Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 794 The Final Exam

May, the beginning of summer.

Bright sunlight pierced through the Black Lake and streamed into the dimly lit underground classroom through the skylight, creating a hazy, dreamlike beauty.

One meaning of the number five in Runes is to symbolize "ether," the fifth element besides earth, fire, water, and wind. According to the classical alchemy school, this is the medium that carries light.

This medium is infinitely small, existing between illusion and reality, infinitely numerous, omnipresent, and pervading the entire universe. Scholars in many other fields, influenced by the theory of the ether, inadvertently invented many wondrous spells, which were later proven to be nonexistent. Potions magic before the 17th century was one such example.

"...By comparing the properties of similar potions, the theory of ether can be disproved, which is an important test point in the ultimate wizard level exam."

Professor Snape's deep voice echoed in the underground classroom.

Loren sat in the second row of the classroom by the window, next to Hermione who was listening attentively. This was the first Potions class since May began, and also the beginning of the final review.

This lesson is reviewing advanced potion-making theory. Professor Snape doesn't pay much attention to the textbook; his notes on the blackboard are a condensed summary of the lesson's key points. By explaining the brewing process of several simple potions, he dissects the underlying principles in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

Despite thousands of years of development, magical theory remains an obscure and mysterious enigma at both the macro and micro levels. No wizard has yet proposed a complete and comprehensive theory that can encompass all of magic. However, through the tireless efforts of wizards throughout the ages, different doctrines have developed in certain disciplines to explain the underlying principles of magic.

For nearly a century, the theory of potions has been dominated by the Libashe Polachi school. They believe that potions are products of different materials being processed and mixed by apothecaries, where the unique magic within them fuses and reacts to create new magic. The brewing method is just a process, and the result mainly depends on the materials.

Professor Snape, outside the mainstream, believed that Potions was based on the same principles as Alchemy, Charms, and other disciplines. He transcended the constraints of materials and analyzed them from a fundamental perspective. He believed that all three achieved results through specific rituals, and that the brewing techniques were equivalent to the spellcasting gestures of spells and alchemical arrays, making them more important than the medicinal materials.

Similar theories were proposed by wizards hundreds of years ago, but they were never taken seriously by the magical community and were considered fringe theories in academia, long relegated to reading material as an appendix in textbooks.

It wasn't until Snape recently compiled and perfected it that it was published in an academic journal in the field of potions.

Normally, such ordinary theoretical descriptions are not taken seriously by the academic community, but Snape publicly refuted the contents of many books written by Ribashy Pollach in his paper, some of which were even introductory textbooks in the field of potions, including eleven books such as "Forty Thousand Ways to Process Common Herbs", "Potion Origins: An Apothecary's Attempt", and "Advanced Potions Making".

"The forty thousand ways to process herbs are more like poetry than potion-making. Libashe Polachi's forty thousand methods can be easily categorized and combined. If he can't process them in a simpler way, then he hasn't truly learned how to utilize herbs. Here is my summary of common herb processing methods:..."

"Libushi Pollach's claim that potion science originated from experiments in European pharmacies is a bizarre statement I can't describe how I feel about it. It's not even wrong; it has neither factual basis nor logic. I've visited primitive tribes in Africa and witnessed completely different potion applications there, not to mention the even more mysterious pharmacology of the ancient East..."

"The brewing methods recorded in the advanced potion making manual do have their merits; however, complicated steps do not equate to correct theory. Below are my optimizations and improvements to various potions:..."

The way the argument was presented was appalling; it was practically an insult.

As a result, the issue sold out immediately that month.

When Professor Snape's paper was first published, many wizards were furious and expressed their doubts in public magazines or letters, feeling that his theory was just a publicity stunt. However, as more and more potion makers easily brewed potions with a high failure rate using the methods he published, more and more wizards gradually turned to this improved theory.

Severus Snape became famous.

Magazines about potions at the Diagon Alley newsstands have doubled in price.

Loren subscribed to several issues in a row and thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

Verbal battles are so interesting.

Unfortunately, as experiments verified the theory, it gradually spread, and now there are only one or two wizards left who are still stubbornly insisting on their theories, and they are the kind of centenarian wizards who can't even understand how to curse.

The light streaming through the glass skylight swayed gently with the flowing water, and the pendulum in the clock by the wall swayed back and forth. When Snape closed his lesson plan, there were still ten minutes left before the end of get out of class.

The exam is in a month.

Snape, standing on the podium, glanced around the room, his tone flat and devoid of any emotion: "You can choose which homework to do. If your foundation is solid and you feel the homework won't be of much help, I suggest you skip it and save time to read the recommended materials."

"Okay, Professor."

The students in the classroom were not surprised; almost all the professors gave the same advice.

Snape glanced at the clock hands, and perhaps considering his responsibilities as vice-principal, did not end the get out of class early, but continued speaking:

"During dinner yesterday, the professors talked about the issue of exam stress. Professor Flitwick mentioned a female student from Hufflepuff who suffered from severe anxiety, stayed up late into the night, had no appetite, and would vomit from anxiety when she saw other students studying in the auditorium."

When the topic shifted to something unrelated to the lesson, the students immediately became enthusiastic and started chattering away.

"I know, it's Elois of Hufflepuff."

"Isn't it Susan Bornes?"

"Then I won't read in the auditorium anymore."

"Have you ever considered that perhaps it's not the book that's the problem?"

"What do you mean?!"

"..."

Snape understood why Minerva had become so strict after becoming vice principal. If he was even slightly gentler, the students would forget the intimidation he had built up over the past few years and become unruly.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the lectern, silencing the noise in the classroom:

"I don't mean to offer empty words of comfort like saying the ultimate wizard exam isn't important. For many wizards who want to stay in the wizarding world after graduation, the exam certificate is a stepping stone. It can help you reach higher thresholds, save a lot of unnecessary time, and make your work and life for the next ten years or so much smoother..."

"But I also want to remind you that wizards live longer than expected. This exam is really nothing in the grand scheme of things. With only one month left, you should have a rough idea of ​​your performance. If you've already realized that you can't achieve your desired results, remember this feeling of regret and self-loathing, but don't dwell on it too much. Don't let yourself fall into that state again..."

The classroom was quiet, with only the light and shadow cast by the glass skylight gently rippled.

These words, spoken by Professor Snape, left many students slightly dazed.

"You're only 17 years old, who can predict what will happen in the future?"

The bell rang just then.

……

The ultimate wizarding level exam officially begins in the second week of June.

Loren sat in the back row of the exam room, writing quietly with his head down. The exam process was similar to OWLs, and even the proctor was a familiar face from the last exam. Today's exam was on "Metamorphosis".

The question setter clearly referenced Professor McGonagall's papers from the past two years. Aside from the basic knowledge that appears every year, the essay questions mainly tested very familiar content:

Please briefly explain the principle of Animagus;

Please briefly explain the connection between human body deformation and astrology, and choose either solar or lunar phases to analyze the connection in detail and explain the reasons.

This paper compares and contrasts traditional Animagus training methods with animal experience training methods, presents the similarities and differences between the two methods, and analyzes the reasons for the differences.

For students who have attended Animagus training courses, the theoretical test in the morning was a bit too easy, and the practical test in the afternoon was even more excessive. The proctors favored students who had mastered Animagus, and as long as they could transform into an animal and then back on the spot, they would immediately receive extra points on the practical test.

The examination room was practically turned into a zoo, with chickens flying everywhere, dogs barking, and all sorts of animals snarling.

One exam, two instances of favoritism.

Loren even suspected that the question setter and examiner had been bribed by Professor McGonagall.

NEWT lasted for a total of two weeks.

Over the next week, exams were held for Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Magical Creatures Protection, each with two sessions: a written theoretical exam in the morning and a practical test in the afternoon.

The difficulty level is moderate, with virtually no obstacles; excellent certificates are available for pre-order.

The final grade certificate is a weighted average of the two exams. Since the certificate only shows the final grade assessment, that is:

O (Excellent)

E (Exceeded expectations)

A (Pass)

P (Fail)

D (Terrible)

T (Troll)

Therefore, even though the exams organized by the Ministry of Education have been going on for hundreds of years, students still do not know the specific weighted calculation method. Some students revealed that theory accounts for 60% and practice accounts for 40%, while others said it was the other way around, and still others believed that it would change every year according to the difficulty of the exam questions.

This is to ensure that students who obtain the certificate are not bookworms who only study theory, nor are they fools who do not understand the principles of magic and only rely on their talent and intuition to cast spells. Only such a certificate can become a professional technical certificate for the entire magic world.

Loren estimated that he would never need these certificates again, but he did not take the exam lightly because of it. Instead, he regarded it as a summary of his seven years at Hogwarts, or even a summary of his life in this world.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

He valued these exam results more than his achievements and reputation at the International Confederation of Wizards and Wizengamo; this was what Loren Morgan's student days were all about.

A period of leisurely and pleasant days, though slightly busy.

……

There are no exams this weekend, so we can rest for two days.

As evening fell, the setting sun painted the astronomical tower red.

Loren pulled Hermione to the top platform of the tower to eat two dinners from the Great Hall. They could enjoy the evening breeze and the sunset, but the dinners were a bit cold and not as good as they would have been in the Great Hall.

After dinner, the sun was almost setting.

Loren had no intention of returning to the Great Hall or the common room for the time being. He cleaned up the dishes and put them away in his pendant, then hugged Hermione and began to wait for the moon to rise.

How did you feel about the exam?

"During the exam, ask how you feel, and check the answers..."

Hermione tilted her head with some curiosity and blinked. "Mr. Morgan, what's wrong? Didn't you always oppose this kind of thing?"

"What's the use of objecting?" Loren asked rhetorically.

Hermione smiled faintly, "I feel like I did very well on the exam. I should be able to get all the certificates."

"I thought you were going to complain about not answering a question completely, only writing down ten out of a dozen methods or reasons, and not being able to write down the rest because of space limitations, or that your spellcasting actions weren't standard enough during the practical exam and you didn't follow the textbook exactly."

"So that someone would deliberately exaggerate my mistakes to please me, and then enjoy watching my nervous and uneasy expression?"

Loren put his arm around her shoulder tightly: "My dear Hermione understands me best."

"..."

Hermione hummed twice, but didn't answer. She just watched as the distant horizon darkened completely, and the sky turned a clear blue.

After a few minutes of silence, with only the sound of the evening breeze rustling through the top of the tower, Loren put his arm around her shoulder and swayed her gently, saying with a touch of emotion:

"You've graduated."

Hermione's eyes sparkled as she murmured softly, "Yes, we've graduated."

……

The final day of the Ultimate Wizarding Level Exam.

The subjects with practical content have already finished their exams. This week, the remaining subjects are all written exams. Today, we have two exams: Ancient Runes and History of Magic.

Runnevan registered with Hermione, and the exam was held in a classroom on the fifth floor. Professor Barbling accompanied the proctor on a tour of the exam room.

The professor gave Loren a strange smile, whispered a few words to the proctor, and the two of them stood behind him, brazenly peeking at his exam paper, not caring whether this would affect the examinee's mindset.

Loren silently made up his mind that he would write a letter to complain about the two of them after the exam.

The rune exam, based on the basic textbook, was not difficult for Loren. He finished the objective questions in just half an hour out of the two-and-a-half-hour exam.

The two people behind them enjoyed the view and occasionally exchanged smiles.

"..."

Loren continued looking ahead.

The last few questions were translation questions. The documents to be translated were inscriptions from thousands of years ago. Erosion and sandstorms over time had blurred the original texts, let alone made them into rubbings on the exam paper. Even the old scholars within the Ministry of Education couldn't decipher them, and the question setters only designated a few clear passages as points for scoring.

Loren even suspected that some researchers were just taking a chance; if a student happened to translate it, it would be a major breakthrough for the academic community, but if they didn't succeed, it wouldn't affect the exam.

As Loren turned to the last page of the exam paper, the eyes of the two Rune experts behind him shone with an almost tangible intensity.

Loren: ...

Such as a thorn back.

Like sitting on pins and needles.

After translating a few obvious points, Loren paused for a moment, bent down to block the two people's view, and secretly wrote a series of words in the blank space before quickly turning the parchment over to cover it up.

"Splash..."

The two people behind him could only hear the sound of the exam paper turning, while Loren sat upright with his arms folded on the exam paper, unable to see anything.

"..."

Babling and the proctor exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat distressed.

(End of this chapter)