Nic followed Teacher Shiori to her private room, which was filled with her research.
"Take a look at the plant inside this capsule," Teacher Shiori said, showing Nic a small capsule containing a plant.
But the plant looked very foreign to Nic's eyes; it seemed like there was no data on such a plant species in this world.
Its stem was purple, its leaves were shaped like swords, and even inside the capsule, it still emitted a slightly rotten smell.
"This is... what kind of plant? I've never seen it at all," Nic said, observing the plant.
"Before that, let me explain how I found and ended up researching this strange plant," Teacher Shiori said.
It happened a year ago when they were on an extreme camping trip, accompanied by experts to explore a dangerous forest. The students were brave because they were protected by many experts.
"In short, we heard screaming and found two female students unconscious. Next to them was this plant, the only one of its kind there."
"Unconscious...?" Nic interrupted.
Teacher Shiori nodded. "We didn't know the cause, but I concluded that this strange plant was the culprit because its smell was extremely rotten."
Teacher Shiori said the two female students experienced headaches, hallucinations, and weakness. At the time, they recovered with the help of doctors and herself, but strangely, a few days ago, they suffered from the same symptoms again.
"Are you sure that plant is the cause?" Nic asked, knowing those symptoms could have many causes.
"I actually don't know for sure, but... there's something that makes me convinced this plant is the culprit. When I brought a mouse and experimented by putting it close to this plant, it fainted almost instantly... what do you think?" Teacher Shiori explained.
"Hm, can I take a closer look at the capsule?" Nic asked.
Teacher Shiori immediately handed the capsule containing the plant to Nic.
"Zeta, use God of Analyst, analyze the plant inside this capsule," Nic said internally.
[ I have analyzed it, Master Nic. There is no name for this plant; it is likely a new species originating from the Dangerous Forest in the Eastern Nation. It has a pungent smell because its entire stem and leaves contain bacteria capable of breaking down chemical compounds. This plant is very dangerous because there is something in its leaves that I cannot detect. ]
"Seriously... even you can't detect that?" Nic thought.
[ Correct. ]
Nic put the capsule on the table and looked at Teacher Shiori, who seemed curious about Nic's answer.
"This plant is dangerous," Nic said.
Then Nic explained what Zeta had just told him.
"Wow, your thinking is great too... so my suspicion was correct that this plant is indeed similar to other pungent-smelling plants, but it seems this is indeed a new one," Teacher Shiori said.
"I'm curious... what do you want to research this plant for, Teacher Shiori?" Nic asked.
"Lots of reasons! To create new medicines, understand its chemical properties, maybe find a cure for the students, and advance scientific knowledge—just like any scientist would," Teacher Shiori explained.
"I see... so what can I do for you?" Nic asked.
"Your answer earlier actually helped me already, and I have to be careful. But it's still a bit hard to observe it inside the capsule... so let's think of a way to view it up close without getting affected," Teacher Shiori said.
Nic smiled. "That's easy. Teacher, you just need to prepare a suit that's resistant to strong smells and powerful toxins—just one for you, I don't need one. Then prepare a microscope. But since the plant is dangerous and could spread germs to whatever it touches, I'm willing to hold the plant directly."
Teacher Shiori just stood silent at what Nic said. "Are you crazy? Do you want to faint on the spot?"
"You don't need to worry about me, it's a secret... I've handled rotten and pungent things like this often. My nose and mind are trained," Nic said, acting tough.
"I don't want to endanger you... I don't think we need to go that far. Thanks for helping me! I'll call you again if I need you!" Teacher Shiori said, pushing Nic out.
"Why was I suddenly kicked out... was I too reckless saying that?? Oh well," Nic said as he returned to his botanist room.
Meanwhile, Teacher Shiori stood silently staring at the capsule containing the plant.
"Sigh, I can't... remember, Shiori! Don't make the same mistake for the sake of research again..." she said, trembling.
---
While walking to his room, Nic, who was daydreaming, accidentally bumped into Lingmei, who was carrying a lot of books.
Instantly, the books scattered on the floor. But instead of being annoyed, her reaction was to stare sharply at Nic.
"Botanist uniform... turns out it really is you... the newbie who played against me earlier!" Lingmei pointed at Nic.
"Yeah Newbie, my name is Nic, I'm the new botanist here. And sorry for bumping into you, I didn't see you," Nic said while tidying up her books.
When Nic finished tidying up the books, he lifted them and offered to carry them for Lingmei as an apology. But Lingmei did something absurd—she pushed the books, scattering them again.
She smiled with satisfaction, then Lingmei tidied them up again herself.
"Hah?" Nic stared blankly. "What is this absurd girl actually doing?"
"Sorry for bumping into you," Lingmei said after finishing tidying up her books, and continued walking.
Nic really didn't understand Lingmei.
"Zeta, what is actually wrong with her?" Nic asked, confused.
[ It's possible she is just doing absurd things, but if Master Nic realizes, her absurdity isn't truly absurd. ]
"Huh... ah, never mind, Zeta, I don't get it... absurd but not truly absurd? What the hell is that?" Nic said, annoyed.
Zeta just laughed, and Nic continued his way back to his room.
But his steps stopped again because he saw the Beauty Club room.
"Beauty Club? Let's take a peek, hehe," Nic said playfully.
[ Master pervert. ]
"Shut up, Zeta."
Nic looked through the window, and his eyes immediately landed on a familiar girl—Chloe.
"Ah, my instinct led me here because my beautiful girlfriend is here," Nic chuckled.
Then Nic saw a club member coming out, and Nic approached her, telling her to ask Chloe to come to the botanist room. Then Nic quickly returned to his room.
Chloe was confused as to why she was summoned to the botanist room.
Chloe went straight to the botanist room, and upon arriving, she was startled by Nic immediately welcoming her.
"Hello, Chloe..."
"N-Nicc??"
They immediately had a longing reunion like an LDR couple.
"Oh yeah, I want to tell you something, Nic..." Chloe said.
"Go ahead, seems important," Nic said.
Chloe told him that she was paired with the two icons of her club—the makeup expert and the beauty—but because they were sick, Chloe hadn't been able to practice with them yet. And when Chloe intended to visit them, she was stopped because people were afraid it was contagious.
"They didn't say what the illness was... do you know what they have, Nic? They said it spreads quickly, so people are scared," Chloe said.
Nic figured out that the two girls Chloe was paired with were the two girls Teacher Shiori mentioned.
"Maybe it's just a regular contagious disease, you don't need to worry, Chloe. I'm here... if you want, you can visit them with me," Nic said.
"I'll get scolded later. How about you go, Nic? Earlier I was given their address even though I still wasn't allowed to go there."
Hearing that, Nic was a bit interested and wanted to see the condition of the girls affected by the strange plant.
"Hm, one address? Does that mean they both live in the same house?" Nic asked.
"Yeah, they say they're sisters," Chloe answered.
After that, Chloe returned, and Nic waited until break time, then prepared to head to that address.
To be continued...