Snape read every word with painstaking care.
Charlie’s handwriting was rather messy.
But Snape didn’t mind in the slightest.
Whenever he encountered a passage that was difficult to make out, he would repeatedly examine it, deducing the missing words through context.
“Yes…
if a wizard could form a magical barrier directly over their body, that would naturally be ideal.” “But how could something like that be so simple?” “Forming it instantly…
an ordinary wizard simply can’t do it.” Reading Charlie’s opening theory, Snape nodded.
He agreed with the concept.
At the same time, however, he couldn’t help voicing his doubts.
Exactly.
If everything could be solved with idealistic theories…
Then difficult magical research problems wouldn’t exist in the first place.
But this time…
Snape wasn’t impatient.
Instead, he calmed himself and continued reading.
He had extremely high expectations for Charlie now.
Since Charlie had brought up this subject…
He almost certainly had ideas of his own.
As for whether he truly possessed a solution…
Snape didn’t dare hope for that.
Suddenly…
His expression changed dramatically.
Cold sweat began trickling down his forehead.
At the bottom of the letter…
Charlie had expanded upon Snape’s theories and provided detailed analysis.
Most importantly…
Charlie had written out an entire theory—and method—for strengthening the body through magical power.
Judging from its contents…
It had been created specifically to solve Snape’s research problem.
Or rather…
One of the greatest unsolved challenges facing the entire magical world in the field of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Snape inhaled sharply.
Trying to calm himself.
He felt as though he were losing his mind.
It was already unbelievable that he’d impulsively handed his research notebook to Charlie.
Yet Charlie had actually read every page.
Carefully analyzed every theory.
Every experiment.
Every unresolved problem.
Most unbelievable of all…
A ten-year-old child…
Had begun annotating Snape’s years of research.
And at the very end…
He had written out an entirely new theory of magical body cultivation.
Complete with a practical training method.
There were even diagrams.
The structure of the human body.
The flow of magical power.
Every detail had been densely documented.
Exceptionally thorough.
This completely shattered Snape’s composure.
If not for the lesson he’d learned last time…
He probably would have crumpled everything up and thrown it into the trash immediately.
After all…
How could a magical novice possibly solve a problem that had stumped countless accomplished wizards?
But now…
Snape had learned from his mistake.
The last misunderstanding had already humiliated him enough.
He had even been forced to personally apologize to Charlie.
Fifteen minutes later…
Snape replaced the burned-down candle.
Then resumed reading.
As time passed…
His expressions changed one after another.
Forced composure.
Mild admiration.
Sharp intakes of breath.
Cold sweat.
Trembling hands.
Rapid breathing.
Finally…
Snape suddenly stood up.
Looking into the distance.
He was shaken.
Everything Charlie had written…
Was simply too advanced.
Too astonishing.
Even without testing it…
Snape could already tell how extraordinary this knowledge was.
Charlie…
Just who are you?
Night fell.
Snape began practicing the cultivation method Charlie had written.
As the training progressed…
He completely lost himself in it.
Every part of it…
Worked perfectly.
Not only was the theory flawless…
The practical application functioned exactly as described.
Snape slowly raised his wand.
Then cast a magical blast toward his opposite hand.
To his astonishment…
Without any conscious effort…
A thin magical barrier formed naturally over that hand.
Automatically.
It effortlessly neutralized the remaining force of the spell.
It actually worked.
At that moment…
Snape was utterly convinced.
What he didn’t know…
Was that Charlie hadn’t even given him the complete version.
The cultivation method Charlie sent…
Had already been simplified.
It was only a condensed edition.
Not because Charlie distrusted Snape.
Rather…
The wizarding world’s political landscape was far too complicated.
It was always wise to keep something in reserve.
The version Charlie provided had been deliberately streamlined.
Its effectiveness had been significantly reduced.
Even so…
It was already enough to completely earn Snape’s respect.
…
Morning arrived.
Inside Hogwarts…
Snape was still studying and practicing Charlie’s cultivation method.
He showed no sign of fatigue.
His face was filled with almost fanatical excitement.
For a wizard of his caliber…
Making breakthroughs in magical research was intoxicating.
Sleep?
There was no such thing.
He intended to continue researching without rest.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Someone knocked on the office door.
Snape didn’t react at all.
“Professor Snape?” “I need to speak with you.” The visitor was Professor Sprout.
The very same Head of Hufflepuff who had previously found Snape’s discarded draft.
“Oh my…” “Have you been awake all night?” Snape still didn’t respond.
Sprout blinked in surprise.
The current Snape looked almost wild.
His appearance was completely disheveled.
As far as she could remember…
She had never seen him like this.
Although Snape rarely smiled…
He was always impeccably neat.
Since Snape ignored her…
Sprout wasn’t offended.
Instead…
She quietly walked over.
Picking up the papers scattered across his desk.
She casually began reading.
At first…
Nothing seemed unusual.
Then…
The atmosphere became strangely quiet.
The elderly witch narrowed her eyes.
Her mouth slowly fell open.
Shock spread across her face.
Eventually…
That shock transformed into utter disbelief.
“Good heavens…” “Is…
is this real?” “Lord Snape…” “You truly are magnificent!” “You’ve actually achieved a breakthrough like this!” “Forgive my boldness…” “But I want to test this method immediately!” Without waiting for Snape’s permission…
Sprout immediately began practicing according to the notes.
A long while later…
Her eyes widened dramatically.
Her mouth remained hanging open.
“It actually works…” “Lord Snape…” “You are Hogwarts’ greatest treasure.” “Your research is going to astonish the entire magical world.” “The editor-in-chief of Magical Research magazine happens to be in my office.” “I’m going to discuss this with him immediately.” Without waiting for a response…
Professor Sprout rushed out of Snape’s office.
She was overflowing with excitement.