Chapter Summaries

At the welcome feast, Luan noticed Luna Lovegood watching him and heard the twins boast about his dueling victories before Dumbledore introduced Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Dumbledore also announced Professor Flitwick’s special magical experiment, leaving students eager to join for House points and exam credit.

• Bouncing gave Colin Creevey a magical contract while the first-years watched, and Luan noticed Luna Lovegood staring at him from the Ravenclaw table.
• Colin asked Luan whether he was the strongest student, and Fred and George bragged about Luan defeating a prefect, a Durmstrang Dark Wizard, and a French Veela Witch.
• Colin asked whether Luan or Harry Potter was stronger, but Dumbledore interrupted the conversation to introduce Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
• Lockhart delivered a self-promoting speech about his books, adventures, and autograph sessions, while Luan silenced the speech with Muffliato and Hermione praised it.
• Dumbledore announced that Professor Flitwick would run a special magical experiment, offering selected participants 30 House points and tying their results to the Charms Exam.

Luan returned to Hogwarts, guarded a suspicious locked notebook, and learned Professor Flitwick had developed his spell-grading proposal into an experimental project. The chapter ended with Flitwick asking Luan to become his Spell Evaluator while Bouncing chased Scabbers away from Luan’s trunk.

• Luan heard Dumbledore announce Professor Flitwick’s magical experiment and later reunited with Harry and Ron, who recounted how they had been blocked from Platform 9¾ and flown to Hogwarts in a car.
• Luan kept a locked notebook close and reassured Harry about detention, then brought breakfast to the sleeping Bouncing and asked Mrs. Norris to help guard something important.
• Filch escorted Luan to Professor Flitwick and thanked him for exposing the Finkley family's scam, then asked whether Luan’s Magic Rings could let him cast magic.
• Professor Flitwick showed Luan the Spell Power Grading Plan and explained that he wanted students to test its standards.
• Professor Flitwick asked Luan to become his Spell Evaluator, while Bouncing chased Scabbers away from Luan’s trunk and Scabbers escaped through a bathroom drain.

Luan learned that Professor Flitwick’s spell-grading experiment would receive Ministry funding and would recruit staff and student volunteers, with Luan and Hermione helping evaluate younger students’ spells. After the recruitment notice appeared, the Weasley twins proposed increasingly bizarre spell combinations that frightened everyone and made Luan understand Flitwick’s warning about magical accidents.

• Professor Flitwick explained the experiment’s funding, staff, volunteer requirements, and adviser team, then recruited Luan as a Spell Evaluator and agreed to include Hermione.
• Luan read the experiment recruitment notice with his friends, and Hermione rejected Ron’s request to be admitted through personal connections.
• Ron tried to demonstrate a Slug Charm, but Harry dodged it, while Fred and George teased Ron and announced their plans to combine Minor Hexes.
• Fred and George described bizarre proposed spells, mocked Percy for being ineligible as a seventh-year volunteer, and drove the gathered Young Wizards away in fright.

Luan helped Hermione plan the Experimental Committee’s spell assessments, learned about Blackroot Grass, and discussed a new rune project with Professor Sprout. After returning to the Common Room, he stopped Fred from demonstrating the twins’ slug-vomiting spell and fled from the young wizards seeking his approval for their ideas.

• Luan and Hermione planned to collect students’ spells, assess them, and test their effects before the Great Hall was used for evaluations in two weeks.
• Luan examined the Blackroot Grass with Cedric, learned that it resisted Dark Magic, and received a bottle of Moonlight Grass Potion from him.
• Professor Sprout praised Luan’s handling of magical plants and encouraged his plan to carve magical runes into boards made from the Little Willow Tree.
• Sprout told Luan she intended to repair the Whomping Willow using Snail Grass juice, elderberry juice, and bandages.
• Ron described the enchanted flying car to students in the Common Room while Fred and George tried to promote their slug-vomiting spell.
• Luan disarmed Fred before he could demonstrate the spell, agreed to submit it for review, and hid in his dormitory as more students sought his approval.

Bouncing held a meeting with Mrs. Norris and Leif to discuss Scabbers, deciding to uncover the villain behind the rat rather than simply catch it. Meanwhile, Luan traded Snape rare Great Serpent spinal fluid for instruction in the Fiendfyre Curse, and Snape questioned whether Luan understood the danger of Dark Magic.

• Bouncing served Mrs. Norris Bamao grass juice and Leif snail fruit wine as they gathered to plan how to deal with Scabbers.
• Mrs. Norris and Leif described their abilities and past efforts to pursue Scabbers, while Bouncing said she suspected the rat was acting for a hidden villain.
• Bouncing explained that the Giant Squid had warned her that a rat acting for reasons other than food was suspicious, and she wanted to eliminate the villain behind Scabbers.
• Luan joined the discussion briefly, then Bouncing reassured him that Fawkes and the Giant Squid would help protect the trunk while she caught the rat.
• Luan decided to ask Snape to teach him Fiendfyre and brought him a bottle of golden Great Serpent spinal fluid as payment.
• Snape accepted the rare material, then warned Luan that Dark Magic could disturb his mind after Luan named the Fiendfyre Curse.

Luan persuaded Snape to teach him the Fiendfyre Curse, and Snape agreed on the condition that he periodically examine Luan for signs of corruption. Snape revealed Fiendfyre’s dangers and demonstrated how he controlled it, leaving Luan with a new possibility for strengthening his mental power.

• Snape agreed to teach Luan Fiendfyre if Luan came to him for regular examinations, then warned him to keep the instruction secret.
• Luan asked about Voldemort, prompting Snape to recount his history and criticize his insecurities, methods, and followers.
• Luan said he intended to defeat Voldemort, and Snape warned him that the Dark Wizard was far too powerful before explaining his skill with the Unforgivable Curses and Fiendfyre.
• When Luan asked whether Fiendfyre could be controlled, Snape demonstrated the spell and explained that commanding it required exceptional willpower, focus, and practice.
• Luan realized Fiendfyre could endanger the people he hoped to rescue in Jinglan City and recognized that mastering it might help strengthen his mental power.

Luan questioned Snape about strengthening mental power with Dark Magic and learned that his resistance made him especially suited to it, though Snape warned him to proceed carefully. He then tested the enchanted notebook's limits and discovered that phoenix fire, Fiendfyre, and the Giant Squid's black liquid could damage it, leaving him with new leverage against Tom Riddle.

• Luan asked Snape about Dark Magic's effects on mental strength, and Snape warned him about its corruption while saying Luan was unusually suited to studying it.
• Luan encountered Lockhart's crowded book signing, heard Filch warn that the books had been heavily discounted, and returned to the Common Room without getting involved.
• Luan returned to his dormitory, questioned the notebook, and learned that its writer was Tom, whom he identified as Voldemort.
• Luan cut pages from the notebook with Sectumsempra and tested other spells, discovering that it could repair itself and resist most attacks.
• Luan burned a page with Fawkes's phoenix feather and another with Fiendfyre, then found that toxic liquids damaged the notebook more severely than ordinary water.
• Luan discovered that the Giant Squid's black liquid permanently blackened the pages and erased their magical properties, and Bouncing revealed it had more of the liquid.

Luan secured the Sentient Notebook, suspected Scabbers was connected to the Dark Lord, and tested the Moonlight Grass Potion Cedric had given him. After spotting a rat through his new night vision, he reviewed the spell experiment registrations with Hermione and found one spell that caught his interest.

• Luan made the Sentient Notebook admit that it had suggested using the Fiendfyre Curse, then locked it in a chest while Bouncing agreed to watch for Scabbers.
• Luan reasoned that Scabbers had a connection to the notebook and drank Cedric's Moonlight Grass Potion, discovering it granted night vision and sharper perception when activated with the Cat's Eye Charm.
• Luan saw a Gray Mouse flee into a hole in the Common Room wall, followed by a miserable toad, while Harry confirmed he would join the spell grading experiment.
• Luan saw that Hermione had recorded 107 students for the experiment and reviewed their mostly familiar spell choices.
• Luan reached the final page of the registration list and noticed a spell that caught his attention.

Luan struggled to combine Swarms of Birds and Flame Blaze until Hagrid suggested having the birds carry burning objects instead. After the successful test, Luan celebrated with Hagrid and discussed his former pets, Norbert and Fluffy.

• Luan learned that Susan Bones had submitted Swarms of Birds and decided it could help him create chaos in Jinglan City without using the hard-to-control Fiendfyre Curse.
• Luan practiced combining Swarms of Birds with Flame Blaze at the Black Lake, but magical conflicts caused the birds to explode and flames to shoot out of control.
• The Giant Squid caught Luan's wand, then Hagrid arrived and suggested that Luan have the birds carry objects he had already set on fire.
• Luan tested Hagrid's idea and successfully had two birds carry burning sticks before dropping them into the Black Lake.
• Luan invited Hagrid for a drink at his hut, where they discussed Norbert and Fluffy and Luan said he would try to arrange a reunion.

Luan discussed Hagrid’s spider-based spell experiment and practiced his magic before returning to Jinglan City, where he insisted on rescuing everyone in Veteran Alley despite Neil’s warnings. After learning about the Federation’s Crusaders, Luan escaped back to Pierre’s residence and reflected on the dangers and tangled factions surrounding the rescue.

• Hagrid told Luan that spider eggs would be used for First Years’ spell evaluations and that giant spiders would provide test subjects for older students.
• Luan improved his control of thirteen robins while Bouncing, Mrs Norris, and Leif searched Gryffindor Tower’s pipes for Scabbers.
• Luan returned to Jinglan City and explained his plan to create a distraction and help the people in Veteran Alley escape, but Neil warned that armed veterans and hidden gunmen made it too dangerous.
• Bouncing claimed it could detect hidden enemies, but Neil urged Luan to leave with Jay instead; Luan refused and promised to bring everyone home.
• Neil warned Luan to avoid the Crusaders, a powerful Federation force that hunted Dark Wizards, and showed him their emblem.
• Luan evaded the soldiers watching Neil, found that the Magic Array at Pierre’s residence repaired itself, and returned to his room while Bouncing stayed beside him.

Luan accompanied Pierre and the Merrick siblings to Jinglan City’s Spellcaster Academy, where he saw the Federation’s social hierarchy and learned that Imperial Court Mages had abducted many newly recruited Young Wizards. The chapter leaves Luan reflecting on the academy’s founder, Antonov Roland, and how far the academy had strayed from his ideals.

• Pierre hosted Luan and the Merrick siblings for breakfast, and Luan agreed he might stay at Pierre’s estate after helping Eddie enroll.
• On the carriage ride to the city center, Luan noticed strange patterns in the paving stones and saw the Gavin Family estate beside the Spellcaster Academy.
• Pierre registered Eddie at the academy and learned that Imperial Court Mages had abducted more than thirty recruited Young Wizards, with only five recovered.
• Luan recognized Oli Gavin from Star Ember Island and watched the Gavin Family bypass registration while the guards treated them with deference.
• Luan read the statue’s inscription honoring Antonov Roland, the ordinary man who founded the Federation and the Spellcaster Academy.

Luan reunited with his cousin Jay at the Federal Military Academy and rescued him from students who had deceived and bullied him. After punishing them with magic, Luan encountered General Layton Gavin, who greeted him warmly, leaving Jay astonished by Luan’s influence.

• Luan found Jay being cornered by three students who wanted the black leather coats he had used as collateral for help visiting his father, Neil.
• Luan petrified the students, reunited with Jay, and learned that Jay had been trying to reach Neil, who was confined to the Barracks.
• Luan cleaned Jay up, silenced and suspended the students, then cast Vermiculus Eruptus on them, making them vomit slugs.
• General Layton Gavin arrived, vomited at the sight of the slugs, and recognized Luan as Jay tried to take responsibility.
• Layton greeted Luan with respect, leaving Jay stunned by his cousin’s relationship with the lieutenant general.

Luan punished three students for stealing his clothes, then pressed General Layton Gavin to help rescue Neil and explain the Crusaders. Layton promised to free Neil within seven days, while Luan left with Jay and Layton rushed to warn the Spellcaster Academy about Luan's arrival.

• Luan stopped the slug punishment after the three students admitted stealing his clothes, and Layton ordered them to return the item by the next day.
• Layton explained that he had transferred Neil to the rear and then brought him back to Jinglan City, but his faction's political troubles had made Neil's situation difficult.
• Luan agreed to let Layton handle Neil's rescue for seven days after Layton described the Crusaders' ties to the Holy Church and their role in handling magical incidents.
• Luan left the Military Academy with Jay, reassured him that Neil would be rescued, and heard Jay ask for help becoming Galona Hammond's guardian.
• Layton hurried to the Spellcaster Academy and warned its dean that Star Ember Island's High Priest had come to Jinglan City.

Layton and Benny Valentine tried to prevent the Crusaders from turning Luan into an enemy, while Benny planned to use a secret Control Magic to bring the Crusaders under Spellcaster command. At the Crusaders' base, Robin Xavier refused to return Neil's coat and revealed that Bishop Mead Lawrence was coming to the Federation.

• Layton told Benny Valentine that the Crusaders had detained Neil, and Benny said he would negotiate with them and appeal to the Supreme Ruler.
• Benny revealed that Vice Dean Bode had developed Control Magic to subdue the Crusaders, but he kept it classified and told Layton not to test it in Federation territory.
• Benny said the Spellcasters needed to befriend Luan and warned that, if the Crusaders refused to cooperate, they would face the Tribal High Priest's wrath alone.
• Robin Xavier had three students recite a holy chant and used his sword to give them protection against wizard magic.
• Robin refused to return Neil's coat to Layton and told his subordinate that Bishop Mead Lawrence would soon arrive to purify darkness in the Federation.

Luan took Jay through Jinglan City, then hid him at Gould’s estate after discovering that the Crusaders were tracking them. He returned to the city to protect Neil and the others, while the Crusaders’ strange magical weapon and Luan’s arrival drew attention; Layton appeared at Pierre’s estate the next day.

• Luan borrowed gold coins and a ruby from Bouncing so Jay could enjoy the market and serve her.
• Luan hid Jay beneath the Invisibility Cloak when pursuers and Crusaders searched the market, then used a Confundus Charm to disrupt the Crusader commander.
• Luan took Jay to Gould’s estate outside the city, protected the grounds with charms, and gave Jay the Silver Egg to keep close.
• Luan sent an owl to Star Ember Island and made twenty defensive Magic Array cards for Neil and the people of Veteran Alley.
• Luan returned to Pierre’s estate to deliver the cards, while Bouncing wished for custom-made gold armor.
• Layton arrived at Pierre’s estate the next day, as Luan’s arrival in Jinglan City became known.

Mu En met with Lieutenant General Layton Gavin in Jinglan City and demanded that the Federation release the detained hostages, while Layton stalled and invited him to the Spellcaster Academy's opening ceremony. After the Crusaders returned Mu En's Night Owl coat and anti-Star Ember Island protests swelled outside Pierre's estate, Layton went to confront Robin before Mu En acted himself.

• Layton Gavin visited Pierre's estate and confirmed that Mu En was staying there, then told him the hostage negotiations were still underway.
• Mu En gave Layton more time to secure the hostages' release, and Layton assigned Pierre to look after him and invited him to the academy's opening ceremony.
• A Crusaders messenger returned Mu En's Night Owl coat and said the Crusaders welcomed his arrival in Jinglan City.
• News of Mu En's arrival and the Federation Navy's losses in the Vena Islands spread, drawing angry protesters to Pierre's estate.
• Mu En told Pierre to warn Layton that he would intervene if the protests continued, while Layton sent guards who failed to calm the crowd.
• Layton decided to find Robin and demand an explanation for the worsening situation.

Robin weighed how to handle Luan while the Federation prepared for the Spellcaster Academy’s Opening Ceremony. After Oli Gavin arranged an ambush with a Magic Array, Luan shattered it and petrified the four students responsible.

• Robin learned that Layton’s faction had dispersed the Crusaders’ protesters and decided to consult Archbishop Mead Lawrence before choosing how to deal with Luan.
• Oli Gavin learned that Luan would attend the ceremony and asked Charles Gavin about his place on the banquet list, then left determined to confront him.
• Luan met Neil and the others that night, then accepted a carriage to the academy the next morning after an officer apologized for the Crusaders’ actions.
• Vice Principal Glenn welcomed Luan to Spellcaster Academy and tried unsuccessfully to learn the secrets of his magic.
• Oli and three students trapped Luan in a Zol Prison Array, but Luan used Reveal True Form to shatter their magic-pattern plaques and then cast four Petrifying Charms.

Luan attended Spellcaster Academy’s opening ceremony, studied its magic and military traditions, and drew the attention of Principal Benny Valentine. Valentine then told Luan that his divination foresaw a devastating war between the Gracia Federation and Star Ember Island, ending with both sides losing after outside forces intervened.

• Oli Gavin and the other students eagerly served Luan and asked him to explain a defensive magic rune, while Layton hurried them to prepare for the ceremony.
• Luan observed Principal Benny Valentine lead the academy’s military-style opening ceremony, sort students into three legions, and oversee their oaths on the Pact Stone Slab.
• At the banquet, Executive Conner Sack warned Benny Valentine that Luan was dangerous, but the Speaker said he trusted his intuition about Luan.
• Luan explained the defensive rune to curious students and learned about the Federation’s warfare-focused magic before Benny Valentine invited him to discuss Star Ember Island.
• Benny Valentine revealed that his divination foresaw a war between the Gracia Federation and Star Ember Island, in which both sides would suffer terrible losses and ultimately lose after outside forces intervened.

Luan negotiated with Headmaster Valentine for help against the Holy Church in exchange for rescuing abducted young wizards, then researched the world’s history and returned toward the barracks. Archbishop Mead Lawrence arrived in Jinglan City and used a crystal ball to track Luan, but his aura vanished near the city’s heavily guarded north.

• Headmaster Valentine told Luan that the Menila Empire faced internal threats and that the Holy Church might have motives to intervene in Lauses Continent.
• Valentine revealed that a high-ranking Holy Church figure would arrive that night, and Luan agreed to bring back abducted academy students if Valentine helped him rescue his people and get them out safely.
• Valentine told Layton Gavin he intended to oppose the Holy Church’s interference, citing the Federation’s agreement with the Church and its struggle for independence.
• Luan spent ten hours reading the academy library’s history books, then put on his Invisibility Cloak and headed north to discuss the Church’s arrival with Neil.
• Archbishop Mead Lawrence arrived by sailboat, and Robin told him Luan was in Jinglan City.
• Lawrence used a crystal ball to locate Luan in the north of the city, but the aura disappeared despite Robin’s claim that the area was guarded by three thousand soldiers.

Luan discovered that someone had tried to open the box containing the Sentient Notebook and decided to give it up, while a gray rat slipped back into Hogwarts’s underground passages. After Lockhart’s disastrous Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, Luan left to explain the notebook to Dumbledore.

• Bouncing noticed that three locks on Luan’s box had been opened, and Luan suspected Scabbers had tried to reach the Sentient Notebook.
• Luan recognized that his reluctance to surrender the notebook might be a warning sign and decided to hand it over to Dumbledore.
• Wood dragged Harry out of bed for Quidditch training, while Luan studied with Hermione and Colin in the Common Room.
• Errol delivered a Howler to Ron revealing that the Ministry was investigating Mr. Weasley over his misuse of magic on Muggle objects.
• Lockhart released Cornish Pixies during Defense Against the Dark Arts and fled, so Luan, Hermione, Harry, Malfoy, and the others subdued them and returned them to the cage.
• Luan left class to find Dumbledore and explain the matter of the notebook.