This Heroine's Friend Has the Power of Botany

Chapter 127

Exchange Knowledge

"Thank you, my lady, for your compliments. However, there are still many things I need to learn," the young man humbly replied, offering a warm smile as a gift for the praise. The little girl felt as if she had been struck by a powerful blow, unable to respond at all, giving Christopher the chance to turn back to Ellie.

"Meeting is a matter of fate. Today, could the victor of the competition perhaps offer me some guidance? An exchange of knowledge with you would not be too much of a bother, would it?" Christopher smiled, but that smile made Ellie roll her eyes.

For other girls, it might have been considered the most charming smile. Yes...he did look very good when he smiled like that, but the lack of sincerity in his eyes made everything seem contradictory.

The more Ellie ignored him, the more Christopher increased his wind elemental power to waft the faint herbal scent towards her. However, unlike typical girls, Ellie’s extensive experience with herbs made her realize that the herbs used in the potion were not of high life force. It seemed the other party hadn’t taken proper care of the herbs before using them in the concoction.

She must admit, it’s a potion formula she’d never seen before. It seemed that the other party had a pretty good mind, at least knowing how to create a new type of potion. Although it might not be very useful for hunters, it would certainly be very beneficial to this kingdom. An herbal potion that increased concentration, one that provided relaxation, and one that made one feel fascinated by things as if in an unreal world—these 3 types seem to have been created and used by the man in front of her.

The reason these potions should be of interest to people here was that the focus-enhancing potion would allow scholars to focus on their tedious texts. The relaxation potion would enable them to rest fully and wake up feeling refreshed. Just these 2 potions were enough to ensure a stable income for him.

But the 3rd potion, even when used in small amounts, showed remarkable quality. It must come from combining it with other types of potions. It was quite a clever strategy.

Ellie believed that if Professor Medik knew about these potions, he would definitely oppose them. What kind of apothecary would create a potion to make others infatuated with them to the point of obsession? It’s a matter of professional ethics.

Knowing that these pleasant feelings were induced by the potions, Ellie’s resistance grew, preventing her from being fooled like other women who didn’t understand this and thought the man in front of them was truly exceptional. From a neutral perspective, she felt that this man was more dangerous than even the demon Aman.

"Apologies, Mister Christopher. I would indeed like to exchange knowledge with you. However, I have just been through a grueling competition today, and I really need to rest. If there’s another opportunity next time, let’s use that time to talk," Ellie politely declined, not wanting to embarrass the man in front of her too much. She didn’t know how these girls watching might treat her if she caused embarrassment to the one they adored.

"It seems you don’t want to give me the chance to learn more. I truly apologize for the disturbance," Christopher sighed in resignation.

"Isn’t this going too far? Mister Christopher is giving you such an opportunity, and yet you dare to disappoint him. Do you think you’re so great just because you won the competition?" As soon as the young man put on a sad face, the spoiled young lady started to yell, despite a part of her feeling it was good he wouldn’t be involved with other women. Yet, she couldn’t bear to see his sad face.

These conflicting feelings clashed within her, and ultimately, her love for him won out. She didn’t care how he talked with other women, but she couldn’t stand seeing him sad right now.

"Lady Kara, you don’t need to force anyone. I merely want to exchange knowledge with a fellow apothecary, to understand how our institutes teach potion concocting differently or similarly, as scholars do. If she doesn’t feel comfortable sharing, it’s alright."

"How can it be alright!? Does she think she’s so skilled? Will simply talking cause her skills to deteriorate? She says she needs to rest, that she’s tired from the competition? Then why not just die!? Mister Christopher’s relaxation potion is available. Does she think she can use this as an excuse?"

The man spoke once, then the young girl spoke again, with the main point being to pressure Ellie into joining the conversation with Christopher. Ellie had seen the frightening effects of the charm potion and thought that in the future...she might need a contingency plan to produce a potion that reduced others’ charm. After all, she couldn’t let him use his charm to manipulate others like this.

"Sigh, both of you, please calm down. I never said I didn’t want to talk to you."

"If that’s the case, then why are you playing games with words? What do you really want?!!" The little girl demanded, more forceful than anyone, determined to make Ellie yield for Christopher’s happiness.

"If you insist, I ask for your assistance in this matter."

"Assist?"

"Yes. Since I am from a different land, the customs of our kingdom dictate that a man and woman should not be alone together, or it might be perceived as an improper relationship, potentially damaging the woman’s reputation. I came to this kingdom solely to compete, and if I return with such a reputation, it might hinder my studies at the institute."

"Hmm? So, what do you want me to help with?"

"I ask that you stay in the room throughout our conversation, my lady. Even though the topic of potion concocting might be somewhat boring, if you remain present, no one would dare to spread any harmful rumors."

Ellie smiled, causing the young girl’s face to twitch involuntarily—not from anger, but as if trying to hide her joy.

"Hmph! Only for your sake. But Mister Christopher..." Kara looked at the man she adored with nervousness. The foreign girl’s words had put him in a position where rejecting the idea would clearly mean he despised her.

The feelings of someone secretly in love were chaotic and confusing. The young man’s response, which might not even be significant to others, was her only hope.

"I would be delighted if Lady Kara joined our conversation." Christopher’s smile turned Kara’s face crimson all the way to her ears. She felt an immense happiness at the thought of spending more time close to him after this. In her heart, she felt gratitude towards Ellie, even though Ellie was another woman who shouldn’t be near Mister Christopher. But Ellie seemed different from the others. Perhaps this woman wouldn’t be her rival, would she?

"In that case, let’s go to the room I reserved. Don’t forget to bring the fragrant orchid wine. Let’s go." Lady Kara hid her smile as she led them to the luxurious room that cost dozens of gold coins.

Christopher, ever the gentleman, gestured for Ellie to go in first. Ellie didn’t resist and, during this time, let her spores follow the people outside and spread throughout the inn for her own safety.

The luxurious dining room was both a dining area and a lodging area, much like the one Ellie had reserved. The front area was set up with dining seats, featuring an expensive long table. The seats were upholstered with fine leather that felt like sinking into a cloud. Seeing this made Ellie quite interested. Before returning to the institute, she resolved to purchase high-quality seats like these to take back with her.

The bedroom area was partitioned off to block the view inside. Ellie and Christopher sat quietly at the dining table, waiting. Soon, food was gradually brought out, starting with an appetizer to whet their appetite. Next came various soups, stir-fried dishes, and fried foods. The most luxurious dish was the braised duck with precious herbs, which, when consumed, would significantly rejuvenate the body, making it the most expensive dish in the inn.

There was also a bottle of fragrant wine, which was the "fragrant orchid wine" that Lady Kara had insisted be brought to the table. Just the smell of it was enough to make one’s mouth water. Before inhabiting this young girl’s body, Ellie had been quite the “drinker” herself, often having a drink after work to forget her troubles and muster the strength for the following days.

Since coming into this world, she hadn’t had the chance to taste any of its liquor. This was a good opportunity to relax, even though the company of the two around her wasn’t very conducive to relaxation.

"My lady, we have also brought up chilled orchid wine. Perhaps you might enjoy it as much as the fragrant orchid wine," a staff member suggested with concern. If the young lady drank something that disagreed with her and caused an incident, they would surely face severe punishment.

"Mind your own business! I don’t want that wine. I like fragrant orchid wine just like Mister Christopher! Take it away." Lady Kara felt slightly embarrassed.

She wanted to be the ideal woman for him, which meant drinking the same wine as he did. If they got married one day, she would be his drinking companion. If he found out she was allergic to fragrant orchid wine and didn’t choose her as his partner, she would rather die!

"If you don’t mind, may I try the chilled orchid wine, my lady?" Ellie noticed the staff member’s distressed expression, so she stopped them. At least having the chilled orchid wine in the room might reduce the young lady’s consumption a bit.

This world was indeed strange. Even a young child can drink alcohol. It truly was harmful to children. Took this young lady, for instance. She knew that she didn’t handle fragrant orchid wine well, yet her immature mind only knew how to foolishly please a man. Was she really willing to risk her life for that? ...How pitiful.

One day, when she grew up and if she overcame this infatuation with men, would she regret it?

"T-Then, we’ll take our leave now," the staff quickly placed the wine and left. Lady Kara looked at Ellie, thinking she intended to embarrass her in front of Mister Christopher. But Ellie ignored both Kara and Christopher, simply pouring herself some chilled orchid wine, acting as if she was genuinely interested in it. Consequently, Kara had to feign indifference and excitedly poured fragrant orchid wine for both Christopher and herself.

"I heard you like this wine very much, so please accept this gift from me." Kara knew how to pour wine properly, lifting her sleeve to reveal her fair, delicate arm. However, because she was still very young, her arm didn’t have the softness and appeal of a mature woman’s.

One could say that her arm and Ellie’s, who was a malnourished child, were equally small and not at all appealing to touch.

"Thank you very much, my lady," Christopher replied with a satisfied smile. Seeing the young lady flatter him like this boosted his confidence even more. However, when he saw Ellie drinking the chilled orchid wine, he felt a slight urge to outdo her.

"By the way, I’ve introduced myself, but I still don’t know your name. May I have the honor of knowing it?" Seeing the man she adored show interest in the foreign girl again made Kara annoyed. If looks could kill, Ellie would have died dozens of times by now!

"You don’t know my name? I thought everyone already knew it. Or do they just call me the first-year student from Ares Institute who ranked 1st in the competition?"

"Haha, you got me. So, can I call you “Ellie” from now on?"

"That is my name. You can call me that, just like everyone else."

"Ah...this is really good. I feel that you and I are fated to meet." Christopher poured another glass of wine for Ellie under the intense gaze of the young lady beside him. He didn’t care what Lady Kara thought because, regardless...this young girl was already under his control.

No matter where he led her, no matter what he made her do, she would not defy him...

Bang!!

"Oh! Apologies for the interruption. I was wondering where the Setter family’s people had gone. It turns out she is receiving such a warm welcome here..."

A devilish smile appeared with a provoking tone. Actually, he had intended to eavesdrop on the conversation outside, but who would have thought that the man inside would start talking about being fated!? When it came to having a fate with that girl, he only allowed his elder brother to have it. As for others...they should just get lost!!

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!