Silent Spell Practice, Sleeping Incense

Ravenclaw dormitory.

Lucien leafed through Development of Non-Verbal Spells, his wand in his right hand, making a gesture with it now and then.

Non-verbal spells worked by constructing the desired spell effect in one's mind, allowing magic to be released with a wave of the wand without reciting the incantation.

The original function of an incantation was to serve as an anchor that helped a wizard focus, as well as a track that guided the flow of magic.

Lucien pondered the key points of non-verbal spells.

First, he needed to construct the spell effect—in other words, be familiar enough with the spell he was casting.

Second, the requirements for concentration were higher, and the control of magic had to be more refined.

Now, it all depended on "thought."

That "thought" had to be extremely clear and intense, without the slightest stray idea.

He would start practicing with the simplest spells.

Lucien pointed his wand at a book and tapped lightly.

There was only one thought in his mind:

"Float."

At the same time, he sensed his magic, letting it surge out along the wand and gently lift the book.

The book wobbled up from the tabletop and floated into midair.

Hm, it wasn't that hard after all.

In truth, non-verbal spells were a technique only learned in sixth year.

Lucien had also seen it mentioned in the book that non-verbal spells had a hard requirement: a wizard had to possess a certain amount of magic.

The magic inside young wizards increased with age.

Especially after entering puberty, their magic would enter a period of rapid growth.

And Lucien's magical talent was as high as SS-rank. Whether in total amount of magic or growth speed, he far surpassed ordinary people.

Mm, I can use non-verbal spells fairly easily right now.

Looks like, at least in terms of magical power, I'm already no worse than a wizard close to adulthood.

He continued flipping through the book while trying to release different spells non-verbally.

At times, he summoned the pillow from his bed; at times, he shrank a vase...

"Whoosh—"

Crimson flames shot from the tip of his wand, then were pinched by Lucien into a ring of fire.

He felt the blazing heat of the flame.

Sure enough, when basic spells were cast non-verbally, their power did not change much, and their stability was strong.

But with slightly more complex spells, the power of their non-verbal versions would weaken, and controlling them was no longer as effortless as before.

According to the book, some spells even had to be paired with incantations before they could be released.

But that did not matter. The advantage of non-verbal spells lay in concealment—they were all about sneak attacks!

As long as they could catch an opponent off guard and disrupt their rhythm, that was enough.

His practice of non-verbal spells came to a temporary end.

Seeing that it was still early, Lucien opened Powerful Potions again.

He flipped to the section on calming and sedative potions, and remembered his previous plan.

The little Qilin still needed to sleep for six more days before it would wake up. These next few days were just right for preparing some potions.

"System, are there any potion-type loans?"

[Improved Potion Formula (weekly loan): Learn the brewing method of one improved potion. Its effects surpass the original potion, and the required materials are reduced]

[Task: Successfully brew 5 different potions]

[Basic Finished Potion (daily loan): Obtain one basic potion (within the Hogwarts first- to third-year curriculum)]

[Task: Successfully brew one potion of the same type]

For the daily loan, I can specify the loan content, which means customizing the potion type.

First- to third-year level is enough.

As for improved formulas...

Uh, can I borrow a formula loan first and learn the formula, then borrow a finished potion loan and directly customize that potion?

"System, does the finished potion loan include improved potions?"

"If I learn that improved formula first."

[You must successfully brew the improved potion once first]

Seeing the system's reaction, Lucien understood. He had probably hit a bug.

A loophole was a loophole. Why call it a hidden use? It was even trying to act cute and bluff its way through?

"System, show me the formulas available for improvement."

He quickly skimmed through the information the system provided.

Lucien immediately locked onto a potion that met the requirements:

[Sleeping Incense (Improved Version): A calming, sleep-inducing potion suitable for wizards and magical creatures. Wizards fall asleep in five seconds; magical creatures fall asleep in anywhere from ten seconds to two minutes depending on their size.]

Whoa, the effect was pretty good!

The time needed to fall asleep was less than half the original version's, and on top of that, it could reduce the amount of ingredients used.

Saving even a little on potion ingredients was good, even if the materials for this kind of beginner potion were not expensive.

But the materials he had bought from Diagon Alley and brought to school were limited.

For a first-year young wizard, buying extra things was still not very convenient.

When the time came, he could pair it with a spell, get close to the magical creature first, then directly use the Sleeping Incense to knock it out.

Whether gentle or ferocious, a sleeping magical creature was a good magical creature!

Lucien first took out a formula loan.

There was still time. He might as well brew it once tonight and try.

Lucien took out his suitcase and pulled from it a cauldron, scales, and other tools, as well as the raw ingredients needed for Sleeping Incense.

However, before formally brewing the Sleeping Incense, Lucien first picked out several medicinal ingredients with refreshing effects, ground them into powder or squeezed out their juice, and finally stuffed them into a gauze mask.

Putting on the mask, Lucien inhaled, and immediately felt a cool sensation sink straight into his lungs.

This was a simple potion included in the Sleeping Incense formula, specially used to keep oneself awake.

Without this thing, the potion would still be simmering, and the person would fall asleep first.

Following the formula in his mind, Lucien completed the slicing, grinding, and extraction of the raw materials step by step...

According to the procedure, he brewed and soaked them separately, then finally lit the fire under the cauldron and began simmering.

During the process, he used his wand to control the size of the flame while adding the proper amounts of processed ingredients.

Lucien's technique was not very practiced at first. After all, this was his first time brewing this potion.

However, before coming to Hogwarts, he had practiced some simple potions at home, so he did have some foundation.

And Lucien's potion talent was also playing its part.

His potion talent was A-rank. Among that pile of S to SSS-rank talents, of course it did not seem high enough.

But A-rank was already the peak of what could be called talented.

As long as he kept studying hard and practiced for a long time, he could master existing potion knowledge and techniques.

He simply lacked that tiny bit that belonged to geniuses—inspiration.

And it was precisely that bit of inspiration that allowed geniuses to pioneer and innovate, stepping into realms their predecessors had never reached.

Lucien was in no hurry when it came to potions and alchemy. He could study them slowly later.

Right now, my main goal is still to master magic and increase my strength.

A-rank was enough. For the time being, potions were still support.

While simmering the potion, Lucien's control over the heat and the timing of adding ingredients became increasingly skilled.

As the bubbles in the cauldron grew fewer and fewer, the liquid gradually thickened.

Lucien compared it with the description in the formula.

It was about right. Once it cooled, it would become ointment-like.

Time passed second by second. The medicinal liquid gradually solidified, and its color also settled into a pale blue.

At the same time, a faint orchid fragrance spread out, gradually filling the entire room.

Even through the mask, Lucien could smell the fragrance.

But the coolness in the mask's inner layer helped him dispel the urge to fall asleep.

Finally, Lucien carefully poured the medicinal liquid into a small iron tin and inserted a candle wick to use for ignition.

Whew, done.

Click.

The dorm room door opened, and Terry walked in, his nose twitching unconsciously.

"Lucien, are you brewing potions? Are you getting ready for tomorrow's Potions cla—"

But before he could finish, Terry's eyes rolled back, and he toppled straight backward.

Lucien quickly tapped with his wand.

The instant, silent Levitation Charm hit Terry, keeping the back of his head from kissing the floor.

Lucien waved his wand to open the window, blowing away the lingering fragrance in the room.

He looked at his roommate, who had been caught in the crossfire yet wore a peaceful expression, then glanced at the little iron can in his hand.

He had to admit, the effect really was pretty good.