The Alchemy Professors from the three schools were all proctoring. When Professor Shafiq saw Lucien's state, she wandered over to his side and glanced at his answer sheet.
Shafiq nodded, feeling that things were secure again. If they brought back the champion of the exchange competition, she might be able to take advantage of the situation and ask Headmaster Dumbledore for ten days or half a month of leave.
Hehe. After all, maintaining Hogwarts' image in a foreign land was rather exhausting, right?
As soon as the two-and-a-half-hour examination ended, the parchment scrolls in front of all the candidates floated up automatically, magically duplicating into three copies in the air before flying into the hands of the three proctoring Professors on the podium.
The atmosphere in the examination hall immediately relaxed, filled with the rustle of packing and low conversations.
Riemann immediately leaned over to Lucien.
"Lucien, that last materials question, 'Elaborate on the role of unicorn tail hair in a Calming Amulet, and explain why it cannot be replaced by mane hair'... did you include the part about stabilising the core magical veins to prevent dream erosion? I feel like my answer wasn't complete."
"I did," Lucien nodded. "The key point lies in the pure protection characteristic inherent in the tail hair, which can resonate with the moonstone powder in the amulet to amplify the calming effect. While mane hair comes from the same source, it carries more of a physical protection attribute. Replacing it would cause the effect to plummet or even induce lethargy..."
Riemann asked, "Then what about the question, 'At which of the following temperatures should African tree snake skin be soaked to maximise the retention of its resilient Magic?' The four options weren't very different. I chose constant fifty degrees Celsius, but I feel like I've seen slowly heating to sixty degrees somewhere before..."
Lucien recalled the exam paper and replied, "It's constant fifty degrees. Snake skin is sensitive to sudden heat. Slowly heating to sixty degrees is the method for processing Erumpent horn powder. It's easy to mix them up."
"Phew, that's good." Riemann breathed a sigh of relief, looking as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Then it should be fine! It seems there wasn't any major problem with this part of the basic questions."
At that moment, a clear and melodious voice came from behind them.
"So, for an amulet that needs to both protect against malicious prying and keep the wearer's mind clear, which rune would be more appropriate to pair with Algiz? Sowilo or Kenaz?"
Riemann turned at the sound and saw the Beauxbatons girl who radiated a faint silver light. He figured she was not talking to him, since those deep blue eyes were fixed on Lucien.
Lucien answered naturally.
"Sowilo is more suitable. It symbolises the sun, victory, and the power of health. It leans toward light and positive protection, and can also boost the spirit. Although Kenaz is also related to knowledge and light, it focuses more on fire, transformation, and active creation. It is not the most direct choice for protection, and because its energy is too active, it can sometimes interfere with the constant clarity of thought."
Fleur nodded thoughtfully, a trace of a smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.
"A very clear explanation. It seems the basic part of this written test was indeed just a warm-up for you."
She had clearly noticed earlier that Lucien had finished the paper long before time was up.
The two of them went back and forth with questions and answers, yet it strangely felt as natural as an afternoon chat.
Riemann looked at Lucien, then glanced at the exceptionally beautiful Fleur beside him. The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably, and he then pretended to cough, asking in a low voice that was still audible to those nearby.
"Hey, Lucien, speaking of which, what are your plans for Valentine's Day in half a month?"
Lucien looked up at Riemann.
How would he spend it?
By planning how all of you would spend it, of course.
Although the loan for the Advanced Earth Element Magic Pattern had been repaid after improving the Fountain of Beauty, there was still the Fire Element one.
The system's requirement to use magical means to make the Valentine's Day atmosphere more intense was even vaguer and more abstract than improving a magical fountain.
Once he returned to Hogwarts, he could replicate a Fountain of Beauty. Perhaps it could give those who wanted to summon the courage to confess their feelings a little more confidence?
Whether for boys or girls, becoming a little better-looking would probably increase the success rate of a Valentine's Day confession, presumably.
Before Lucien could organise his words to answer, Riemann had already waved his hand dismissively and turned to slip away.
"Cough, you two chat! I haven't gathered all the materials for my free crafting project yet. I need to hurry and write a letter home so they can send them to me by the fastest owl..."
The final stage of the Triwizard Tournament's Alchemy project allowed contestants to freely create an Alchemical item within a time limit, with the materials to be prepared by themselves.
Collecting materials was itself considered a test of an Alchemist's ability.
Naturally, everyone had brought their stock when they came to the competition, but new inspiration often required new materials, and losses during the experimental process were inevitable. Temporary replenishment was common.
As Riemann walked away quickly, he did not forget to turn back and add in a loud, somewhat boastful voice,
"Oh, right! If there's anything you don't understand about Valentine's Day dates, feel free to ask me! I have plenty of experience in that area!"
Before his voice had even faded, his figure had already nimbly rounded a pillar decorated with ice-crystal roses and disappeared into the palace complex of Beauxbatons.
Lucien looked at his vanishing back, somewhat speechless.
However, Riemann's words reminded him that perhaps he could first conduct a small market survey within Hogwarts.
He could seek advice from upper-year students, the ones with dating experience, and learn about everyone's general expectations for Valentine's Day activities.
Or, more directly, design an anonymous questionnaire and distribute it to the whole school.
It was not until Riemann's figure was completely out of sight that Fleur, who had been standing quietly to the side, blinked. Her curious blue eyes turned toward Lucien.
"Lucien, do you... already have plans for Valentine's Day?"
In her view, it was perfectly normal for a talented boy like Lucien to have a girlfriend. Not to mention that his appearance was also so outstanding.
Even by Fleur's rather picky aesthetic standards, Lucien's looks and temperament were extremely exceptional.
Lucien nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Yes. I am this year's Festival Planner."
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