Even after Professor Sprout had left…
Snape never responded to her.
He remained completely immersed in the shock of this breakthrough.
For professors at Hogwarts…
Researching magic bordered on obsession.
Pursuing magical truth and striving for new discoveries were fundamental parts of who they were.
That was exactly why Sprout had reacted so dramatically after discovering Snape’s discarded manuscript.
She hadn’t even bothered asking for his permission.
She had become so engrossed in the discovery…
That she’d forgotten why she’d gone to see him in the first place.
But now…
None of that mattered.
When faced with a breakthrough that could benefit the entire magical world…
Scholars like them would always place truth above everything else.
“Editor Weiss!” “This is incredible!
Absolutely incredible!” Before she had even stepped into her office…
Sprout was already shouting excitedly.
It suited her personality perfectly.
She had always been straightforward and energetic.
“Oh, Professor Sprout.” “Please slow down.” “Watch your step.” The editor-in-chief of Magical Research, Frank Weiss, spoke gently.
His position within the magical world was rather unique.
He belonged to no political faction.
Yet he was respected throughout wizarding society.
Even Dark Wizards treated him with respect.
After all…
He had devoted his entire life to magical research and scholarly writing.
It was difficult not to admire someone like that.
His original purpose in coming today…
Had been to discuss the discoveries Sprout had made from Snape’s discarded manuscript regarding Potions.
Those corrections and theories were significant enough to deserve their own feature article in Magical Research.
Weiss completely agreed.
That was why he’d personally traveled to Hogwarts.
He intended to discuss the work together with Sprout and its presumed author—Severus Snape.
After all…
This represented a genuine academic breakthrough.
Something worth celebrating.
Something exciting.
But now…
Something seemed to have gone wrong.
Sprout had returned alone.
Snape was nowhere to be seen.
That left Weiss rather puzzled.
He had long heard rumors about Hogwarts’ Potions professor.
A strange man.
Proud.
Difficult.
He hadn’t expected that…
Even with Weiss himself visiting personally…
Snape still wouldn’t come.
At that thought…
A trace of displeasure crossed Weiss’s face.
Though it quickly disappeared.
Compared with the pursuit of magical truth…
Everything else was insignificant.
“Lord Weiss!” “Guess what I’ve brought back!” The moment Sprout entered her office…
She grabbed a teacup and gulped down its contents.
She was breathing heavily.
Clearly she’d hurried all the way back.
“Dear Professor Sprout…” “Perhaps you should rest for a moment first?” Weiss gently steadied her, worried that her aging body might give out.
“No time.” “I’ll explain later.” After draining the tea…
Sprout casually tossed the cup aside.
Weiss’s eyelids twitched.
This old lady really is fearless…
Without another word…
Sprout shoved the manuscript into his hands.
Then looked at him expectantly.
Weiss frowned in confusion.
But under her earnest gaze…
He sat down and began reading.
“Oh?” “Interesting.” “This idea is almost identical to something I considered in my younger days.” “But it’s still only a theory.” “Any outstanding wizard could think of something similar.” “The real difficulty has always been finding a practical cultivation method.” “So far…” “No one has managed to do that.” As he read…
He nodded approvingly.
“I assume this manuscript belongs to Professor Snape?” “As expected…” “He truly lives up to his reputation.” “He possesses remarkable magical insight.” Weiss set the manuscript down.
Smiling faintly at Sprout.
Only to discover…
She simply gestured toward the papers.
The meaning was obvious.
Keep reading.
Weiss frowned.
Haven’t I already reached the important part?
I haven’t even met Snape yet.
The rest isn’t especially important…
Just as he was about to speak…
He noticed Sprout’s burning gaze still fixed upon him.
“…Very well.” Had they both been younger…
Someone might have mistaken the old witch’s expression for something entirely different.
Suppressing those ridiculous thoughts…
Weiss resumed reading.
And then…
His expression changed completely.
This wasn’t merely an academic proposal.
The manuscript contained a complete theory.
A complete cultivation method.
Every practical step.
Everything.
Merlin…
I completely underestimated it.
How could I have been so careless when facing genuine magical scholarship?
Without hesitation…
Weiss slapped himself across the face.
Trying to force himself into complete concentration.
He returned to the manuscript.
Sprout watched everything unfold.
Seeing Weiss’s unusual reaction…
She wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
Serves you right.
You were acting so unconcerned.
Now you’ve finally been frightened.
Time quietly passed.
Sprout remained seated nearby.
Without interrupting him.
Waiting patiently for Weiss to finish.
“My goodness…” “I owe this manuscript an apology.” “I almost overlooked one of the greatest breakthroughs of our age!” “Professor Sprout…” “Where exactly did you find this?” Weiss took a deep breath.
Several hours had passed.
He had completely finished reading the manuscript.
He had even tested the method himself.
Everything…
Worked perfectly.
Theory.
Practice.
Nothing was missing.
It completely overturned everything he thought he knew.
To him…
This manuscript was now more valuable than any magical treasure in existence.
He could already imagine the chaos that would erupt once Magical Research published it.
The entire wizarding world…
Would go mad.
Sprout smiled knowingly.
“Take a closer look at the handwriting.” “Doesn’t it seem familiar?” “Oh?” “Let me see…” “It’s almost identical to the manuscript about Potions.” “My goodness!” “Are both works really Professor Snape’s research?” “Thank heaven I came today!” Weiss practically leaped to his feet.
He had originally come only to discuss Potions.
Yet he had unexpectedly stumbled upon something far greater.
Just then…
The office door swung open.
A tall man dressed in black robes stepped inside.
Severus Snape had arrived.