Chapter 731: Potions and Herbology Classes [Part 1]
Chapter 731: Potions and Herbology Classes [Part 1]
When Ethan was a First Year, there were some classes he didn't take because he wanted to focus on his Combat Training, Beast Knowledge, and Spell Casting.
However, now that he was a Second Year, he no longer took those three and decided to select other subjects.
The classes he chose this time were Herbology, Astronomy, Potions, and Alchemy.
These four subjects were typically part of the Core Courses for students from Dud Manor.
Since the majority of them couldn't use Magic properly, they were recommended to focus on something that would allow them to defend themselves whenever it was needed.
The art of Potion Crafting was something that Duds really liked doing more than most Wizards and Witches in the academy.
The reason why some Wizards and Witches didn't like the Potions Class as much was due to one simple reason.
Potion Crafting was expensive.
While spells were free.
What potions could do, spells could do better—at least, that was their mentality.
So, since the majority of Wizards could just use spells, they were not really that interested in Potion Crafting unless they were healing potions, rejuvenation potions, and elixirs.
But for the magically crippled members of Dud Manor, creating explosive potions, invisibility potions, stamina potions, and potions for running, jumping, and even breathing underwater was something they needed very much.
So, right now, Ethan busied himself with crafting his first-ever potion, which was none other than a Stamina Potion.
"Pour half a cup of Elven Spring Water before adding a pinch of Fairy dust, and carefully stir your cauldrons for at least fifteen seconds," Professor Lilac Thornton instructed as she stirred the cauldron in front of her. "After that, squeeze half a Moonlit Lemon, and mix it well."
All the students followed her directions and added the ingredients in their proper order.
"Add a pinch of Sea Salt Crystals, Golden Turmeric, and finish it off with two drops of Horn Tail Blood," Professor Lilac added. "But if you want your stamina potion to last for an hour longer, you can add up to two more drops of Horn Tail blood to extend its effects.
"But as you already know, Horn Tail blood is expensive, so unless you really need that extra hour, don't bother adding more than necessary."
As the students carefully dropped the Horn Tail blood in their cauldrons, a puff of red smoke rose from it, signifying that the ingredients were properly mixed together.
Ethan sighed in relief because he successfully made his potion without a problem.
Although Potion Crafting was a complicated subject, and the crafter would have to memorize many ingredients and recipes, he had to admit that it was a very fun and rewarding experience.
Due to Mimir's Legacy, his memory was good, and his concentration while crafting was above average.
This made him one of Professor Lilac's favorite pupils. Ethan only needed to hear the recipe's ingredients and see the procedure for crafting it once, and he would be able to craft the potion by himself without fail.
"Congratulations to everyone who successfully created their Stamina Potion." Professor Liliac nodded her head with satisfaction. "Especially Mr. Gremory and Ms. Rhodes. Both of your potions are of the highest quality. Excellent work."
Ethan and Sabrina exchanged smiles with each other as the class gave them a warm applause.
Even in potion crafting, the quality of the potion could vary depending on how proficient the crafter was.
"You may keep the potions you have crafted as a souvenir for this class," Professor Lilac stated. "Remember, use it wisely. I'll see you again on Friday."
""Thank you, Professor.""
After the class bade their Professor goodbye, Ethan and Sabrina walked side by side in the hallway as they headed to their next class together.
Both of them were Second Years, and since Sabrina was from the Terra Manor, Potion Making and Herbology were both key courses for her.
Since Ethan was taking the same courses, the two of them had become classmates in these two subjects.
"I wonder what our lesson for today is." Ethan glanced at the young lady beside him. "Do you know, Sabrina?"
"Since this is only our third class with Professor Jasmine, there's a high chance that she'll teach us how to replant Mandrakes," Sabrina replied with a smile.
"I heard from George that you like Mandrakes."
"Yes. I love them. They are one of the most misunderstood plants in the world."
Ethan chuckled because he had already gotten used to Sabrina's uniqueness, which was probably the reason why she and George were incredibly compatible with each other.
When they arrived at the Herbology Greenhouse, they saw rows of medium-sized pots lined up on the tables for students, which made Sabrina smile sweetly.
A single glance was enough for her to identify the leaves of the Mandrake, which was one of her most favorite plants to play with often.
"Settle down, everyone," Professor Jasmine Willow said with a smile. "I know that some of you are already familiar with Mandrakes, but the particular breed that we will be transplanting today is a mutated version of it.
"It's called the Silent Mandrake because it doesn't make a sound when you uproot them. However, this is not true. The scream of this Mandrake is so high pitched, our ears couldn't pick it up. You might think it's not making a sound, but it's there.
"I would like to add caution that this Mandrake is especially dangerous. Its screams could knock you unconscious without you knowing what hit you. This Mandrake is also known to instantly break glasses in close proximity, so if you are wearing a pair please store them for the duration of our transplanting lesson."
Those who were wearing glasses in the room didn't hesitate to remove their glasses just as the Professor had asked.
Sabrina, on the other hand, who was seeing this Mutated Mandrake for the first time, looked very excited, as if she couldn't wait to pull it out of its pot.
"Everyone, remember this—we will not be using any spell to raise our resistance to the high-pitched scream of the Silent Mandrake. Ms. Rhodes, I know that you like Mandrakes, but for the sake of your classmates, please transplant the Mandrake as soon as possible.
"I will allow you to stay after class to experience it on your own, so for now, endure your urge, okay?"
Sabrina nodded her head in understanding.
There was a time when she had left the Mandrake wailing for such a long time that some of her classmates had to forcefully pry the screaming plant out of her hand so that they could shut its ear-piercing scream.
Sabrina had a very bad reputation among the Herbology Students because of her love for dangerous plants that normal Wizards and Witches tended to avoid like a plague.