Blacksmith Volume 2 chapter 3
“I’m so tired…”
The leftover fatigue from yesterday’s work felt like it was pulsing through my body.
I must’ve dug too many holes back then…
Today’s our first full-fledged day of classes.
Starting from today, we’re allowed to freely choose from the list of optional electives to try out.
I was just barely able to drag my lead-like body to first period, Herbalism.
I chose this elective without hesitation because it’s currently the one I’m the most interested in.
In the end, there were about 30 students in total gathered together for the class.
There sure are a lot of girls though…
Even the instructor is female.
“Thanks for coming everyone. My name is Amari and I’ll be your instructor for Herbalism.”
With a voice that had a nice chime to it, the instructor introduced herself as Amari. She seems to be in her thirties, while her round-frame glasses stand prominent on her warm face.
“Herbalism has many academic as well as practical aspects to it. What you learn here today can be used to help many more people in your days to come.”
That right there is one of the reasons why I chose this class.
I’m not interested in theories and the like.
What I want is knowledge that I can use in the near future for profit.
A good herb merchant will be able to create goods that sell for a higher price than what the herbs originally costed, and the knowledge on how to create those goods can be easily learned in this class.
“Herbs are generally common enough that anyone can experiment with them for a cheap price, but personally my goal is to develop a large variety that anyone can grow for free. For those interested there’s an extra seminar on this happening later on, it’s even self-sponsored.”
Amari-sensei gave a gentle smile.
Yup, she definitely has the heart of a nice person, unlike some other people I know…
“That said, please do, the herbal tour will be free because it’s your first time in class, and it’ll make me happy to see all of you in a formal lesson.”
Sensei smiled again. Ahh~ I’m being healed~
“Oh and even if you’re curious, make sure you don’t eat any of them. There are some dangerous ones here too.”
* * *
We followed Sensei’s instructions as we toured the herbs.
By the way, the herbalism classroom is located on the north side of the school on the first floor.
Inside are the herbs that are more suited for indoor cultivation methods, while all the others are cultivated outside.
Oh, and apparently this is the only classroom that directly has an exit to the school grounds.
Different kinds of herbs hung off of the walls and ceiling, while an abundant amount was being grown outside as well.
They fully utilized the land they were given, growing an amount I couldn’t possibly see in only an hour.
In the distance I could see something that looked like a vinyl house.
I was getting a little excited thinking about all the herbs I could grow here.
“Excuse me, but you’re… Kururi Helan right?”
Calling out to the me who was busily looking at herbs was a boy whose face was mostly covered by his hood.
He was short, and his complexion was pale.
….and ugh, he reeks!!
The intense odour of herbs seemed to emanate off him.
Trying my best not to breath through my nose, I was somehow able to choke out a “Yeah, that’s me.”
“The name’s Toto Gapp, and I’ve been interested in you for a while.”
“I-is that so?”
This is bad, our conversation isn’t even registering in my head.
Ugh, I can’t block the smell!
“Oh sorry, you’re acting like that because of the smell right? Just give me a minute to take off my jacket.”
As he said so, Toto started to remove his hood, moving to place it in the corner of the classroom.
While he was coming back, I tentatively tried breathing through my nose.
There’s no smell!
*Su.* (sfx: sniff)
No smell at all!
“I usually wear that to ward off people, because I usually go to places where some unsightly people can be found.”
Ward off people?! This is the first time I’ve heard of this.
“So you needed me for something?”
“Yeah, I was rather surprised that you were interested in herbs. If you want, do you want to take a look at the varieties that I’m developing at the moment?”
“Developing? Wait… You’re saying that you’ve cultivated new herb species?!”
“That’s right, that’s because I’m a genius in this field. Come on, check this out.”
He guided me to an area that had a mass of greenhouses lined up.
Eventually he passed into one and there I saw them.
There were herbs suspended off of the ceiling, herbs planted closely together, palm-sized ones, and some that were almost as big as I was!
All of them were unusual herbs that I haven’t seen before.
“Amazing right? I’m the one that created them all.”
“All of them?!”
“Yeah, but the unique ones at the vinyl house belong to Amari-sensei.”
“That’s still amazing though.”
I tried giving the small plastic building a small look around.
All of them were herbs that I had never seen before, and there were eve