Chapter 29: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 14

Wizard Sean carefully examined the vines of varying thickness before him, which bore plump, pinkish pods.

Inside were glittering beans.

Wizard Sean had read about this magical plant in books; it was said that these beans would bloom instantly upon contact with any solid object.

"These Bubble Pods will ripen soon, and then these planting racks will be filled with Jumping Bulbs..."

Professor Sprout explained enthusiastically to Wizard Sean,

while a glimmer sparkled in Wizard Sean's emerald eyes.

Perhaps the greenhouse light was too bright, or perhaps the sight of a young wizard observing so earnestly simply inspired affection.

Professor Sprout's steps became even lighter.

Wonderful... new sprouts always bring new hope.

This was what Professor Sprout most wanted to see.

"Come over here, child, let us deal with these daisies."

Professor Sprout stopped before a wooden table, a wide and sturdy piece of furniture,

its center seemingly stained dark by plant juices and soil.

Wizard Sean stepped forward quickly and saw Professor Sprout retrieve several pots of daisies from beneath the table.

If one had to say how they differed from those small flowers meant only for ornamentation, it was that their stems were much thicker.

Furthermore, if bought in Diagon Alley, twenty of them would cost one Jin Jin Jialong.

Terrifyingly expensive.

"Do not get distracted; watch closely. For yellow daisies, start three inches below the petals..."

Professor Sprout deftly sliced the daisy, and a milky white sap flowed from the stem,

which the professor neatly collected in a glass bottle.

"Only daisies at this time of year yield collectable sap.

The cut must not be too deep, or it will affect the future growth of this lovely little flower;

nor too shallow, or the extracted sap will not meet the standards for brewing Shrinking Solution."

After explaining in detail, the professor waved her wand, causing a small knife and a glass bottle to land on the wooden table before Wizard Sean.

"Give it a try, Mr. Green."

Wizard Sean nodded and picked up the tools.

"Wrong angle, Mr. Green, tilt it a bit more..."

"Too light, Mr. Green, be bolder..."

"Oh, Mr. Green, don't cut! Wrong position..."

Time quickly passed amidst Wizard Sean's mistakes.

Wizard Sean rapidly realized that he seemingly possessed no talent for Herbology.

Just as he failed for the fifteenth time and frowned slightly in thought,

a gentle voice came from beside him:

"Realizing you have no talent yet still being willing to pick up the hoe is where Herbology truly begins."

Wizard Sean looked up; Professor Sprout's face was as soft and profound as the warm sun.

Thus,

continuing until Professor Sprout's large shadow grew slanted, Wizard Sean gradually mastered the essence of handling daisies.

Force, angle, and position were all crucial; even a slight error meant the panel proficiency would not increase.

[You have completely processed a daisy to the Apprentice standard; Proficiency +1]

The panel's notification sounded like music from heaven, and having grasped the correct method, Wizard Sean's motivation became terrifyingly high.

[You have completely processed a daisy to the Apprentice standard; Proficiency +1]

[You have completely processed a daisy to the Entry-Level standard; Proficiency +3]

As the sunlight slanted, a full thirty pots of daisies were neatly stacked; Wizard Sean wiped the sweat from his hairline,

his eyes as bright as those of the Herbology professor beside him.

"Well done, Mr. Green,"

Professor Sprout clapped lightly; nothing made her happier than witnessing a young sprout grow strong,

"Go eat dinner now. Oh, and take this."

A piece of candied pineapple was stuffed into Wizard Sean's arms, and at the same time, he heard the "clang" of the bell, signaling the start of dinner.

Meal times at Hogwarts were always fixed; if missed, one could only go hungry.

Of course, some young wizards would ask friends in advance to fetch some food, but Wizard Sean clearly had not made such preparations.

Going hungry at Hogwarts would be terrible.

Thinking this, Wizard Sean quickly bid farewell to Professor Sprout and headed toward the Great Hall;

had his body been stronger, he would have run.

"Next time, we will process some special materials."

Before Wizard Sean left, Professor Sprout said this,

and Wizard Sean saw something resembling teeth piled on that dark wooden table; he guessed perhaps it was those?

Behind the dazzling array of food in the Great Hall,

Jia Jia Siting was being scolded by Hermione because he had failed to notice that he also had Herbology in the afternoon, and with Gryffindor no less,

so when Hermione saw him in Greenhouse One,

Miss Granger instantly bristled.

"Did you do it on purpose!"

"I was wrong..."

Wizard Sean was struggling with Hungarian goulash and did not notice Jia Jia Siting's pleading gaze.

Soon, he was sipping pumpkin juice while reviewing today's gains.

[Herbology Knowledge: Unlocked (59/90)]

By processing daisies, Wizard Sean had gained a full 33 proficiency points.

[Apprentice-level Herbology Knowledge can unlock the Apprentice Title in the Herbology field]

Activating the title was within reach; if he utilized the remaining time well, perhaps he could activate it today.

As for that pile of tooth-like objects, upon careful comparison, Wizard Sean discovered they should be venomous snake fangs.

Although he did not know why Professor Sprout needed to process them,

it happened to align perfectly with Wizard Sean's needs.

One of the ingredients for brewing Cure for Boils was venomous snake fangs.

The battle just concluded, Wizard Sean left the Great Hall,

leaving Jia Jia Siting and Hermione somewhat caught off guard.

"Wizard Sean!

Alas, he left so quickly;

I wanted to call him to go to the library together.

Perhaps he could solve our problem regarding distinguishing mature Dittany.

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea how to write the Herbology essay."

Jia Jia Siting felt somewhat dejected; magic was harder than he had imagined.

Although Professor Sprout had told them to do their best, as a Hufflepuff, who did not want to satisfy and earn praise from the professor?

"I am not so sure,

but the Hogwarts library holds tens of thousands of books; we will find the answer."

Hermione shook her head helplessly but appeared full of confidence.