[Time Lag — Red] You possess an extraordinary sensitivity to the flow of time.
Especially in moments of danger, your perception surpasses that of ordinary people.
While engaged in combat, stamina consumption increases by 25%, but your perception of time slows by an additional second, allowing you to react faster and even anticipate the spells your opponent is about to cast.
[Aggressor — Gold] You possess the heart of an unstoppable duelist, believing that the best defense is a relentless offense.
All spell power +30%.
[Duelist’s Footwork — Gold] Through rigorous training, both movement and spellcasting have become second nature.
Stamina consumption -30%, and every battle further refines your unique dueling footwork.
[Spell Master — Gold] After years of dedicated practice, you have mastered the ability to cast most spells silently and without a wand.
All spell power +25%.
[Erudite — Gold] Countless hours spent studying have given you an encyclopedic understanding of magic.
Learning speed for Charms, Transfiguration, and the Dark Arts greatly increased.
— The moment Severus saw Professor Flitwick’s list of talents, he couldn’t help drawing in a sharp breath.
Looking at the seemingly harmless professor standing before him, genuine astonishment quietly surfaced in his heart.
“So this…” “…is the value of a former Duelling Champion.” “Mr.
Snape?” Professor Flitwick looked curiously at the boy who had suddenly frozen in place.
His short stature made him appear harmless enough, but Severus now understood just how terrifying the man truly was.
“…I’m fine, Professor.” “I just got distracted for a moment.” Regaining his composure, Severus politely said his farewells before leaving the classroom with Lily, who had already been waiting patiently outside.
The two made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.
Time spent with Lily was never dull.
She always seemed to have another story to tell or another amusing observation to share, making the meal pass by before either of them realized it.
That afternoon, Severus attended Transfiguration with Hufflepuff, while Lily headed to her first Flying lesson.
As usual, Severus quietly took a seat in the corner of the classroom, completely ignoring the resentful stares from Melvin and several other narrow-minded Slytherins.
Time passed.
Yet even as the lesson was about to begin, Professor McGonagall was nowhere to be seen.
The only thing on the teacher’s desk was a tabby cat.
The cat calmly surveyed the classroom with sharp, intelligent eyes, as though taking attendance.
Only after confirming that every student had arrived did it appear satisfied.
Then, before the bewildered first-years…
The tabby cat gracefully leaped onto the desk.
Its body stretched and transformed.
Within a heartbeat, Professor McGonagall stood where the cat had been.
Gasps echoed throughout the classroom.
“Transfiguration,” Professor McGonagall began calmly, “is one of the most complex and demanding branches of magic.” “Only through diligence and persistent practice can you truly master it.” “Over the coming years, I will do my utmost to help each of you appreciate the beauty of Transfiguration.” “So long as you complete your assignments conscientiously, I trust you’ll find my classes both rewarding and memorable.” Whether it was imagination or instinct, many students shivered when they heard that final sentence.
For some reason…
They suddenly had the uneasy feeling that “memorable” wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
After introducing the basic principles of Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall waved her wand.
A wooden match appeared on every student’s desk.
“Your task is simple.” “Turn the match into a needle.” “Apply the principles I just explained.” “If you forget anything, consult page three of A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
Everything you need is there.” Severus pointed his wand toward the match.
With barely a conscious thought, the piece of wood twisted and reshaped itself.
Within moments, it had become a gleaming silver needle.
Professor McGonagall happened to be passing by.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Excellent work, Mr.
Snape.” “Ten points to Slytherin.” After making a mental note of the gifted first-year, she prepared to continue helping the students who were still struggling.
Severus immediately seized the opportunity.
“Professor.” As he thanked her, he politely shook her hand.
The moment their palms met, the system activated.
Another collection of extraordinary talents appeared before his eyes.
One Red.
Four Gold.
Two of them were already familiar.
[Liquid — Red] Transfiguration learning speed ×3.
Transfiguration research speed ×3.
Transfiguration casting speed +50%.
Stamina consumption -50%.
[Instructor — Gold] You possess an exceptional gift for teaching.
The chance of triggering “Immersive” while instructing others is greatly increased.
When fighting to protect your students, all spell power +100%.
The remaining two Gold talents were, unsurprisingly, Spell Master and Erudite.
As their handshake ended, a thoughtful look crossed Severus’s face.
Previously, he hadn’t encountered enough talented witches and wizards to identify any clear pattern.
Now, however, he was beginning to understand.
Talents generally fell into two categories.
The first were innate talents.
These were exceedingly rare.
Lily’s Master Craftsman was the perfect example.
It had remained at the top of his wish list for two years, making talents of this type his highest priority for replication.
The second category consisted of talents acquired through years of training.
Those…
He could simply earn through his own effort.
Replicating them would only waste precious experience.
Unfortunately…
That realization only made one problem painfully obvious.
Experience points.
Even after spending the past two years practically forcing Lily to study every day, he had only accumulated around four hundred thousand experience points.
It wasn’t even enough to replicate a single Gold talent, let alone a Red one that required a full million.
Lily had even complained more than once that Severus stared at her every day like a debt collector demanding payment.
Fortunately…
Now he was at Hogwarts.
There were no longer just one or two sheep in the pasture.
There was an entire flock waiting.
They’re all so young.
If they come to Hogwarts without studying properly…
How can they possibly sleep peacefully at night?
One idea after another quietly formed in Severus’s mind.
His fingers unconsciously tapped against the tabletop as countless plans flashed through his thoughts.
His dark eyes resembled a calm ocean hiding powerful undercurrents beneath the surface.
A faint smile rested at the corner of his lips.
Combined with his naturally mysterious demeanor, it gave him an unexpectedly captivating charm.
Unaware of it himself, Severus attracted more than a few curious glances from the girls in the classroom.
Professor McGonagall passed by several times.
Finally…
She stopped beside him.
Knocking lightly on his desk, she looked down at him with an expression that was equal parts helpless and exasperated.
“Mr.
Snape.” “You’re still very young.” “Please restrain yourself a little.” “…” Severus slowly looked up.
A question mark practically appeared above his head.