A New Week

Another new week began, and Klein felt nothing.

But for the other students, this week's schedule was much more anticipated than the last.

Because

Flying Class was finally starting.

"Don't worry, I can teach you when the time comes. I'm very familiar with riding a broom. I've been flying around my family's manor since I was little."

Puffing out his chest, young master Draco Malfoy described the flying tips he knew with gestures, his eyes showing pride.

Behind him, Crabbe and Goyle were both excited.

Brooms, those were Flying Brooms!

Who wouldn't look forward to it?

"Hey, Klein? What are you thinking about?"

While the trio were chatting animatedly, Klein, who had fallen behind them, had been silent. It wasn't until they entered the Transfiguration classroom that Draco noticed something was off behind him and turned back to ask doubtfully.

"Homework."

Hearing the question, Klein replied casually.

"No way, Klein! We have Flying Class on Thursday, and you're still thinking about that damn homework?"

Malfoy's eyes widened involuntarily, his face full of disbelief. After a pause, he seemed to suddenly think of something and deliberately lowered his voice.

"Tell me the truth, mate. Do you have a fear of heights or something? It's okay, there's no shame in that."

Aside from those with acrophobia, Draco firmly believed that no one in the world could resist the charm of a Flying Broom.

No one!

"No, I'm not afraid of heights. I just find the thing uncomfortable."

Recalling the embarrassment of riding a broom for the first time in his previous life, Klein shook his head. He truly had no interest in what Draco called a "Flying Broom."

Perhaps it was because their technological paths had diverged. Almost all wizards loved flying around on brooms.

But he was an exception.

"Huh?"

Hearing Klein say that, Draco swallowed nervously and tentatively asked again.

"You... you don't like Quidditch, do you!"

"Mhm, I don't."

Nodding, Klein readily admitted it.

"No!"

This time, not only Draco, but even Crabbe and Goyle wailed. They looked at Klein with pity mixed with disappointment, their regret evident on their faces.

Unbelievable, how could anyone in this world dislike Quidditch!?

"I admit Quidditch is a very charming sport, but everyone has different interests and hobbies."

Before the three friends could try to convince him of Quidditch's fun, Klein decisively ended the topic.

Honestly, he didn't understand how a sport like Quidditch, which lacked fairness, could be so popular in the wizarding world. But as he said, everyone had their own preferences. He didn't like Quidditch, and he wouldn't disparage it.

However, if someone really wanted to drag him onto a broom to chase a "Golden Snitch," he could only politely decline.

"Hey, Klein!"

As soon as Klein sat down, a greeting reached his ears. Turning his head, he saw a group of girls led by Pansy Parkinson smiling at him.

"Hello."

He responded with a smile, appearing poised and polite, with a hint of distance.

The girls didn't mind. They had no ulterior motives; they just wanted to say hello. After all, Klein was now the "coolest" among all the Hogwarts first-years, surpassing even Harry Potter, who had made such a splash at the start of the term.

"Mate, I'm jealous."

After the "girl squad" left, Draco, along with Crabbe and Goyle, sidled up to Klein, his tone sour as he pouted.

He couldn't compete. He was truly convinced.

"If you study hard, you can too."

Klein didn't elaborate on the principle that "a person of noble character and learning will naturally possess an air of refinement." But for a profession like wizardry, which valued strength and ability, learning more was always beneficial.

"Alright~"

Thinking of that thick book that had tormented him countless times, and then thinking of Klein casually flicking out an improved curse to become the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin in history, Draco decided it was best to keep quiet.

He didn't want to be a bookworm, but he wanted to be someone truly capable.

"Study hard, study hard!"

As if hypnotizing himself, young master Malfoy put more effort into this Transfiguration class than before. He finally completed Professor McGonagall's task—turning a needle back into a match—second only to Klein.

This earned Slytherin two points.

Time always passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, Monday was more than half over amidst the clamor of Hogwarts students.

At eight in the evening, Klein arrived punctually at Snape's office located beneath the castle and knocked on the old wooden door.

"Enter."

There was no change from when they met on Saturday. Snape still had a gloomy expression. His greasy long hair was half-draped over his shoulders. He looked up, revealing a sallow face.

"Good evening, Professor."

Klein walked into the office with a normal expression and took out a neat, clean parchment from the hidden pocket of his robe, placing it on Snape's desk.

"This is my homework."

"Hmm."

With a noncommittal response, Snape didn't say much and directly picked up the parchment, glancing at its contents.

After reading a few lines, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but his expression remained incredibly grim.

"Incorrect."

Ten minutes later, Snape put down the parchment and shook his head slightly.

But before Klein could speak, he pursed his lips again.

"But it can't be said to be completely wrong."

Hearing this, Klein's heart stirred.

"Your idea of starting with two completely different potions, 'Drowning Potion' and 'Snow Sore Healing Water,' and trying to reverse-engineer the tenth property of the main ingredient 'Sheep Liver Fruit' is good, but the experimental design is too simplistic. Your mind is decent, but your knowledge is lacking."

Snape spoke calmly and casually tossed Klein's parchment aside.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, a storm had already erupted in his heart!

Someone had actually found a solution to one of the ninety-nine unsolved problems in Potions?

After reading Klein's conjecture and specific operations, Snape's mind felt like it had been struck by lightning, instantly illuminating all the darkness!

Admittedly, what Klein submitted couldn't possibly be the correct answer.

But he had provided a feasible method.

If the other party possessed his own knowledge of potions, this problem would have at least a fifty percent chance of being solved.

Incredible!

"Hmph, I'll let you off this time. Put the matter of 'Sheep Liver Fruit' aside. Today, I'll teach you how to brew a 'New Hemostatic Potion.' Watch carefully, I'll only teach it once."

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Snape slowly got up and took two sets of cauldrons from the shelf behind him.

"Hold it in, you must hold it in, don't lose your dignity!"

Where Klein couldn't see, he sternly thought to himself.