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Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Sacred Tree Potion, Competition

Professor Sprout had received many memorable messages throughout her life.

For instance, there was the time she received her OWL exam results and earned an "Outstanding" in Herbology, allowing her to continue her advanced studies. Or the moment her first academic paper was accepted by a major herbological journal. And of course, receiving her offer letter to become the Herbology professor at Hogwarts had been monumental.

There were darker memories too—like the day she got the devastating news of her brother's family's death.

But now, in this moment, Professor Sprout swore:

Nothing had shocked her as much as the news Charles just brought.

"You've finished?"

"You completed the cultivation of a new magical herb mutation all by yourself?!"

She couldn't help but raise her voice, despite knowing Charles wasn't the type to lie.

Still, it sounded utterly unbelievable.

Creating a new magical herb mutation was no small feat—it was practically a rite of passage for any master herbologist. One had to possess extremely advanced knowledge and deep intuition for herbology.

Charles simply nodded.

"It wasn't really anything special," he said modestly. "Just a bit of luck."

He then explained how he discovered the mutation in the piranha algae.

As she listened, Professor Sprout's expression gradually shifted from shock to clarity.

But that didn't stop her from feeling immense joy, pride, and admiration.

"No, Ciel," she said firmly. "This wasn't just luck."

"To challenge conventions, use a frequency light spell on piranha algae, and discover its extreme phototropism... even among master herbologists, no one would call that luck."

"You, kid, are an absolute genius in herbology!"

Though Charles was thrilled to receive such praise from someone as esteemed as Professor Sprout, there was something else on his mind.

"So, Auntie... will this affect your control over the experimental field?"

Sprout's eyes lit up with certainty.

"You managed to process Guardian Tree seeds within a month of enrolling, and now this—this kind of achievement speaks for itself."

"If I don't give you that greenhouse field, who else would deserve it?"

"If anyone dares to object, I'll slap a biting kale on their head. No point in preserving the brain of someone who'd say something so foolish."

She gave him a reassuring nod.

"Just wait for my update. I should have the thesis done by Christmas. Once that's published, coordinating the test fields will be no problem."

Charles finally let out a relieved breath, eyes filled with anticipation.

Christmas wasn't far off.

And if he could secure not just one but two additional experimental fields, the speed at which he reaped research results would increase dramatically.

At that moment, Professor Sprout snapped out of her excited state and turned her attention to processing the Guardian Tree seeds.

She pulled out a flask filled with an icy blue potion and carefully immersed the sprouting seeds in it.

Then she recited a complex spell:

"Vigorsemina—Immotus!"

Immediately, Charles felt a shift.

The seeds' magical energy froze the moment they were bathed in the potion.

Sprout nodded approvingly.

"Now, unless the seeds are reactivated, they'll remain stable for a full year in this state."

"This preservation won't reduce the success rate of future cultivation."

She sighed, a touch of emotion creeping into her voice.

"It's all thanks to this potion, designed specifically for the Guardian Tree."

"Two hundred years ago, cultivating the Guardian Tree was nearly impossible. Without this potion, the difficulty level would've been astronomical."

"Herbology and potions have always gone hand in hand."

Then, as if something just occurred to her, she glanced at Charles.

"I heard you've been getting close to Professor Snape lately," she said. "Helping him with potion ingredients and such?"

Charles nodded.

To her surprise, Sprout beamed with satisfaction.

"That's excellent."

"Many powerful herbs rely heavily on potions during their cultivation."

"The Guardian Tree is a perfect example. In the next phase, it'll need large quantities of something called the Holy Tree Potion."

"While it's technically possible to grow the Guardian Tree without it, the potion significantly improves growth rate and vitality."

"And since the tree is reacting to your magic, it's best if you brew the potion yourself."

"As Professor Snape's assistant, his guidance will be invaluable in preparing the Holy Tree Potion."

She paused and added, with a smile:

"Snape may be temperamental, cold, and, well… doesn't believe in shampoo."

"But his potion skills are undeniably world-class."

Charles laughed quietly and nodded.

"True."

But a flicker of awkwardness flashed across his face.

He'd originally intended to distance himself from Snape after secretly getting his hands on the Half-Blood Prince's textbook.

Now, it seemed he'd be stuck as the Potions Assistant for quite some time.

"I'll head to Professor Snape's office right after Quidditch practice tonight."

With that, he led Professor Sprout to the greenhouse to examine the mutated piranha algae in person.

Later that evening, after dinner.

Outside the office of the Slytherin Head of House—

Malfoy and several nervous first-year Slytherins hesitated in the corridor for a long while before finally mustering the courage to knock.

After a moment of silence, Snape's voice came from within—surprisingly upbeat.

"Charles Sprout?"

"I've told you before—Quidditch is a sport for muscle-bound idiots with the brains of a turnip."

"Especially Seekers. Fortunately, you're not one of them. Otherwise, I'd never allow you near my potion supplies."

"So, have you finally decided to skip training?"

The door creaked open.

But instead of Charles, Snape found Malfoy and the first-year snakes standing awkwardly at his doorstep.

His cheerful demeanor vanished in an instant.

"Malfoy?" he asked coldly.

"What are you doing here?"

Malfoy and the others saw the drastic change in Snape's attitude and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Why?

Why was the Head of Slytherin so much warmer to Charles—a Hufflepuff—than to his own housemates?

Malfoy clenched his fists.

"Professor, is Charles Sprout helping you with potion ingredients?"

Snape narrowed his eyes. His voice was icy.

"And what of it?"

"Do I now need Mr. Malfoy's approval to assign my own assistants?"

Malfoy's confidence faltered.

"N-No, of course not…"

He waved his hands nervously, then swallowed his pride and pressed on.

"But Professor, we're Slytherins."

"We're currently competing for the House Cup. If you need help, we're more than capable of doing what Ciel does."

Snape raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Malfoy took a deep breath and continued.

"If a little badger can do it, why can't we?"

"Give us a chance. We can do double—triple the workload!"

Snape stared at him in silence for a long moment.

Then, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You're sure?"

"Yes!" Malfoy and the others answered in unison.

Snape gave them one long, unreadable look.

"Very well," he said. "Let's consider this a teaching moment."

"Next time you act, gather intelligence beforehand."

"Maybe then you won't grossly underestimate your competition."

With a flick of his wand, he summoned several massive baskets—overflowing with squirming Flobberworms.

They landed heavily in the arms of Malfoy and his group.

"This is your task."

"Finish processing all of them before dawn."

The students blinked, speechless, at the piles of writhing worms.

"P-Professor... surely you misspoke?"

"There are so many Flobberworms. Surely you meant the day after tomorrow?"

"Even if we pulled an all-nighter, we'd never finish—"

Snape cut them off, amused.

"All-nighter?"

"You misunderstood something."

"If you can't finish it by morning, what makes you think you're qualified to compete with Ciel?"

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