"Hm hm hmm~"
Inside a lab stacked high with bizarre potions, Tachyon, the mad scientist Uma, lounged lazily in her chair, one leg casually crossed over the other. Her hands, hidden beneath oversized sleeves, held a steaming cup of black tea like a hamster clutching a piece of cheese, humming cheerfully to herself.
As for why Tachyon was so delighted today, aside from the ample experimental funds she earned during her last Black Market sale, the primary reason was that her great project was progressing extraordinarily well.
This major project had three phases, each corresponding to a different potion with distinct effects:
The first potion was the Want-a-Hug Potion, making someone crave hugs upon smelling a certain scent. The second was the Only Want to Protect You Potion, causing protective impulses upon seeing someone's face. Lastly, the third was the Ear Pregnancy Potion, arousing Uma upon hearing a specific voice.
As long as Tachyon developed antidotes for all three potions, she could finally cure the lovesickness plaguing that adorable junior she treasured so dearly.
She'd already completed antidotes for the first two, leaving only one final stage to her grand scheme:
Creating a potion that would make one's voice instantly alluring enough to arouse any Uma who heard it—then developing its antidote!
Tachyon aimed to complete this goal within a month. But before that, she needed to open her Black Market one more time, exchanging some useless stock for enough experimental funds…
"The next Black Market will be set for next weekend at midnight, then," Tachyon muttered to herself, lifting the cup to sip her tea.
"Ow! Still too hot!" Tachyon stuck out her tongue, swollen slightly from the heat.
Just then, knocking suddenly sounded at the door.
Knock knock knock~
"Hmm?" Tachyon frowned slightly, puzzled.
Her Black Market wasn't open now, and it was broad daylight—so who could possibly be visiting her?
She placed the cup down, extended a leg gracefully against the wall to spin her chair toward the door, and called out gently:
"Come in."
The sliding door opened, revealing President Rudolf and Vice-President Air Groove standing at the doorway, expressions solemn.
"President Rudolf? Vice-President Air Groove?" Tachyon was startled.
Why had the two most powerful figures in Tracen Academy's Student Council suddenly appeared here today?
Judging by their stern expressions, Tachyon couldn't help but suspect they'd come to raid her.
But everyone knew Tachyon's Black Market benefited the academy.
As long as she wasn't openly selling potions in broad daylight, leading every Uma in school to realize they could win their trainers' affections through dosing them, the Student Council would normally turn a blind eye.
So what was their sudden visit about?
"May I ask why you two have come to my place?" Tachyon asked cautiously.
Rudolf and Air Groove exchanged glances. Then, Air Groove produced an official document marked with an official seal and raised it for Tachyon to see clearly.
"We're here to inspect for prohibited items…"
"It really is a raid?!" Tachyon sprang from her chair, pupils trembling wildly behind her red-striped eyes, disbelief all over her face.
Imagine just sitting quietly in your lab, humming songs, sipping tea, and daydreaming of a bright future—when suddenly the Student Council kicks down your door for no reason!
"Huuu…" Tachyon took several deep breaths, calming herself. She then managed a polite smile and asked:
"But why?"
In reality, Tachyon didn't mind much if they searched her place. All her important formulas and experimental data were safely hidden elsewhere, after all. As long as that crucial information remained intact, she could recreate her potions at any time.
What Tachyon really wanted to know was why Tracen Academy's officials—who usually maintained peaceful coexistence with her—had suddenly decided to raid her now. Knowing their reason would help her avoid stepping on their toes again in the future…
"You produced the Want-a-Hug Potion, causing serious negative consequences," Rudolf replied grimly.
"Want-a-Hug Potion?" Tachyon raised an eyebrow.
She recalled selling that particular potion just once—right before closing last time—to a timid black-haired Uma wearing a tiny blue rose hat…
Could it be that the blue rose Uma had accidentally Uma Pyoi'd her trainer to exhaustion while hugging him, then gotten reported to the Student Council?
"See for yourself…" Rudolf and Air Groove stepped aside, revealing Mizuno and King Halo, who were tightly embracing behind them.
"?" Tachyon stared blankly at the shy-faced King Halo, a huge question mark forming above her head.
But this clearly wasn't the customer who'd purchased the Want-a-Hug Potion. Neither in appearance nor bearing did King Halo resemble the timid blue rose Uma from before—this Uma had a much more confident, noble aura.
Had the blue rose Uma bought the potion for a friend instead? How kind…
But that wasn't the real issue here.
What mattered was: the one who drank the potion seemed to be this elegant young lady standing before her—and her trainer still looked perfectly fine. It appeared to be nothing more than a harmless hug. Tachyon saw no signs at all that he'd been Uma Pyoi'd into oblivion.
It's just… the trainer's attire… Tachyon thought it looked strangely familiar…
"Wait a second! It's you!" Tachyon finally recognized Mizuno, her question mark immediately morphing into an exclamation point.
Although she didn't know King Halo, Tachyon vividly remembered Mizuno.
He'd left quite the impression on her during the last Black Market session…
After all, while other Uma had all been buying Stamina Drinks so they could wage endless battles with their trainers, Mizuno instead bought piles of half-finished Plant Growth Potions. It was difficult for Tachyon not to remember such a strange individual.
Initially, Mizuno had shown hostility toward Tachyon, planning to report her market as a serious threat to trainers' physical and mental health. Yet after Tachyon explained he could eventually buy her Intent Glasses—devices able to detect others' intentions—only through the existence of the Black Market, Mizuno dropped the idea of reporting her.
At that time, Tachyon had assumed Mizuno would quietly go back and try to raise the ten million yen needed to buy the glasses…
But now here he was, joining the Student Council to raid her home?
"You were the one who reported me?" Tachyon's eyes fixed intently on Mizuno, her lips twitching, struggling to maintain her forced smile.
Fine, fine! Saying you temporarily didn't have enough money and needed to think of a solution—was your solution to lead the Student Council directly to her doorstep?!
She'll remember this!