The continued creation of the Living Map requires night patrols to locate that tall building where the Pen of Admission and Book of Admission are kept, and there is still quite a long time until the afternoon classes start.
William and Michael have not returned yet.
One might be hiding somewhere secretly working hard, while the other might be looking for sugar cane for his beloved goddess. Ian feels that he has a deep understanding of his two roommates.
"Whoosh!"
As Ian is studying diligently.
A figure suddenly appears in front of Ian.
"Habi brings lunch to the scholarly Mr. Prince!" It’s the House-Elf Habi, whom he met in the kitchen before, holding a plate full of sizzling steak dripping with oil.
Unlike the commonly seen black pepper seasoning at banquets, today’s steak includes many fresh-looking red peppers, seemingly just picked from the vegetable garden.
"Thank you as well, hardworking elves." Ian is startled but not surprised, quickly reacting and taking the steak from the House-Elf Habi with a smile.
The death of Professor Ronnie Ehrlich from the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class might be something to mourn, but encountering a House-Elf at the place where Professor Ronnie Ehrlich turned to pieces is a blessing in misfortune.
Professor Ehrlich’s misfortune.
Ian’s fortune.
He managed to communicate with the two House-Elves responsible for transporting Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, and through some simple praise and requests, received a small favor allowing them to deliver meals to him.
Skipping the dining hall lunch.
Doesn’t mean skipping lunch.
Watching Ian devour his meal, the House-Elf Habi feels very happy.
"To be able to assist the scholarly Mr. Prince makes Habi very happy. As for the matter that Mr. Prince asked before, Habi’s friend Rabi has already gone to find the ingredients and spices."
It isn’t just about delivering food.
Ian obviously has other requests for the House-Elves.
"Great! You guys are wonderful! I’ll definitely give you a set of gifts this Christmas, a super-duper all-purpose kitchen tool made by me!"
Ian always likes using the word "super" for naming things.
"Oh dear! The scholarly Mr. Prince wants to give Habi a gift! No no no! Habi can’t accept it! Just serving you little wizards already makes Habi very happy!"
The House-Elf Habi is surprised, yet fearfully waving its hand in refusal.
"It’s settled then!"
Ian finishes the steak on his plate and hands the empty plate over.
"The scholarly Mr. Prince is simply the best little wizard!" The House-Elf Habi is moved to tears, its big eyes shedding tears continuously.
This group is really easily moved.
"Habi and Rabi will definitely prepare great food for the scholarly Mr. Prince!"
After saying this.
Seemingly hearing something outside the dorm, the House-Elf Habi bows deeply and quickly disappears from the dorm room — Ian’s two roommates have not returned yet.
It’s just other little wizards from different dorms playing in the corridor.
"Hotpot beef must be tastier than steak!" The matter Ian entrusted to House-Elves Habi and Rabi is, of course, hoping to taste some cuisines different from those in the Da Ying Empire.
However, Ian’s past culinary skills were at the level of egg fried rice, akin to having seven orifices connected while six are congested, naturally unable to guide the House-Elves on how to make delicious food.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
They will research on their own.
Little wizards just need to enjoy.
"This time I’m truly grateful to the ancestors."
Ian continues to bury his head in earnest study.
Teacher Mara’s after-class guidance is as usual, considered a form of homework. The gown fragment’s intricate and profound knowledge, when gathered together, points to an Alchemical creation.
Regarding most of the Alchemy formulas above, until today, Ian still hasn’t grasped the basics. However, he is at least much stronger than when he started learning Alchemy.
This is enough for him to use some references and his own guesses to analyze what kind of creation he could produce if he mastered all the knowledge on the gown.
Time Converter!
Yes.
The Witch’s homework is that now impossible to create, slowly diminishing time management divine artifact.
"However, the arrangement and structure, for some reason, feels different from the existing literature analyzed by Alchemy Masters regarding the structure for the Time Converter."
"More complex?"
Ian has checked related introductory books.
Somewhat puzzled.
...
The afternoon class is Herbology.
William and Michael both returned to fetch the required "Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi" for this class, and the first Herbology class for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will be held in the greenhouse outside the castle.
"Today’s class content is biting cabbage." William is still flipping through the book as he walks, seemingly hoping for some last-minute cramming to leave a good impression on the Herbology teacher. He probably sneaked into the greenhouse at noon, this type of academic excellence is something Ian is very familiar with.
"Can it be eaten? Is it tasty? Can we bring it back to the dorm to eat?"
Michael’s consistent performance is still as before. His soul trio of questions, not only the other two in the dorm but perhaps even the Herbology professor might find it hard to answer.
Pomona Sprout.