Potion Proliferation Arc: Chapter 11.
⟐ Twenty minutes later...
The herbalist, Alanna Steppes, was knocked out by Mary Anne Grade due to persistently trying to free herself from the bindings. Mary currently carried the herbalist on her shoulder, unfazed by the weight.
The herbalist pleaded and tried to bribe the two students earlier but to no avail. Mary Anne Grace decided that she was a scourge that needed to be dealt with and Lyle Cass didn't bother to stop her, aware of the enormous damage that this herbalist would've caused in the future.
There were shuffling and murmurs at the laboratory room above. Lyle Cass and Mary Anne Grace ascended the stairs, both silently agreeing to reveal everything and finally put an end to all of this.
(I made a promise to not interfere with the story but this one is an exception. A lot of interesting characters were either imprisoned or kicked out of the school due to the potion abuse.)
He thought, watching Mary Anne Grace take the lead and explain everything to the teachers and guards. From start to finish. The thwarted lethal cleanup and the herbalist's hidden laboratory beneath.
The teachers listened as several guards marched down the stairway to apprehend the two assassins.
(A war will intensify a year from now thus increasing the pressure on the school to produce more skilled students for the war effort. Without the shortcut and crutch from the potions, how would the students react to the increasing standards?)
"Mr. Lyle Cass, the showoff, here was a monumental help in discovering this illegal plot."
Mary Anne Grace announced in a mix of praise and jest, glancing briefly. Lyle Cass's thoughts were disrupted upon hearing his name.
The school's headmaster/administrator approached Lyle with an inquisitive expression. He was aware of the identity of the somewhat injured student in front of him.
Cassie Cydonia followed, wearing a wary glance.
"You either have the greatest timing or the worst luck. First, you were possessed then you played a part in uprooting an illegal potion lab."
"Headmaster..." Lyle Cass said in surprise, vague snippets of their previous encounter flashed through his mind. Mostly blabbering in fear and urgency.
The headmaster/administrator was the school's handler. He had an enormous amount of contacts, connections, and pull to the city. Almost rivaling the city's mayor in power. The king viewed him favorably, granting intense influence.
"Please. I prefer the title of administrator. You may address me in that concern." The administrator corrected as he faced the other student, Mary Anne Grace.
"The two of you may now go back to your dorms. You two shall receive a reward for this but for now, head back to the infirmary."
The administrator said, dismissing the two while heading down the hidden potion laboratory, accompanied by several teachers.
⟐ Thirty minutes later...
The school's clinic was large, almost like a hospital ward with several advanced tools. There were white beds lined up with a huge white curtain in the gaps for privacy. Mary Anne Grace and Lyle Cass stood in front of a seated school nurse, silently reading the clipboard.
"Mary Anne Grace, you may head back now. You have no injuries whatsoever."
The school nurse turned to Lyle Cass, scratching his head.
"Lyle Cass. You drank several illegal potions and unregistered healing potions, usually that would be a major concern but in this context. It is understandable."
The nurse assured that there were no punishments due to the extreme circumstances.
"Anyways, the healing potions are still in effect. The pain will fade in an hour. You may head back too."
The school's head nurse dismissed the two students.
As the two both headed for the exit, Lyle wanted to strike up a conversation with Mary but her pace was quick. She was in a hurry.
Lyle Cass focused intently until she finally turned left and disappeared from view. He sighed, somewhat slightly regretting the fact that he changed the flow of events.
(Mary Anne Grace was supposed to have a major character development in the now-defunct potion proliferation arc. This messes up her development but I think she can manage.)
(As for her development. The tournament arc showcases her lacking experience. The town raid arc for the development of her utilitarian mindset, and the potion proliferation arc for the showcase of her leadership.)
"Yeah, she can manage. There are still plenty of development. She's the main character after all!"
He shrugged his worries away since there were a lot of problems that were effectively avoided by stopping the potion proliferation arc.
"Oh right! The treats!"
He paused, realizing that he promised a bunch of confectionary treats to his three dormmates as an apology for 'his previous behavior'. He then headed to the cafeteria while humming a tune.
"That part-time working student should be there. They sell smuggled candies."
⟐⟐⟐
The fast and quick-paced steps of Mary Anne Grace slowed. She was in front of her dorm, her left hand hovering over the door knob.
Then she smiled brightly. Her expression lightened as she breathed a sigh of relief. Her sheathed rapier struck against the door's frame, slightly scratching the silver rapier.
"Well, father. It seems I'm on track to prove you wrong. I'm not all about my worldly talents."
Mary Anne Grace whispered and smiled, tilting her head slightly after entering the dorm.
⟐⟐⟐
⟐ Later that night...
"All in!"
Jesse Yun excitedly said, pushing forward a stack of wrapped candies.
The air around the dorm was vibrant and full of joy. Lyle Cass delivered on his promise to bring some candies and treats. His three dormmates were elated, seeing the sweet confectionaries. However, a small fight occurred due to the difficulties of properly dividing it among the three.
Ave Kant, the lanky and tallest of the group decided on a card game. A winner-takes-all type of settlement, the other two heartily agreed. They were playing poker in the middle of the dorm room, seated on the floor.
Lyle Cass however, settled for watching the game instead. He sat behind Jesse Yun, watching the cards.
(A spade queen and a diamond three. Why is going all in? Pretty bold to bluff with those cards.) He thought while lying down on his sides and observing the flop.
"A diamond ace, a spade four, and a club jack."
Lyle Class muttered as he turned to the ceiling, deep in thought. He remembered another event.
(There were several games and minigames during the tournament arc. Some of those rewards included some magical trinkets and baubles. It might be worth it to win some.)
"Aha! Three pairs of queens! I knew you were bluffing Jesse! These candies belong to mine now!"
Ave Kant stood up and declared his victory, holding the most amount of treats while Jesse Yun pouted and scratched his hair. As Jesse stood up, he tripped and landed on Lyle Cass.
"Oof!" The two of them were on top of each other, face to face. Jesse Yun blushed, apologizing for the accidentally dropping on him.
Lyle Cass gazed back at Jesse, whose eyes sparkled like a moonlight's brilliance. His lips shifted nervously, wavering slightly. The other two dormmates laughed at the stunning scene.
Jesse Yun was then picked up by the other two while laughing at his accident. Saying that he was clumsy and prone to falling. Jesse defended himself, embarrassingly blushing.
(If this was a romance game. That would've been a flag or the character's introduction to the main protagonist. A still face image while the text below narrated the accident.)
Lyle Cass's expression slightly chuckled, shaking his head in response.
"A shame that he's a guy. That face was very beautiful. I admit."
He whispered, heading to his bed and plopping down.