When the Sorting Hat stated bluntly that Lucien’s talent even surpassed Dumbledore’s, the portraits of the headmasters stopped laughing, their expressions turning solemn and serious one by one.
Every wizard who could become the Headmaster of Hogwarts was a hero of their era, inevitably possessing brilliant achievements in certain fields.
Therefore, they were even more aware of how powerful the current headmaster, this easygoing old man with a big beard, Dumbledore, truly was.
But now, the Sorting Hat directly admitted that Lucien’s talent was even a cut above!
What did that imply?
Even Phineas put away his arrogant look and stared at the Sorting Hat without saying a word.
It was Dumbledore who took the initiative to break the silence, asking with a chuckle: “Which areas of talent are you referring to?” “Want to know?
Then you must prepare a glass display case for me, and, well, it must be placed in the most prominent spot in the room.” Facing the Sorting Hat’s request, Dumbledore did not hesitate at all and agreed immediately.
“No problem.” The Sorting Hat shook the tip of its hat with satisfaction.
“Transfiguration; he’s much stronger than you in this regard.” Dumbledore nodded, having expected this, as he had already learned about it from McGonagall.
He wasn’t particularly surprised that Lucien’s talent for Transfiguration surpassed his own.
Having had its demands met successively, the Sorting Hat seemed to be in a quite good mood and provided some additional answers: “Well, at least in the field of Transfiguration, Lucien’s aptitude is the best I have ever seen, without exception.” Silence.
The entire Headmaster’s Office fell into absolute silence.
Dumbledore also retracted his smile, digesting the meaning behind the Sorting Hat’s evaluation.
Though no one was paying attention to it, the Sorting Hat continued its narration: “As you know, I have existed for over a thousand years and have seen countless wizards.
This is the first time I’ve seen someone like Lucien.
Hey, Albus, remember to nurture him well; Hogwarts will be great once again!” “…” “Why are you silent?
You don’t think Lucien only has a talent for Transfiguration, do you?
His aptitude for White Magic is about the same as yours, Albus.
Well, perhaps yours is stronger, but only by a little.” Dumbledore, who had already come back to his senses, asked as if casually: “And what about the Dark Arts?” “Oh, he’s a huge step above you.” Dumbledore’s eyes instantly became dark and unreadable.
The world respectfully called him the strongest wizard of the century, and he even had the more awe-inspiring title of ‘White Lord’.
However, Dumbledore also possessed astonishing talent in the field of the Dark Arts.
Without an extraordinary understanding of the Dark Arts, how could he have defeated the first generation Dark Lord or deterred the second?
“Dark Arts…” “Sigh…” Dumbledore let out a long sigh.
For a split second just now, a very strong defensiveness had arisen in his heart.
But perhaps it was exactly this kind of defensiveness that resulted in the world having one less student named Tom and one more Dark Wizard named Lord Voldemort!
He could no longer be wary of a child simply because of a talent for the Dark Arts.
Besides, Lucien had ended up in Ravenclaw; after all, his dominant nature wasn’t ambition.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Dumbledore stood up and walked to the windowsill, looking at the now sparse and dim starlight.
A genius needs guidance, not suppression.
“I should have a talk with Lucien.” — Faint morning light shone into the dormitory.
Lucien had already gotten up, opening his system panel while washing up.
[White Magic: S] [Dark Arts: SS+] [Defense Arts: S+] [Transfiguration: SSS] [Potion: A] [Alchemy: A+] [Magic Power: SS] [Outstanding Loans: Loki’s Mask (335 days), Qilin (335 days), Pet Growth (29 days)] [Tasks: Perfectly master Transfiguration; Refine a Potion using the Philosopher’s Stone; Record 5 types of Magical Creatures] While brushing his teeth, Lucien pondered his recent goals.
The study of Transfiguration needed to be ongoing; the school’s curriculum progress would certainly not be enough.
He would first go to the library to find some advanced books, and at the same time, he could seek advice from Professor McGonagall.
He definitely wouldn’t be able to access the Philosopher’s Stone in the short term, but he could practice brewing Potions in advance.
Well, when I go to the Forbidden Forest to search for Magical Creatures, I’ll likely need some Potion assistance.
Such as bait to attract specific Magical Creatures, Calming Draughts, and Potions to mask one’s own scent…
When he went to the library today, besides books on Transfiguration and Potions, he would also look for any records on the terrain and species distribution of the Forbidden Forest.
Having sorted out his tasks, Lucien finished washing up.
Finding that Terry was still sound asleep and seeing that it was still early, Lucien didn’t wake him immediately.
Taking the textbooks required for Charms Class, Lucien prepared to head to the Great Hall for breakfast first.
He conveniently placed the school-issued magic alarm clock on Terry’s bedside table.
He took another look at Terry’s very peaceful sleeping posture.
Lucien pulled out his wand, tapped the alarm clock, and cast a simple Amplifying Charm on it.
Done.
This time, the alarm clock would definitely wake him up.
Walking out of the dormitory and just arriving at the common room hall, a crisp voice called out to Lucien: “Lucien?
Are you up this early?” Turning his head, he saw it was Cho, who had also woken up early.
She was carrying a broomstick in her hand, and her black hair, which usually hung loose, was tied into a high ponytail.
“Morning, Cho.
What’s this?” Lucien asked, looking at the broomstick.
“Do you mean this?
I have no classes today, so I’m going to participate in the house team’s Quidditch training.” Cho waved the broomstick in her hand, her ponytail swaying along with it.
The girl, who usually looked quite quiet, was now radiating the vitality of sports and youth.
“I’m heading to the Great Hall; want to come along?” Lucien nodded; it was on the way anyway.
Cho picked up her broomstick and walked quickly to Lucien’s side.
The two walked out of the common room together and left the tower via the stairs.
Glancing sideways at the book Lucien was holding, Cho asked: “Lucien, do you have Charms Class this morning?” “Yes.” “That’s great!
The first class of the term is with our head of house.
Professor Flitwick is very knowledgeable and a wonderful person!” “…” Chatting as they walked, they arrived at a staircase that moved intermittently.
Cho kindly reminded him: “By the way, Lucien, you probably saw it yesterday.
Some stairs inside the Castle change positions.
It’s hard for new students to figure out the patterns at first, but you can ask the portraits nearby; they’ll all help with directions.” Saying this, Cho waved to a portrait next to the stairs, which responded enthusiastically.
Lucien looked at the moving stairs and the portraits interacting with people.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the magic of Hogwarts Castle.
How many interesting secrets were hidden within this thousand-year-old magical Castle?
These obvious things were enough for young wizards to explore for a long time, not to mention the vast number of Chamber of Secrets and secret passages.
It’s likely that even successive headmasters didn’t fully understand this Castle.
“Thanks for the reminder, Cho.” Hearing Lucien’s thanks, Cho felt a slight surge of joy in her heart.
“You’re welcome.
If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, you can always ask me.” Soon, they reached the Great Hall, and after finishing breakfast, they went their separate ways.
Guided by portraits and ghosts along the way, Lucien successfully found the Charms classroom.
At this hour, the classroom was empty.
Lucien found a seat in the middle toward the outside and sat down.
He pulled out a copy of “Popular Science of Common Charms” and read quietly.
Patiently waiting for his first class at Hogwarts.