Chapter 113: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 53

Lady Violet said with a smile, not feeling in the least how terrifying her words were,

"As for him, he might still survive, but as for any further requests..."

Wizard Sean mourned Sir Cadogan for three seconds before leaving the corridor.

And late into the night, Sir Cadogan's wails continued to echo through the corridor.

On the way back to the common room, Wizard Sean took out that note to distract himself against the endlessly long staircase:

[As I stated before—Truth never compromises, and wizards who can find it will always find it.

When an improved ritual makes a wizard more perceptive, talented wizards will notice those wonderful changes.

Ignorant fools will forever wallow in utterly rotten traditions, while true Potions Masters will never cease their exploration.

Perhaps you wonder why improved rituals are so rare—]

Wizard Sean turned the page with curiosity, making the climb up the stairs feel less arduous.

[You should remember—Spells and Potions are connected by a single thread of origin,

something you ought to have noticed when guiding with your will.

As you suspected, I have completed the necessary work;

every improved potion ritual has been recorded with its unique method of will-guidance.

Successors should understand that this is Pollux's greatest breakthrough in the mysterious and profound field of Potions!

Next, I shall reveal the secret behind why potions are so full of magic—]

Wizard Sean immediately held his breath;

were the ritual and will-control actually a matched set?

The prize pool was still accumulating... the value of this "greatest breakthrough" kept rising...

Wizard Sean couldn't help but sigh—

The vastness of magic lies in the fact that when a hopeful wizard discovers a path,

he opens a book only to find another wizard has already described it.

Wizard Sean quickly recorded the methods above, word for word.

He was facing a treasure trove,

a treasury of wisdom accumulated over a lifetime of exploration by a wizard widely regarded as one of the greatest potion-makers.

When Wizard Sean reviewed his panel, he realized his Potions skill had advanced significantly:

[Title: Potion Novice]

[Boil-Cure Potion: Apprentice Level (210/300)]

[Advancement: Three Apprentice-level potions can unlock the Apprentice Title in the Potions field]

The Boil-Cure Potion was nearly at the Apprentice level; he should seek other potions to brew and grind for experience to unlock the title.

"Magical Drafts and Potions" introduced the preparation methods for several potions, including: Common Antidote, Boil-Cure Potion, Forgetfulness Potion, Herbicide Potion, Sleeping Draught, Swelling Solution, Sobering Potion...

Their difficulties were similar, and their prices mostly ranged within a few Jin Jin Jialong.

However, these were all ordinary quality, roughly priced for [Proficient] practitioners,

while higher-quality potions could see their prices multiply.

Once quality reached a certain height, the price became almost astronomical.

Wizard Sean thought,

perhaps it was because Potion Masters wouldn't bother brewing low-level potions, while low-level potioners couldn't brew high-quality ones?

Just like his [Expert]-level Boil-Cure Potion, which was worth a full ten Jin Jin Jialong,

suddenly making Wizard Sean's wallet much fuller.

Late at night,

the "Advanced Potion-Making" book with its mottled purple cover was blown open by the wind,

and a note danced down to land beside the sky-blue curtains:

[Indeed, the journey continues;

we have still not found that ultimate

answer regarding the essence of potions.

However, by chance,

we discovered something unusual;

could this be a new beginning for potions?

—Pollux]

On Monday, the young wizards of Ravenclaw remained silent,

for they had to face two consecutive periods of Potions class first thing in the morning.

Under the intimidation of a certain Potion Master, this naturally became the class the young wizards feared most.

"Oh, Wizard Sean, slower, slower."

Jia Jia Siting fumbled clumsily as Wizard Sean guided the brewing; he always felt that every time Wizard Sean brewed, he made new progress,

making it so that even when looking at Wizard Sean's notes, he sometimes couldn't understand them.

"Hmm, Terry, you mean we're still processing ingredients while the next table has already finished their potion?"

Michael asked while brewing a batch of Slugs, looking at Terry with an expression that said, "You don't take me for a fool, do you?"

"Yes."

Terry's gaze fell on Jia Jia Siting, who was collecting the potion, confirming it once more.

"I find it hard to believe... I believe it, Terry."

Michael followed Terry's gaze, then quickly turned back and sincerely apologized,

"Terry, I deeply apologize for doubting you and Wizard Sean; do you think we could ask Wizard Sean for some tips after class?"

Just as the first Potions lesson was nearing its end,

Professor Snape strode toward the back rows, frightening the little Eagles and Badgers into shrinking their heads.

"Barely passable—"

His voice remained icy cold,

"One point added—for each of you."

Wizard Sean looked at the potion with [Apprentice] proficiency; he hadn't actually helped much—

which meant Jia Jia Siting's talent for Potions seemed quite good.

When the second lesson began,

Professor Snape suddenly announced that they would be learning a new potion this period—the Swelling Solution.

This caused a chorus of wails from the young wizards who had just mastered the Boil-Cure Potion,

though they swallowed the rest of their screams under a single glance from Professor Snape.

Only Wizard Sean's eyes grew brighter.

"The Swelling Solution, a potion that appears simple yet tests one's... precision and intellect to the extreme."

Professor Snape's voice rang out, low and smooth, instantly killing the last whisper in the dungeon;

he paused slightly, a mocking curve lifting the corner of his mouth,

"Of course, for most of you, this is undoubtedly too high a demand.

Therefore, if you dare to let your attention wander even slightly..."

The young wizards shivered, instantly sharpening their focus.

The three ingredients for the Swelling Solution: bat spleen, dried nettle, and pufferfish eyes.

Since Wizard Sean had not processed two of them before, he watched without blinking as Professor Snape handled the ingredients.