Chapter 121: Professor, If You Don't Progress, How Can I Progress?

Seeing the Black Iron tier Transfiguration appear on his system panel, Ciel felt a sudden realization. Previously, he had thought Transfiguration wouldn't be recognized by the system as a skill like Lumos or the Pruning Charm. Now it seemed that his previous Transfiguration mastery was truly too low. It didn't even reach Black Iron tier, so it wasn't displayed on the system panel at all. At the same time, Ciel felt a wave of emotion. Black Iron tier Transfiguration was already this difficult. No wonder so many wizards described the Transfiguration course as "Transfiguration: From Beginner to Grave." This was probably the most difficult ability to improve that he had obtained so far. Who knew when he could advance to the Bronze tier. At this rate, cultivating Shadow Thorns would probably still take a very long time. Class had already ended by now. But Ciel realized that the surrounding little Hufflepuffs hadn't dispersed yet. They were all looking at him with burning eyes. "Ciel! The Transfiguration you just used was absolutely amazing. I can't even turn a match into a needle yet. Is there some trick to this? Could you teach us?" Hearing this, Ciel could only smile wryly. What trick was there? It was purely based on talent. But seeing the little Hufflepuffs' eager faces, after pondering for a moment, he said mysteriously. "A trick? Yes, of course there is." Then, under the increasingly burning gazes of the little Hufflepuffs, he lowered his voice. "You have to believe in yourself. Only by believing you can learn Transfiguration can you actually have a chance to learn it. Haven't you always been doubting in your hearts whether you can learn Transfiguration? After you go back, silently repeat five hundred times, 'I can learn this,' then try again. Perhaps it will be different." Hearing Ciel's "secret technique," the little Hufflepuffs' eyes lit up. "Really? Then I'll go try it right now!" Watching the enthusiastic little Hufflepuffs leave, Ciel shook his head helplessly. He didn't know if this could help them overcome their psychological fear of difficulty. If it could, perhaps some of this batch of little Hufflepuffs might actually make progress in Transfiguration. Just then, the sound of an owl flapping its wings rang out. It delivered a letter to Ciel's hand. This letter bore the Ministry of Magic's official seal. His eyes immediately lit up upon seeing it. Could the Ministry's compensation have arrived? Opening the letter, it was actually written by Fudge personally. Fudge, this old politician, who had probably never honored any promises in his life, had actually honored his promise to Ciel. On the first day of school, one hundred bottles of potion for cultivating Devil's Snare had been delivered to Hogwarts. They were now stored in the Potions classroom. Fudge had even written quite generously in the letter that Ciel should use them freely. There would be more when these were finished. The Ministry under his leadership greatly valued talent development. Reading these words, Ciel's face showed joy as he let out a heartfelt sigh. "Minister Fudge, I wronged you. You're truly a good person!" Then he quickened his pace toward the Potions classroom. As Ciel left, the trio, who had also been stunned by his performance, walked out of the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione's face was full of shock and intense crisis awareness. "I can't believe Ciel's Transfiguration has improved so much. Merlin above, he must have been cramming Transfiguration during Christmas holidays while I was searching for who Nicolas Flamel was. How stupid of me. He's left me far behind. No, I need to catch up too." Ron was sour. The scene of being the center of attention like Ciel just was... that was what he had always longed for. During Christmas, he and Harry had looked into the Mirror of Erised together. The scene in the mirror was similar to this. Except the mirror showed illusion, while Ciel's performance today was reality. He said with certainty, "How is it possible that his Transfiguration was similar to ours before, then after one Christmas holiday, he suddenly advanced by leaps and bounds? This isn't normal, is it? I bet this is definitely one of the benefits Ciel got from Snape. Do you remember? During the Lumos final test, Snape helped Slytherin House with potions. Now it's very likely he used potions to help Ciel improve his Transfiguration." Looking at Ciel's figure heading toward the Potions classroom, Ron showed a disdainful expression. "No wonder Ciel is so devoted to being Snape's lackey. Look, he's going toward the Potions classroom again. I bet he's going to find Snape again. Really don't know what shameful things he's been doing for Snape." Hearing this, Hermione showed displeasure. "Ron! Don't always speculate about Ciel like that!" Ron snorted coldly. "And you don't always defend that lackey of Snape!" Just as they were about to argue, Harry quickly said, "Stop fighting about this all the time. I have an idea." When both Hermione and Ron looked confused, Harry whispered, "Have you forgotten? I have the Invisibility Cloak. Let's go back to the common room, get the cloak, and then go to the Potions classroom to see what Ciel and Snape are really up to. Maybe we can hear news about Nicolas Flamel!" Upon hearing this, Ron's eyes immediately lit up. His face was full of joy at finally being able to expose Ciel. Hermione showed hesitation, but thinking of Hogwarts' safety, she still nodded. Meanwhile, Ciel naturally didn't know about the trio's plan. He quickly arrived at the Potions classroom mentioned in the letter. An exquisitely decorated, small suitcase was placed there. But besides the suitcase, Snape's figure was also there. As soon as Ciel reached the doorway, Snape immediately said, "Hurry up and come in." After he entered, Snape waved his wand, casting Muffliato and various protective spells. Only then did he look at Ciel, raising an eyebrow and pointing at the suitcase. "That suitcase of garbage... is that the compensation you asked the Ministry for?" He made no effort to hide his disdain. "These potions... no, they don't even deserve to be called potions. They're simply the self-righteous products of a bunch of mediocrities, complete waste of materials." Speaking of this, Snape's face darkened slightly. He said quite dissatisfied, "Did you think I couldn't brew this kind of low-level potion?" Ciel was stunned and quickly said, "How could that be possible? Professor, your potion skills... is there anyone in the magical world who surpasses you? I simply didn't want to waste your time, Professor. After all, your time is too precious... it should be used to push Potions toward more cutting-edge development. Usually having you teach me already wastes so much of your time, I already feel quite guilty. How could I have the nerve to ask you to brew these potions for me? Besides... with so many potions, forget about your labor costs, I couldn't even afford the material costs." After hearing Ciel's explanation, Snape snorted coldly, finally satisfied. Then he picked up the suitcase, pulled out ten bottles of potion from inside, and handed them to Ciel without even looking. "Only these ten bottles in here are excellent work, made by an absolute master. You can use them with confidence. As for the rest, I'll have to process them for you. Otherwise, using them to irrigate Devil's Snare would make the Devil's Snare malnourished." Ciel looked at the ten bottles of potion Snape handed him. The packaging was still unopened. And they were all placed in containers that prevented magical leakage. He was a bit dazed and confused. "Um. Professor. You haven't even opened them to look, so how do you know these ten bottles are masterwork?" Snape said quietly, "Would you not recognize potions you brewed yourself?" Ciel's mouth opened even wider. For a moment, he couldn't sort out his thoughts. "Ah? But the packaging says they were made by L.E Potion Shop..." Speaking of this, he suddenly paused. L.E? Lily Evans? "This is your potion shop?" Snape gave him a look. "At least you're not completely stupid. Do you think potion research is cheap? Dumbledore is quite stingy... that little funding is enough for what? I have to brew dental potions for him for free; I don't know how much material I've subsidized. If I don't run a shop, where would I get funding for potion research?" Ciel suddenly understood. In his past and present lives, this kind of thing seemed the same everywhere. But in his past life, he was just a small nobody. This life was different. He immediately said, "Then, Professor. When this batch of potions is finished, I'll specifically request potions from your L.E Potion Shop from the Ministry." Snape paused. He frowned. He was about to say he didn't mean that. Ciel was still young... it would be better not to involve him in such transactions. But immediately after, Snape fell into thought from his next words. "If you earn less money, wouldn't potion progress be slower? Professor, if you don't progress, then how can I progress? So everything I do is just for progress. Professor, I really want to progress so badly!" Snape's furrowed brow suddenly relaxed. "That actually makes quite a bit of sense." If Ciel could request this quantity of potions next time, Snape could also obtain considerable funding through this. Thinking of this, his mood toward Ciel became more pleasant. This little Hufflepuff wasn't that stupid after all. Quite sensible. Then Snape seemed to think of something and asked, "I saw the House Cup points... Professor McGonagall's reason for awarding points was that you presented a perfect Transfiguration performance, with an understanding of Transfiguration far exceeding your peers?" After Ciel nodded in surprise, Snape was somewhat unexpected. He seemed not to have expected him to achieve such a breakthrough in Transfiguration. After a moment, Snape made a decision. He took out from the suitcase one bottle of potion he had dismissed as garbage. At the same time, he gripped his wand. "Since you've already entered the door of Transfiguration, and your Potions is barely passable, then next, watch carefully." Snape's lips curved into a rare self-satisfied smile. "This technique... since I created it, I haven't publicly published it nor taught it to anyone. I call it... Severus's Potion Transfiguration." [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? 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