Chapter 709: Foundations
Chapter 709: Foundations
The first round of the Magic School Potion Championship felt more like a practical exam to Albert.
Naturally, he came out on top once again.
At this moment, on the judge's stand, Principal Bernard was announcing to everyone that the second round of the competition would begin in three days.
Although the specifics of the competition were not announced, Professor Slughorn informed Albert of the second round's content on the way back to the bar.
"The contestants will need to venture into the Magical Gardens to collect potion ingredients within a ten-hour period. You must then return with the ingredients you've found and brew a potion from them within the allotted time." Professor Slughorn didn't forget to remind Albert, "Most of the other schools' contestants have probably already been informed about the details of the second round. I suggest you give yourself a backup plan to ensure that the ingredients you collect can be used to brew a potion before considering other matters."
"In addition to collecting ingredients, you'll need to leave time for brewing the potion, at least an hour and a half. I've seen someone eliminated before because they didn't have enough time to brew their potion."
"I understand," Albert nodded to Professor Slughorn, expressing his gratitude.
Even though he had already known about the subsequent competition content, Professor Slughorn was still doing his best to help him win.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a beard and a sallow complexion approached Albert and greeted him with a friendly wave, "I believe this is our first official meeting, Mr. Anderson. I am Damocles, Damocles Belby."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Belby," Albert shook his hand.
"It was a fantastic performance, truly impressive. I doubt you noticed Bernard's expression!" Damocles was very satisfied that Albert had effortlessly crushed the other contestants, "I heard from Hectork that you've also improved the Cheerfulness Potion. If you were to use it in the competition, I dare say Bernard wouldn't be able to find a reason to deduct points from you."
"No, if Principal Bernard doesn't want to give me a perfect score, he'll always find a suitable excuse. Certain things won't change the situation," Albert wasn't annoyed by the judge's bias, and his expression didn't change at all, "After all, Principal Bernard's grandson is also participating in the competition."
"It seems you've already guessed the reason," Damocles nodded, "Everyone finds his actions quite repulsive, and many are waiting to see you bring home the Golden Cauldron."
"I'm working towards that goal."
"Britain hasn't had the honor of the Golden Cauldron for several years, but I believe you will definitely win the final championship," Damocles had great confidence in Albert.
"Mr. Anderson, there's no need to be so humble. You should be more confident. We all believe that you will bring glory to Hogwarts," Professor Slughorn said.
"It's been a while, Mr. Slughorn. I thought you had retired," Damocles greeted Professor Slughorn, their relationship could only be described as cordial.
"Dumbledore is a bit tied up, so I'm helping out with the team for now," Professor Slughorn invited warmly, "Would you like to join us for a drink at the bar? Mrs. Selena is also here, and I believe you know her as well."
"No, I have other matters to attend to. I wouldn't want to intrude," Damocles politely declined with a smile, then turned to Albert and said, "This is a rare opportunity, so make the most of it. Observe and learn, and you'll surely gain much more than you expect. Especially the library here, which any herbalist and potion master should not miss."
"I will," Albert replied.
Just as Albert was about to ask about the library's location, Damocles had already turned and walked away.
"Was that Mr. Damocles Belby, the inventor of the Wolfsbane Potion?"
At the bar entrance, Katherine led her team over and curiously asked Albert as they watched Damocles' departing figure.
Although Katherine found the Wolfsbane Potion too expensive and its effects a bit underwhelming, she couldn't deny that it was a groundbreaking invention.
"I didn't expect you to know him."
"Mhm," Albert nodded, not elaborating further.
In the following days, the Magical Gardens would organize tours for the contestants, taking them to visit the village greenhouses and providing more detailed introductions to the precious plants cultivated within.
This time, instead of viewing the plants through the glass windows from outside the greenhouses, they would enter and observe them up close while receiving explanations.
"This is Sniffing Grass, a rare and highly sought-after magical plant."
The leading herbalist, a tall witch, pointed at a plant with leaves that shimmered like copper and introduced it to the group, "Sniffing Grass gets its name from its ability to induce hallucinations when smelled. Ancient witches and wizards favored using them as a form of currency."
"The Sniffing Grass in the greenhouses here are all artificially cultivated, which is a challenging process, and they don't survive easily. At present, there may only be wild Sniffing Grass remaining in the Magical Gardens worldwide. If you encounter it during your time in the Magical Gardens, it's best not to pick or damage it, or you may immediately be disqualified from the competition," the witch warned.
The primary purpose of bringing the contestants on this tour was to ensure they didn't inadvertently harm any precious magical plants once they entered the Magical Gardens.
"What is Sniffing Grass used for?" Valeria, the blonde girl from Russia, asked curiously.
"Currently, the most well-known use comes from the research of Zygmunt Budge, the author of 'Book of Potions.' Sniffing Grass can be used to brew a potion that enhances one's magical potential," the witch's expression turned complex as she mentioned Zygmunt Budge's name. The potential-enhancing potion he invented was one of the indirect reasons that Sniffing Grass was now on the brink of extinction.
When the "Book of Potions" first appeared, it caused quite a stir.
A magical potion that could enhance a wizard's power was irresistibly alluring to any pure-blood wizard.
Sniffing Grass, which was already endangered, completely vanished from the face of the earth, except for the specimens preserved in the Magical Gardens.
To prevent people from poaching Sniffing Grass, the International Wizarding Federation designated it as a highly protected plant, and only then was this precious plant saved from extinction.
"A potion to enhance magical potential?"
The red-haired boy from the USA had a strange expression on his face. He knew of this potion and had even consumed a bottle of it.
The potion was excellent, but it was also extremely expensive, and now he understood why.
"Don't even think about laying a finger on the Sniffing Grass, unless you want to end up on the Magical Gardens' blacklist," the witch glanced at the red-haired boy and said coldly, "Someone tried it before, but I'm sure he regrets it now."
"No, he doesn't regret it!"
If the herbalists here knew that the Americans had already successfully cultivated inferior Sniffing Grass and were using it to brew the potential-enhancing potion, she wondered what they would think.
Today, Albert learned a lot. Aside from Sniffing Grass, he also encountered many other rare plants.
For example, there was the "Longevity Grass," discovered in the Andes highlands in the 13th century. It was rumored to be one of the main ingredients in the legendary elixir of immortality.
It resembled ginseng in appearance, and the most effective part was the root, so "Longevity Root" would be a more fitting name.
"It is said that it has completely disappeared from Peru, and now only exists in the Magical Gardens..."
Unfortunately, most of the plants here were endangered, and all they could do was look at them from a distance, with no hope of acquiring them.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
