Included in Textbooks?

Snape only glanced at Lucien's Sleeping Incense before nodding.

"No need. There's nothing wrong with this potion."

As a Potions Master, and having watched Lucien's brewing process almost the entire time, Snape did not need to test it to know its quality had already exceeded classroom standards.

"Lucien Grafton, for failing to follow the teacher's instructions, three points from Ravenclaw."

"For being the first to complete the potion, with skilled technique and correct methods, eight points to Ravenclaw."

Hearing Snape dock him three points and then add eight back, Lucien curled his lip and could not help grumbling inwardly.

Just give five points, then. Why make it so awkward?

If Snape could be a little more honest and straightforward, and not keep putting on airs like this, would that whole mess back then ever have happened?

"Class dismissed. Clean up your equipment. Nothing is to be left behind in this classroom."

Snape was just about to leave the classroom when he suddenly said, "Grafton, come with me to my office."

Lucien did not understand why Snape had called him.

Did I provoke him just now?

But he gave me points too.

"Do I need to invite you, Grafton?"

See? Getting impatient again.

Lucien still packed up his tools and had them float along behind him.

He arrived at Snape's office.

A gloomy, dark aura washed over him.

As soon as he entered, there were two rows of shelves, piled full of all kinds of bottles and jars.

Lucien surveyed the office with slight curiosity.

Well, it fit his fantasy of a traditional wizard's hut perfectly.

He could casually spot things like bat wings, dried frogs, flowers and herbs giving off strange fragrances...

Huh, what was that?

Lucien glimpsed a jar containing a long horn—an intact Unicorn horn?

The thing beside it seemed to be a dragon's heart? And why did that one look suspiciously like a phoenix tail feather?

Very soon, Lucien noticed that an entire row of shelves was filled with all kinds of rare and precious magical materials.

As expected of a Potions Master. Rich enough, and what a collection.

"Sit."

Snape said it to Lucien coolly.

Lucien sat down opposite Snape.

"Who taught you the method you used to brew Sleeping Incense?"

Snape's direct question made Lucien's brows draw together slightly.

Why was Snape asking this? His formula had been exchanged from the system, so there should not be any lingering historical issues, right? Surely Snape could not have seen some trace of an old acquaintance in the formula?

Thoughts racing, Lucien answered, "I saw the original version in a book. When I was practicing potion-making, I tried making a few changes. I got lucky, and the potion's effect didn't get worse."

However, Lucien's answer did not satisfy Snape. He said stiffly, "Let me be blunt. The method you used is very good. Not only does it reduce the consumption of ingredients, it also strengthens the effect. I estimate it strengthens it by two to three times."

"This is a basic potion. If you truly improved it yourself, I would like to include your method in future teaching materials."

"Of course, you will be paid sufficient compensation in exchange. I have not sunk so low as to steal a student's work."

"If you learned it from your family or an elder, you may pass this idea along for me. The compensation will not be small either."

Snape's words left Lucien stunned.

Include his improved formula in the teaching materials, and pay him compensation too?

This formula was a loan he had borrowed from the system, and now there was actually a chance to "sell" it to Snape?

Wait, he had not repaid the loan yet. The loan required him to brew five types of potions, and so far he had only brewed the improved Sleeping Incense.

If he gave the formula to Snape, but Lucien ended up failing to repay the loan and the formula was taken back, then what would happen to the one in Snape's hands?

And at the very least, he would already have received compensation from Snape.

Oh, wasn't this just borrowing money from someone, using that money to do business and make a profit, then when the creditor came knocking, they only took back the principal? He would not lose out, and in the end he would still have extra money in hand.

"System, what do you think if I..."

After hearing Lucien's idea, the system went:

[*&!#￥~<"]

[A kind and upright host should not exploit loopholes like this (ಥ﹏ಥ)]

"All right, I'm not teasing you anymore. I'll pay the money back."

Lucien was quite happy to master new knowledge. Learning how to make a few potions was hardly difficult for him.

In fact, once he paid off the loan, he would have learned how to improve a formula, brewed a new potion, and even gotten a reward out of Snape.

A proper triple dip.

"Professor, I really did improve this formula myself."

"I come from a Muggle family. It wasn't like what you said, learned from a family or an elder."

Hearing Lucien's answer, Snape was just about to nod when he froze.

"You truly come from a Muggle family?"

"Mm."

"You mean to say that a first-year young wizard improved a potion formula?"

"Yes. It was me."

However, Snape's expression chilled. He felt Lucien was lying, that he was a child desperate to prove his own talent, which was why he had claimed the result as his own.

"Oh? Then tell me how, step by step, you perfected and improved the formula."

Lucien, however, did not panic. Fortunately, he had practiced Sleeping Incense last night, and with Old Bat's explanation in class today, his understanding of this potion had deepened quite a bit.

After briefly organizing his words, Lucien began breaking down the key points of the formula's improvement.

As he spoke in an orderly manner, Snape's gaze went from mocking to serious.

"...To be honest, my potion talent is pretty average. I was just lucky, and Sleeping Incense is only a basic potion, so I only succeeded by chance."

Lucien felt that what he said was not false. Compared with his SS-rank and above talents in things like Transfiguration, Dark Magic, and magical power, wasn't his A-rank potion talent just average?

However, Lucien's words made the corner of Snape's mouth twitch.

Without having undergone systematic instruction, he could improve a potion formula.

Possessing inspiration and intuition that ordinary people could never pursue in a lifetime, Lucien actually thought his talent was average and attributed it to luck?

Lucien's modesty instead made Snape think of that group of students in Slytherin House who stuck their noses in the air the moment they had the slightest bit of talent.

As the Head of House, Snape suddenly felt anger surge up, and his face darkened by a few shades.

Seeing Snape's expression suddenly worsen, Lucien was also bewildered.

No, had he just offended him?

"Ahem. There's no need to belittle yourself. Your potion talent is quite... good."

Lucien quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

So Old Bat wasn't angry. Then why did his face keep turning black and blue?

"Thank you for your acknowledgment. Inspiration or luck is only a momentary spark. I'll still study step by step."

Lucien replied politely, while in his heart he had already begun considering what reward to trade the formula for.

Potion ingredients might not necessarily be useful, and ready-made potions might not be what I need.

Mm, what I'll use in the short term should be auxiliary potions that can help me get close to and observe magical creatures, like ones that eliminate scents, or potions that can lure them in. I'll ask Snape later if he has anything like that.

Lucien, who was calculating his reward, did not notice that after hearing his final sentence, Snape's eyes had actually gone vacant.

Inspiration or luck is only a momentary spark...

In a daze, Snape unexpectedly thought once again of that girl with fiery red hair, who would look at him with emerald-green almond eyes.

Thank you for your encouragement, Severus, but inspiration or luck is only a momentary spark. Effort is what lasts forever, isn't it?

She had also been Muggle-born, exceptionally talented in potions, and modest in the face of praise...

"Professor, I'm very willing to exchange the formula..."

Lucien lifted his head and looked at Snape, only to find that the other man's expression looked like he was half-smiling, half-crying, and his eyes were hollow.