"Well, this genius..." Snape's voice was barely louder than a whisper, yet everyone heard every word clearly. "You're in sixth year. You should be familiar with the Draught of Living Death, shouldn't you?"
Martins smiled, revealing a row of white teeth.
"Yes, it's very easy. You simply add infusion of wormwood to powdered asphodel root, simmer it until it turns pale blue, then add valerian root and sopophorous beans.
"According to my research, grinding the sopophorous beans into powder and adding them just before taking the cauldron off the heat produces even better results."
"Well, well, well-" Snape gave two perfunctory claps, the cold amusement in his black eyes growing more pronounced.
"It seems you've already begun trying to improve potions. My question is this: if you wanted to weaken the Draught of Living Death, turning it into a less potent sleeping and recuperation potion with no side effects whatsoever...
"Of course, all I need is an approach to modifying it. Which ingredients would you start with, for instance?"
Zhang Xiao couldn't help shrinking back a little, furtively touching his Heaven and Earth Bag... This shouldn't have anything to do with me... should it?
Martins's smile vanished. He opened his mouth, sweat already forming on his forehead. He had indeed tried one or two new methods of improving potions.
But those had only involved optimizing the original ingredients, such as grinding beans into powder or chopping roots more finely.
Potions were peculiar things. Removing or adding ingredients was very difficult.
Snape waited a moment, then curled his lip. "Apparently... this simple question is somewhat difficult for you.
"Very well, then. Let's try an easier question."
Martins wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced a smile.
"Yes, Professor. Directly altering a potion's effects is rather beyond me..."
He pressed his