NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Sir Snape, You Are Truly Great
Snape examined the notes carefully.
Charlie's handwriting was rather messy.
But Snape didn't mind at all.
When he encountered something unclear, he would scrutinize and analyze it repeatedly.
"Yes, if one could form a magical barrier directly within their body, that would undoubtedly be ideal."
"But how could it be that simple?"
"Instantly forming such a barrier is something an ordinary wizard could never achieve."
Snape saw Charlie's viewpoint written earlier in the notes and nodded in agreement.
He acknowledged the reasoning.
However, he also had his own doubts.
Indeed.
If things could progress in such an idealistic manner, then many troublesome magical problems wouldn't exist.
Yet this time, Snape did not grow impatient.
Instead, he calmed himself and continued reading carefully.
His expectations for Charlie were high.
Since Charlie had brought up this topic in his response letter, he most likely had his own ideas.
As for whether there was a real solution
Snape dared not hold such extravagant hopes.
Suddenly
Snape's expression changed drastically.
Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
At the very bottom of the letter
Charlie had expanded upon his theories and provided further analysis and proof.
Most importantly
Charlie had actually written out a complete theory and method for strengthening the body using magical power.
And from the looks of it
It was specifically aimed at solving Snape's dilemma.
Or rather, solving a major problem in the wizarding world's defense against the Dark Arts.
Snape gasped.
He forced himself to stay calm.
He felt as though he had gone mad.
Not only had he inexplicably given Charlie his notebook
But Charlie had actually read through everything seriously
And carefully analyzed his research and the challenges it posed.
The most absurd part?
A mere ten year-old boy
Had actually begun making annotations on Snape's research.
And in the end
He even wrote out an entire theory on magic-infused body training.
Complete with a full set of practical guidelines.
And illustrations.
Diagrams of the human body and the flow of magical energy.
Dense and detailed.
This utterly drove Snape insane.
Had it not been for his previous lesson
Snape would have crumpled the paper and thrown it straight into the trash.
After all, how could a magical novice possibly solve such a difficult problem?
However, this time
Snape had learned his lesson.
His previous hasty dismissal had already cost him his dignity.
Forcing him to personally apologize to Charlie.
A quarter of an hour later
Snape replaced his candle.
And resumed his reading.
As time passed
Snape's facial expressions shifted dramatically.
Feigning composure.
Mild astonishment.
A sharp intake of breath.
Cold sweat trickling down.
Hands trembling.
Breathing becoming rapid.
Suddenly, Snape stood up.
Staring into the distance.
He was panicked.
What Charlie had written was simply too advanced, too terrifying.
Even without testing the methods, Snape could already tell how profoundly beneficial they were.
Charlie...
Who in the world are you?
Late into the night
Snape began practicing the training method Charlie had written down.
As he delved deeper into the practice
Snape was completely stunned.
It was absolutely correct.
Not just in theory.
Even in practical application, there were no flaws.
Snape slowly lifted his wand.
Pointing it at his other hand, he unleashed a burst of magical energy.
The result
Without even forcing himself to control it
His other hand instinctively formed a thin barrier.
Neutralizing the impact of the magical blast.
It worked perfectly!
Snape was thoroughly convinced.
What he didn't know was
The version Charlie had written for him
Was not the complete version.
It had been carefully refined and condensed.
Not out of mistrust of Snape
But because the power balance of the wizarding world was too delicate.
One must always hold something back.
The training method Charlie provided Snape was a simplified version.
Its effects were significantly reduced.
Yet even this
Had already left Snape utterly speechless.
At dawn
Within Hogwarts
Snape was still experimenting with Charlie's training method.
Never tiring.
His face was filled with madness.
For a wizard of his caliber
Achieving breakthroughs in magical research was an exhilarating experience.
Rest?
Nonexistent.
Going full ascetic mode.
No need for sleep.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
The door to Snape's office was rapped upon.
But Snape seemed completely unaware.
"Professor Snape, I need to speak with you."
The visitor was Professor Sprout.
The same professor who had previously found Snape's discarded draft and brought it back to him.
The Head of Hufflepuff House.
"Oh, my goodness. Have you not slept all night?"
Snape did not lift his head to respond.
Sprout immediately noticed something unusual about him.
She was slightly startled.
At this moment, Snape looked almost like a wild man.
Unkempt and disheveled.
In Sprout's memory, she had never seen him like this before.
Though Snape was known for his cold demeanor
He always maintained a neat and composed appearance.
Seeing that Snape didn't respond,
Sprout didn't take offense.
Instead, she curiously stepped closer.
She picked up the notes scattered on Snape's desk.
And casually flipped through them.
That was when things took a strange turn.
An elderly lady, squinting her eyes
Her mouth slightly agape
Her face filled with astonishment.
Until finally, her expression shifted into near panic.
"My heavens, is this real?"
"Sir Snape, you are truly remarkable! You've made such an incredible research breakthrough!"
"Forgive my boldness, but I must try this method immediately!"
Without waiting for Snape's reaction
Sprout began practicing according to the notes.
A long while passed.
Sprout's pupils dilated.
Her mouth hung open in shock.
"It actually works!"
"Sir Snape, you are truly a treasure of Hogwarts!"
"Your research is bound to shake the entire wizarding world!"
"The editor in chief of Magical Research is in my office right now, I must go discuss this with him immediately!"
Without waiting for Snape's response,
Sprout hurriedly left his office.
She was beyond excited.