THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: TOXICOLOGY

After the class ended, the other 4E fourth-year students could go to a medicine class. Even the medicine classes in Galka Academy’s fourth year classes had to do with war, so it was a war medicine study. To know about poisons and antidotes, or how to treat war wounds. It was a class that happened once a week, and it did not require physical activities, so he joined along.

”Hello, boys, I’m Madam Landora Mila Valaku. For those whom we haven’t met yet,” I had missed a few weeks of school during my transfer, ” she was talking to the newcomer. ”Since we already did an introduction into the advanced medicine branch, toxicology, I’d like you to follow me to the school gardens for an outdoor class.” She smiled brightly, and all the students were quite happy to know that they’d not be sitting in class for another hour. Sagiri could have been happy if it were on another day, but he was going out in this class to follow N’varu Neni around. He did not know yet whether to thank him for taking care of him or eliminate him for knowing his secret

The school gardens were huge. They were situated at the back of the school on the inner part of the outer pentagon, and spread over a few miles. After all, different plants required different ecosystems, and some couldn’t grow if planted beside certain plants. It was the duty of plant specialists to create a suitable ecosystem. If they only thrived in an arid place, then they had to be planted on different soil and be kept in vineyard houses that had the same qualities as the desert.

Ms. Landora glided in her ground-touching dress through the garden. She made stops occasionally to teach the class about a plant, its species, and its pros and cons.

”This is the ’shy flower’ also known as feleeya,” Ms. Landora said, her hair strands flapping away in the sand whenever she stretched her hand to touch a flower head in its yellow pod. She looked outwardly delicate doing that mere act, and everyone swooned, enchanted by her charm.

”It is called the shy flower because not many get to see it bloom. It stays in its pod even after maturing and only comes out one night before it dies. It, however, is a very crucial ingredient for those planning to become war healers. It is a crucial ingredient used in making Traditional anesthesia. It is rare and as mysterious as it is important. If mixed with the Oraliyaa leaves of the Arco tree, however, it can make a perfume for those who want to go into beauty innovations to create strong perfumes like the one I’m wearing.” She giggled before continuing to another flower and orchard, and everyone gathered around to get a clear view. Of course, no one in The Galka War Academy was going to venture into beauty innovations, but no one got offended. Even Kaka looked weirdly intrigued, as if she did not understand women or why she looked so delicate yet real. They went against everything he was well except Miss Lakiya.

The flower was a deep purple with small petals. Its scent overpowered that of the plants around it, and it was deviously beautiful.

”This is the devil’s breath, also known as eelhagia. Just like its name, it’s a very devious flower. It is beautiful, but it is one of the most poisonous flowers. It only grows in cold places, as you can see in the environment of this vineyard house. Just one flower of the devil’s breath can be used to make poison that can bring down a horse,” everyone moved back instinctively from the devious plant. The reaction made Ms. Landora laugh, her voice like magical bells.

”There is no need for that. It only becomes poisonous once it’s severed from its stem. You may wonder then what is the use of such a plant?” She asked, and everyone nodded, wondering the same. ”It is a very critical ingredient when making most medicines. It requires meticulous care. Only the best of the best toxicologists know how to turn it into medicine, not poison. Mistakes are not allowed,” she said, the last statement with all seriousness, and Sagiri could understand why after hearing her explain it qualified to be called devil’s breath. Its smell alone was making him feel more lightheaded.

She floated to the next vineyard house, her long dress dragging behind her, her long hair like a bush around her head filled with flower decorations. She passed by a highly sealed vineyard house and turned around to face the class.

”This is the cursed flower. I will not teach you about this, not until you are at the end of the course and you have received your completion badges,” she said with a bright smile.

”Why?” A student asked.

”Because you are still not qualified to know its properties. Only one is in there, and it’s dead, yet I advise all of you not to approach that vineyard house,” she finished with a bright smile before moving to another tent. No one asked any more questions, but Sagiri could feel their curiosity thick in the air. They entered another vineyard house, which held a vast number of flower species, than the first three.

”This is the Healing Flower or the ’Luneth Reed’ she started again, bending low to pluck the Pale blue petals. ”It may not seem like it because they look dull now, but they glow faintly at night. It accelerates cell repair, so it is used to close wounds and reduce shock. So everyone should look at it properly, in case you need it later for yourself or your comrade. Of course, I will teach you how to refine it and mix it with other ingredients to make yourself vials, but that is for later classes,” she finished, placing the flower in her hair to join the rest of the dozens already in her hair.

”It can also be used to make stamina restoring pills. Most of you have used this to recover after punishment training. I don’t advise using it regularly, however, because overusing it can cause internal scarring and weakness.” She laughed again, shaking her head. She was like a flower, bright and joyful.

”Have you all heard of the magic flower?” She asked as the class flocked behind her. Everyone replied with a yes, and she turned around swiftly, causing everyone to come to a standstill.

The magic flower, the athalaga grass, I have not seen myself, but it is only restricted to the ruling family. Not even the grand chiefs have seen it. It is said to amplify one’s inner strength, making them formidable, and if a person takes it, they can defeat an entire army by themselves. Can you believe that?” Of course, no normal person believed that tale. But if the flower had such power, it was understandable why it was only kept for the ruling family. Holding it could mean one wanted to overthrow a sitting ruler, because what could one possibly use with the strength of a thousand men?

”This is the dark flower she said when they approached a transparent vineyard house, the nokelia veil.” Everyone moved closer to the tent, watching from the outside. The flower was red with black petals that absorbed light, and it did not have a scent. It looked even more malicious than the devil’s breath. Just looking at it made one want to stay away from it. ”In some parts of Tagayia, they call them the wicked flowers. Even so, only high-ranking members are allowed to permit its handling. It can suppress heartbeat sound and even body heat when taken. The user becomes difficult to sense. It is mostly used by the ’silent troops’ during assassination and stealth operations. Extended use erodes identity. Users report feeling ’less real’ over time. So it’s only used mostly as an ingredient to make other medicines and rarely in assassinations.”

The lesson came to an end soon after, and it was time for dinner. It was time for Sagiri to talk with N’varu, finally. He served two servings because he was not hungry. His eyes scanned the room, and he found him sitting on the other end alone. He seemed to be a loner. He took a step towards his table and walked to his table. He was about to sit down when Kiuga appeared out of nowhere and snatched him, putting his hand around his neck, dragging him to another table, inviting N’varu in the process.

”Hey, hey, sensory boy, join me for dinner,” he started dragging him away to a table where Kaka was already seated, looking gleam, Zazirie, Zolinka, and Bukata were already seated, looking like they wanted to be anywhere but seated with Kaka, Asakana, the King of Galka. It seemed Kiuga had gathered everyone from team 25. Well, those who had forfeited, except Ulekai. Kiuga kept scanning the dining wing, however, as if he was going to find him.

”Don’t be shy, kaka doesn’t mind,” he laughed, dumping Sagiri in a chair. Kaka was seated with a grave expression that screamed, ’get away from me,’ but Kiuga ignored it.

”What a coincidence that we get to gather here again,” he said again. He was the only one who looked happy at the whole table. Everyone else was on edge. ”Now we wait for Ulekai before I formally introduce myself and my dear friend Kaka Asakana Bami, the king of Galka,” he finished, looking over to find Ulekai before he yelled his name across the hall, going against all the dining rules.

”Ulekai! Over here.”

NUMBER 1: No talking while you are eating.

He was quite a complex character.