16 Research on Potions and Signs

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Thank you [Ryan Bagan], [TheFuzzySamurai], [Matthew Hankins]

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Ethan swiftly acclimated to life at Hogwarts. During non-class hours, he opted to immerse himself in magical knowledge at the library, delving into the intricacies of signs with Flitwick, and engaging in potion studies with Snape every Monday—specifically delving into the world of the witcher's potion.

Simultaneously, Ethan's standing among students soared daily. He tailored various teaching approaches based on students' ages. For first to third-year students, he employed "gentle" methods like games, boxing, swordsmanship, bow, and crossbow shooting. However, fourth to seventh-year seniors weren't as fortunate, as Ethan subjected them to swordsmanship and "comprehensive training."

During senior classes, the Quidditch pitch underwent a magical transformation by Ethan, becoming a "comprehensive training ground" with low-pile nets, spans, trenches, walls, jumps, ladders, single-plank bridges, high walls, and muddy water underground. After Ethan elucidated the training regimen, many young wizards took a collective deep breath.

Those who had never undergone systematic training voiced grievances about the challenging "comprehensive training." Today's wizards were dismayed, realizing only a handful of academicians could complete the regimen, often forced to halt due to torn clothes.

Ethan observed that Muggle-born young wizards comprised a significant portion of those who succeeded in the training. Ravenclaw's female prefect, Penelope Clearwater, particularly excelled. Ethan discovered that Penelope's father, a retired soldier, had systematically trained her since childhood, making Ethan's comprehensive training less daunting for her.

Ethan joyfully awarded 20 points to Ravenclaw, yet the response from the students was far from happy. Most of the young wizards, typically seen in pristine wizard robes, now sported dust-covered and mud-stained attire, some even with visible damage.

These studious and proficient young wizards, unaccustomed to collective failure, were too disheartened to bother with cleaning up spell. Dejected, they left the Quidditch pitch, leaving the younger first to third-grade wizards stunned. The third-grade students, already contemplating their future at Hogwarts, expressed sympathy for their senior counterparts' unfortunate experiences.

Another revelation for the young wizards was the noticeable decline in Professor Snape's well-being. They keenly observed Snape's haggard appearance, with a sallow and thin face, bloodshot eyes, and dark blue eye bags—all stemming from the information provided by Ethan. When Snape read Ethan's notes, he was astonished to discover insights into herbal medicine, a crucial element in the Witcher's mutation. Snape, surprised by Ethan's willingness to share such a core secret, realized that herbal medicine played a key role in the Witcher's transformation.

Ethan, intentionally revealing this information, had long recognized that the decline of Witchers in the world wasn't solely due to a decrease in monsters. The Witchers faced multiple challenges, including a shrinking living space, complacency within their ranks, limited interaction with the outside world, unique appearances, emotional repercussions of mutation, and the method of recruiting Witchers by taking children away through the Law of Surprise.

The massacre of Kaer Morhen played a crucial role, fostering misunderstanding and fear among the public. In less civilized times, people had only two ways to confront fear: escape or destroy the source of fear. The massacre occurred under the guise of auspices.

Moreover, the abysmally low success rate of the grass trials contributed significantly to the scarcity of witchers. Surviving the grass trial and its subsequent mutation stages was the path to becoming a genuine witcher for young apprentices. However, the process was excruciating, with the grass trial reportedly having a survival rate of only 3 out of 10. The surviving apprentices faced the challenging mutated transformation, a perilous journey that claimed the lives of many.

Ethan, who barely survived the grass trial, owed his survival to Geralt inviting the sorceress Yennefer. Her magical intervention stabilized Ethan's mutated body, ensuring he lived through the perilous trial.

The herbal medicine, a closely guarded secret of the witchers since its inception, had never been shared with outsiders. Consequently, no attempts were made to improve the original version used for thousands of years. Ethan, believing that more contact with the outside world or a skilled pharmacist's intervention could prevent the witcher's decline, willingly shared the herbal medicine formula.

Having settled in this world, Ethan aspired to revive the witchers, even if starting from scratch. However, the implementation revealed the daunting task of improving the herbal medicine. Analyzing the medicine's original properties and identifying suitable replacements consumed Ethan and Snape's time.

While Ethan, unaffected by the need for sleep due to mutation, observed Snape tirelessly consuming energy potions, he noticed Snape's desire for rest. Despite wanting a break, Snape's pride as a potion master prevented him from suggesting it. Sensing this, Ethan proposed a timely break, and Snape readily agreed, acknowledging the long-term nature of the endeavor to improve herbal medicine.

Conversely, Ethan and Flitwick's exploration of the signs proceeded much more smoothly. Professor Flitwick found analyzing the spell model relatively easy, aided by Ethan's corrections and guidance. With preparations complete, they embarked on casting the sign. Despite initial failures, Professor Flitwick swiftly succeeded in casting the first Alder sign. The ensuing psychic force shockwave knocked over Ethan's desk, but he paid no mind, celebrating enthusiastically with Professor Flitwick.

In the aftermath of this significant breakthrough, Ethan and Professor Flitwick decided to mark the occasion with a celebration. Ethan summoned Pippi, the house elf, to prepare a sumptuous meal. To enhance the festive atmosphere, Ethan opened a bottle of Toussaint, an exquisite red wine from the East. Professor Flitwick commended the wine highly. As the lively atmosphere enveloped both host and guests, Ethan pondered what Christmas gift would be fitting for Flitwick.