Snape simply glanced at Lucien's Sleeping Draught and nodded.
"No need, this Potion is fine."
As a Potion Master, and having observed almost the entire brewing process, Snape didn't need to test it; he already knew its quality exceeded classroom standards.
"Lucien Grafton, for not following the Professor's instructions, Ravenclaw loses three points."
"For being the first to complete the Potion, with skilled technique and correct methods, Ravenclaw gains eight points."
Hearing Snape deduct three points only to add eight, Lucien pouted inwardly.
Just give five points directly—why be so awkward?
If Snape could be more honest and straightforward, and not put on such airs, maybe that whole mess from the og novel wouldn't have happened.
...
"Class dismissed. Pack up your equipment; do not leave anything behind."
As Snape was about to leave the classroom, he suddenly added:
"Grafton, come to my office."
Lucien frowned slightly, unsure why Snape had singled him out.
Had he annoyed him just now?
But then again, he had given me points.
"Do I need to give you a proper invitation letter, Grafton?"
See, impatient again.
Lucien finished packing up his tools, letting them float behind him, and made his way to Snape's office.
That eerie, oppressive aura hit him the moment he stepped inside.
Two rows of shelves lined the room, crammed with bottles and jars of every shape and size.
Lucien glanced around with faint curiosity.
Hmm, this perfectly matches the image of a traditional wizard's cottage.
Bat wings, dried frogs, fragrant herbs—Huh, what's that?
He spotted a jar holding a complete unicorn horn.
Next to it looked like a dragon's heart. And was that a phoenix tail feather?
Soon, he realized an entire row of shelves was filled with rare and precious magical ingredients.
As expected of a Potions Master—he really was wealthy, with such an impressive collection.
"Sit down," Snape said indifferently.
Lucien took a seat across from him.
"Who taught you the method for brewing Sleeping Draught?"
Snape's blunt question made Lucien's brow furrow slightly.
Why is he asking this? The formula came from the system; there shouldn't be any historical issues… Could he tell if it resembled some known version?
As his thoughts raced, Lucien answered calmly:
"I saw the original version in a book. When I practiced brewing, I made a few changes. Fortunately, the Potion's effect didn't worsen."
But his reply didn't satisfy Snape.
"Let's get straight to the point," Snape said stiffly. "The method you used is excellent. It not only reduced ingredient consumption but also enhanced the effect. By my estimate, it strengthened it two or three times."
"This is a basic Potion. If the improvement truly came from you, I intend to include your method in future textbooks."
"Of course, you'll receive proper compensation. I wouldn't stoop to stealing a student's work."
"If you learned it from your family or an elder, you may pass the proposal to them—the compensation will still be substantial."
Snape's words left Lucien stunned.
Include his improved formula in textbooks and even pay him compensation?
This formula was a loan he had taken from the system, and now he had the chance to sell it to Snape?
Wait—he hadn't repaid the loan yet. The requirement was to brew five Potions, and so far, he had only brewed the improved Sleeping Draught.
If he handed the formula to Snape but failed to repay the loan and the system reclaimed it, what would happen to the one Snape had?
At the very least, he would already have received compensation from Snape.
Ah, wasn't this like borrowing money from someone, using it to do business and earn grain, and when the creditor came to collect, they only took back the principal, while he still kept the extra grain?
"System, what if I…"
After hearing Lucien's idea, the system replied:
[M@t*& Fu!$#!T ￥~"" ERROR ERROR ERRORRRR!!!... ehm.. ]
[A kind and upright host should not exploit such loopholes (ಥ ﹏ ಥ)]
"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. I'll repay the loan."
Lucien was pleased to gain new knowledge. Learning to brew a few Potions wasn't difficult for him.
In fact, by repaying the loan, he would have learned the improved formula, brewed new Potions, and still received compensation from Snape.
Definitely a three-for-one deal.
"Professor, this formula is indeed my own improvement."
"Oh?"
"I come from a Muggle family, not from a family or elder as you mentioned."
Hearing Lucien's answer, Snape was about to nod but suddenly froze.
"You're really from a Muggle family?"
"Yes."
"You mean, a first-year student improved a Potion formula?"
"Yes, that's me."
Snape's expression darkened. He thought Lucien was lying, a child desperate to prove his talent, claiming the achievement as his own.
"Is that so..? Then tell me—how exactly did you refine and improve the formula step by step?"
But Lucien wasn't flustered. Fortunately, he had practiced brewing Sleeping Draught the night before, and combined with the Old Bat's explanation in class today, his understanding of the Potion had deepened considerably.
After briefly organizing his thoughts, Lucien began to explain the key points behind the formula's improvement.
As he spoke methodically, Snape's gaze shifted from mocking to serious.
"…To be honest, my talent in Potions is quite ordinary. It was just good luck, and Sleeping Draught is only a basic Potion, so I happened to succeed by chance."
Lucien felt that what he said wasn't false. Compared to his SS-grade talents in Transfiguration, Dark Arts, and magic, his A-grade Potion talent was indeed ordinary.
But Snape's mouth twitched at those words.
To improve a Potion formula without systematic training.
To possess the kind of inspiration and intuition most people struggle their whole lives to achieve.
And yet Lucien thought his talent was ordinary, attributing it all to luck?
His modesty, instead of pleasing Snape, reminded him of certain Slytherin students who, with only a scrap of talent, would act arrogant.
As Head of House, Snape suddenly felt a surge of irritation, and his expression darkened.
Seeing Snape's face suddenly worsen, Lucien was confused.
Wait—did I just annoy him somehow?
"Ahem, there's no need to underestimate yourself. Your Potion talent is quite… good."
Lucien secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
So the Old Bat wasn't angry—then why did his face keep shifting between dark and pale?
"Thank you for your recognition. Inspiration or luck is just a fleeting spark; I will still study step by step."
Lucien replied politely, already considering what compensation he could ask for in exchange for the formula.
Potion ingredients might not be useful, and ready-made Potions might not be what he needed.
Hmm… what I'll need in the short term are auxiliary Potions that can help me approach and observe magical creatures—such as those that eliminate scent or attract them. I'll ask Snape later if he has any of those.
Lucien, absorbed in planning his compensation, didn't notice that after hearing his last sentence, Snape's eyes had gone vacant.
Inspiration or luck is just a fleeting spark…
Snape, dazed, suddenly remembered that girl again—her fiery red hair, her emerald green eyes as she looked at him.
—Thank you for your encouragement, Severus, but inspiration or luck is just a fleeting spark. Isn't hard work what truly lasts?—
She had also been Muggle-born, exceptionally gifted in Potions, and modest when praised…
"Professor, I am very willing to exchange the formula… eh?"
Lucien looked up at Snape, only to find his expression caught between a smile and tears, his eyes hollow.