I Give Up on the BL Novel's Male Leads - Chapter 36
Five minutes before the assembly started, Damon arrived.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Huh?”
“You feel warm.”
“I’m fine. It’s probably just the heat.”
Illein didn’t actually feel hot, but she found it odd that her whole body felt warm since the previous day. It wasn’t a fever from illness; otherwise, her arm would be sore, which they weren’t.
Classes proceeded without any major issues.
Until the Potions class.
“Due to the unfortunate incident before, we had some delays, but we will resume the class today,” the Potions professor said, pressing his fingers to his temples.
“Though the progress of each group varies, it seems difficult to keep the current groups. So, we will reassign members while keeping the potions you’ve made so far. Starting today, grades will be recorded. Any previous potions made will be discarded and replaced with those I’ve prepared.”
With a wave of his wand, the professor made the desks and equipment, previously arranged for each group, reappear in their places.
There was a noticeable separation between the students of Class 1 and Class 10.
“Everyone, please draw lots from the box here. One at a time…”
“Professor!”
The one calling out was Willai. Illein frowned, wondering what he was about to say.
“Yes, Willai?”
“We don’t need to change groups! Illein and I have made up! I apologized!”
His cheerful declaration made the professor glance at Illein, who looked puzzled.
“Is that really true?”
Illein didn’t want to respond, but if Willai was to get expelled, her father’s job would be at risk.
“…Yes.”
“Professor, I don’t think that’s right,” Damon interjected.
The professor looked confused, not knowing whose side to take.
“Let’s not change the groups,” Edwin said.
Recognizing Edwin, the professor looked tense but then spoke.
“Alright, we’ll keep the groups as they are… Is that okay with you, Illein?”
“Ah, yes. It’s fine.”
The other students in Class 1 wanted to say something, but Edwin’s intimidating expression kept them silent. So, Illein, Marianne, Edwin, and Willai remained in the same group.
“Today, you’ll place a cherished item into the potion. This will complete the basic step of the potion of luck.”
Edwin glared at Willai and spoke with a sneer.
“Hey, Macintosh.”
“Y-yes? Your Highness?”
Edwin smirked and said, “I’m using that. Hand it over.”
He pointed at the family heirloom ring of the Macintosh family.
“And that,” he added, pointing to Willai’s unique wand.
“What? But that’s the family heirloom ring!”
“Yes, exactly.”
Edwin replied, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
Illein couldn’t help but notice how his broad frame seemed to stretch the fabric of his uniform.
“I’m using it. That and your wand.”
“Ah…”
Willai was baffled by the sudden demand.
What absurdity is this?
Willai made eye contact with Edwin, debating whether he could refuse. But Edwin’s expression was menacing, leaving him no real choice.
As much as he wanted to refuse, he couldn’t. Edwin’s intimidating demeanor made it clear that refusal wasn’t an option.
The Macintosh family was of viscount rank. Although being a viscount wasn’t a low rank, to a royal, which was rare to see even a few times in one’s life, it was still considered a minor title.
Moreover, even if a royal were charged with first-degree murder, the worst they’d get for harming someone from a mere family like his would be a token punishment. Of course, it would be different if the person in question were of equal royal status or from a family with significant influence in the capital.
What if the notorious prince, who had once been a crown prince, got angry and decided to burn him alive?
It would likely be written off as an accident.
And the Macintosh Viscount family would be blacklisted, making it even harder to advance in the imperial court.
“Hand it over.”
As Edwin demanded, Willai removed the ring from his middle finger with trembling hands and gave it to Edwin.
In the end, Willai had no choice. He simply had to obey whatever Edwin commanded.
“Give me the wand too.”
Willai handed over his wand as well, cowed by Edwin’s authoritative voice.
“With just these, our group should be set.”
Edwin said, causing a few snickers from other groups.
Illein felt a bit awkward but was relieved she wouldn’t have to give up her childhood treasure.
“The more valuable the item, the clearer the potion of luck will be. And the clearer it is, the more effective it will be.”
The potions professor said coolly, casting a spell on the black cauldron in the middle of each group’s table.
