Severus Snape was not in a particularly good mood today.
That cowardly, timid fellow he needed to keep a close eye on had been acting increasingly erratic lately.
"Whatever you are planning to do, you had better pray you aren't caught by me..."
He whispered coldly, then turned the corner of the staircase.
At that moment, some faint bubbling sounds caught his attention.
No one in Hogwarts was more familiar with this sound than he was; it was the beautiful sound of potions churning and brewing in a cauldron.
But he was not in the dungeons, which meant—
The dungeons had been broken into!
He strode across the stone steps, like rolling dark clouds carrying thunder and storms.
"What are you doing!"
He swept before Shien, his tone filled with irrepressible fury.
"Audacious! Utterly ignorant!"
Looking at this cauldron emitting white smoke, looking at these scattered ingredients, and then looking at the liquid in that crystal vial...
Did he still not understand what had happened?!
Since he began teaching, he had never seen such a daring little wizard!
Brewing potions in private?!
Did he think this was some fool-proof course like Astronomy or History of Magic?!
Potions is a precise science and a dangerous craft!
Without sufficient skill or supervision, a single small mistake could be enough to claim a young wizard's life.
They wouldn't even have time to react, let alone save themselves!
Shien's smile froze on his face; he quickly swallowed all his surging emotions.
He understood that he had triggered a bad ending—Professor Snape had returned, just as he had finished brewing the potion and before he had time to clean up and evacuate, catching him red-handed.
"Heh...
Let me guess, Mr. Green of Ravenclaw believes he possesses such outstanding talent in Potions that he doesn't need any guidance, believing he can brew a perfect potion all by himself..."
Professor Snape's voice sounded like a viper flicking its tongue, cold and oppressive.
Shien kept his head down, neither panicking nor explaining. He understood Snape; explaining was equivalent to suicide, and that was no exaggeration...
"Ah—then let us see his achievements, let us see what brilliant results he has attained after his last utterly foolish brewing, which made him act like a brainless troll, daring to challenge the authority of the Potions field all by himself..."
He glared fiercely at Shien.
Shien had just looked up, only to quickly lower his head again.
"Hah!"
Snape let out a mocking laugh, yet he felt slightly relieved.
At least this fellow hadn't caused the cauldron to explode like those brainless trolls in Gryffindor.
His attention quickly focused on the potion; he had to ensure this batch wouldn't actually explode.
As for Shien's results?
Did he think Potions was a branch of magic where one could make rapid progress?
Given the mess of his last attempt, it was already a blessing from Merlin that no accident had occurred this time.
But upon looking, he was stunned
It was a qualified potion. Although it couldn't be called excellent by any means, it showed mind-boggling progress.
"This is your masterpiece?"
Snape stared at Shien with a sinister gaze.
Shien nodded in response.
"I suspect your stirring arc was definitely too wide, and your heat control was bizarrely terrible. It is only the barely-correct ingredient preparation that allows you to still be standing here talking to me. What is terrifying is that you haven't grasped this in the slightest..."
Professor Snape watched as Shien bypassed the mockery, quickly noting down the techniques hidden within his words; even the sarcasm slowed by a beat.
Immediately, his expression darkened further, and he roared
"Get out of the dungeons! Now! Immediately!"
Shien did not hesitate; he quickly gathered his crystal vial, books, and materials, and walked quietly out of the dungeons.
No rebuttal, no fear, anger, or any other emotion.
Only a calm
"Sorry, Professor Snape."
The dark-haired wizard's gloomy face paused slightly. He watched the light in Shien's emerald eyes dim until he disappeared at the end of the corridor.
As the environment grew brighter, a sense of warmth enveloped Shien again, but his mood did not improve—on the contrary, it was terrible.
He had successfully brewed the potion; all he needed now was continuous practice to solidly master the techniques of Potions and strengthen his talent.
Even the panel seemed to have granted him good luck
【Boil-Cure Potion: Unlocked (1/30)】
【One apprentice-level potion brew can unlock the apprentice-level title in the field of Potions.】
The proficiency value for the Boil-Cure Potion was 30, and with just one apprentice-level brew, he could unlock the title.
Everything was getting better, but it had to be ruined at the most critical moment.
No one could predict Professor Snape's whereabouts; the only thing known was that he had to teach Potions to the students on Mondays and Fridays.
Therefore, Shien had no way to deal with it.
He remained silent, thinking.
If he couldn't practice, he couldn't improve, so practice was necessary.
He would practice according to the correct methods until his talent improved, so he was certain he wouldn't make any outrageous mistakes that would lead to danger.
His practice was safe and effective, but communication with Professor Snape was destined to be ineffective.
On the way to the Great Hall, Shien suddenly recalled something.
Professor Snape hadn't told him not to come back next time, nor had he deducted any house points.
Why was that?
Shien didn't know if he was overthinking it, but vaguely, he seemed to have a glimmer of opportunity.
In the dungeons.
Snape let out a cold snort. With a wave of his wand, the cauldron floated slowly before his eyes.
The dark green liquid lay quietly, as tranquil as the little wizard who had just left.
Because of those truly bright green eyes, he hadn't offered more mockery.
He carefully examined the Boil-Cure Potion. Just by the final state of the potion, he could infer the effort the young wizard had made.
In three days,
He had not only brought his ingredient preparation above the passing line but had also keenly adjusted the intensity of his stirring.
He had even achieved the most critical step—
Absolute focus.
If not for that, given his troll-like heat control and timing of adding ingredients, it would have been impossible for him to brew a qualified potion.
He had achieved all this progress in just three days.
Snape could almost imagine the nights of endless thinking and the painstaking study of herbs.
"Hah, what a pity. The beauty of Potions does not welcome wizards without sufficient talent..."
...
In the Great Hall.
Shien took out his personal notebook, carefully recalling every step and detail, ensuring they were etched into his mind.
Should he give up practicing Potions just because of Professor Snape's mockery?
The probability was as low as Professor Snape awarding Gryffindor a hundred points.
Professor Snape would always be away at some point...
Shien thought.
The cauldron wouldn't care who was using it.