Learning in the Magical World

You completely processed a nettle to Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1

You completely processed a nettle to Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1

Herbology Knowledge unlocked

A new Herbology title has been unlocked. Please check it.

A Wizard Talent has been unlocked. Please check it.

After two days of work,

Sean had unlocked the Herbology title.

He eagerly checked it:

Title: Herbology Intern

Slightly increases sensitivity to plants and slightly improves Herbology Talent.

Increases sensitivity to plants?

That sounded pretty good.

Sean continued reading:

Wizard Sean, Herbology Talent: Green (boosted by the Herbology Intern title; original talent was White)
Note: Normal wizards are Green.

When it came to being disappointing,

his talent never disappointed.

Fine.

At least I can still change it by grinding proficiency.

Sean thought.

Before long, Sean experienced the benefits brought by the change in talent.

While identifying mature Dried Nettle, a strange intuition led him to choose a batch that had only just matured.

After soaking and processing it, he earned his first "Beginner" rating in Herbology.

You completely processed a nettle to Beginner standard. Proficiency +3

The Magical World really was all about talent.

Sean's stereotype of the Magical World deepened once again.

"Excellent processing, Mr. Green. I'm awarding Ravenclaw two points!"

Professor Sprout walked over, looking mildly surprised.

"Everyone, come here! Take a look at these processed nettles. Their stinging hairs and soft down have disappeared.

That is one of the characteristics a fine nettle ingredient should possess—

Mr. Green, you've improved quickly."

While everyone examined the nettles, Professor Sprout offered him a quiet word of encouragement.

Herbology ended quickly. As they left the Greenhouse,

Sean heard the Young Wizards whispering.

"Is that...?"

"Sean Green. Haven't you heard of him?"

"On the contrary, I'm sick of hearing about him. Apparently, he excels in both Charms and Transfiguration Class—does he come from a Wizarding family?"

"That's the scariest part. They say he's a Muggle-born wizard..."

When Sean looked over, the two Young Wizards who had been talking flushed red and hurried away.

"Sean, looks like you're famous."

Michael spoke in a thoroughly teasing tone.

"Shouldn't he be? I've never seen a wizard who was good at every kind of magic... except Potions."

Michael's teasing came to an unwilling end during Astronomy class.

"...Stairs, stairs, more stairs. Terry, can you see the end?"

Michael panted. Even as he spoke to Terry, he deliberately glanced at Sean.

The Young Wizard's face was still deathly pale.

"They say the Astronomy Tower is the tallest tower in all of Hogwarts... even taller than Ravenclaw Tower..."

As Michael shared his little bit of gossip, he silently stayed half a step behind Sean.

"...Is that so?"

Anthony replied, then inconspicuously moved closer to Michael.

The two followed behind the pale-faced Young Wizard, one on each side.

The witch who taught Astronomy class was Professor Aurora Sinistra, a witch with an ethereal air about her.

She taught the Young Wizards to observe the night sky through Telescopes, learning the names of different stars and the orbital paths of planets.

Her classroom was filled with instruments such as Moon Globes, Moon Charts, Moon-Gazing Mirrors, Star Charts, and Telescopes.

It looked like some sort of research institute.

The only difference was that the night view here was breathtaking, while all kinds of precise magical instruments operated quietly.

Because Sean understood the principles behind how Telescopes worked, Professor Sinistra noticed him quickly.

She even allowed him to use a large metal sphere to predict the trajectory of Io.

Terry was incredibly envious. Usually quiet, he asked Sean about what it felt like to use it no fewer than three times.

Sean described it to him in detail, and Terry's longing was written all over his face.

"Oh! Merlin's beard! That must have been amazing. That's an exceptionally rare Magical Moon-Gazing Instrument..."

After Astronomy class,

it was nearly curfew.

Having climbed two tall towers in succession, Sean did not look too well, but that did not stop him from organizing his Astronomy notes.

If he remembered correctly, first-year Young Wizards mainly learned the names of stars and the orbital paths of planets.

It was not difficult. They just had to memorize them all.

The only difficult part might have been drawing trajectory charts, but that was easy enough for Sean as well.

Never underestimate the power of compulsory education!

After organizing his notes, Sean took out books on Potions and History of Magic to read.

The preparations for brewing Potions were already complete. Sean tried to find some brewing techniques in those books.

Although they contained only strict procedures and brief descriptions,

Sean could still glean some vague guidance from the finer details.

When brewing Scurvy Paste, one must stir twice to the left, then three times to the right, applying moderate force...

What counted as moderate force?

Sean found the answer in History of Magic:

A Self-Stirring Cauldron is a Cauldron enchanted to automatically stir Potions. Its spoon often breaks apart bubbles as it stirs...

Sean guessed that breaking apart the bubbles was what counted as moderate force.

Sure enough, history was a good teacher. That had not changed even in the Magical World.

Ravenclaw Common Room.

It was always quiet here, but that did not mean the Wizards studied all the time.

In fact, Young Wizards their age were always playful.

After finishing his History of Magic essay, Michael had already spent an hour playing Wizard's Chess.

Seeing Sean still immersed in studying, he exchanged a glance with Terry, who was examining various stones.

Then, taking advantage of a pause while Sean changed books, he said:

"Sean, it's not that I'm saying anything, but I've never seen you do anything else...

A wizard's life can't be nothing but studying, can it?

In Charms, Transfiguration Class, History of Magic... Merlin's beard, who knows how far ahead you already are?

Tell me, don't you find it boring?"

Sean looked up.

Boring?

What... are you talking about?

This was magic!

It came with absurdly immediate positive feedback. The more he learned, the more interesting it became, and the more motivated he felt.

And when it came to magic, as long as one put in enough effort, it could be transformed into power that could be used directly.

It was something one could see and feel.

Not to mention its practicality and endlessly changing possibilities. It was practically a miracle shaped by belief.

Soon, Sean realized that he seemed to have overlooked something.

The Young Wizards' magic was something they had been born with.

Perhaps that was why they did not particularly cherish it.

But for Sean, who had once spent three months lying in a hospital bed at an orphanage,

his heart had gradually grown numb, just like his body.

It was the Owl that had braved wind and snow to fly into the room.

It was Professor McGonagall, who had paid for his stationery and applied for financial aid and Scholarships on his behalf.

Before he could move on his own, they had given him the ability to once again fill his life with hope and passion.

Having experienced the ordinary, Sean cherished miracles like magic all the more.

He enjoyed the feeling of bringing into existence, with his own hands, miracles capable of changing the world.

Not to mention the Proficiency Panel, where proof once earned remained proof forever.

"Eh, Sean, have you come around? Want to play Wizard's Chess?"

Seeing Sean put his book away, Michael warmly invited him.

"Sorry, I just want to study."

Sean shook his head and took out another book he had borrowed from the Library, Advanced Potion-Making.