"As you can see, combining the first-level Ancient Runes [Fire], [Expansion], and [Air] creates the second-level rune [Explosion]. Many such combinations exist, but all second-level runes need at least two first-level runes to form. The second-level rune that uses the most first-level components is [Life]. Pay attention—this is important for your test."
In Ancient Runes class, Sean looked at the Ancient Runes appearing on the blackboard and immediately raised his hand, asking Professor Babbling: "Professor Babbling, may I ask what first-level Ancient Runes compose [Life]?"
Looking at Sean, Professor Babbling, as stunningly beautiful as always, said expressionlessly: "Even in today's magical world, there are very few wizards who can truly understand the second-level Ancient Rune [Life], so I hope you don't be greedy for more. Besides, with your current ability, knowing it would be meaningless even if you did."
"Professor, I have another question. Last time you..."
Sean had only spoken half his sentence when the bell outside suddenly rang.
At this moment, in the Ancient Runes classroom, all students turned their gazes toward Sean and Professor Babbling. Professor Babbling calmly grabbed her things from the podium and glanced at the classroom door.
Seeing Professor Babbling's movements, Sean also grabbed his notes and pencil.
Sean and Professor Babbling moved almost simultaneously, both rushing toward the classroom door.
Professor Babbling looked at the door so close at hand, her face showing a victor's smile.
"As long as I leave the classroom door first, he won't be able to stop me and make me answer his questions, occupying my off-work time! Today I absolutely cannot be stopped by him. I will definitely leave first!"
While thinking this, Professor Babbling quickened her pace. Just as she was about to rush to the door and leave the classroom, she suddenly heard a series of banging sounds. Looking toward the sound with her peripheral vision, she saw Sean stepping on desks and rushing quickly toward the door. Since the route was shorter than going around the desks, Sean reached the classroom door before Professor Babbling, took out his notes, brought them before Professor Babbling, and began asking questions.
Professor Babbling looked at Sean, her eye twitching slightly. Due to her agreement with Dumbledore, she had no choice but to wholeheartedly answer Sean's questions.
Damn it!
She had originally thought the outside world would be fun. She had finally left Avalon with great difficulty to come teach at Hogwarts with Dumbledore but ended up having to teach classes every week and follow the school's rules. She couldn't even seduce people for fun and encountered this annoying boy. She should have stayed in Avalon. At least there she could seduce a few people to play with each summer.
While constantly complaining internally, Professor Babbling answered Sean's questions.
It must be said that compared to wizards, some long-lived non-wizard races could often preserve much knowledge that had been lost in the wizarding world.
In terms of Ancient Runes mastery alone, it would probably be difficult to find anyone in the wizarding world who could surpass Professor Babbling, if such a person existed at all.
And even such a Professor Babbling wasn't the most skilled in Ancient Runes in her homeland of Avalon.
Another hour passed before Sean finished his questions.
Professor Babbling walked out of the classroom step by step with almost visible resentment, and the moment she left the classroom, she completely disappeared without a trace, just as before.
Watching Professor Babbling disappear, Sean roughly guessed that she probably wasn't human.
However, it seemed that even though she was unwilling, she still answered many of his questions in great detail. There was probably some restriction or agreement that forced Professor Babbling to do so against her will.
"Hey, interesting."
Taking his things, Sean left the Ancient Runes classroom.
Today was Friday, tomorrow would be Saturday, and he had to find Antonius for class at seven in the evening. So Sean would leave Hogwarts tomorrow, using the excuse of going to Hogsmeade to meet with Aldrich, then having Aldrich use Apparition to take him to Diagon Alley to retrieve books.
Apparition couldn't be used inside Hogwarts, but Hogsmeade, outside of Hogwarts, had no such restriction.
Thinking of Apparition, Sean silently added this magic to his schedule. With Aldrich around, Sean had no need to find anyone else to learn this magic.
Standing before Snape's office, just as Sean was about to knock, the office door opened by itself, and Snape's voice came from inside: "Come in quickly. There's no need to knock in the future. Just open the door and come in directly."
Walking into Snape's office and casually closing the door behind him, Sean said to Snape: "Professor, the response to this thesis seems somewhat complex."
Glancing at Sean and confirming his condition was still good, Snape nodded: "A complex response means your thesis has high discussion value. As for those opposing voices, most are related interest parties. There's no need to care about their opinions. Any wizard with normal thinking will know what your thesis truly means."
Blinking, Sean suddenly realized that his Slytherin Snake King had just been worried about and comforting him. Just as Sean was about to say something, he heard Snape continue: "I don't think your second phase plan is sufficient. The second phase has nine materials that need research. If you replace them one by one, there will inevitably be more than one property conflict. So my suggestion is that besides researching substitutes, you should also research fusion agents that can help materials blend and reduce conflicts."
Snape's words made Sean's gratitude toward him become somewhat disjointed.
However, regarding his professor's words, Sean immediately entered a thoughtful state. After brief consideration, he felt this was indeed a very good approach and immediately nodded: "You're right, this is indeed a very good path."
Having said this, Sean looked at Snape. He carefully considered his words, then said tentatively: "Professor, what do you think about us co-authoring a paper together?"
As soon as Sean finished speaking, he saw his professor slowly stand up, his face bearing a cold and mocking smile, opening his mouth to spray out a large amount of venom.
"What, the great Potions master Sean is prepared to include me, this small Potions professor, in publishing a paper? Should I be trembling with fear and agree, then serve you like a slave?"