrived.
"Sensei, hand it over. Let's get started," Linen said.
Ken pretended not to hear, turning instead to Elena.
"Elena, you're the group leader, right? Here—you take it."
"Huh? Okay…"
Elena accepted it, slightly confused.
Wait. Why is everything going in reverse now?
Linen was stunned. Ken, what the hell are you doing?!
Are you betraying me too?!
Just as Linen considered grabbing it himself, Hysteria leaned in and whispered into Elena's ear—loud enough for him to hear.
"Don't let that bottom-feeder near it. We'll do the dissection ourselves."
No! That's not the plan!
Linen's internal panic was rising. Ken, meanwhile, exhaled in relief.
Thank the gods. Finally.
He passed the mandrake over with his now half-numb right hand.
But just then—
The grotesque mandrake face jolted to life. As Elena's fingers neared, she instinctively flinched—and the mandrake's eyes flew open.
It was waking up!
"Waaah—!" Elena gasped. "Everyone, cover your—!"
SHING!
A [Wind Blade] sliced through the air and cut the mandrake clean in half.
NOOOO!!
Ken turned in horror.
"Our mandrake! You—!!" Hysteria's ruby eyes locked onto Linen, blazing.
Elena, however, looked thoughtful. She'd seen something drift out of the sliced root—something strange.
"Hmph!"
Linen gave a satisfied smirk under their gaze… then quickly wiped it off and feigned nervousness.
"Ah, sorry. I got startled."
He totally did that on purpose!
Ken and Elena thought it at the exact same time.