Chapter 104: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 49

Wizard Sean's exhaustion from the potion ritual was nearly gone; by tomorrow at the latest, he could test just how much the improved ritual had boosted the quality.

Most importantly, Professor Snape seemed to have read Master Borlach's notes as well,

perhaps even offering him guidance on the improved ritual?

But what Wizard Sean did not know was that

Professor Snape was not the only one who had seen this improvement...

Curfew was now approaching,

and Wizard Sean heard two cheerful Gryffindors humming "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love":

"Oh, come and stir my cauldron,

And if you do it right, I'll brew you hot, strong love to keep you warm tonight..."

It was a song performed by Celestina Warbeck, a tune with a particularly strong "jazz flavor,"

very popular in the wizarding world.

"You're done for!"

Wizard Sean heard another strange noise;

it turned out two young wizards were playing Gobstones, one of the favorite pastimes of young witches and wizards.

The penalty for losing a game of Gobstones was—

several stones spraying foul-smelling liquid into the face of a terrified young wizard.

Hmm, it was hard to understand what inspired the wizard who invented this game.

Just as the owl flew out again,

a pair of sharp eyes appeared almost simultaneously in the distance;

complex emotions brewed on Minerva McGonagall's usually stern face,

especially as she watched Wizard Sean, weary from his efforts, pass by a group of young wizards taking advantage of Saturday's last chance to play.

Only now did she realize that, in places she had not seen, such diligence had persisted for far too long.

The cold wind from the Scottish Highlands swept across the surface of Heihu, striking once more against the ancient outer walls of Hogwarts Castle, transforming into a deep, continuous hum.

Amidst this rumbling, Hogwarts Castle awakened once again.

"Young wizard! Wretched young wizard! Answering early again!"

Mr. Owl was making a racket, but Wizard Sean entered the classroom unaffected.

Of the three, Hermione was rarely the last to arrive.

Wizard Sean slept well, and Jia Jia Siting slept well too.

The two of them would arrive at the practice room around six o'clock almost every day, prompting a certain young witch to exclaim that it was unfair!

What young wizard needed only seven hours of sleep to be full of energy!

"Good morning, Wizard Sean,"

Jia Jia Siting said, holding a portion of milk coconut pudding and casting a special food charm upon it;

Wizard Sean saw a book lying open nearby, its pink cover featuring a turkey in the center.

It was precisely "Conjure a Feast!",

an essential book for any wizarding kitchen.

"Wizard Sean, please help me try this improved new flavor,"

Jia Jia Siting said, handing over the milk coconut pudding.

What he did not mention was that the unimproved, terrible-tasting version had already been completely consumed by gluttonous Hufflepuffs the day before.

[You practiced the Water-Making Spell once to the Apprentice standard; Proficiency +1]

[You practiced the Water-Making Spell once to the Entry-Level standard; Proficiency +3]

[You practiced the Water-Making Spell once to the Entry-Level standard; Proficiency +3]

Wizard Sean routinely practiced until he could not even lift his wand.

After recording the details of the Water-Making Spell,

Wizard Sean silently opened his panel:

[Water-Making Spell: Apprentice Level (110/300)]

[Summoning Charm: Locked (1/30)]

[Levitation Charm: Entry Level (200/900)]

At this rate, he would reach Entry Level by tomorrow; it could be described as incredibly fast.

Just as he was preparing to head to the Quidditch pitch, Jia Jia Siting suddenly approached:

"Oh, Wizard Sean, did you know? My mother told me that while there are countless ways to deal with the world,

only creation never fades."

He spoke with a tone of belated realization,

"Are you ready to join me in embracing this change?"

Before Wizard Sean could react, Jia Jia Siting dragged him into a courtyard crowded with young wizards.

It was hard to imagine that a group of Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors could gather together so harmoniously;

they were whispering among themselves, but upon seeing Jia Jia Siting arrive, these whispers even turned into an uproar.

"Wizard Sean, I guessed it was you!"

Michael looked especially excited; he lifted his chin and said to Seamus and the others,

"That will be ten Knuts, please."

"Alright, alright..."

"A bet is a bet..."

Wizard Sean watched as Seamus, Ernie, and the others muttered while handing Knuts over to Michael, who winked at Wizard Sean and mouthed:

"I'll split it with you later."

Wizard Sean roughly understood what was happening.

"Are the History of Magic notes really that popular?"

he whispered to Jia Jia Siting.

"Oh, my dear Wizard Sean, do you misunderstand something? What you have done is something no one in the entire wizarding world has ever done;

it is a market that has never been exploited!"

Jia Jia Siting's light gray eyes became unusually sharp,

"When third-year wizards started coming to me, I realized, Wizard Sean, that this would be a huge opportunity.

Just think: facing Professor Binns's vagueness, the massive amount of homework, and the predicament of self-study,

who would not want to read a set of concise and clear notes?

I haven't distributed a single copy yet, only letting them preview some irrelevant parts regarding the last assignment."

He suddenly leaned close to Wizard Sean's ear:

"When everyone faced another long assignment caused by Professor Binns's confusion, they all came to me, hoping I would provide notes for that section...

And they were willing to pay for it."

The popularity of the History of Magic notes did surprise Wizard Sean somewhat; nearly every young wizard bought a copy,

and Jia Jia Siting's handling of the situation ensured that this surprise continued:

"Just like a serial drama, we only sell a small portion each time; given the vastness of History of Magic, this small portion is enough to fill half a book when printed...

And remember? Your method for History of Magic essays—its reputation has been spread far and wide by a wizard named Michael.

We have plenty of time to let this trend grow; what matters is maintaining a truly scientific core.

Oh, Wizard Sean, do not forget, Hogwarts has more subjects than just this one that need summarizing...

And the wizarding world extends beyond just Hogwarts..."

Jia Jia Siting's eyes sparkled as he mentioned these things, so Wizard Sean simply let him be.

He merely made his way silently to the Quidditch pitch,

feeling that at his current rate of progress, he would soon be able to fly back to the Ravenclaw Tower,

or at the very least, halfway there.