Chapter 720: Clueless
Chapter 720: Clueless
After the first two rounds of eliminations, out of the original eight schools and twenty-three participants, only four contestants remained for the final round.
Many of the team leaders from the different schools were perplexed by the so-called third round of the Potion-Making Championship.
Traditionally, the championship only consisted of two rounds—the first to sieve out the top few contestants, and the second to test their comprehensive abilities.
The one with the highest score would be crowned champion.
However, this year's championship had undergone changes, not only with the addition of a third round but also by determining the overall winner based on the total score across all three rounds.
Not long ago, when everyone learned about the content of the third round, they realized the reason behind the rule changes.
Participants were required to write down the ingredients needed for the potion they would be brewing in the third round within half an hour, which meant that those who had prepared in advance had a significant advantage.
As for the notion of allowing contestants to showcase their talents, it was merely a more palatable excuse. Everyone understood the real reason.
This round gave Guy Bernard a tremendous advantage. Who knew how long that bastard had been preparing for this? Maybe he had started months ago?
Moreover, who knew if there would be other pitfalls in the third round, just like the hidden trap in the second round that had tripped up most of the participants. With the first two rounds, Guy Bernard could undoubtedly widen the score gap with the other contestants, and with his advance preparations for the third round, he could easily crush the competition and win the Potion-Making Championship.
It was indeed a setup for a predetermined champion.
Unfortunately, plans often go awry. How could Chairman Bernard, with all his meticulous preparations, have foreseen that his grandson, Guy Bernard, would be eliminated in the second round, rendering all his efforts beneficial to someone else?
No wonder he was so furious, even causing quite a stir. Yet, they still haven't caught the perpetrator who attacked Guy Bernard.
Chairman Bernard will undoubtedly provide the magical potion world with ample comedic material for the next few years.
"Mr. Anderson, is there a problem with your ingredient list?"
Professor Slughorn's voice rose involuntarily as he perused the parchment Albert had handed him. He looked up at the genius before him, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Are you really planning to brew a Baruffio Brain Elixir in the third round?"
Despite some variations in the ingredients listed on the parchment, Professor Slughorn, as an expert in the field of potions, could discern what potion Albert intended to brew.
No wonder he was so agitated. There were a few potions in the magical world that most potion masters were reluctant to touch, and the Baruffio Brain Elixir was one of them. Like the Felix Felicis, even the slightest mishap would result in the potion being completely ruined.
Moreover, the ingredients for the Baruffio Brain Elixir were as expensive and rare as those for the Felix Felicis, so very few potion-makers would dare to attempt it, even if they were wealthy.
You see, while the Felix Felicis was challenging to brew, one could at least purchase some with money. However, when it came to the Baruffio Brain Elixir, renowned for burning people's brains, it was almost impossible to find a perfect and harmless finished product on the market. All that was available on the black market were toxic, inferior versions. Drinking it without dilution would earn you a permanent bed on the fourth floor of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
In Professor Slughorn's opinion, Albert might as well be planning to forfeit the competition by choosing to brew such a potion.
Before Albert could respond, Professor Slughorn continued, "I believe you have the capability to brew a perfect Baruffio Brain Elixir, but there's still a chance of failure. I don't think you need to take such a risk. Even potion masters wouldn't attempt something like the Baruffio Brain Elixir."
In Professor Slughorn's view, Albert was gambling with his future, and it was entirely unnecessary! "Let me tell you, stop thinking about being innovative. It's a trap, and most students can't achieve that level. Your current score is far ahead of the others. As long as you brew a potion successfully, winning the championship shouldn't be difficult." Professor Slughorn persisted in his attempt to dissuade Albert, feeling it was his duty to do so.
It was almost like placing a sure-lose bet.
The golden cauldron was already within your grasp. Why not just reach out and take it?
"Ahem, are you done over there?"
Chairman Bernard, of course, overheard their conversation and realized that Albert was foolish enough to attempt the Baruffio Brain Elixir. Naturally, he wasn't going to give Professor Slughorn the opportunity to convince Albert otherwise.
"Alright."
After Albert submitted his ingredient list, the judges' table erupted in chaos.
"If I recall correctly, the Baruffio Brain Elixir has long been classified as a prohibited and dangerous potion, right?"
No one believed that Albert could brew the Baruffio Brain Elixir, let alone improve upon it. If he truly possessed such capabilities, then what were they, the esteemed judges, doing here? Perhaps they should yield their seats to him.
"This seems more like a farce."
"Perhaps we should give him a chance."
"That wouldn't be fair to the other competitors."
"We should ask him to confirm his intentions." Damocles glanced at Chairman Bernard and calmly said, "To be honest, I'm quite curious as to how he intends to improve the Baruffio Brain Elixir."
"Do you think he'll succeed?"
"Do you have some inside information?" Damocles' words instantly piqued the curiosity of the others.
"Well, I know a bit. Hetok approached me to research this stuff, but I was busy improving the Wolfsbane Potion at the time." Damocles recalled, he hadn't expected Hetok to actually succeed.
"So, this is Mr. Hetok's improvement?"
"Mr. Anderson must have been involved as well."
"Are you sure he wasn't just Mr. Hetok's assistant?"
"Albert often provides us with suggestions and ideas for improving potions. Didn't I mention that Mr. Anderson also provided valuable suggestions for improving the Wolfsbane Potion?"
At that moment, the judges' table erupted once more.
They had just heard some groundbreaking news.
"Why doesn't he do it himself?"
Someone expressed their doubt, and most of the others were skeptical. Would anyone be willing to give away their achievements to someone else? They certainly didn't believe it.
"Maybe he doesn't have the time due to his studies, or he lacks the ingredients to try." Damocles replied indifferently, "Anyway, he doesn't seem to care much about it. Perhaps he's just looking for an opportunity to give it a shot?"
"But isn't he aiming for the championship?"
Among those present, only Katherine guessed the reason, her expression complicated.
The Baruffio Brain Elixir was a collaboration between the two.
They had provided plenty of ingredients for the Baruffio Brain Elixir for his practice. Albert's decision to use it in the final round indicated that he had already mastered it to a certain extent.
This was also a way for him to show them the results of their collaboration.
The only unknown was the effectiveness of this improved version.
"Mr. Anderson, are you sure these are the ingredients you require?"
"Yes."
"Do you intend to brew the Baruffio Brain Elixir?"
"Is there a problem?"
After a brief silence, one of the female judges spoke up, "No, we're just curious. I think you're aware of what the Baruffio Brain Elixir is."
"Yes, I am." Albert replied calmly.
"Have you brewed it before?"
"Does that have anything to do with the competition?" Albert asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, we're just... curious. If you don't want to answer, then forget I asked."
"Since that is his choice, I think we should respect it." Chairman Bernard's lips curled up slightly, "Perhaps Mr. Anderson will bring us an unexpected surprise."
Chairman Bernard was eager to see Albert regretful and dejected from losing the Potion-Making Championship due to his foolishness.
Katherine glanced at Chairman Bernard and couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him.
He had picked the wrong opponent! Over the past few days, she had thought carefully about it and felt that Albert was most likely behind Guy Bernard's mishap.
Everyone knew he was a genius, but they didn't know the extent of his genius, purely due to a misinformation gap.
Was wandless magic truly difficult? Yes, it was incredibly challenging, and the vast majority of wizards couldn't achieve it.
That was why they hadn't suspected Albert.
But in Katherine's opinion, if a student of Voldemort could do it, then Albert had no reason to fall short.
Moreover, a person like him would surely be vigilant and on guard against potential attacks. The whole situation felt suspicious.
"William, don't pressure yourself, and don't leave any regrets." Katherine said to her school's contestant.
William: "..."
Was this her way of consoling him in advance?
The competition hadn't even started yet, and she already expected him to lose?
(End of Chapter)
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