“That! Magi Jasmine, I’m sure he didn't intend to cause any harm! I guarantee it!” Lawson interceded.
“That is why I am not going to bring this up to the court of justice. Payton, this is my honest advice. Resign as a researcher, and leave this work to your apprentices to accomplish.” Jasmine advised.
“But that's-” Lawson exclaimed.
“Calm down, Boy…she's right. I should have retired a while ago.” Magi Payton sighed.
“Out of consideration for the good work you have done, I will place Ray Valent in charge in your place, temporarily.” Magi Jasmine informed. “Lawson would be the better choice, but since he's your relative, people might accuse me of favoritism.”
“I accept, all of it.” Magi Payton took off his researchers badge and placed it down on the desk.
“Now that that's done…Guys, a little help here!?” Gerard squeaked. Robin was sticking to him like glue, and it was freaking him out.
“Christian, I think we'll need your flask.” Jasmine looked his way, but Christian had already taken it out, and was trying to get Robin to drink it.
Robin was refusing to drink it.
“No! I'm not thirsty!” Robin turned her head away.
“Robin, I’m trying to help you! Please drink it.” Christian tried to persuade.
“Robin, if you drink some of it, I’ll let you hug me afterwards without struggling.” Gerard added.
“You will?” Robin blinked.
“Yes.”
“You promise?” Robin asked again.
“I promise. Just please, one sip! Take just one sip!” Gerard insisted.
Robing snatched the flask from Christian, swallowing a mouthful.
“There! I did…it…” Robin trailed off, and suddenly almost teleported to the far end of the room, she had jumped away so quickly. Christian caught the flask Robin had dropped in shock.
“Wha-wha-wha-wha-what!?” Robin stammered, her face beet red in embarrassment.
“Looks like the brain is back online. Heh. I never took you for the clingy type, Nephew~” Keith joked.
“Keith.” Christian shook his head. Now was not the time for joking. Robin had been the victim of potion drugging after all.
“Right…sorry about that..” Keith sighed.
At this point, Ray Valent walked into the office. “Teacher, have you seen Magi Jasmine….what happened here?” Ray asked, puzzled.
“Good that you arrived.” Payton nodded. “I am…resigning as a researcher. This badge now belongs to you. You’ve been temporarily promoted to take over my station before a new head researcher is elected.”
“Resign? Promotion!?” Ray’s eyes widened. “Wh-what actually happened here!?”
Magi Payton smiled. “I have said what I said. A list of all my projects is in the top drawer here. The timing sheet is the next drawer down. I'm going to take a good long rest now.”
Ray looked about the room, then scratched at his head. “Well…if that's what you want, Master, then I'll do it…um..can I talk to the Hero alone for a bit? I want to ask him something.”
“Robin?” Jasmine asked her.
“...can Jasmine stay as well?” Robin asked, not feeling comfortable being alone with researchers anymore.
“Of course.” Ray smiled. “Not a problem.”
“After what your master just pulled, do you think we want to leave you alone with them!?” Christian said angrily. “I disapprove!”
“Whoah-whoah there! I just want to talk! No drinks or foods, I promise.” Ray raised his hands in surprise at Christian’s outburst. “Er…what DID my master do?”
“Why he-”
“Christian!” Jasmine scowled.
“...nothing.” Christian turned his head aside, silently fuming. Saying anything about what happened at this time would probably harm Robin more than help. He didn't want to get into trouble with Robin, so Christian found himself angry with nowhere to vent.
Everyone filed out of the room until there was only Robin, Jasmine, and Ray there in the room. The door was shut, and silence fell in the empty space.
“...Robin…The reason why that potion didn't work on me…it's because I'm actually a girl.” Ray admitted.
“What? You too?” Robin exclaimed, before putting a hand over her mouth.
“Too?” Ray and Robin looked at each other and laughed. “Yeah.” Ray admitted. “Me too.”
“Why did you disguise yourself as a man?” Robin asked.
“Because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to join here. There are precious few female researchers within the research center. That's because it's considered a distraction to the men. Those who are here have their own laboratories, where access is restricted. And, well…this is where my talents were most useful.” Ray sighed. “I wanted what I did to become helpful to the kingdom. My real name is Rachel…Rachel Valent.”
“I can understand that.” Robin nodded. “So? Does Lawson know?”
“...I never told him. But honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows. He’s been a bit too accommodating lately. He might even end up asking me after I finish speaking with you..
He always did like to confirm things…” Rachel smiled lopsided. “Heh. But now he can't get rid of me that easily.”
“You like him.” Jasmine said, watching Rachel’s expression. Rachel blushed.
“...Yeah.” Rachel nodded shyly. “But that and work are two completely different things!” She insisted.
“...You look good together.” Robin said, causing Rachel to blush again.
“Wha-?”
“If I am still around by the time the wedding takes place, I expect an invitation.” Robin smiled.
Rachel blushed beet red. “S-stop it. He’s only interested in work and research.”
“I don't think so.” Robin shook her head. “He’s been protecting you this entire time. From me, from the scrutiny of others, and also from Magi Payton.”
“He…he has?”
“No one would care for a fellow apprentice that much if they weren't interested.” Robin closed one eye. “Instead of waiting for him to ask, why don't you tell him yourself? You might get a rather pleasant surprise out of it.”
“Well…I…thank you.” Rachel sighed resignedly. “But why did you disguise yourself as a man? There have been female heroines in the past, after all.”
“Mainly…I did not want to summon trouble.” Robin shrugged.
“Trouble?” Rachel asked.
“Yes. Trouble, of the suitor variety. I'm just trying to get home. Running from nobles is hardly my idea of productive.” Robin glanced at Jasmine. “I have to thank you for the advice you gave earlier.”
“You two…” Jasmine sighed. “I already know one secret. What's one more?”
“Thank you!” Rachel smiled.
“Aaand I think that's about as much time as we have alone. If I don't leave now, someone will suspect you’ve done something to me~” Robin teased.
“Haha, alright then! I wish you well on your journey home.” Rachel held out a hand for a handshake.
“And I wish you well in your research and relationship~” Robin teased as she shook Rachel's hand. At that moment, a knock came at the door.
“Head Researcher Ray, can I speak with you?” Lawson’s voice could be heard through the door.
Robin gave Rachel an encouraging nod, before opening the door.
“Just in time. Our talk just finished. He’s all yours~” Robin waved a hand as she left the room with Jasmine, and headed to join her comrades.
“It won't take more than a minute. I have something I wanted to ask you, first.” Lawson explained.
Rachel sighed. “Close the door.” Rachel leaned against his new desk. “Well?”
Lawson placed a familiar cup down on the desk.
“...This is yours, is it not?”
“...It is.”
“Why would you bother to switch out glasses with me, when it was my cup that had been tampered with?” Lawson asked.
“Because winning against you has no meaning unless I do it with my full strength against your full strength. Relying on potions and poisons is for cowards!” Rachel declared.
Lawson nodded. He had expected Rachel to answer that way.
~-~
Outside in the hallway, Robin patted Christian on the shoulder. “Hey… thanks. Looks like you saved me again, huh?” She smiled a bit, trying to cheer up an upset-looking Christian.
“No…if we had only arrived earlier, then maybe you wouldn't have had to go through all of that.” Christian said, regretfully.
“I think I’m actually a bit lucky in that respect.” Robin said.
“How?” Christian looked at Robin in alarm.
“Well, if you hadn't burst in when you did, then the first person I would have seen was Magi Payton.” Robin laughed, then made a face. “Yeah…the idea is pretty terrifying.”
Christian imagined Robin clinging to Magi Payton and couldn't help but agree. The idea was indeed terrifying.
“Yeah, Jasmine's potion is a terrifying thing. I think that perhaps that plant ought to go extinct again.” He grumbled. “It's too dangerous for you and me.”
“Now hold on. There are many dangerous things. However, just because they are misused doesn't mean they don't have inherent value. I think that perhaps that plant has a good use that we haven't discovered yet.”
“But it's too dangerous, Robin. Just look at what it did to you!” Christian argued.
“True…so perhaps its true form of proper use is not in a potion.” Robin replied.
“What?” Christian asked.
“I have faith in them.” Robin patted Christian on the shoulder. “Those young researchers still have good standards.”
“...So you forgave them?” Christian asked.
“…What would you have me do? Spike their drinks
in return?” Robin asked, raising an eyebrow. “There's no need for that. Let's just get out of here.
Christian sighed. Perhaps it was best to leave as quickly as possible.