CHAPTER 237: GUILTY

Since becoming Aura’s assistant, Gara could enter and exit Aura’s office without permission. Right now, he was inside Aura’s room by himself.

Yesterday, Aura had contacted him via the crystal ring to meet her in her office after his class.

However, Aura turned out to be busy with other things in the herb garden, so Gara had to wait for the professor alone.

It didn’t matter to Gara. He was actually looking for a new, quiet place to study, and his professor’s room was a good choice.

But it wasn’t entirely quiet, as the sound of staff, assistant professors, and other professors passing by could be heard.

Aura had previously mentioned a way to make the room soundproof, but Gara hadn’t quite caught the instructions, thinking he would never be left alone and wouldn’t need to do it himself.

"Next time, I will listen to the Professor’s words," he promised himself.

"Students in my class said the same thing..."

Again, the voices of assistant professors drifted from outside. Gara tried to focus on reading his book, but the conversation of the people outside was too distracting.

"Someone really saw it. Professor Langga with a female student."

"Who saw it? Is the source trustworthy?"

"You can trust this source because my student said that the proof came from a Class S student itself."

"A Class S student? They didn’t try to cover their main advisor’s dirt, but exposed it?"

"That student is known as a true gossiper. Main advisor or not, people say he only speaks the truth."

Inside the room, Gara’s ears felt hot. He knew exactly who they were talking about.

"Miki saw the trap that I laid. But, isn’t he too cruel? Langga is his main advisor, after all..." Gara mumbled, feeling a pang of guilt.

The rumor wasn’t just being discussed by students but by the teaching staff as well. The situation was getting worse, spinning out of control.

This was actually what Gara had wanted, for everyone to see Langga as a nasty professor. For his image to be ruined.

But after everything unfolded according to his plan, Gara felt regret.

"Why is he just letting the gossip spread like this? Isn’t he afraid the academy will do something if this rumor gets out of control?" Gara tapped his finger on the desk, his eyes darting anxiously.

Gara’s mind was full of the Langga rumor —the one he started— until Aura arrived.

"Sorry, Gara. The new batch of seeds turned out to be the wrong kind. Almost all the preparation had to be discarded, and we have to start the preparation from scratch." Aura sat at her desk.

Gara could see how hectic Aura’s day had been from the dirt stains on her clothes.

"It’s okay, Professor. I don’t have any other classes today."

They then discussed the lesson material for next week. It didn’t take much time, as Gara easily kept up with Aura’s planning. He even offered a few suggestions, and Aura genuinely liked his input.

After finishing the discussion, Aura stopped Gara from leaving right away. "Sweet or Salty, Gara?"

"It’s... salty?" Gara answered without knowing the context.

Aura opened her cupboard. There were many jars inside. She climbed a small step stool to reach one of the porcelain jars.

"This is a herb that can make food taste slightly salty. At least you won’t have to endure plain soup," Aura said, handing him the jar after stepping down from the stool, a movement that made Gara briefly nervous, afraid his professor would fall.

"Thank you, Professor." Gara accepted the jar.

Even though he had plenty of salt and his soup was already very salty without extra herbs, he accepted it with genuine gratitude. He resolved to gift Aura something later.

"Oh, Professor. What kind of herb were you planting in the garden just now? Why does it need so much preparation?" he asked while reaching for the door.

"It was a rare seed. A seed that only grows at a precise temperature, certainly not this warm temperature."

"Is it perhaps an Autumn Seed?" His step halted.

Aura nodded, smiling. "You also know about the Autumn Seed? Of course, you’re the most talented herbalist."

"Don’t flatter me, Professor. I just read it once in a book. But it’s true that it makes me really curious. Can I see the seed?"

"All of the seeds have been planted. But if you want to plant it, I can ask my friend from another province to send some here again."

"I do. I really want it, Professor," Gara answered quickly, not even pausing to breathe.

His professor’s smile widened further. "Okay, just wait."

Gara left his professor’s office with a bright smile, his steps almost bouncy.

"Now, I don’t have to wait for the Herbalist Club meeting. I hope the seed arrives soon."

While humming, he didn’t realize he passed by Langga’s office.

Inside, the owner heard the young man’s soft voice. Without seeing him, he knew it was Gara.

His legs moved on their own toward the door. When he opened it, he only saw the young man’s back.

But, even the back view made him smile, without knowing why.

...

Gara walked along the dormitory corridor, his mind elsewhere. This past week had brought a mix of good news and news that made him anxious.

When will Chief Ambar introduce me to the gnome that made the machine? How about the autumn seed— I hope Professor Aura’s friend will send it here soon.

His face was full of hope and smiles.

But when he remembered where he was going, his smile quickly faded.

Miki won’t come to the clock tower again, right? But if he does, I can show myself. The rumors will clear up by themselves. Right...?

Even though he tried to reassure himself, he still felt doubt all over.

Like last week, his eyes were searching for Miki. When he arrived at Miki’s hidden place, he didn’t find the rat boy.

Instantly, panic spread across his face.

...