Having escaped famine, I was accepted into Hogwarts.

Chapter 37 Mandrake

"So? So what's the use of this thing?" Harry asked, frowning.

"Well, it probably won't be of much use to you, but for me, it'll be able to make some useful things. And most importantly, being near this thing will make me learn things much faster, although I don't know the principle behind it." Kane said, pressing the round valve on the alchemy engine.

The construction knowledge contained within the Alchemy Engine flowed into Kane's left ear like water and flowed out of his right.

If you want to retain that knowledge, you need to put it into practice first.

Unfortunately, the things Kane needs most, such as the spirit particle decomposer that would allow him to gain initial control over magic in the Eternal Realm, cannot be made due to a lack of raw materials.

Even slightly needed items, such as tents that allow one to get rid of the wreath and efficiently return to sanity, cannot be made due to insufficient raw materials.

This is the first time I've felt so poor.

Kane picked up the remaining two books and decided to stay up all night to finish reading the books Professor McGonagall had recommended. He would then find a free class or some free time tomorrow to thoroughly understand the Summoning Charm Explanation.

He could go directly to the Forbidden Forest on his own. His time surviving at Hogwarts had also made him aware of the so-called dangers of the Forbidden Forest.

However, in Kane's eyes, these crises were like an undeveloped virgin land, which was full of resources!

It's said that there are also some giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest. Isn't this perfect? ​​We need a lot of spider webs to make the spirit particle decomposer and the tent. We'll make sure they die!

Late at night, Ron, perhaps having drunk too much water earlier in the day, vaguely remembered needing to use the restroom. He then noticed a bright spot in the corner of the room. Upon closer inspection, he saw Kane leaning against the Alchemy Engine, reading a book by the campfire.

It was wearing a flower wreath on its head, making it look incredibly eerie.

For a moment, Ron felt he could hold on a little longer, after all, Kane's current state was quite eerie, even in the magical world.

It's hard not to think of some strange curse, or perhaps... the old grave was buried in the wrong place?

"Merciful Merlin, please spare me... my socks, from that terrifying evil spirit in the magical world that controls all-nighters and endless competition!"

Ron drifted off to sleep in a half-awake, half-asleep state, and didn't wake up until the next day when he rushed to the toilet.

And Kane...

"Hmm, you seem to be afraid of the sun now," Harry commented, looking at Kane's even darker dark circles.

"I just used the time you guys spend sleeping to improve myself." Kane said, yawning. It took him a whole night, with the help of the Alchemy Engine, to finally finish reading the other two books.

These two books are not as difficult as the one you could easily read and understand while sitting in the lounge and chatting.

After all, the weight and thickness speak volumes.

"What's the first class today?" Ron asked with a relaxed air as he finally emerged from the restroom.

"Herbalism class, in the greenhouse," Kane said, already wearing his shoes, urging the dawdling Harry and Ron to hurry up.

For a moment, he even felt that these two people weren't really slow, but rather trying to prolong breakfast time so they could eat the meatballs he had made.

Fortunately, they didn't miss breakfast. After eating and drinking their fill, they strolled leisurely toward the greenhouse.

Inside the greenhouse, Kane found a small, round stool without a backrest that he liked to spin around on and sat down. He was trying to figure out where he should place his center of gravity so that he could fall asleep on the stool.

Just as he was about to succeed, Professor Sprout, the Hufflepuff Headmaster and Herb Professor, snapped him out of his daze with a single sentence.

"Today, we are learning about mandrake."

Harry and Ron, who were standing to Kane's left and directly in front of him, suddenly felt something come to life behind them, and then Kane popped out from between them.

"What the heck? What are we learning in this class?" Kane asked quickly.

"Mandragora, why are you awake? I remember you were looking like you were about to die just now." Harry looked at Kane with some surprise, noticing his dark circles that could be mistaken for a panda's and his bloodshot eyes that looked like they were under a spell.

Honestly, if he were the professor, he wouldn't dare wake Kane, in case he died in his class.

"This lesson is about mandrakes? I'll make sure you learn it." Kane rubbed his face vigorously, squeezed a space between Harry and Ron, and put on his model student look again.

After all, this stuff is extremely important. Putting aside whether it tastes good or not, mandrake can be used to make a panpipe that will make people fall asleep just by hearing its sound. Although it requires a spirit particle decomposer to make, it's good to find the raw materials as soon as possible.

"You don't have something on your mind about this, do you?" Ron noticed Kane's unusual behavior and subconsciously looked at the mandrake in the flowerpot in front of him.

After hesitating for a moment, he whispered a warning: "I advise you not to get your hands on this grass. I have actually seen someone die from the sound of it. It was a relative of mine. When I saw his body at St. Mungo's Hospital, it was a terrible sight."

Kane gave him a reassuring look: "Don't worry about that, I have a brilliant plan."

After saying that, he quietly moved to Neville's spot not far away and patted him on the shoulder.

"Navie, I need your help with something," Kane said in a low voice.

"What? I mean, I'll definitely help if I can," Neville quickly replied.

"When you're in class later, ask Professor Sprout if you can take a mandrake with you."

Neville's face turned pale instantly upon hearing Kane's request: "That's impossible. This plant is too dangerous. The professor would never agree to it."

"I know, I just need you to help attract some attention."

"If it's just for attraction... you're going to steal mandrake?"

"It's somewhat useful," Kane nodded.

Neville stood there, silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, but you need to be careful. Besides, I don't think the chances of success are high; after all, one flowerpot is obviously missing, it's too obvious."

"Don't worry." Kane gave Neville a reassuring look before returning to Harry Ron's side.

"How do you plan to steal the mandrake without Professor Sprout finding out?" Harry asked curiously.

"Take it out, stuff it in your pocket, and then you'll need a substitute that Professor Sprout can temporarily ignore."

Kane looked around the greenhouse and, sure enough, found half a white radish under one of the long tables, which no one knew who had left it.

The leaves of the white radish look almost exactly the same as those of the mandrake.

"Little wizards!"

Kane had just summoned the half-eaten white radish with magic when he heard a very prosperous and kind voice.

Not far away, Professor Sprout walked into the greenhouse with a beaming smile, just like Aunt Susan next door who loves baked apple pie.