Maple High School Academy Year 1
The Dragon in Gingko Forest - Can Knowledge Wait?

Can Knowledge Wait?

NOBODY was more excited about pounding in mortar, looking into microscopes, and smelling leaves than Shalima Shero was on Tuesday. Tuesday is his favorite day because his three favorite subjects are on that day. He always tried his best to learn all forms of pills, liquids, and herbs that are beneficial to health.

“You go home first.” Shal spoke slowly to Amara and Valfred after the Herbology lesson was over. “I want to show my proposal to The Prof.”

“You sure?” Amara looked at Shal deeply.

Shal did not want to argue with Amara. He immediately walked back while waving and said cheerfully, “Knowledge cannot wait!”

After which he immediately turned around and walked quickly towards the desk of The Prof, the teacher of the super-mysterious Potions and Herbology class.

“Excuse me, Prof.” politely greeted The Prof who then only turned his head one degree. No disciple ever dared to observe for a long time the figure of The Prof behind the black veil that always covered most of his face.

“Is the Prof pleased to see my research proposal on bioluminescent mushrooms?” Shal gave up the proposal in his hand while looking down with a feeling of misgivings. A few seconds later, Shal felt The Prof's hand pick up the proposal.

Shal didn't know if the face behind the hood really had eyes. However, The Prof seemed to actually observe his page per page proposal to completion.

“Chromotherapy using Balobadisk mushroom. Very interesting!” finally The Prof made a sound while handing the proposal back to Shal. “Then, I am not sure this can be done anytime soon. You are still a level 1 student, while Balobagisk is only in the Dark Forest.”

Shal knew only level 4 disciples could enter the Dark Forest. However, for the sake of Athena and Appolo, for the sake of science and health, were there really no exceptions? The knowledge cannot wait!

“Yes, Prof. However, I cannot do this research based solely on the explanation in the book. The collection of bioluminescent mushrooms in the academy is not enough to be a sample for research on color therapy.”The Prof sighed behind the huge black robe he was wearing.

“Shal, I really appreciate your passion. However, you never know what awaits you in the Dark Forest. Tier 1 disciples were not yet proficient enough at anticipating the things that could happen there. Even if I give recommendations for this study, I am not sure that Miss Naina and Elafir will give permission.”

Shal felt that there were glands in his body that released a substance until the muscles in his body stiffened. That feeling of disappointment cannot be prevented.

“I've noticed your interest in plants and health. You can save this proposal for the fourth year. After all, knowledge cannot wait, so this is an offer from me. Try designing one other research that can be done safely in Gingko Forest! I will try no later than next year you get a research permit there under my supervision.”

The Prof's deep, hoarse voice sounded very pleasant in Shal's ears. The girl could feel her pupils dilating. He also knew his heart, blood vessels, and spleen were working really well at the moment. Blood flowed smoothly throughout his body and his face was radiant again.

 Shal hurriedly walked towards the teacher's room. Last night, he couldn't sleep because he thought of Valfred and the other two Werewolf race disciples. Yesterday, all of a sudden, all the disciples of the Werewolf race fell ill simultaneously. When Shal and Amara visited him yesterday, he was unconscious. Today, his condition has not improved either. This may be due to wolfsbane or it could be due to some other cause. Shal had already registered and thought through all those possibilities overnight.

Accidentally, Shal bumps into a schoolgirl named Elleanor Thompson in the hallway to the teacher's room. Elle is a disciple of the Human race who wears glasses and her hair is always braided one.

“Ma .. sorry.” Shal apologized to Elle while looking down.

Shal was somewhat disinclined to Elle, perhaps because Shal was inferior to the elegant and learned aura that the girl exuded. Shal remembers when he and Amara first met. Shal did not want to look Amara in the face directly because he felt inferior to the princess aura that the beautiful Elf had.

Without lingering, Shal immediately continued his journey towards the Main Room. He wanted to meet The Prof and put forth his new proposal: to enter the Werewolf rescue team, or whatever team his name was, to find an antidote to the poison in the Werewolf disciples' bodies.

 “That's a shame, Shal. Miss Grewynn has already formed her own team. I also do not recommend you to get into the team.”

Shal's body became limp upon hearing The Prof's response.  He knew the adrenal glands in his body were re-emitting the hormone cortisol which directly seeped into his bloodstream.

“There are two reasons. First of all, I think a team formed is enough. Second, Miss Grewynn would be so overwhelmed to have to watch and protect three first-rate disciples at once.”

Shal frowned. Then Miss Grewynn, the Pharmacy teacher, had already selected two students to enter the Werewolf rescue team. Wh who? Isn't he not too bad in Pharmacy class either? His throat felt choked.

“Is my self-healing ability not enough, Prof?” Shal tried to negotiate.

“Shal, your self-healing ability still requires more in-depth and long practice and observation. Does anyone know and can guarantee your body can instantly self-healing for all kinds of injuries and injuries? So far, I can't guarantee it. So we still have to be careful. My advice, try to improve your self-defense and fighting skills, while continuing to hone your self-healing skills. Self-defense and fighting abilities are added value in taking care of research permits outside the academy.”

“Good, Prof.” Shal responded while remaining down and could not hide his disappointment. Unwelcomely, he got up from the chair and walked towards the exit while remaining cautious as the table in the Main Room could move on its own.

“Shalima ...” The Professor called him slow. Shal turned his body towards The Prof while taking a step back as a table moved towards him.

“I was serious when I said I would take care of research permission for you with recommendations and supervision from me, but not now. Maybe the opportunity comes tomorrow, another month, or next year. I know you're disappointed, but believe me, there are still many adventures out there waiting for you. I hope you can be patient.”

Shal raised his face and smiled blandly, “Good, Prof. In fact, knowledge should wait.”

 A large boar stared at him full of anger, but Shal just stared back without expression.

Bad week, huh?

That was the voice of his virtual mentor. Shal just kept quiet and answered nothing.

Poor little girl. Maybe you need a little motivation ….

Suddenly the pig was facing to the right and growled furiously at the figure of the man sitting on the floor and looking very frightened. Shal swallowed his saliva. His father had died a long time ago, but Shal could still remember his appearance clearly. He's hooked.

Shal immediately pulled his father to run along to avoid the pursuit of the angry big pig.

Stop running, Shal! Face him!

Shal clenched his hands to steady himself. He turned and tried to stop the pig. As the pig approached, Shal tried to reach his fangs that were sticking out and threw the pig to the side. In vain, the pig instead managed to throw him until he landed hard on the ground.

Shal closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. He tried to trace the inside of his body to find the injured parts. Shal increasingly focused his mind to direct all parts of his body to work to heal the wound.

Currently Shal feels all his wounds and injuries have healed 80%. The tanned girl prepared for her next attack. You are not agile, the pig fangs now even managed to tear his thigh in an instant. Shal slammed into the ground. He concentrated again to feel every part of his outside and inside. He can feel quickly his platelets working to close the wound, his leukocytes work to destroy bacteria, and collagen works to form new tissue.

The sound of pig steps came closer. Shal opened his eyes. Just as the pig's fangs were about to touch his body a second time, the pig's figure suddenly disappeared. The atmosphere of the forest and the figure of his father also disappeared, replaced by a mirror wall. Instantly in front of his face appeared the figure of a greenish light in the form of a floating woman, the Mentor.

Shal immediately got up and sat down cross-legged. His face was very grim. “If the fight was real, maybe I was dead.”

Thank goodness this is not a real fight.

There was no pain left from his fight with the pig, after all it was just a simulation. However, why does his chest feel claustrophobic?

Your healing abilities are growing, Shalima. You're getting more sensitive to your own bodies and the more you know how they work with each other in healing.

“Stay it's not self-defense and not fighting!” there was a bitter tone in that sentence.

Shals…

The Mentor gently called out his name.

The Battle Arena was not merely a space to fight. This is a personal training ground to develop your talents. There is one important thing that Battle Arena users often forget. It's also a place where you learn to understand yourself and what you really need. After that, you can only get better at defending and fighting. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Shal's cry broke out instantly as well. He was often disappointed, but his body still could not heal the pain of being disappointed easily. After a few minutes, Shal tried to catch his breath to calm down.

“Shalima Shero student training from Fantasy Dormitory begins!”

The girl said the key words to start her training back at the Battle Arena.