Several weeks later, and time has passed quickly.
Time in this world and in Wim's real world, or Earth, seems the same.
The time is still 24 hours, and the year is 365 days.
It looks the same, except for the two months, which makes no sense to Wim. But to the people in this world, this is just commonplace.
Over the past few weeks, alchemy class has once again become the focus of Unio Academy.
This time, the star is someone who is no surprise, and who is also remembered by almost everyone.
None other than Wim himself.
...
(Unio Academy Alchemy Class - 10:05 am)
FWOOOUUUH!
A blinding flash of light spread rapidly across the room, causing students to cover their eyes and some to trip over their alchemy tables.
"Arghh. My eyes! I can't see!"
"What was that?! That light…?!"
Instantly, the room was filled with screams and confusion. Some students covered their eyes, others tried to calm themselves. Amidst the panic, one voice struck louder than the others.
Professor Syit: "Wim! What the hell is this? I told you not to mess around with alchemy! This isn't your game!"
SLAM!
Wim's desk was slammed hard.
The woman bit her lower lip, holding back her exploding anger. Her sharp eyes blazed like embers. It was clear from her face that this was no ordinary anger.
Professor Syit: "Do you think this place is a free experimentation arena?! If you just want to play around, then you should get out of here!" she said angrily as she saw Wim's increasingly excessive behavior.
Although Wim could only remain silent, listening to Professor Syit's tirade. However, Wim was actually secretly examining Professor Syit using his Art Glass.
That's because the boss of [Episode 8: The First Fragment] is Professor Syit herself.
Although the fourth episode, which will mark the beginning of The Hive's attack on Anchorage, hasn't yet begun, Professor Syit is the most powerful and dangerous.
[Syit Tyran
Description: Episode 8 Boss
Traits: Perfection, jealousy, desire to excel above others, Abyss contractor
Ability: Can transform into an Abyss Monster
Mission: Spread Abyss seeds to prospective Hive recruits]
In the original game, Professor Syit was an alchemist who yearned for everyone's attention. However, no one paid attention to her, preferring to focus on other things.
This created jealousy and envy in her, leading her to seek power and knowledge from The Hive to quickly attain her desired position.
A tattoo on her left shoulder represents the Hive's assistance in obtaining the power and knowledge he desired. Of course, for a fee, Syit would teach at Unio Academy in order to recruit new members for the Hive.
Although Professor Syit possessed the ability to transform into an Abyss Monster, it could be a scandal for her career as an alchemist in this world.
Therefore, she used illusion magic to suppress the power of the Abyss in his left shoulder so that it would be invisible.
However, the uncontrollable power of the Abyss itself was a double-edged sword.
While this would grant her great power and knowledge, it would also destroy any surrounding magic spells, making them easily detectable.
Wim planned to provoke Syit to further unleash the power of the Abyss. Finally, when his aura began to show, he could summon The Arbiters to execute her.
However, Professor Syit's patience was far beyond Wim's expectations.
Professor Syit: "Enough, just get out of this class if you can't respect knowledge," She said, leaving Wim at the table.
Wim carefully observed through his Art Glass that Professor Syit's emotional control and restraint had only dropped to around 37%. Still far from enough to force him out.
But that was a good thing, because if that happened, it would certainly result in many casualties. Especially since the victims were important figures in the game.
However, there was something slightly bothering Wim: the threat that his grades in alchemy might suffer because he dared to defy Professor Syit.
But Wim simply shrugged, unconcerned by the threat. To him, all the numbers in this class were just statistics. His grades? Not bad for a student often considered naughty.
(Louisa's POV)
Meanwhile, Louisa noticed Wim's strange behavior from the other side of the table. Ever since Professor Syit started teaching here, Wim's behavior had been causing more and more commotion in the Academy class.
Louisa sensed something was strange about Wim, so she also tried to ask her servant, Yuri, to find out more about him.
But it was only a matter of time, and Louisa had to stay focused on her lesson.
SRAAK!
Louisa began to take notes in her notebook intently. But suddenly...
CRACK!
Louisa's pen broke with a small sound. She was shocked and stared at it in confusion.
Louisa: 'What now...?' "This is the only pen I brought."
Suddenly, a hand appeared from the side and handed him a pen.
Wim: "Here, just use this pen. I have another one in my bag."
Louisa stared at the pen in surprise, her face blank and a little awkward as she accepted the help from Wim, who had just been scolded.
Then she began to slowly take the pen.
Louisa: "Uhmm... Thank you."
...
After class ended, Professor Syit stood in front of the class with a serious expression.
Professor Syit: "Remember, the alchemy practical exam is about to begin. Potion Strength Type L is the name of the medicine you will be making. You can make it quickly if you combine all your previous knowledge, but it is difficult to make alone due to the large number of ingredients and the complicated process. Therefore, we will conduct this hands-on experiment in groups of four. From now on, form a group of up to four people with a friend who shares the same interest."
As the announcement ended, a notification suddenly appeared in front of Wim.
[Episode 3 Main Quest Has Begun: ["The Knowledge Behind Alchemy"]
...
The main quest this time isn't too difficult, as it requires players to practice making potions suggested by the system.
Although it may seem trivial, this quest actually requires players to travel around Anchorage Island to find some items, making it useful for finding good spots for grinding and also discovering secrets in each area of the island.
Wim sat in his chair, watching the other students begin to form groups for the upcoming practical exam.
In the corner of the room, several students who had already formed groups were busy discussing, while the remaining students began to glance at each other, looking for someone to join them.
"Hey, look at that."
"Haha. Look at him, he doesn't have a single friend."
"Just leave him alone."
There were some whispers from someone, most likely one of Bernard's henchmen, whom Wim had defeated earlier. However, Wim didn't care.
About ten minutes later, Professor Syit spoke. A total of 13 groups had been completed. And four people were left behind.
Professor Syit: "Those who aren't in a group, gather at the front to form the remaining groups!"
Wim stood up slowly, his steps relaxed but his mind full of calculations. In games he'd known before, this moment of group formation rarely came as a surprise. But this time was different. As the names were announced, he realized his group consisted of Luna, Diego, and Emma.
It wasn't surprising, because the Luna Family, the Selene Family, had fallen due to the disappearance of Morpho Selene as the leader of the StarBlue region, causing the Selene Family to lose their standing in the StarBlue Family Association.
They began to gather, and there...
Emma and Diego looked hesitant as they stared at Wim. Both knew Wim's reputation in the class was that he was hated by Professor Syit and known for being a troublemaker. Even their hesitant expressions proved it. Wim returned their greetings with some hesitation.
Wim: "Well... it's been a pleasure working with you, I guess."
Emma: "Yeah..." she said with an awkward smile.
Diego: "It's been a pleasure working with you... maybe."
Diego's hesitant tone made the atmosphere tense. Undeniably, Wim's reputation as a "troublemaking student" in Professor Syit's eyes worried them both. In their minds, the chances of getting a high grade with someone the examiner hated were slim.
Wim could even clearly read their hesitation. He even regretted indirectly dragging them into trouble.
However, before the situation escalated, Luna looked at them both.
Luna: "...So are you guys just going to give up? This practical exam won't just be graded by Professor Syit. There will be representatives from the major alchemy firms in Anchorage taking part?"
Emma: "You mean... even though Professor Syit hates this person (pointing at Wim), the grades can't be tampered with?"
Luna: "Exactly. With an external examiner, cheating is nearly impossible. So we don't have to worry about that."
Luna's words brought a glimmer of hope to Emma and Diego's faces. The tension gradually eased, and they began a brief strategy discussion. Luna smiled with satisfaction... but when she turned to Wim, who was also smiling faintly at her, her expression immediately turned flat and annoyed, and she looked away.
...
After finishing his academy lessons, Wim, as usual, came to Helbert's house to help him clean up. According to the agreement they had made, Wim would help Helbert take care of his house in exchange for his Hidden magic device.
His old house was filled with alchemy equipment, messy as usual.
Helbert burst out laughing at Wim's story.
Helbert: "Hahaha! So you really caused a commotion in class there? You really are..."
Wim: "It's not funny, Hel. I just wanted to do a little experiment, not start a war."
In the corner of the room, Emily, a senior who was helping organize potion bottles, gave Wim a worried but relieved look.
Emily: "You, Wim... but, well... it's nice to see someone still wants to work with you, despite your reputation..."
Wim: "Well... I just don't want to drag my group into trouble. Unfortunately... well, it's just a coincidence."
Although it was actually a provocation to show off the Abyss Power sealed by Syit, it failed due to her strong patience.
Helbert chuckled, shaking his head slowly in disbelief.
Helbert: "This kid... He sounds carefree, but he actually has a lot of plans in his head"
Then the conversation shifted when Helbert asked what potion Wim's group would be making.
Helbert: "So, what potion are you guys going to make for the exam?"
Art, who was there, began to answer while Wim was still focused on his work.
Art: "Potion Strength Type L. They asked Wim to find one of the ingredients, the skin of a Fire Salamander Lizard."
Helbert: "The skin of a Fire Salamander Lizard, huh... Mhm..."
Upon hearing that, Helbert paused for a moment. His eyes narrowed, his mind working quickly. Then he smiled broadly, as if he'd caught a golden opportunity.
Helbert: "Are you free tomorrow?"
Hearing that, Wim and Art immediately nodded their heads because they didn't have any academic classes there tomorrow. Allowing them to use the time to rest.
Helbert: "What a coincidence. Tomorrow I have to go to the Southern District of Anchorage to make a delivery. There... Fire Salamenders roam in their natural habitat. If you come with me, you can get the ingredients for free."
Wim was immediately surprised by this.
This was a golden opportunity for him, because he could get them without spending a penny there.
A deal was reached, and tomorrow's plan was already in place: accompany Helbert to the Southern District and bring home fresh Fire Salamender skin.
...
(Unio Academy - Professor Syit's Room)
Professor Syit sat at her desk and called a student from Class S.
Professor Syit: "Inform all groups. The exam potion has been changed from L-Type Strengthening to Anti-Toxic Venom."
The student nodded quickly. But Syit added slyly.
Professor Syit: "Except for group 14... don't tell them."
Student: "Understood, Professor."
After the student left, Syit leaned back in her chair, her lips curling into a dark smile.
Professor Syit: "This way, they will fail the exam completely."
Although she couldn't change the students' scores on the exam at will due to the Alchemy Bureau's oversight, she could still use other means to bring down the group by altering the potion.
By preventing group 14 from receiving the announcement and only bringing the ingredients for the potion beforehand, it would be very easy for her to fail them. Especially in front of the Alchemy Bureau, which could impact their Alchemy careers.
Professor Syit: "This will teach you a lesson for going against a Professor. Wim. A cripple."