Are You Only a First-Year and Already Planning to Outdo the Professors in Knowledge?

"Hey, Dylan, how are you feeling?"

After lunch, Neville unexpectedly spotted Dylan in the dormitory on a Sunday.

He looked at Dylan as he walked through the door, his hair sticking up like a bird's nest, his expression dazed and wooden.

He seemed to have just returned from the Library, a thick stack of books still clutched in his arms.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Dylan's body was slightly hunched, his shoulders drooping. He held the books in his arms, his eyes dull and lifeless, his cracked lips peeling and unnaturally pale.

Neville blinked. "I mean... you look like you're in terrible shape right now."

Seamus was also in the dormitory. He nodded repeatedly.

Even Coal Ball jumped down from the bed, padded over to Dylan, and sat obediently beside him, raising its little head.

"Moo?"

"I..."

Dylan first placed the textbooks in his arms on the table, then rubbed his aching temples.

"Do I really look that bad?"

Neville and Seamus both nodded vigorously.

"Moo!" Coal Ball nodded its little head too.

Dylan gave an embarrassed smile.

"This morning, I was discussing magic with Professor Flitwick. You know how much professors understand. During Private Tutoring, what Professor Flitwick teaches me is completely different from what we cover in class."

Dylan sighed softly. "I seriously suspect that the material he teaches me is already beyond what seventh-year Young Wizards can explore."

"This morning, he even managed to weave in material from three books I'd never read, all within the span of twenty minutes."

"On top of that, there were two extremely obscure journals I'd never even heard of."

"So, you see..."

Dylan pointed at the books on the table.

"To keep from struggling so much the next time, I went to the Library and borrowed all of them."

Dylan muttered somewhat neurotically.

"I feel like I still know far too little. Compared to the professors, my knowledge is painfully lacking. I have to hurry up and read more books!"

"Like Deciphering Ancient Runes Spells. I've never really studied it in depth. And there's Mysteries of Non-Verbal Spells, Elemental Spells and Natural Forces, Dream Spell Analysis... I have to learn them as soon as possible!"

Neville and Seamus were dumbfounded.

The two exchanged a glance, finding themselves utterly unable to respond to Dylan for a moment.

Was even the seventh-year curriculum not enough for Dylan anymore?

Seventh-years weren't even Young Wizards anymore!

Did their roommate seriously intend to cram the knowledge of the entire Library into his head within a single year?

Merlin's Beard!

You're only a first-year!

And you already want your knowledge to surpass that of the Hogwarts professors?

Both of them swallowed hard.

They glanced at Dylan, who was already looking somewhat unwell.

Neville took a deep breath and spoke anyway. "Dylan, you're already working incredibly hard. Besides, you know far more than all the Young Wizards in our entire year combined!"

Seamus nodded repeatedly. "That's right! You're working really hard, Dylan!"

Neville said, "Why don't you rest for a while? You've been keeping up this high-intensity studying for such a long, long time."

Seamus nodded repeatedly. "That's right, such a long, long time!"

Neville: "..."

What? At least try to persuade him with me!

Seamus blinked.

I am persuading him with you~

Dylan let out a heavy sigh.

In truth, he could already feel that his body was still in the process of growing.

Faced with such intense studying, even if his mind could endure it, his mental and physical strength were reaching their limits.

But...

Rest?

The instant that thought surfaced in his mind.

Quirrell's face suddenly appeared in his thoughts again.

"If I don't use the Six Great Dark Arts, then with my current magical ability, I definitely won't be able to beat him."

And if he wanted to face Quirrell, he couldn't really fight him one-on-one—for instance, by suddenly firing off an Avada Kedavra halfway down the road and ambushing the man to death.

Because...

That man had two faces!

One in front, and one in back.

If Dylan wanted to ambush him, it really wouldn't be easy.

Besides, although no one else could indirectly track the traces left by his magic, this was Hogwarts, after all. Who knew whether old Dumbledore might be hiding somewhere, secretly watching Quirrell?

What if he happened to witness Dylan launching his ambush?

Wouldn't Dylan be caught red-handed on the spot?

So Dylan's plan was to strengthen his magical foundations as much as possible.

At the very least, he needed to be able to put up a brief fight face-to-face without using Dark Magic.

That way, with the Wand Beautification function at his side.

He could secretly mix a few max-level Dark Magic spells into a barrage of other magic.

After all, if he merely changed their colors without revealing any negative emotions, then even if someone directly saw him cast the spells, they would have a hard time noticing anything.

"Rest my ass! As long as studying won't kill me, I'll study myself to death!"

Although he didn't think Quirrell would truly be able to affect him, it was always better to prepare for the worst.

Even if he didn't want to get involved in the story, what if he were dragged into it at some crucial moment?

So, as long as he could make thorough preparations, the more the better!

Dylan dropped onto the stool, picked up a book, and prepared to continue reading.

Neville pursed his lips, then reached out with his chubby little hand and snatched the book from Dylan.

"Hey, Dylan! There's something I need your help with!"

"Uh?" Dylan froze.

Neville closed the book. "Um... do you remember that Flame Thorns plant? The seedling Professor Sprout asked me to care for?"

"Yesterday, the Special Nutrient it needs ran out. I have to ask Hagrid for more, but I'm a little afraid of him. Could you come with me?"

Dylan blinked. "Isn't Seamus here? Neither of you seems to have anything to do. Why don't you go together?"

Lately, Harry and Ron had grown closer and closer. Neville had often wanted to spend time with Dylan.

But Dylan had to study every day. Then, after Neville melted Seamus's cauldron in Potions Class, the two of them gradually became friends instead.

Neville's little face flushed slightly.

Seamus realized what was going on and immediately shook his head. "Ah, I said I was going to cheer Harry on. He has a practice match today, and Ron and his two brothers will be there too!"

Dylan suspiciously glanced at the two little brats.

The match was still a long way off. Wasn't that excuse a little too flimsy?

Still, Dylan understood what they meant and smiled helplessly.

"In that case, I'll take you to find Hagrid. We can have something tasty while we're there."

Neville froze. "Something tasty?"

A smile curled at the corner of Dylan's mouth. "Rock Cake made by Hagrid himself. It tastes amazing!"