Ravenclaw dormitory.
Lucien was flipping through "The Development of Silent Spells," holding his wand in his right hand, occasionally making a gesture.
Silent Spells allow a Wizard to cast magic by constructing the desired spell effect in their mind, without chanting, simply by waving their wand.
Originally, spells served as an anchor to help Wizards focus their attention, and also as a guide for the flow of magic.
Lucien pondered the key points of Silent Spells.
First, it requires constructing the spell effect, which means being sufficiently familiar with the spell to be cast.
Second, it demands higher attention and more precise control of magic.
Now, it relies entirely on 'thinking.'
'Thinking' must be extremely clear, strong, and free of any distractions.
Let's start practicing with the simplest spell.
Lucien pointed his wand at a book.
In his mind, there was only one thought:
"Levitate."
At the same time, he felt the magic, letting it flow out through his wand, gently lifting the book.
The book wobbled, floating off the desk and into the air.
Hmm, it's not that difficult after all.
Actually, Silent Spells are a technique only learned in the sixth year.
Lucien also saw in the book that Silent Spells have a strict requirement: the Wizard must possess a certain amount of magic.
The magic within a Little Wizard increases with age.
Especially after entering puberty, magic will experience a period of rapid growth.
However, Lucien's magic talent is SS-grade, so both his total magic and its growth rate far exceed the ordinary.
Indeed, I can now use Silent Spells with relative ease.
It seems that, at least in terms of magic, I am already on par with Wizards approaching adulthood.
He continued flipping through the book, simultaneously trying to cast different spells silently.
Sometimes he summoned the pillow from his bed, sometimes he shrunk a vase…
"Whoosh—"
Crimson flames flew from the tip of his wand, which Lucien then shaped into a ring of fire.
He felt the heat of the Incendio.
Sure enough, when casting basic spells silently, the power change is minimal, and the stability is strong.
However, for slightly more complex spells, the power of their Silent Spells would be weakened, and controlling them was not as effortless as before.
According to the book, some spells even require chanting to be cast.
But it doesn't matter; the advantage of Silent Spells lies in their stealth, primarily for surprise attacks!
As long as it can catch the opponent off guard and disrupt their rhythm, it's fine.
…
The practice of Silent Spells came to an end.
Seeing that it was still early, Lucien opened a copy of "Potent Potions."
He browsed to the section on calming and sedating Potions and remembered his previous plan.
Little Qilin still needed six days of sleep before waking up, so he could prepare some Potions during these days.
"System, do you have any Potion-related loans?"
[Improved Potion Formula (Weekly Loan): Learn a method for brewing an improved Potion formula, with effects surpassing the original Potion and reduced material consumption.]
[Task: Successfully brew 5 different Potions.]
[Beginner Finished Potion (Daily Loan): Obtain one beginner Potion (within the Hogwarts first to third-year curriculum).]
[Task: Successfully brew one identical Potion.]
For Daily Loans, I can specify the loan content, which means customizing the type of Potion.
First to third-year Potions should be sufficient.
As for improved formulas…
Uh, can I first borrow a formula loan to learn the formula?
Then, borrow a finished Potion loan to directly customize that Potion?
"System, do finished Potion loans include improved Potions?"
"If I learn that improved formula first."
[… ]
[You need to successfully brew an improved Potion once first.]
[Congratulations to the host for discovering a hidden use of loans =ᗜωᗜ= ]
Seeing the System's reaction,
Lucien understood that he had probably found a bug.
A loophole is a loophole. Why call it a hidden use? It's trying to play it off as cute?
"System, show me the formulas available for improvement."
He quickly scanned the information provided by the System.
Lucien immediately locked onto the Potion that met his requirements:
[Improved Sleeping Draught: A calming and sleep-inducing Potion, suitable for Wizards and magical creatures. Wizards fall asleep in five seconds; magical creatures fall asleep in ten seconds to two minutes, depending on their size.]
Wow, the effect is excellent!
The time needed to fall asleep is more than half shorter than the original, not to mention the reduced material usage.
Every bit of Potion material saved is a bit, although the materials for this beginner Potion are not expensive.
But I only brought so many materials from Diagon Alley to school.
It's still inconvenient for first-year Little Wizards to buy extra things.
Later, I'll combine it with a spell, get close to the magical creature, and then knock it out directly with the Sleeping Draught.
Whether it's a docile or ferocious magical creature, a sleeping animal is a good animal!
Lucien first borrowed the formula loan.
There's still time; I'll try brewing it tonight.
Lucien took out his suitcase and pulled out tools such as a cauldron and scales, as well as the raw materials needed for Sleeping Draught.
However, before officially brewing the Sleeping Draught, Lucien first selected several herbs with invigorating effects, ground them into powder or extracted their juice, and finally stuffed them into a gauze mask.
Wearing the mask, Lucien inhaled and felt a cool sensation directly enter his lungs.
This was a simple Potion included with the Sleeping Draught formula, specifically used to stay awake.
Without this, the Potion would still be brewing, and he would have fallen asleep directly.
Following the formula in his mind, Lucien meticulously completed the slicing, grinding, and extracting of the raw materials step by step…
According to the steps, he brewed and steeped them separately, then heated the cauldron and began to boil.
During the process, he controlled the flame size with his wand while adding appropriate amounts of processed materials.
Lucien's technique was initially not proficient enough, as it was his first time brewing this Potion.
However, he had practiced some simple Potions at home before coming to Hogwarts, so he did have some foundation.
And Lucien's Potion talent was also at play.
His Potion talent is A, which naturally seems not high enough among that pile of S~SSS grade talents.
But A-grade is already at the pinnacle of talent.
By diligently studying and practicing for a long time, one can master existing Potion knowledge and techniques.
It just lacks that little bit of inspiration that belongs to a genius.
It is this spark of inspiration that allows geniuses to innovate and venture into realms previously untouched by others.
Lucien was not in a hurry regarding Potions and alchemy; he could slowly research them later.
My main goal now is still to master magic and improve my strength.
A-grade is sufficient; Potions are still auxiliary for now.
During the brewing of the Potion, Lucien's control over the heat and the timing of adding materials became increasingly skilled.
As the bubbles in the cauldron became fewer and fewer, the liquid gradually thickened.
Lucien compared it to the description in the formula.
It's almost ready; once it cools down, it will turn into an ointment.
Time passed by, minute by minute, the liquid gradually solidified, and its color also tended towards light blue.
At the same time, a faint orchid fragrance diffused, gradually filling the entire room.
Through the mask, Lucien could also smell this scent.
But the coolness in the mask's interlayer helped him dispel the desire to fall asleep.
Finally, Lucien carefully poured the liquid into a small iron can and inserted a candle wick for ignition.
Phew, done.
Click.
The dormitory door opened, and Terry walked in, unconsciously sniffing.
"Lucien, are you brewing a Potion? Are you preparing for tomorrow's Potion Class…"
However, before he could finish speaking, Terry's eyes rolled back, and he fell straight backward.
Lucien quickly pointed his wand.
An instant, silent Levitation Charm hit Terry, preventing him from kissing the floor with the back of his head.
Lucien waved his wand to open the window, blowing away the lingering scent in the room.
He looked at his accidentally injured but peaceful-looking roommate, then at the small iron can in his hand.
To be fair, the effect is indeed good.