NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Magical Journal: A Great Breakthrough
Even after Sprout had left
Snape still hadn't responded.
He was utterly immersed in the shock of this breakthrough.
For professors at Hogwarts
Their obsession with magical research bordered on madness.
The pursuit of truth and innovation in magic was a fundamental trait of theirs.
That was why, upon discovering Snape's manuscript
Sprout had lost her composure.
After all, she had taken it without Snape's permission
To the point that she completely forgot why she had come to see him in the first place.
But none of that mattered now.
Before a discovery that could benefit the entire magical world
People like them would always choose fairness and justice.
"Editor-in-Chief! This is incredible! Absolutely incredible!"
Sprout burst into her office, shouting before she even stepped inside.
That was just her nature
Always loud and straightforward.
"Oh, Professor Sprout, please slow down, and watch your step,"
Spoke Frank Weiss, the editor-in-chief of Magical Research Journal, in a calm tone.
His position was quite unique.
He wasn't aligned with any particular magical faction
Yet, he held considerable authority in the wizarding world.
Even Dark Wizards respected him.
After all, someone who devoted his entire life to magical research and academic publishing
Was difficult not to admire.
Originally, his visit today
Was to discuss some findings with Professor Sprout.
Specifically, insights and corrections on potion-making
From the very manuscript Snape had discarded.
These findings were significant enough
That Magical Research Journal planned to publish them as a dedicated feature.
Weiss himself agreed that they were worthy of recognition.
That's why he had accepted the invitation to Hogwarts
Intending to discuss them with both Sprout and the manuscript's "author," Severus Snape.
After all, any academic breakthrough in the magical world
Was something exciting and worth celebrating.
But now
Something seemed off.
Sprout had returned alone.
Snape was nowhere to be seen.
This puzzled Weiss.
He had long heard of the eccentric nature of this Hogwarts professor
A man known for his aloof and reclusive personality.
But he hadn't expected that even he, Frank Weiss, making a personal visit
Would still fail to summon Snape's presence.
At this thought
A trace of displeasure flickered across Weiss's face.
Though, he quickly concealed it.
His priority was academic truth
Everything else was trivial in comparison.
"Lord Weiss! Guess what I've brought!"
Sprout, upon returning to her office
Grabbed a teacup and took a deep gulp of water, panting heavily.
She seemed to have hurried all the way here.
"Oh, esteemed Professor Sprout, would you consider resting first?"
Weiss gently supported her, worried that her old bones might give out.
"No time to explain!"
Sprout slammed down her teacup
Making Weiss's eye twitch.
This old lady was fierce.
Without further ado
Sprout handed the manuscript to Weiss.
Then, she gazed at him expectantly.
Weiss hesitated for a moment.
But under Sprout's sincere and eager eyes
He found himself a seat and began reading carefully.
"Oh… Interesting. This line of thought is exactly what I had once envisioned in my younger days."
"But this is just a theory, any talented wizard could come up with this."
"The key issue is that there's never been a practical solution. No one has ever developed a concrete training method that could actually be applied."
Weiss nodded as he read, his expression showing admiration.
"This is Snape's manuscript, isn't it? As the rumors say, he truly has an exceptional talent and insight into magic."
Weiss set down the manuscript, nodding thoughtfully before offering Sprout a faint smile.
But he quickly noticed that Sprout merely responded with a hand gesture
A gesture that seemed to say:
"Keep going. Why are you stopping?"
Weiss frowned slightly.
Hadn't he already read the key points?
He hadn't even met Snape yet, so everything else seemed secondary.
He was just about to speak
When he saw Sprout's burning gaze still fixed on him.
...Alright.
If they weren't both well past their youth, one might suspect this old lady had some kind of interest in him.
With no other choice, Weiss pushed aside his wandering thoughts
And continued reading.
And with that
His expression changed entirely.
This wasn't just a theoretical manuscript.
It contained a complete theory and a fully detailed, practical training method.
Heavens!
He had misjudged it.
How could he have been so careless in the face of magical academia?
Realizing this, Weiss smacked himself lightly across the face
Forcing himself to calm down and focus.
Sprout, watching his reaction and unusual behavior, showed no surprise at all.
"Hah! Thought you could be indifferent? Well, look at you now, completely stunned."
Time slowly passed.
Sprout remained seated beside him, not disturbing him
Waiting for him to finish reading everything.
Then
"My God!"
"I owe an apology for my carelessness."
"I nearly overlooked this great breakthrough!"
"Professor Sprout, where did you find this manuscript?"
Weiss took a deep breath.
After spending the better part of the morning reading
And even testing parts of the manuscript himself
He found no flaws whatsoever.
The theory and its practical application were flawless.
It completely shattered his previous understanding.
This manuscript
To him, at this moment, was more valuable than any treasure.
He could already imagine
Once this was published in Magical Research Journal
The sheer upheaval it would cause.
The entire wizarding world would likely go mad over it!
"Take a good look at this handwriting. Doesn't it seem familiar?"
Sprout smiled knowingly.
"Oh? Let me see."
"...It's almost identical to the handwriting on the potion manuscript."
"Heavens! All of this research belongs to Lord Snape?!"
"God have mercy, today was truly worth coming!"
Weiss was overwhelmed with excitement
He jumped to his feet.
He had come today merely to discuss potion theories with Snape
Yet he had stumbled upon such an astonishing discovery.
Just at that moment
The door to Sprout's office swung open.
A man in black robes
Stepped into the room.
Snape had arrived.