Chapter 16: 16: Daisy Processing

There are so many plants on the right side of the greenhouse,

This was Seon's first thought.

They were also very dense and robust.

This was Seon's second thought.

Therefore, he clung tightly to the back of Professor Sprout, lest he lose focus for a moment and the Professor would be swallowed up by the lush greenery, never to be found again.

Professor Sprout, holding a shovel, led Seon briskly between two rows of plant stands, occasionally pinching a leaf or smelling a petal.

"This is the Bubble Pod area. Once we pass through here, we'll reach the place where you can really show your skills."

Professor Sprout's voice was somewhat loud, but it wasn't noisy; rather, it was reassuring.

Bubble Pods?

Seon looked closely at the vines of varying thicknesses, upon which grew plump, pink pods containing shimmering beans.

Seon had read about this magical plant in a book; it was said that these beans would bloom immediately upon contact with any solid object.

"These Bubble Pods will be ripe before long. When that time comes, these planting stands will be filled with Jumping Bulbs..."

Professor Sprout explained enthusiastically to Seon, and a light flickered in Seon's emerald eyes.

Perhaps it was because the light in the greenhouse was a bit too bright, or perhaps it was simply that the young wizard's earnest way of observing was naturally endearing.

Professor Sprout's pace became even lighter.

How wonderful... new sprouts always bring new hope.

This was what Professor Sprout wanted to see most.

"Come here, child, let's deal with these daisies."

Professor Sprout stopped before a wooden table—a wide, sturdy one, its center seemingly stained dark by plant juices and soil.

Seon stepped forward quickly and saw Professor Sprout take several pots of daisies from beneath the table.

If one had to say how they differed from ordinary ornamental flowers, it was that their stems were much thicker.

Furthermore, if one were to buy them in Diagon Alley, twenty of them would cost one gold Galleon.

Terribly expensive.

"Don't get distracted. Watch closely. For the yellow daisies, you must start three inches below the petals..."

Professor Sprout deftly sliced a daisy, and a milky white sap flowed from the stem, which the Professor efficiently collected in a glass vial.

"The sap can only be collected from daisies at this time of year. The cut cannot be too deep, otherwise it will affect the future growth of these lovely little flowers; nor can it be too shallow, otherwise the extracted sap won't meet the standard for making Shrinking Solution."

The Professor explained meticulously, then with a wave of her wand, a small knife and a glass vial landed on the wooden table in front of Seon.

"Give it a try, Mr. Green."

Seon nodded and picked up the tools.

"The angle is wrong, Mr. Green, a bit more to the side..."

"Too light, Mr. Green, be bolder..."

"Oh, Mr. Green, don't cut! The position is wrong..."

Time passed quickly through Seon's errors.

Seon quickly realized that he didn't seem to have any talent for Herbology.

Just as he had failed for the fifteenth time and was frowning in thought, a gentle voice came from beside him

"To discover you have no talent, yet still be willing to pick up the hoe—that is the beginning of Herbology."

Seon looked up. Professor Sprout's face was as soft and profound as the warm sun.

And so,

Until Professor Sprout's large shadow began to tilt, Seon gradually mastered the essence of processing daisies.

Strength, angle, and position were all vital; if even one was slightly off, the proficiency on his panel would not increase.

[You have fully processed a daisy to the Apprentice standard, Proficiency +1]

The prompt on the panel was like heavenly music. Having mastered the correct method, Seon's drive became terrifyingly intense.

[You have fully processed a daisy to the Apprentice standard, Proficiency +1]

[You have fully processed a daisy to the Novice standard, Proficiency +3]

...

As the sunlight slanted, thirty pots of daisies were neatly stacked. Seon wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes as bright as the Herbology professor beside him.

"Well done, Mr. Green,"

Professor Sprout clapped lightly. Nothing made her happier than witnessing a new sprout grow strong. "Go have dinner now. Oh, and take this."

A piece of candied pineapple was stuffed into Seon's arms. At the same time, he heard the "clang" of the bell, signaling the start of dinner.

Meal times at Hogwarts were always fixed; if you missed them, you could only go hungry.

Of course, some young wizards would ask friends in advance to fetch some food, but Seon clearly had not made such preparations.

To go hungry at Hogwarts—that would be terrible.

Thinking this, Seon quickly bid farewell to Professor Sprout and headed toward the Great Hall. If his body were in better condition, he would have run.

"Next time, we will handle some special materials," Professor Sprout said before Seon left.

Seon had seen things resembling teeth piled on that dark wooden table; he guessed perhaps those were them?

...

After the feast of various foods in the Great Hall,

Justin was being lectured by Hermione because he had failed to notice that he also had Herbology this afternoon, and with the Gryffindors, no less.

Thus, when Hermione saw him in Greenhouse One, Miss Granger immediately flared up.

"Did you do that on purpose!"

"I was wrong..."

Seon was currently battling a beef stew and did not notice Justin's pleading gaze.

Soon, he was checking today's gains while sipping pumpkin juice.

[Herbology Cognition: Unlocked (59/90)]

Through processing the daisies, Seon had gained a total of 33 proficiency points.

[Apprentice-level Herbology Cognition can unlock the Apprentice Title in the field of Herbology]

The activation of the title was within reach. If he utilized his remaining time well, he might even activate it today.

As for that pile of tooth-like things, Seon compared them carefully and found they were likely venomous snake fangs.

Though he didn't know why Professor Sprout was processing them, they happened to match Seon's needs perfectly.

One of the ingredients for brewing Scabbers Potion was venomous snake fangs.

Just as the battle ended, Seon left the Great Hall, leaving Justin and Hermione somewhat stunned.

"Seon!

Sigh, he walks so fast.

I wanted to ask him to go to the library with us. Maybe he can solve our problem regarding the distinction of mature Dittany.

To be honest, I have no idea how to write a Herbology essay."

Justin was somewhat frustrated. Magic was harder than he had imagined. Although Professor Sprout told them to do their best, as a Hufflepuff, who wouldn't want to satisfy and earn the praise of their professor?

"I'm not so sure,

But the Hogwarts library holds thousands of books. We will find the answer."

Hermione shook her head helplessly, though she remained full of confidence.

(End of Chapter)