When the hospital wing's doors opened once more, it meant that Mikel had finally fulfilled his earlier wish and was officially discharged.
However, in his current state, he didn't look so good, his steps were unsteady, and he kept dry-heaving.
Moreover, before today, Kael had never thought that a person's face could actually be blue.
Even the most avant-garde and trendy portraits in the castle wouldn't dare to use such a bold color to paint their faces.
But Mikel managed to do it.
Including his forehead, nose, and lips, his entire head was blue, even his hair and teeth weren't exceptions.
From a distance, he looked like a large blue dandelion.
"Kael..."
Mikel reached out his hand, his voice extremely hoarse, "What are you laughing at? Give me a hand."
"Oh, nothing, just thought of something happy." Kael stepped forward to support Mikel, while turning his head to avoid looking at his face:
"I gave Hufflepuff twenty points yesterday."
"That's indeed something to be happy about." Mikel nodded and didn't ask further.
He really didn't feel like talking right now, not knowing what the nurse at the hospital wing had just given him, not only did it taste terrible, but his throat was also painfully sore, talking felt unbearable.
The two of them slowly headed toward the underground classroom.
It's worth mentioning that when they reached the clock courtyard, Mikel's blue head gradually returned to normal.
Although it wasn't back to its original state, it was at least less conspicuous, and since the castle lighting was dim, it wasn't noticeable without a closer look.
It seemed that Madam Pomfrey didn't intend to make him a public spectacle.
The two of them made their way through the castle, but since Mikel walked so slowly, they ended up arriving late to the underground classroom.
Professor Snape had just finished calling the roll when he looked up and saw the two standing at the door.
"Late on the first day of class, are all the new students so terrible this year?" Professor Snape drawled, "Hufflepuff, deduct ten points."
Looking at Snape, Mikel's eyes suddenly widened, and he blurted out, "Hmm? Are you that... hiss~~"
Fortunately, Kael reacted quickly, decisively stepping on his foot, preventing Mikel from finishing his sentence.
Otherwise... they probably wouldn't make it out of the Magic Potion Classroom.
Taking this opportunity, Kael quickly said, "Sorry, Professor Snape, it won't happen again."
"Hmph, if there's a second time, it won't be as simple as deducting ten points." Snape gave them a cold look, "Why are you still standing there? Go back to your seats, Hufflepuff, deduct five more points!"
Afraid Mikel might blurt out something reckless again, Kael quickly dragged him to an empty seat at the back of the classroom.
Snape withdrew his gaze and said in a sinister voice, "Magic potion is a profound and important discipline. I don't expect you to truly grasp the wonder of the cauldron simmering with white smoke, exuding a pleasant aroma.
Nor do I expect you to understand the miraculous transformation of ordinary ingredients during the rapid boiling process.
Each mistletoe berry and bezoar in your hands will coalesce in the cauldron into various forms and compositions, representing the most mystical secrets of the magic realm."
Snape's voice gradually became gentle: "I can teach you how to enhance prestige, brew honor, and even prevent death—but there's one condition, and that is, you must not be the kind of fool I often encounter."
Snape's words made the class fall silent instantly, the little snakes of Slytherin proudly held their heads high, each sitting up straight, as if to prove they weren't fools.
In contrast, the little badgers of Hufflepuff felt quite guilty, looking at one another, nobody dared to make eye contact with Snape.
Especially Mikel, who almost buried his head under the table in embarrassment.
But even that was to no avail, what was coming still had to come.
"Drake!" Snape suddenly said, "To make Boil Potion, do you add slug or porcupine quill first?"
What potion?
Mikel looked up in confusion, cautiously saying, "Porcupine quill first, Professor."
"Tsk, porcupine quill first..." Snape said sardonically, "If you had even glanced at your book before the term started, you'd know that Boil Potion requires adding snake fang powder first!
With such poor basics, you still dare to be late? Hufflepuff, deduct one point."
"Why aren't you taking notes?"
The room suddenly filled with the sound of quills and parchment being rummaged through.
"Open your books to the first page!" Snape returned to the podium and said sternly, "Today we will learn to make a simple potion for treating boils.
Though this potion is so simple that anyone with intelligence surpassing a troll can complete it, I must remind you to be cautious during the process... unless you wish to find yourself covered in boils."
"The ingredients for brewing the potion are in the store cupboard, now, pair up two by two... Oh, wait!"
At this point, Snape seemed to recall something and returned to Mikel's desk.
He glanced down at the desk mockingly and said, "Though there's no need to foolishly wave a wand here, considering your current wretched state and for the safety of other young wizards, I think this is unnecessary."
Snape removed the cauldron from the desk, then surveyed the room before saying to Kael, "You pair up with Conna, don't disturb Drake here."
In the crowd, Conna raised her head in bewilderment, incredulously watching Kael approach her.
Oh no, she'd timed it perfectly, arriving last to class, and still couldn't escape?
And by then, the other young wizards had all paired off, leaving her no room to hide.
Maybe she could swap with someone else?
Conna turned to her roommate behind her, about to ask her to switch seats, when Snape's voice rang out from the podium again.
"What are you all standing there for? Do you expect me to brew the potion for you?!"
Amid Snape's bellowing, the classroom suddenly bustled with activity.
Watching her roommate set up the cauldron and dash to the store cupboard, Conna could only sigh softly, turning to grind the snake fangs on her desk.
For reasons unknown, when Snape came by earlier, he had casually placed a bag on her desk.
Inside, just the ingredients needed for making the Boil Potion, with three full sets, so Conna didn't need to go to the store cupboard like the others.