Young Writers Society

‘There are more important things than romantic relationships,’ Minerva stated indifferently, ‘especially at our age.’

‘We’re fifteen going on sixteen,’ Darren replied flatly, ‘with the rest of the class either the same age or about a year younger. Some would say having a relationship is part of growing up.’

‘Most of you don’t have boyfriends or girlfriends – you included – so you can’t really comment. Besides, it doesn’t serve much purpose anyway. It’s a distraction, just like this conversation.’

With an air of finality, she blew some Embers against the jar of water. Then, she dropped the Energy Root into it and pushed it aside.

‘Since you complain about getting your paws dirty, I’ll juice the Berries again. You can then chop up the Big Root.’

‘When you say “chop up”,’ Darren asked, ‘how small do you mean?’

‘As small as you can get it.’

‘Okay.’

He charged a little electricity and used it to apply the knife faster than he usually would, but since Minerva and Aiden were far more skilled in using their paws as hands than he was, he still worked at a below average rate. Fortunately, he didn’t plan on becoming a chef or alchemist, because if he did, he most certainly would not make the cut; throughout the process, bits and pieces had been flying helter-skelter.

Several uncomfortable minutes later, he gratefully dropped the knife. ‘Any luck with identifying that third poison yet?’

‘Not so far.’

Darren was incredulous. ‘The great Minerva does not know the solution to a problem? Pfft.’

‘That’s rude,’ she said, scowling.

‘There’s no need to be so touchy,’ he replied, no longer smiling. ‘It was supposed to be a compliment.’

‘You should know by now that I don’t care much for compliments. I want results.’

A bit annoyed, Darren said, ‘What, so after conquering two poisons without breaking a sweat–’

‘I have Drought for an Ability – that’s not possible.’

Glaring, he continued, ‘–you decide to leave the kitchen just because things heated up a little?’

‘Like I said–’

‘For once in your life, drop the sass and answer the question!’

Silence descended upon the class as eighteen eyes all focussed on him. Darren’s cheeks grew a slightly brighter yellow while Minerva’s turned crimson. She waited for the others to resume their own work before speaking again.

‘You are the last one to be criticising anybody,’ she seethed. ‘If you had actually read the chapter, you would at least be of some use.’

‘You and I both know you could recite that chapter by heart,’ Darren whispered back heatedly. ‘If you don’t know what that poison is, then it wasn’t handled in the chapter. So, instead of dropping the question like a hot Watmel Berry, why don’t you actually try to solve the problem instead of running away with your tail between your legs?’

Minerva turned towards the jar and spat Embers so hot, it set the water boiling. ‘If you’re so bloody clever, why don’t you try to solve the problem? Or would that be overtaxing your simple little mind?’

If Darren didn’t know Leer after shooting Minerva a look like he did, he never would. He didn’t even say anything in reply; he just turned towards the third phial, sniffed it after a while, and then continued to look at it.

‘What’s the matter? Liepard got your tongue?’

‘You don’t like being bothered while you’re thinking, so show some decency and do the same.’

The Vulpix turned her nose up, but remained silent. Several times, she looked like she wanted to say something, but each time, Darren checked her with a glance. Usually, she would then spit more embers at the jar.

‘You’re gonna turn that root into mush if you continue like that,’ Tyler cautiously commented after the latest fire-breathing.

‘Why don’t you just–’

‘Thank you, Tyler. She’ll be sure to keep that in mind.’

The Axew happily left the pair alone, leaving Darren the sole recipient of Minerva’s displeasure.

‘You have half an hour left,’ she announced, removing the soggy Energy Root from the jar and chucking it onto a plate beside the crushed Berries. She then proceeded to ignore Darren completely and added the Big Root pieces and Mago juice to the infusion, afterwards stirring it and pouring some of the antidote over into a flask.

Meanwhile, Darren had left the bench and returned with an assortment of ingredients. Only after he was halfway through smashing two Rowap and Jaboca Berries together did she speak.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Turning these four Berries into a paste, obviously.’

‘Obviously. Why?’

‘It’s part of the antidote for Perilous Soup.’

Minerva scoffed. ‘What? Don’t be ridiculous. That’s poison so rare, you’d only have a one in–’

‘Three thousand and fifty five chance of encountering it, as of last year. I may not be as smart as you are, but I do know a few things, at least.’

‘Like what the statistics of encountering Perilous Soup are and how to create the antidote? I smell a Rattata…’

‘You can be glad Jacques is in the other class. And yes, I do know what those are and how to make it. I may not have read chapter seven, but I did read some of the later chapters, specifically the ones that deal with rare potions, poisons, ingredients, etc.’

‘And what makes you say this is Perilous Soup?’

‘Besides that Miss Antoinette throws us into the deep water at times, I’ve combined a Maranga and Kee Berry in an experiment once, just to see what they produce.’

‘Meaning you actually wanted to see if you could create a Perilous Soup yourself, but you had neither the money to buy the ingredients, nor the experience to make it.’

‘The point is,’ Darren persisted, ignoring the remark, ‘I eventually recognised that sickly sweet smell.’

‘You’re sure you know how to make the antidote?’

‘Yes, and it’s really easy to make, actually. The ingredients are just rare.’

Minerva pursed her lips and looked aay. She wore that same expression for about thirty seconds before slowly turning back and asking, ‘So… is there anything I can do?’

Darren smirked. She was obviously not used to being outperformed in one of her best subjects.

‘Yes, Minerva: you can fetch me,’ Darren shot a look to his right to ensure Tyler wasn’t eavesdropping, but lowered his voice anyway, ‘a clump of Luminous Moss and a phial of Mystic Water.’

‘If you’re right, and you better be, that would explain why I’ve never seen Mystic Water in the cabinet before.’

A few seconds later, she was back, but with none of the reagents. ‘Well? Where are they?’

‘Relax, they’re here,’ the Vulpix reassured him, revealing the moss and water from among her tails, ‘I just didn’t want anyone to see what I was fetching. Malcolm was eyeing me all the way there and back.’

‘Smart. All right, just let the Moss absorb the Water, and then gently roll it around in the paste. Then, we’ll be done.’

Minerva carefully did as instructed, frowning all the while. What felt like a century of anxiety and nervous looks later, Miss Antoinette announced that their time was up and inspected everyone’s results.

‘I am pleased to see that everyone got the Black Sludge antidote right – even Duncan – and that most of you produced the Tri-Toxin antidote as well! However, let us give Darren and Minerva the full applause they deserve for creating all the correct antidotes!’

‘I… I was actually right,’ Darren mumbled, giddy with relief.

Minerva drank in the impressed and reluctant applause. ‘Today, you proved to be the best A&N partner I could have chosen,’ she said, apparently over her earlier hostility and suspicion. ‘Well done.’

When Darren left the class, his mood was brightened even further when Aiden congratulated him personally. However, Tyler just had to throw the Petaya Berry against the Rotom-Fan, albeit unintentionally, by asking what their next subject was.

The answer? Reproduction & Hatching. They would have to endure another never-ending lesson with her - the Wicked Watchdog of the West.

Mrs Williams.