Meanwhile, Group Seven was still absorbed in discussion.
Simon, Meilyn, Rick, and Camibarez continued analyzing the poison they had brewed.
Simon quietly flipped through his textbook. His fingers paused on a certain page.
Ingredient: Lehark Mushroom?
His eyes narrowed slightly.
It was the same mushroom Anna Polentia—his mother—sometimes used in her cooking to neutralize poisons.
Simon lowered his head and began reading the contents carefully.
"Meilyn… how about this?"
"What is it?"
Meilyn stepped closer and leaned over to the section Simon was pointing at.
"..."
A brief silence passed.
Then—
Meilyn's eyes widened.
Without a word, she snapped her head up and rushed back to her seat.
"Simon! What page is that?!"
"Two fifty-four."
Meilyn hurriedly flipped open her textbook, her movements sharp and restless, and began scanning the section with intense focus.
"Guys!" she exclaimed.
"If we can make this… it might actually work!"
"It works?"
"What kind of potion is it?"
Rick and Camibarez stepped closer, curiosity written clearly on their faces.
On the page Simon had opened was the description of a potion capable of temporarily paralyzing tendon functions while forcibly contracting the muscles.
"It's called Nervier, I think."
Meilyn roughly circled the potion's name with her finger.
"Judging by the symptoms, it's a neurotoxic paralytic that weakens physical strength. According to this, it works on small and medium-sized monsters of rank three and above."
Her eyes scanned the text rapidly.
"It might not completely immobilize a Cyclops… but slowing its movements alone would be a huge advantage."
"What's the method of application?" Rick asked.
"Either force them to ingest it or apply it to an open wound."
Meilyn tapped the page.
"If we injure the Cyclops first and shatter a vial of this potion onto the wound… something should happen."
Everyone nodded with serious expressions.
If there was even a slight chance it could help bring down a Cyclops, preparation was essential.
"You can reserve a magic cauldron in the lab," Rick said. "The problem is the ingredients…"
Meilyn read through the list and gently bit her thumb.
"The basic components are easy to obtain within Kizen. The troublesome ones are Lehark Mushrooms, Blood Slime, and Silk Creepers."
"Let's see…"
Rick examined the list.
"If I head down to Rochester and search the markets, I should be able to secure Blood Slime and Silk Creepers."
"Oh? Really?"
Camibarez's eyes widened.
Rick gave a confident nod.
"Let's commit fully. Once class ends, I'll go straight to Rochester."
Simon, who had been quietly observing, pointed at one item on the list.
"Lehark Mushrooms… I've seen those inside Kizen before."
"…Huh?"
Meilyn blinked.
"Where?"
"The Forbidden Forest (Restricted Forest)."
Simon answered calmly.
"I saw them when I entered the forest earlier. They were growing near a large oak tree close to the entrance."
Meilyn and Camibarez stiffened.
"…Wait. That's not the issue."
Meilyn frowned. "You're not seriously planning to go back there, are you?"
"It won't take long," Simon replied.
"Rick is already risking punishment to go to Rochester. I should at least handle this much."
His tone remained steady. "I'll harvest them quickly and return before dark."
"Hmm…"
Meilyn furrowed her brow.
"There are monsters inside the Forbidden Forest. Rochester is one thing, but that place is far more dangerous."
"Then I'll go with you!"
Camibarez raised her hand without hesitation.
Simon's eyes widened. "That's too dangerous. And it's against school rules."
"That's exactly why you can't go alone!"
Camibarez shot back firmly. "I can't just sit here while my teammate walks into that forest by himself!"
Simon hesitated. But faced with her unwavering gaze, he found no proper argument.
"…If things look even remotely dangerous, we retreat immediately."
"Yes!" Camibarez nodded energetically.
"Good. Then it's settled."
Rick clapped his hands lightly.
"So Rochester for me, lab preparations for Meilyn, and Lehark Mushrooms from the Forbidden Forest."
Meilyn crossed her arms. "I'll gather the base ingredients and secure the lab equipment."
At that exact moment—
Ding.
The bell signaling the end of class rang.
Francesca's voice followed shortly after.
"Alright, that concludes today's Toxicology session."
"Thank you!"
Students began streaming out of the practice room.
Group Seven moved without delay.
Rick headed for Rochesterer.
Meilyn went directly to the lab.
Simon and Camibarez set their course toward the Forbidden Forest.
And just as the classroom was emptying—
A student who had been lying silently at their desk, barely noticeable until now, slowly rose.
Their presence was so faint it was almost eerie.
Then they walked toward a certain boy.
"Hey… Hector."
Hector looked up mid-packing.
"…What?"
"I've got some interesting information."
A thin smile formed. "Care to hear it?"
Of course, the scene didn't escape Knox's notice.
Knox narrowed his eyes slightly, then grinned.
"Hehe… looks like someone's eager for another beating."
"Beating?" Claudia echoed.
Following Knox's line of sight, she turned her head—
—and spotted Hector and his group gathered near the exit.
"…Ah."
A faint sigh slipped from her lips.
"I don't know what they did this time, but please rein yourself in a little, Knox. I don't want you getting into trouble."
Knox blinked once.
Then he smiled at Claudia—soft, almost disarmingly gentle.
"Hehe… don't worry."
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"Haven't we already promised to band together for a lifetime?"
Claudia froze.
"…Lifetime?!"
A flush instantly bloomed across her cheeks.
But then—
"…Band?"
Her brows knit together in confusion.
Knox coughed awkwardly.
"Ehem. Slip of the tongue."
He scratched his cheek.
"I meant group together for a lifetime."
"Ohhh~"
Cindy, who had been eavesdropping without shame, chimed in brightly.
"Right, right! A lifetime group sounds nice! I'm in!"
"…Idiot Cindy."
Merida muttered lazily from her seat.
"Lifetime? What, do you plan to stay at Kizen forever and never graduate?"
Cindy's expression went blank. Then dark.
"…Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"
She made an exaggerated spitting gesture.
"Don't say something so terrifying!"
Her shoulders trembled. "That's basically a high-level curse!"
Knox chuckled. Claudia sighed. Merida yawned.
And just like that—
—the tense atmosphere dissolved once more into their usual chaos.
They stepped out of the practice room together.
Knox immediately noticed that Group Seven had already scattered in different directions.
Looks like they're making their moves… Should I follow them? he wondered.
"Hey, hey!" Cindy's voice cut cleanly through his thoughts. "I heard there's a new crêpes shop near the east courtyard. Let's go check it out!"
Knox blinked.
"…Crêpes?"
The word alone was enough to completely derail whatever serious consideration he had been entertaining.
His head snapped toward her.
"Crêpes? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Claudia watched the sudden shift with an amused sigh.
"You're unbelievable." She shook her head, though a small smile lingered. "Well… I've heard about that place too. Now I'm curious."
Merida, meanwhile, gave a long, unrestrained yawn.
"Then… I'll be returning to my bed."
She had barely finished speaking when Cindy and Claudia moved in perfect synchronization, each grabbing one of her arms.
Merida froze mid-step.
Slowly, she tilted her head like a cat that had just been caught attempting an escape.
Cindy grinned. "Hehe. Not happening."
Claudia added calmly, tightening her hold just a little.
"Come along, Merida. The more, the merrier."
Knox chuckled. "No one gets left behind, Private Merida. Let's go. My treat."
Cindy's eyes lit up instantly. "Seriously?!"
She leaned forward dramatically. "Then I won't hold back. I'll wring you dry~!"
Claudia nearly choked. "Cough—Cindy!"
She shot her a sharp look. "Watch your wording!"
Knox turned to Claudia with an innocent smile that was anything but innocent.
"Hmm~? Why so flustered?" he asked lightly. "She obviously meant wringing my wallet dry~."
Claudia's face flushed almost immediately. "I—I wasn't thinking anything weird!"
"Sure you weren't," Knox replied, clearly entertained.
"…Let's just go!" Claudia snapped, turning away.
Cindy stared blankly for a moment.
"…Huh?"
A few seconds passed.
Then the realization hit.
Her face turned bright red.
"I—WAIT FOR ME, CLAUDIA!"
She bolted after her.
Knox burst into laughter.
But as he watched Cindy's crimson, tomato-like face disappear down the hallway, a strange sense of déjà vu flickered through his mind.
…Why does that tomato-colored face feel so familiar?
————————————
Character Voicelines · Knox: Tomato Face
Knox (watching Cindy's tomato-red face as she runs away): Hmmm…
Knox: Ahh—! (⊙⌓⊙✧)
Knox: That tomato-red face… coupled with Cindy's red hair…
Knox: She totally reminds me of Machu!
Knox: That legendary tomato head from Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.