Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

57. Rivals

Elaine's body tensed up as she caught a glimpse of Professor Lurgs walking towards their workstation, having just assessed the potion of the pair before them. 

Elaine had always been intimidated by the professor's vast knowledge and expertise in the field of potion-making, even so, Professor Lurgs had a kind and understanding aura about her that could calm even the most anxious of minds. Her gentle smile and warm disposition were a testament to her natural ability to put people at ease.

However, despite the woman's smiles, soft chuckles, and pure eyes, Elaine knew that there was more to her than met the eye. The professor was a tough judge when it came to evaluating her students' potions. She would start by acknowledging the effort put in to create an elixir. Then, she would keenly observe its effects on the hobgoblin that sampled it, paying ever so close attention to the brightness of the amphibian's sac, which would provide a clear indication of the potion's effectiveness.

Finally, when all was said and done, and the light the hobgoblin emitted began to dim, Professor Lurgs would give a nod of approval, commending her students on a job well done before primly proceeding to the next pair.

One could take solace or even relief knowing that their professor wasn't as harsh or as strict as some of the other professors on campus; however, Elaine didn't feel the same way. As Professor Lurgs peered in their direction at the end of the table, Elaine's heart began pounding heavily against her chest, the same way it did when she had come face to face with a griffin a short while ago.

Minerva didn't appear to be as nervous as she was, though. Where Elaine sat partially hunched in her seat, grabbing the edge of the table with one hand and bawling a fist atop her thigh with the other, Minerva kept silent with an unchanging expression and folded arms, staring indifferently ahead with her calculating, green-tinted eyes.

Elaine wished she could be as fearless as her at that moment, but then, she noticed that the girl was hardly breathing and would continue to tap one of her fingers against her arm in rapid succession. 

Yes, Minerva was doing her absolute best to calm her nerves, but it was evident that she, like Elaine, was concerned about the grades they might potentially receive. Minerva had shared her goal of achieving perfect grades in all her exams, and Elaine couldn't help but wonder how she would react if she fell short of her academic aspirations.

"Next, we have, ah, Harwood and Barrow," Professor Lurgs said, stopping in front of them, a hand resting on her chest. "You two were gone for quite a while. I was getting worried. I was just about to search for you when you reappeared with those Gray Cloaks. I wonder, just whatever might you have done during that time?"

Elaine stifled a chuckle. "Well, ma'am, let's just say we took this exam rather seriously."

"A bit too serious, if I may say," the professor jested jovially. "You two came back covered in scratches and bruises, your magical energy having depleted exponentially."

"You needn't worry one bit, professor." Elaine shuttered when Minerva spoke up as strongly as she did; clearly, she wanted to move on to the point of discussion. "Though you provided us with an unending trove of priceless ingredients that could be counted on to create the most exuberant potion, we deemed it necessary to gather a special ingredient all on our own." Minerva tilted her head as she peeked a glare towards Elaine. "After all, you didn't specify that what we included in the potion had to be limited to just this classroom."

"That I didn't," Professor Lurgs sighed with a smile. "And how relieved I am to know someone latched on to that hint. I am most curious to see what you have concocted, and it looks like I am not the only one." The professor patted their hobgoblin on its head, the creature closing its eyes and yapping like a cat that had contracted a throat infection. "Ready to give it a shot, little guy? I bet you've worked up quite the appetite."