I Originally Wanted to Refuse

A good story had impact, especially when there were people pushing it.

Magical Legends was already a magazine with strong sales. After an internal editorial discussion, they decided to heavily promote the new serial—authorization, adaptation, even the disclaimer had all been settled. What was there left to consider? Time to start the publicity campaign!

Rivals were natural enemies. There was no need to worry about promoting the magazine itself, but the editorial department had thrown Galleons around to buy up the front pages of all the major daily papers. Radio stations like the Wizarding Wireless Network and Voice of Magic went without saying. They had even paid the Weird Sisters just to get a single advertising line slipped in between performances!

While Andrew diligently practiced Transfiguration, Flourish and Blotts had already hung a new banner outside its entrance.

Dumbledore, A Legend—now serializing in Magical Legends!

Without question, the magazine had succeeded.

Dumbledore's name was the best advertisement possible, and the story itself was interesting enough. The flaws in Andrew's work had been thoroughly wizarded up after several editors revised it, while the elements drawn from fairy tales and legends made wizards who had grown up reading such stories readily believe it all.

A legendary figure obtaining items from legend—there was nothing wrong with that logic.

Dumbledore had bathed in the Fountain of Fair Fortune, picked up the Elder Wand, acquired and brewed an ancient potion recipe, entered Hogwarts under the identity of Genius Hat's Predicament and publicly humiliated the Gaunt family that had broken off his engagement—the editors feared curses even less than Andrew did. During his time at Hogwarts, he had obtained Gryffindor's treasure buried beneath the castle—Andrew had originally written that he gained the recognition of the castle's tower spirit, but the editors changed it. Was there any problem with that?

There was no problem at all!

The biggest issue with this biography of Dumbledore was that it put so many fascinating adventure stories into the preview, while the released content only covered the beginning, where he obtained the ancient potion recipe!

When would next month's Magical Legends come out?!

Couldn't they learn from Lockhart and release an entire adventure book in one go?

Amid the wizards' discussions and curses, Magical Legends added two more print runs—in three days.

Even Lockhart's adventure series had been overshadowed. There was no helping it. Magical Legends did not raise its price, and it was already a high-circulation magazine. Its value for money was simply too good.

Unfortunately, Andrew, the instigator behind this craze, knew nothing about it. Although the increased payment and a letter from the editorial department were already on their way to him, he had only just woken up. After washing his face and tidying himself up a little, he went out for his morning run.

It was a good habit he had developed since arriving here—being able to run fast could solve a great many problems.

If Apparition had not been so difficult, the first magic he would have wanted to learn would have been Apparition.

Run, eat, go back and work on a little more manuscript, then he could begin studying happily.

Having dealt with the problem of Galleons, which could solve most problems in the Wizarding world, he could finally try spells and Transfiguration.

As for potions—the memories of laboratory rules still lingering in his mind made it impossible for him to comfortably attempt potion-brewing in the orphanage. After getting a general understanding of the potions he needed to brew and the common herbs involved, he put the book down.

Although he had not received any notice forbidding magic yet, he probably did not have much time left to practice freely. Even the quick movie summaries had emphasized that magic was strictly forbidden during the summer holidays. He guessed that once school started, he would no longer have that freedom.

"Unlocking Charm..."

Andrew carefully read the introduction to this spell, which was said to solve most lock-related problems, and guessed what wizards currently used it for. (In the 1600s, Eldrick learned this spell from an elderly African wizard and began committing widespread thefts from Muggle and wizarding homes in London.) Then he took an old lock from the drawer in the storage room.

Although it was so old it had nearly rusted solid, it should still open with a bit of pencil lead.

As Andrew evaluated it, he lightly tapped the lock with his wand. "Alohomora!"

The softly spoken spell made the lock emit a harsh series of clicks. Then, under the effect of magic, it finally sprang open. Clearly, Andrew had successfully cast this spell that allowed wizards to enable auto-looting in the Muggle world.

But whether he could completely master it would depend on continued diligent practice.

Another day starting off wonderfully...

Andrew smiled, though something felt a little off.

The Transfiguration he had perfectly mastered was turning out a sturdy needle. The first spell he had mastered made small objects float. Then came Lumos, which produced light in the dark. The spell he was currently practicing was lockpicking, and he was also desperately trying to become good at running.

No matter how he looked at it, this was a trend of taking great strides toward Azkaban.

Right, Azkaban...

In a sudden burst of inspiration, he wrote on a note: (He destroyed the conspiracy at Azkaban's original site, but failed to completely stop the evil experiments, leaving the place fit only for the dark Dementors to inhabit.)

Now that's worthy of the payment. I'll stitch together everything that needs stitching!

Andrew set the note aside and continued reading the material on the Unlocking Charm. To completely master a spell, he needed to be able to cast it perfectly under any circumstances. Today, he would make sure he could open this lock flawlessly. Once he could reliably open several different types of locks, his self-study of the spell could be considered complete for the time being.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A sound came from beside the window, followed by another round of knocking. When Andrew turned to look, he discovered a snow-white owl pecking at his window.

"Hm?"

Puzzled, he quickly walked over and let it fly inside.

"Ah?"

After only two glances at the letter, Andrew's mouth fell slightly open.

No, seriously? There really are people who aren't afraid of dying?

If you want to get yourselves killed, don't drag me down with you, you bastards!

Who do you think Dumbledore is? Who the hell do you think you're messing with?

He's Britain's number-one big shot. He held Hogwarts Castle, defeated Grindelwald abroad, and got rid of the Dark Lord at home. He's the foremost figure in the Wizarding world, absurdly powerful. His students may not be spread throughout the entire Wizarding world, but they make up at least ninety-eight percent of Britain. Go die somewhere far away—just don't let your blood splash on me!

These Galleons, I—!

Andrew froze for a moment, then looked at the amount on the Gringotts draft and rubbed his eyes.

The editors dared to guarantee it because they had their reasons.

After all, to be fair, Gryffindor's finest student was Dumbledore. Borrowing that name a little wouldn't hurt. As long as there was no slander, the editorial department should be able to handle it.

What I need to do is make absolutely sure not to add any gossip and absolutely not to portray him negatively.

That's right. Exactly.

Andrew obediently put away the draft, which was more than enough to cover a year of his miscellaneous purchases and donations to the orphanage—this was his payment for a single month.