The moment the Potions class ended, the stone stairway leading down to the dungeon classrooms filled with a dense and chaotic mixture of smells. Some were sharp and acidic, others bitter or oddly sweet—but the most overpowering among them was a harsh, burnt odor.
It didn't take much guesswork to identify the source.
Marietta's failed potion.
Ryze wrinkled his nose in reflex before calmly raising his wand and casting a simple Nose-Plugging Charm. The unpleasant scent vanished instantly, replaced by neutral stillness. Only then did he continue down the stairs at an unhurried pace.
Centuries ago, these underground chambers had served as Hogwarts' dungeon—a place used to confine dark wizards or dangerous magical creatures that had trespassed onto school grounds. Over time, however, their purpose had shifted. Now they housed the Potions classrooms and served as a quiet gathering place for the castle's ghosts.
The Slytherin Common Room was also located underground, though even deeper than the classrooms. To reach it, one had to walk further toward the direction of the Black Lake. Its most distinctive feature was its location—built partially beneath the lake itself. Looking up through the enchanted windows, one could see the dark, shifting waters above, sometimes even catching glimpses of passing creatures.
Ryze had always found that detail fascinating.
Soon, he arrived outside the Potions classroom. Just as he was about to step forward, his footsteps slowed—then stopped entirely.
A faint red glow flickered at the edge of his vision.
Perched quietly atop a bronze lampstand stood a raven, its feathers shimmering with an unnatural crimson light.
Ryze's gaze sharpened.
So it had appeared again.
If he hadn't happened to pass through here today—if he hadn't seen Cho Chang and Marietta earlier—he might have missed this entirely.
Letting out a quiet breath, he approached the raven. Without hesitation, he reached out and touched the glowing red light.
In an instant, a translucent panel appeared before his eyes.
[Special Raven Task Activated]
Task Requirement: Obtain Snape's approval and sign up for the 77th Wizarding Schools Potions Tournament
Task Completion Reward: Juicer (Silver) — Enhances your ability to create "drinks." Potions and similar concoctions gain a chance to acquire additional effects.
Task Duration: Two years
Ryze's eyes lit up.
It had been exactly one month since the last special raven appeared—late September. Now, at the end of October, another had finally spawned.
"Once a month… is that the pattern?" he murmured to himself.
But speculation could wait. His attention quickly shifted back to the task itself.
"The Potions Tournament… and I need Snape's approval?"
His expression grew complicated.
He hadn't expected things to align like this. Just that morning, Hagrid had casually mentioned the competition—and now it had become directly tied to his own progression.
The reward, however, was undeniably tempting.
"Drinks," he repeated under his breath.
The term was clearly emphasized. In the system's mechanics, such wording was rarely arbitrary. In the original game context, effects like this typically enhanced potion outcomes—adding secondary properties or amplifying potency.
There was little doubt in his mind.
This rune would significantly boost his capabilities in potion-making.
But that wasn't the real issue.
The real problem was far more immediate.
How was he supposed to obtain it?
Ryze wasn't arrogant. He understood his current limitations clearly. As a first-year student who hadn't even fully memorized all the foundational ingredients, entering a competition of this scale was almost laughable.
His only source of reassurance lay in one detail:
Two years.
"Does that mean the tournament has been postponed?" he wondered.
If so, then perhaps all he needed to do was secure a place in the registration list before that deadline.
Or perhaps the timeline extended even further.
After all, registration was only the beginning. There would likely be internal school selections—screenings to determine which students would ultimately represent Hogwarts.
As this chain of thought unfolded in his mind, a voice cut sharply through the air.
Cold. Controlled. Yet unmistakably edged with displeasure.
"What are you doing here?"
Ryze looked up immediately.
Standing at the classroom entrance was Professor Snape.
His dark robes seemed to merge with the shadows of the corridor, his expression severe. There was an unusual intensity in his gaze—more oppressive than usual. For a fleeting moment, Ryze even wondered if Snape was attempting to probe his thoughts through magic.
No wonder Marietta had been reduced to tears earlier.
This was the first time Ryze had seen Snape so visibly irritated.
Without hesitation, Ryze straightened and offered a proper greeting.
"Professor Snape," he said calmly. "I came because I heard about the Potions Tournament and wanted to ask about the registration requirements."
The moment the words "Potions Tournament" left his mouth, Snape moved.
In a blink, he was standing directly in front of Ryze, his presence imposing.
"And from whom," Snape asked slowly, "did you hear about this?"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I do not recall this being common knowledge among first-year students."
Ryze remained composed.
He couldn't mention Hagrid.
"Professor Babbling told me this afternoon," he replied evenly. "I found the idea of a tournament jointly organized by four wizarding schools quite intriguing."
Snape said nothing, so Ryze continued.
"Ordinarily, I wouldn't consider participating. After all, such a competition only takes place once every seven years. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have another opportunity unless I repeated a year."
A faint pause.
"However," he added, "Professor Babbling mentioned that several headmasters and Potions professors have recently gathered at Hogwarts to discuss postponing the event. Since the details were unclear, I thought it best to ask you directly."
He met Snape's gaze without flinching.
"If the tournament is delayed by a year or two… would first-year students like me be eligible to register?"
Silence followed.
Snape stared at him for several long seconds, his dark eyes unreadable.
Then, slowly, his lips curled into a thin, unpleasant smile.
"You wish to participate in the Potions Tournament?"
"Yes," Ryze answered simply.
Snape let out a quiet, derisive snort.
"With your current abilities?" he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You can barely manage acceptable results even when following instructions word for word."
His gaze sharpened.
"Mr. Black, it seems you have received an excess of praise from other professors—enough to distort your sense of self."
The words were blunt, cutting.
"I suggest," Snape continued coldly, "that you devote more time to mastering basic potion techniques. At your present level, achieving a grade higher than 'Exceeds Expectations' by the end of term would be… optimistic."
A brief pause.
"As for the tournament—regardless of who informed you—whether it is postponed or not, it has nothing to do with you."
His voice hardened.
"Now leave."
The dismissal was absolute.
But Ryze didn't move.
Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Professor Snape," he said calmly, "if the tournament is indeed postponed for two years, then I believe I do meet the basic requirement to register."
Snape's expression darkened slightly.
"This," Ryze continued, "is likely the only opportunity I will ever have to participate during my time at Hogwarts."
His voice remained steady, but there was a quiet determination beneath it.
"Even if I fail to reach the final stage, I would still value the chance to compete in the school's internal selections."
A brief pause.
"I'd like to measure myself against senior students like Penelope and Gemma."
At the mention of those names, something flickered in Snape's eyes.
Gemma Farley—the Slytherin prefect.
Talented, disciplined, and particularly skilled in both Ancient Runes and Potions.
Under Snape's occasional guidance, her proficiency in potion-making had surpassed even that of some upper-year students.
Against competitors like her, Ryze would be at a disadvantage—years of experience separated them.
But that gap didn't intimidate him.
Not when he had two years.
Not when he had the system.
And most importantly—
Not when this was his only chance.
He didn't need to win.
He only needed one thing.
An opportunity to sign up.
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