Silan's gaze swept across the spines of the books, and when he saw some books on Herbology, he would pull them out and flip through them.
"<Magical Plants Explained>... not available, nor A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi..."
Silan picked up two or three books in a row, but got nothing.
He began to doubt whether he was thinking in the wrong direction.
"The seeds were found in Snape's storeroom, so perhaps we should start with Potions?"
Thinking this, Silan stepped out from between the bookshelves and came to the area where Potions books were displayed.
After flipping through several more books, Silan found the relevant information in a book titled "Brief Notes on Potion Ingredients".
[Tonguefire Grass: a herb native to Africa.]
Its leaves are red like flames; after maturity, the leaves can be peeled off to extract the seeds from the roots. These seeds can be used to prepare Fire-Control Potion, significantly enhancing control over fire-related Spells and fire perception.
Silan leaned against the bookshelf, holding a book and lost in thought.
How to improve control and perception of flames?
"If that's the case, wouldn't it also improve my control over Dragonfire?"
Since returning from Nicolas Flamel, Silan has been thinking about how to improve his Alchemy skills.
His primary goal now is to learn how to smelt.
The prerequisite for learning smelting is to enhance the ability to control fire.
[Blazing Dragonfire] is very suitable as a violent attack method, but it is too difficult to control when used to smelt materials.
If the Fire-Control Potion is effective, that would be much more convenient.
However, he only took three, which was far from enough.
"I still have to grow it myself. Fire-Control Potion are essential before I can fully master Dragonfire," Silan thought to herself.
Unfortunately, the Tonguefire Grass is an Africa plant, making it difficult to cultivate in other regions, and these books also contain very little information on how to cultivate this plant.
This gave Silan a bit of a headache.
"Looks like I'll have to go see Professor Sprout."
Silan closed the book, put it back on the shelf, and left the library.
Madam Pince was reading a book behind the counter by the door.
Upon seeing Silan, she closed the book, intending to register him for borrowing, but he simply greeted her and walked out the door.
This puzzled Madam Pince: "Don't you usually borrow books to take home? Why not today...?"
In fact, thanks to her Photographic Memory, Silan had already memorized the contents of those books while researching.
There's no need to borrow it back to look at it anymore.
The seeds of the Tonguefire Grass are not very common.
Silan didn't dare to ask Professor Sprout directly, otherwise it would definitely arouse suspicion.
He had no choice but to feign interest in cultivating herbs and subtly probe the question.
"Cultivating herbs across regions?" Professor Sprout, somewhat surprised. "Are you interested in this?"
"Yes, Professor." Silan nodded. "I've tried to cultivate Asia plants before, but I've failed, so I wanted to ask you for advice."
[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]
"I see."
Professor Sprout dusted off his apron, like a seal patting its belly, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Very good, very good." Professor Sprout's smile was brighter than a sunflower's. "This is no easy task, but I'm glad you're interested in it."
"Come on, let me show you."
Professor Sprout led Silan into the Second Greenhouse and took a new flowerpot.
"Some herbs are easy to cultivate even when grown in different regions because they are highly adaptable."
"For example, Devil's Snare can quickly grow in large numbers if you can find a dark, damp place."
"However, some plants have very strong regional characteristics, and it is very difficult to transplant or cultivate them when they are far from their native habitat."
"For example, Chomping Cabbage, and..."
Professor Sprout frowned, seemingly trying to find a more perfect example.
"Tonguefire Grass," Silan suddenly reminded her.
"Oh, right, Tonguefire Grass!"
Professor Sprout looked at Silan with some surprise. "A more typical example than Chomping Cabbage."
"That's surprising, you even know about this Tonguefire Grass? Although it's not a rare herb, we rarely use it here."
"Professor Snape mentioned it," Silan recalled, looking like a diligent student. "He said it was a key ingredient in the preparation of Fire-Control Potion."
[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]
"Okay, let's use that as an example then."
Professor Sprout didn't ask any further questions, moved the flowerpot to the table, and began to explain in detail.
"Tonguefire Grass is dry and thrives in warm conditions, so it must be planted away from water sources. The soil should be half sand and half soil to ensure good aeration..."
"Of course, the most crucial thing is to lay down some stones that have been heated by fire for heating and insulation."
Professor Sprout explained and demonstrated at the same time.
He explained everything from how to lay sand and mix it with soil, to how to lay burnt stones, to how to fertilize, prune, water, and remove pests.
It can be said that it takes care of every detail, big or small.
In addition, she shared a lot of her own planting experience.
Even Silan had to admit that Professor Sprout was truly an authority on Herbology.
"That's about it. Do you have any questions?" Professor Sprout spoke for a long time, yet he remained radiant.
"No, Professor," Silan exclaimed sincerely. "Your explanation was very detailed, and I can't wait to try it out."
"Oh, don't rush," Professor Sprout chuckled. "I'll teach you some more Spells for clearing land and planting."
There was an unexpected bonus?
This surprised and delighted Silan.
After all, wielding a hoe to clear land is a bit too un-wizard-like.
Besides, the hoe is a tool used by the Neville.
How could I possibly have the nerve to steal it?
Professor Sprout taught Silan a Spells he often used when clearing land.
"You can practice more when you get back, and it will save you a lot of effort when you want to plant more herbs later."
"Thank you, Professor Sprout."
"You're welcome. Feel free to ask me any questions. Oh, by the way, I have some seeds here; you can have them."
Professor Sprout wrapped a handful of seeds in Parchment and handed it to Silan, winking at him. "I think there will be someone in Hogsmeade who would be happy to take these herbs."
Every time they come, they eat and take things away, which makes even Silan feel a little embarrassed.
He declined, saying, "Professor, this..."
He verbally declined, but his body betrayed him, offering no resistance.
"Don't be shy, you can earn some money with your labor. I think that's fair."
Professor Sprout handed him the seeds like a red envelope during Chinese New Year.
After a school year, Professor Sprout also learned roughly about Silan's background.
She liked this poor but strong, smart and studious student very much.
And these are just some seeds; she has plenty more.
If Silan can cultivate these seeds into herbs, it will not only hone his skills but also earn him some money to improve his life.
In Professor Sprout's view, this was the most appropriate thing to do.
Clutching the seeds Professor Sprout had given him, Silan hurried toward the Room of Requirement.
When he entered the Room of Requirement, he found that someone was already inside.