Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Deception [2]
The next day, Ace readied himself for class at a leisurely pace.

Meanwhile waiting outside his quarters was a person, none other than Professor Lotus, now officially already his assistant.

Her back was straight, her robes neat, and her expression serene, though her eyes flicked with unspoken thoughts the moment he stepped out.

“Teacher,” she said with a polite bow. “The Fifth Imperial Princess is paying a visit today.”

Ace raised an eyebrow. “Princess Soho?”

Lotus nodded, then paused, eyeing his current attire, a simple black robe with slightly rolled sleeves and a faint scent of whatever he had cooked that morning.

“Teacher…” she hesitated, clearing her throat delicately. “Allow me to help you dress more appropriately.”

The words had barely left her lips before she instantly regretted them. Her face flushed faintly, and her hand shot up to her mouth as if trying to physically pull the sentence back in.

Ace simply gave a light chuckle. “It won’t be necessary. I’ll be fine.”

Without missing a beat, he started down the path toward the academy courtyard.

Lotus blinked twice, then quickly gathered her robes and followed, mentally berating herself the entire way.

As the two walked along the school road, students gave subtle bows and whispers followed them.

Lotus walked a step behind, her composure restored, until Ace suddenly asked, without looking back, “So… how was the effect of the pill I refined?”

Lotus blinked, caught off guard.

She recalled the Mind Cleansing Pill she had taken after her defeat.

The memory was vivid. The strange clarity that followed.

The tingling of spiritual nerves like freshly tuned strings.

“It was spectacular,” she admitted truthfully.

“Notice anything different?” Ace asked, gaze still fixed ahead.

“I…” she hesitated, then exhaled softly, “I noticed I was under hypnosis for a while.”

“Good,” Ace nodded. “As an alchemist, you should prepare better next time. Even your mind is a battlefield.”

Lotus fell silent, a strange feeling stirring in her chest that she quickly buried under.

They soon arrived at the lecture hall.

The class was already gathered, buzzing with chatter and whispers. As Ace entered, his eyes scanned the room instinctively.

The young master of the Wood Clan was seated confidently, nobles practically orbiting him like well-dressed satellites.

Ace narrowed his eyes slightly. Lin Zhaoyu, he noted silently.

Then his gaze shifted. Near the back, Emilia sat chatting animatedly with another girl, eyes sparkling, laughter bright.

Ace raised a brow.

And here I thought students would greet their teacher with bows and reverence, he thought dryly. Like we used to do for my teachers in my previous life.

He walked straight to the front and B A N G! slammed his hand down on the desk.

The noise echoed like thunder in a cauldron, silencing the room instantly.

“Alright, class,” he said, tone lazy but commanding. “Listen up. Today, we’re all going to refine pills.”

Ace raised a finger. “And anyone who dares explode a cauldron will be enjoying a ten hour continuous writing of the herb conundrum..”

He smiled faintly. Ah, teaching. Nothing better than the authority to assign hellish punishment with a smile..

The class next made its way to the academy’s alchemy room, a spacious chamber lined with neatly arranged cauldrons, shelves of herbs, and vents to whisk away the inevitable smoke of failure.

Lotus led the way, and behind her, Ace had his hands tucked behind his back, like a man on a leisurely stroll.

Upon reaching the alchemy room, Ace turned back to face the class.

“Today’s pill is simple. Grade 1: Body Strengthening Pill. Good for enhancing muscle density and fortifying bones. Basic, but essential.”

He waved his hand and a stack of jade slips floated onto the workbenches. Each one detailed the pill recipe and its required ingredients.

“Now then,” Ace said, eyes narrowing ever so slightly with a gleam of mischief, “I need a few brave souls. Volunteers, step forward.”

Without hesitation, Lin Zhaoyu took the lead, his posture proud and his expression calm, as if being first was in his blood.

Emilia stepped forward next, all smiles and energy. Behind her came the girl she had been chatting with earlier, soft-spoken girl with quiet eyes but a clear determination.

A few other students followed, eager to impress or at least not be left out.

They all had one thing in common, every volunteers were nobles.

Ace gestured toward a table lined with various herbs. “Choose your ingredients. One set per student. Take your time, make wise choices.”

The students next moved to the table, scanning the plants, seeds, and roots with varying degrees of confidence.

Internally, Ace smirked ,’You all didn’t want to raise herbs right?’, he thought wryly. So let’s see how many of you can tell a healthy Ironwood Root from one that’s just a tree bark.

Out loud, he added casually, “A small tip… not all herbs are legit herbs. Some of these might be, let’s say, cosmetically appealing but utterly useless.”

On hearing him, the students froze mid-reach.

Ace gave them a winning smile and walked to his chair at the front, kicking it slightly so it spun once before he sat down.

“Also… do try not to explode the cauldrons. We just had them polished.”

He leaned back, fingers interlocked behind his head.

The volunteers looked at each other. This time they looked scared and confused.

It didn’t take long, someone stood up instantly.

Lin Zhaoyu, his arms crossed as he stared at Ace, who was seated at the front.

“Professor,” he called out, “are you messing with us? You haven’t taught us how to differentiate real herbs from fakes yet.”

The class murmured in agreement, nodding and glancing at the selection of herbs with suspicion now painted across their faces.

Ace didn’t even sit up straight. He simply waved his hand dismissively.

“And who was it that appealed to the Rule Committee to cancel the herb cultivation course, saying it was a waste of time?” he asked, his voice calm but sharp.

No one answered. There was an awkward pause before Lin Zhaoyu huffed and returned to the table.

The rest followed quietly, mumbling and exchanging glances as they began picking through the herbs, now second-guessing every choice.

So trial and error it was.