Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 13.13: Herbalism
"Professor Sprout."

Upon arriving in front of the professor, Bruce, who had been so carefree the whole way, suddenly became reserved.

"Oh, Bruce Dickinson,"

Leon Howard,

"Mr. Pister Jefferson, I'm so glad you could come and help,"

Professor Sprout wore a hat with thick patches, and his smile was as warm as the high-hanging sun.
"A new seedling? Child, it's a pleasure to meet you. What's your name?"

She put down the large shears she was using to process the barbo tubers and bent down to look at Sheen.

He wasn't asked why he was there.
Instead, he removed the dragon skin gloves, which were covered in mud.
She was as warm and welcoming as the old lady at the orphanage who often came to donate money.

Although not a single penny of her money went to the orphans, it didn't stop Sheen from admiring her.

"Sheen Green".

Sheen also became shy.

“Mr. Green, it’s great to have you help out. Mr. Dickinson, would you mind taking him along to process the mature plants?”

Professor Sprout gently pinched Sheehan's cheek, then enthusiastically assigned tasks.

"Mr. Howard, I'm leaving those weeds to you."

As for Mr. Jefferson, I would like to ask you to select white sage from different growth stages; that will be the first plant the tender shoots will learn about.

"Yes, Professor."

Sheen saw Bruce roll up his sleeves and quietly reply, while Leon answered with a "No problem."

Pister Howard, on the other hand, seemed even more reserved than Bruce, only nodding vigorously with a flushed face.

Professor Sprout seems to hold a high position in the hearts of Hufflepuff seniors.

Sheen thought.

“I dare say you’d be hard-pressed to find a more caring professor than Professor Sprout; she treats every Hogwarts student like her own child.”

Bruce smiled as he mentioned Professor Sprout, his eyes sparkling.
"She has been voted the most popular professor for many consecutive years..."

Let's deal with the mature plants first; it looks like a huge undertaking!

Sheen nodded, and the two began to wander among the pumpkin-shaped plants, where pots of white flowers with purplish-red petals were scattered.

"First, collect the mature white licorice from here. Hmm, do you know what kind of white licorice is mature?"

Bruce handed Sheen a small pair of scissors while cutting up the white flesh.

Sheen shook his head; it wasn't written in the book.

"This is something you can't learn from books, so I'll teach you."

As he spoke, Bruce leaned close to a pot of white sage, sniffed it, and then, with a "snip," cut it off.

"White licorice has a faint muttony smell. When it matures, this smell will become stronger. Try smelling it."

Sheen leaned closer and smelled it, discovering that white safflower did indeed have different scents at different stages of its life.
The white prawns picked by Bruce had a stronger muttony smell.

Bruce smiled:

"Mature Dictamnus dasycarpus increases the success rate of stimulant potions, while immature Dictamnus dasycarpus is likely to cause the potions to fail."

This is the charm of herbalism.

His words opened the door that Sheehan had been searching for.
Sheen nodded and quickly joined the ranks of those picking ripe white peas.

Like the Snifflers searching for treasure, the two sniffed and looked around among the pumpkin-shaped plants.

During the process, Sheen's skill in identifying mature white peas also gradually increased.

The difference is that Bruce, due to his tall stature and darker skin, looks more like a groundhog.

Sheen, with his outstanding appearance and agility, was like a cat darting through the grass.

"That's about it, let's prepare the white scallion."

Bruce, carrying a bag of white pepper, waved to Sheen.

"Ah."

Sheen stopped and watched as Bruce took out two silver knives and a slotted spoon-like object from the outside of the greenhouse, where there was a pile of hoes.

"There are many difficulties in cutting safflower, but in general, it's a three-section method. You'll see."

As Bruce spoke, he cut the white scallion into three sections, then used different cutting methods for each section, cutting them into smaller and smaller pieces towards the end, and finally even squeezing them with a slotted spoon-like tool.

"This is because the distribution of euphorbia cinnamon varies, so different methods must be used when processing it."

Want to give it a try?

Sheen nodded and took the tools.

[You have successfully processed a white dandelion plant to the standards of an apprentice; skill level +1]

Sheen's lips involuntarily curled up, and he worked even harder.

[You have successfully processed a white dandelion plant to the standards of an apprentice; skill level +1]

[You have successfully processed a white dandelion plant to the standards of an apprentice; skill level +1]

[You have successfully processed a white dandelion plant to the standards of an apprentice; skill level +1]

……

The panel kept making a series of beeping sounds, and Sheen's hands were almost blurry.

"He seems to be a little too fond of herbalism."

Bruce scratched his head, somewhat amused and exasperated.

"Sheen, Sheen, listen to me, it's time to deal with the dried nettles."

Bruce stopped Sheen's cutting project and, with a hint of admiration, led Sheen to a field of nettles.

He no longer questioned the other person's passion for herbalism.

"Dried nettles are a common plant, but after processing, they can be used as an ingredient in magical potions. As for the processing..."

……

Sheen was like a sponge, absorbing knowledge to the fullest extent.

You have successfully processed a nettle to the standards of an apprentice; your proficiency has increased by 1.

You have successfully processed a nettle to the standards of an apprentice; your proficiency has increased by 1.

Time slips away like sand.

"Gentlemen, listen to me, you have done a great job, thank you for your help to the new shoots."

Professor Sprout's voice interrupted Sheehan's actions; he had finished processing the last nettle in his hand.

At this moment, a light blue liquid was dripping from it, indicating that it had undergone a special soaking process.

Sheen listened silently to the professor's words, then opened the panel.

Herbal Knowledge: Not yet unlocked (27/90)

[Note: Herbal knowledge proficiency includes proficiency in the entire process of herbal identification and processing.]

A 90-point proficiency unlock value—this was the first time Sheen had ever seen it.
It's like combining the proficiency levels of three apprentices.

"Mr. Dickinson, you and Mr. Green have successfully helped the buds pick the deceptive mature herbs;

Mr. Howard, you have successfully helped the sprouts remove the weeds;
"Mr. Jefferson, oh how I should praise you, your classification of white safflower is extremely detailed and accurate."

Professor Sprout's smile was like the firelight in a fireplace, illuminating everyone.

"Come on, kids, come to me and get a hazelnut chocolate."

Sheen heard Bruce say "Ah ha" and then cover his mouth tightly.

Leon shook his head, while Pister smiled憨厚ly, seemingly still immersed in the professor's praise.

Walking in a small line along the path, the greenhouse looked much simpler and cleaner.

Bruce took care of most of the plants that needed to be harvested, while Sheen handled a small portion.

The weeds have disappeared, and even the white peony pot in the very center has been neatly arranged according to different periods.

When Sheen walked up to the professor, he forced his gaze away from the hazelnut chocolate that looked delicious.

"Professor Sprout, may I help out at other times?"

He asked somewhat awkwardly.

(End of this chapter)