Chapter 675: The Tradition of the Wizarding Schools' Potion Championship
Chapter 675: The Tradition of the Wizarding Schools' Potion Championship
Hector did not linger; he had other matters to attend to at the Extraordinary Apothecary Association before returning to collect them, and there was more than enough time for that, as brewing Felix Felicis would take at least an hour.
In fact, the time limit for the entrance assessment was also one hour.
In front of them was a large hourglass, and once the assessment began, Mr. Eugene would turn the giant hourglass over.
However, Albert couldn't understand why they couldn't just use a mechanical clock.
"Are you alright?"
The two found their respective spots and checked the tools on the table for processing potion ingredients and brewing potions, whispering to each other without any sign of tension despite the impending assessment.
Felix Felicis was a potion from the book "Advanced Potion-Making," which Albert had not yet encountered, having just finished his fourth year. Naturally, he had not brewed any of the potions within.
Isobel never denied Albert's talent, but without prior brewing experience and knowledge of the recipe, even talent would be of no use.
Understanding Isobel's implication, Albert smiled and said, "It's not too difficult. I've brewed this potion before."
Albert had, of course, perused Snape's copy of "Advanced Potion-Making" and had committed to memory the useful tips and tricks within.
Felix Felicis, a potion that induced luck, was perfect for pranks, so Albert had once brewed it for Fred and George to use in their experimental happiness candy.
As the two chatted, Mr. Eugene had already brought over the ingredients required for brewing Felix Felicis. Each person only received one set of ingredients, and failure was not an option—this was also part of the assessment.
After all, they weren't in school anymore, with an abundance of materials for practice and waste. Moreover, there wouldn't be enough time for a second attempt.
"Sir, I'll need some pepper mint," Albert said to Mr. Eugene after checking the ingredients allotted to him.
"Pepper mint?"
Mr. Eugene paused with his hand on the hourglass, looking at Albert in surprise, but he soon realized something and nodded in agreement.
Given Hector's personality, any junior he favored was bound to be extraordinary.
Birds of a feather flock together.
It wasn't unusual for such a person to be capable of improving potions.
"But, you're adding pepper mint to Felix Felicis?" Mr. Eugene pondered for a moment, then seemed to guess the possible use of pepper mint, his gaze at Albert filled with appreciation.
Mr. Eugene had agreed to help Bernard cheat to get his grandson through the entrance assessment as a favor to the guild master.
As for Bernard's little scheme, Mr. Eugene didn't really care. If Guy Bernard lacked talent in potions, no amount of help from his grandfather would make much of a difference.
After Mr. Eugene turned over the hourglass, Albert and Isobel began processing the potion ingredients.
Both were adept at peeling the shriveled figs, and they even had time to chat with Mr. Eugene, bringing up the topic of the Wizarding Schools' Potion Championship.
Mr. Eugene did not hold back, explaining the competition format: students had to venture into the magical gardens to gather ingredients, then brew potions from their haul within a set time frame.
The champions were decided by a panel of judges who scored the potions based on their difficulty and quality.
"Why are you telling us this?"
Albert was chopping the peeled figs into cubes, adding two-thirds of them into the cauldron as the potion turned greenish-blue. He stirred the potion slowly with a spoon until the color changed to blue.
Compared to Albert, Isobel's progress was slower, but she worked steadily at her own pace, unaffected by the conversation between Albert and Mr. Eugene.
"Even if I didn't tell you the rules, Hector would probably fill you in," Mr. Eugene said with a hint of sarcasm. "Cheating has always been a tradition in the Wizarding Schools' Potion Championship."
"I suppose so," Albert agreed.
He wasn't surprised by the existence of cheating in the competition; such things happened everywhere.
"However, those who win the championship through cheating don't usually gain a good reputation," Mr. Eugene added mysteriously.
"Because most of those who achieve victory in the championship are standouts in the field?" Isobel glanced at Mr. Eugene and said calmly.
"Wizards who have won the championship have gone on to achieve remarkable things. If you, an ordinary wizard, were to win, people would naturally assume that you cheated."
Albert cut Mr. Eugene off before he could finish his thought.
At that moment, the potion in his cauldron had turned yellow.
"Yes, if a wizard who wins the championship amounts to nothing in the field of potions later on, you can bet that they resorted to some despicable means to cheat their way to victory, and they will be scorned by countless peers," Mr. Eugene said, nodding in satisfaction as he watched the two of them chat while brewing their potions.
They were both promising indeed.
"Within the Extraordinary Wizard Association, everyone agrees that those branded as cheaters will be mocked and shamed by their peers, unable to show their faces in the industry again," Mr. Eugene continued, feeling that this practice was just. After all, there was no shortage of wizards willing to resort to cheating to win.
Those sorts of people deserved to become the butt of everyone's jokes.
"That's a good way to do things. Only with true skill can one gain recognition, and the Golden Cauldron Trophy will hold even more prestige," Albert said as he added the Stinging Nettle Feathers to his potion, stirring it counterclockwise four times as it boiled, then letting it simmer.
Once the feathers melted, the potion gradually turned purple.
Every time Albert brewed a potion, he found it quite incredible. Sometimes, he even wondered if the potion in his cauldron was actually concentrated sulfuric acid, as how else could it melt feathers?
As the potion in the cauldron changed, Mr. Eugene noticed Albert adding some pepper mint.
Sure enough, this step was meant to counteract the occasional side effects of excessive singing and nose-twitching, without interfering with the effects of the Cheering Charm.
As for whether it was orthodox or not, Mr. Eugene didn't really mind. Potions were something that needed constant improvement and innovation by the potion brewer.
Mr. Eugene stopped chatting with the two and began to prepare, as it didn't really matter whether he observed them or not at this point. After all, anyone who had the time to chat with him was obviously quite skilled in potion-making.
After adding seven drops of castor oil to the potion and stirring continuously, the potion gradually turned brown.
Albert then threw in the remaining figs and continued to stew the mixture until it turned pink. After that, he added the juice of the crushed Sleepwort with a silver knife, and the potion immediately turned the orange color described in the book.
Next, he added the mugwort infusion while slowly stirring until the potion in the cauldron turned yellow, then stopped. Finally, he gently waved his wand to finish the potion.
It was said that waving the wand was a critical step in making potions, akin to infusing magic into the potion and transforming it into a magical concoction.
Indeed, after Albert waved his wand, the Cheering Charm in the cauldron instantly turned into a golden liquid like sunshine, emitting a tempting fragrance.
It was perfect.
The whole process took a little over forty minutes.
After turning off the fire, Albert didn't disturb Isobel but waited quietly beside her. Soon enough, she was done as well.
Her cauldron also contained the same golden liquid, shimmering like sunshine, although it lacked a hint of minty freshness. Nonetheless, it seemed more authentic.
"Perfect, both of your Cheering Charms are of very high quality. Especially Mr. Anderson, your ingenious idea truly surprises me," Mr. Eugene said, tasting a bit of Albert's potion and nodding in satisfaction. "You added some pepper mint to counteract the occasional side effects of excessive singing and nose-twitching, didn't you? What a brilliant inspiration!"
"No, it wasn't my idea. I read about it in a book. Apparently, it helps reduce potential side effects of the Cheering Charm," Albert said, not taking credit for the idea.
"Oh, you're such an honest young man," Mr. Eugene commented.
"You can keep the improved formula, and it will earn you a certain number of contribution points," Hector said cheerfully as he walked in and greeted Mr. Eugene. Then, he led the two of them away.
As they passed by the front desk, Hector handed the two assessment forms indicating their passing grades to the witch behind the counter.
"Mr. Anderson, Miss Isobel, congratulations on becoming members of the Extraordinary Wizard Association. Your membership cards will be delivered by owl once they're ready. Oh, and please prepay the membership fee for the Extraordinary Potion-Maker Association," the witch said, smiling at Hector behind the two. "Congratulations, Mr. Hector. You've found two great talents."
(End of Chapter)
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