This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 6

“I see, so Moryu is a legendary herb because it’s in the hidden world behind the Forest of Finis.”

“Yes, and you need a transformation potion because humans can’t go there.”

After school, while making the transformation potion in the lab, I was reporting to Noel about what the fairies had said.

This time, the potion needed to be simmered down to make it more potent, and a pretty awful smell was wafting from the pot. It was so bad that it brought tears to my eyes.

“If it’s dangerous, I’ll go.”
“No, you can’t.”

If Noel went, people from the royal family might notice. And if they did, he’d probably end up killing the professor, just like in the game.

But I couldn’t tell him that.

“L-Look! If something happens to Professor Roaek, shouldn’t you be the one to rush to his aid? That’s why you can’t go.”

I added what sounded like a reasonable excuse.

But Noel didn’t look convinced, furrowing his brows and refusing to back down.

“Because of my work with the Ministry of Magic, I’ve learned how to avoid danger. But you haven’t, right? I can’t just stand by and let you go when I know it’s risky.”

He’s worried about me.

Considering how he acted when I proposed our engagement, it feels like he’s come to trust me quite a bit. That thought warms my heart and makes me a little emotional.

“Have you forgotten our contract to help treat Professor Roaek?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“I want to fulfill that contract. So please wait for me.”

As the potion simmered, it turned pitch black. I turned off the heat and kept stirring so it wouldn’t solidify. It looked just like muddy water.

This was actually pretty hard work — stirring the thick liquid with a wooden spatula required strength.

“Let me do it. I’m used to helping Professor Roaek.”
“Thanks.”

He really did seem used to it, mixing the potion skillfully.

“Was it really okay to give Prince Alois the potion ingredients?”

Actually, as thanks for helping me, I’d given Alois a transformation potion set.

He had happily accepted it, but I wasn’t sure if he’d ever use it.

“He wouldn’t use it for anything bad. Besides, who knows if he’ll ever need it.”
“Hmph? You trust him quite a lot.”

Noel’s voice sounded a bit grumpy again.

“He’s an important student.”

I kept the real reason — that he’s my favorite character — to myself.

◇

Thanks to the fairies’ persuasion, Treant agreed to guide us to the hidden world behind Finis.

On the night Treant had specified, it was finally time to drink the transformation potion to go to the hidden world.

“I’m drinking it.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll drink it all.”
“You can do it.”
“I know I can. I will drink it.”
“…Are you really sure about this?”

Drinking a pitch-black potion that clearly didn’t look edible took a lot of courage.

Even as Noel worried beside me, I steeled myself and brought the glass bottle to my lips.

The moment I opened the lid, a strong stench hit my nose and made me tear up, but I tilted the bottle and poured the contents into my mouth in one go.

“Ugh.”

The indescribably awful taste burned my throat as it went down.

I managed not to gag and swallowed it, and my body started to shrink.

“Cough… Ugh, that was nasty.”
“Are you okay?”

A large palm gently rubbed my back.

When I looked up, Noel was crouching and peering at me.

“You’ve properly turned into a cat.”
“Good. I have to return before the potion wears off.”

By the way, my clothes didn’t end up in a pile on the floor — they transformed with me.

That kind of convenient logic is just so very “game world,” don’t you think?

“You’re in cat form, but your eye color is the same as when you’re human.”
“Hey!”

He suddenly picked me up, and all four of my legs flailed in the air.

Before I knew it, Noel’s face was very close, and I was in his arms.

“If you were always this size as a human, I could carry you around and wouldn’t have to worry.”

Just as I was wondering what that strange comment meant, something soft pressed against my forehead.

It took me a moment to realize what had just happened — my mind froze for an instant.

Did Noel just… kiss me on the forehead?

“What are you doing?!”
“I saw a cute cat, so I couldn’t help myself.”

He gave me a sly smile, and my face instantly flushed red.

He knows I’m the one who transformed — so what the heck is that supposed to mean?

“I-I’ll scratch you if you keep messing around!”
“Hey, girl! Don’t you dare lay a paw on my master!”

As I struggled in Noel’s arms, Jill scolded me.

If anyone should be scolded, it’s the master who keeps fooling around.