History of Magic

Binns emerged from the wall, his head appearing first, followed by the rest of his body.

The moment he appeared, the temperature in the classroom seemed to drop.

Sean noticed that some of the candles near the front of the classroom had even turned blue.

"Emeric was a short-lived but exceptionally vicious Dark wizard.

He was killed by his opponent, Egbert, in an extremely bloody duel..."

Professor Binns began lecturing the moment he entered the classroom, without an introduction or taking attendance.

As a ghost, he did not care about such things.

"Ulysses the Odd was an eccentric wizard from ancient times.

He became famous for such deeds as wearing jellyfish on his head like hats...

He once slept in a room containing no fewer than fifty Augureys.

During a particularly damp winter,

after hearing the cries of the Augureys, Ulysses became convinced that he had died and become a ghost.

Ulysses then attempted to pass through the wall of his own home, an act that resulted in what the biographer Randolphus Pittiman described as 'a ten-day concussion'..."

Professor Binns's voice always carried inexplicable pauses and drawn-out endings, making him sound quite strange.

"I heard—"

Michael suddenly spoke beside him, imitating Professor Binns's tone.

Anthony in the back stopped taking notes, and Terry stopped examining the strangely shaped runestone in his hand.

Even Sean tilted his head slightly.

All three of them knew that the well-connected Michael always had fresh and interesting information.

"Professor Binns had already been a professor at Hogwarts a very long time ago.

One day, the elderly History of Magic professor fell asleep before the fireplace in the staff room.

When he woke up, he went straight to teach his next class, but—

he left his body behind!"

Michael vividly described the scene.

Terry softly said, "Whoa!"

Anthony raised his eyebrows as well.

"Self-Stirring Cauldrons

are cauldrons enchanted to stir potions automatically.

They were invented by Gaspard Singleton in the late twentieth century..."

Professor Binns's voice echoed through the classroom, while nearly all the Young Wizards were distracted.

Some whispered among themselves, while others simply put their heads down and went to sleep.

Sean, who had memorized the entire History of Magic textbook, diligently took notes.

He discovered that the history of Western magic did not seem continuous. Professor Binns spoke more about the deeds of individuals and legends confirmed to have existed.

As for major events, such as the Self-Stirring Cauldron, they appeared alongside the people connected to them.

Professor Binns's lectures lacked any particularly clear logic. Sean did not know whether History of Magic itself was simply like that, or whether Binns had lost his ability to reason after becoming a ghost.

Yet even from these scattered events, Sean still sorted out a clear thread.

For history-related subjects, one method was always useful.

He scribbled furiously, and once Professor Binns finished his final sentence, he turned his Parchment sideways.

Michael beside him leaned over curiously to look.

Then he discovered that within Sean's notes,

a timeline clearly ran through every point of knowledge.

"Merlin's beard, Sean, you're a genius."

Michael muttered to himself. He found that he could actually remember all that obscure knowledge now.

Sean did not pay it much mind. He nodded slightly, thinking that this should be enough to earn an Outstanding.

As soon as class ended, the Young Wizards all seemed to wake up on their own.

After Professor Binns left, everyone chattered as they walked out of the classroom.

"Sean, want to play Wizard's Chess together?"

Michael invited Sean enthusiastically.

"No."

Sean was somewhat curious about this thing he had never heard of, but he needed to go to the Greenhouse.

"Alright."

Michael pursed his lips as he watched Sean walk away.

Following the reminder from Bruce, the older student, Sean stopped in front of the first building.

Its towering dome glittered under the sunlight, reflecting the sky and the passing Clouds.

The heavy wooden framework looked old yet sturdy. The dark green paint had peeled away in places, revealing the dark wood beneath.

When he pushed open the wooden door,

a wave of warm, damp air rich with the scent of life immediately rushed over him.

Professor Sprout was waving her wand. Her movements were practiced, and in the blink of an eye, the dirt-covered path had been cleaned.

"Mr. Green, you've come at just the right time. Please help clean up the clutter."

As Professor Sprout spoke, she picked up a small trowel and settled a blackish-red plant deep inside the Greenhouse.

Sean looked carefully.

The long planting table was already somewhat messy, scattered with small holes in the soil, splashed water, and bits of plant debris—such as the dark green, slimy Hogweed fragments described in the books.

"Scourgify!"

Sean pronounced the spell accurately and swung his wand as he had learned to do.

You practiced the Scourgify spell once at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1

The next moment, a small section of the planting table in front of Sean was spotless.

Sean focused and began waving his wand repeatedly.

"Scourgify!"

You practiced the Scourgify spell once at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1

You practiced the Scourgify spell once at Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1

You practiced the Scourgify spell once at Beginner standard. Proficiency +3

What a hardworking Little Sprout...

Professor Sprout watched the Young Wizard working so earnestly, a warm smile spreading across her face.

Before he collapsed from exhaustion, Sean had finished cleaning the Greenhouse.

Professor Sprout flicked her wand.

A cup of Honey Lemonade floated into Sean's hand.

"Have some honey water and take a rest, Mr. Green."

Sean looked at the now clean and tidy planting table, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Of course, most of it came from the sixty-six proficiency points added to his Scourgify spell.

Name: Sean Green

Identity: Wizard

Title: Spell Novice, Transfiguration Apprentice

Proficiency

Levitation Charm: Apprentice Level (4/300)

Lumos Charm: Apprentice Level (1/300)

Scourgify: Apprentice Level (70/300)

Transfiguration: Apprentice Level (3/900)

Herbology Knowledge: Unlocked (27/90)

Advance: Three Beginner-level spells can unlock the Beginner Charms Title

Advance: Beginner-level Transfiguration can unlock the Beginner Transfiguration Title

Wizard Talent

Charms: Green

Transfiguration: Light Purple

Compared to a few days ago, it was a complete transformation.

Sean took a sip of Honey Lemonade. The honey bloomed across his taste buds, so sweet that his eyes narrowed.

Delicious.

A hundred times better than the bitter Black Tea at the orphanage.

Sean put away his wand and sat on the small stool Professor Sprout had summoned, an idea forming in his mind.

Doing odd jobs all the time was fine, but his priority now was learning how to handle herbs.

"Professor, may I process herbs with you?"

Sean quickly spoke, making Professor Sprout pause just as she was about to walk toward the Oak Table at the other end.

"Welcome— I mean, why not?"

Professor Sprout blinked. Sean did not even finish his Honey Lemonade before jogging after the plump professor.