With a look at Raven and a nod toward the door, the girls took their leave. In their room they did their meditations then fell fast asleep. Minx made sure to wear her mouth mask because she was sure after the day she had, the nightmares would come. And come they did.
The next day, the market was a resounding success, selling out of everything. The customers asked a lot of questions about the kitchen. Minx, her bubbly personality returned with yesterday behind her for now, was the perfect saleswoman. She happily answered every question she knew the answer to, informing the customers it would soon be on the market. Her customers walked away with a satisfied palate and eagerness in a new product.
The group had dinner at the tree, happy to be off their feet but satisfied their work would pay off. Minx and Raven sparred, practicing their moves. Raven marveled how quickly Minx mastered the moves she was still trying to perfect. The boys headed off to the VR center once more.
While they sparred, Minx was distracted. She was happy with the results of the weekend, but she felt she could do more. She was providing high quality nutrients which made her happy. However, what about the healing aspect she could provide? The hamster wheel in her head started spinning. A broad smile spread across her face. Her giddiness grew.
Suddenly, a kick was coming toward her head that she failed to block. She quickly took one step back, throwing her hands up. At the same time, a tree branch swooped in and swung Minx up to a branch.
Minx laughed and jumped down, flipping through the air. She prepared an axe kick that Raven barely avoided. Minx pivoted on her heel and came back with a crecent kick before Raven could react. She stopped herself right before impact realizing that her speed far exceeded that of her friend. She needed to go easy with her.
"Let's stop for the day. I have some research I'd like to do."
Raven nodded, gasping for air after evading those last moves, "sounds good. Do you want help?"
Minx giggled and her eyes twinkled, "not yet. I'm going to try inventing new products with herbs. Wish my luck!"
Without another word, she vanished into her lab.
Minx was feeling her days had grown monotonous and repetitive. In short, life was dull. Doing herbal products would help break that up but still. She could feel something in the air. Something brewing that would have an impact. The soldiers performing sentry duty were transferred to another assignment yesterday. The bad behavior was bound to resume. As she drifted off to sleep, herbal recipes and pending doom swirled in her head.
The next morning, the homeroom teacher announced there would be a portal outing in a week. Everyone was to form a group of 5 and inform the teacher. With the afternoon free to practice as a together, Minx's team was reported to the teacher then they hung out under her tree. They marveled over her venus fly trap which she affectionately named Seymour. It had grown a few inches taller and the pods to catch flies were also getting bigger.
She could just make out what it was saying, "more. Feed me more!"
She bit her lower lip trying to figure out how to make that happen. She did some quick research on which bugs venus flytraps ate. Then she looked into how to attract such insects. She had a few options and decided to implement some.
Minx started growing food earlier for next weekend's market. She wanted to be better prepared, but she had an ulterior motive. Instead of withering the plants like normal, she advanced them in age to get them rotting. She then used her hori hori for the first time and dug them up with the knife-like shovel. She placed them at the base of Seymour's main stem and told him food would come soon. She also grew some attractant plants before returning to her work under the tree.
Before long she heard, "mmmmmmm, so good. Thank you!"
Minx chuckled with her sparkling eyes, "you're welcome!"
Minx decided to examine what supplied were needed to produce and sell the herbal products she wanted to sell. She checked her current balance, she was sitting at 7,517 credits. She was seriously debating buying more blankets. Her fingers were itching for them, but she fought herself to keep her eye on the prize.
She wrote out a list on her tablet and promptly went to the library. Even though an outing was coming soon, they still could use this, either for sales or use of the products while away. With any luck, they would get enough crystals on the outing to buy the next level yet of both skills and get these two team members up another level. Midas on the other hand needed a different solution.
On Wednesday, heading back from her tree, she noticed a boy leaving the second-year area with a level 4 earth book and a beast crystal. She made a point of remembering his face. Someone she cared a lot about needed that book an there was an unsavory look on his face and in his manner of walking. He was a guy who was up to no good.
On Friday, Minx brought some of her new products with her to D. Hayley's clinic. When she explained her intentions, the doctor looked thoughtful.
"I think I have a better idea. You are doing studies, correct? Let's make these products a study as well, using my patients. This way you could add in that you have scientific proof these products perform the way you claim. Is that okay?"
Minx jumped up and down and hugged her, "Yes! That sounds perfect! That means we need approval for human studies, correct?"
Dr. Hayley smiled, "I'll handle all of that. You document your entire process from the very beginning to the very end. That needs to be included in the study."
Minx nodded then got to work. They couldn't use the new products until they proved they worked safely and as advertised. She was excited about the opportunity to prove she did have value. She was so happy she was almost glowing.