Chance and Necessity (Continued)

"You didn't make that bet with Katrina last time, was it for this?" Isobel's expression towards Albert grew increasingly strange; he couldn't understand what this guy was up to at all. "Ah, you guessed it!" Albert said, feigning surprise. Of course, this clumsy performance didn't fool Isobel.

The latter said nothing, but calmly looked at Albert, as if to say: You continue, I'm watching from the side.

"Ahem, okay. Actually, I'm just pursuing Katrina. It's just that your sister is too stubborn; she probably won't give up easily unless she wins at least once." Albert made up another excuse on the spot.

Speaking of which, telling someone's older sister that you're planning to pursue her younger sister seems... kind of exciting. Well, Albert definitely wants to see how Isobel reacts.

Isobel's expression was complex, lacking the expected anger or other intense emotional reaction. He simply said quietly, "I wouldn't mind if you went after Katrina. However, it's too early now, too early for Katrina!"

"Why?" Albert couldn't help but blurt out.

Of course, the question wasn't why it was too early, but rather that it was rather strange that Isobel would agree, and even seem to approve of, him pursuing her sister. At least, in Albert's eyes, it was incredibly strange.

What does a little kid like you know about love?

If some twelve or thirteen-year-old brat wanted to pursue his sister, Albert would beat the brat so badly he'd vomit up.

"Because Katrina's mindset isn't mature enough." Isobel looked up at Albert and answered the question directly. "You're mature enough, but Katrina isn't, which is not good for your relationship right now."

"As for why I agreed?" Isobel looked at Albert, sometimes finding his way of thinking quite peculiar.

"Why?" Albert was a little curious about the reason.

"After all, you are the best student at Hogwarts School, without exception." Isobel's words were a direct acknowledgment of Albert's talent and ability.

Actually, he wasn't wrong. Albert was indeed the most outstanding student in the entire academy. After all, no one else had such a cheat code.

"Ahem, I was just joking." Albert's expression stiffened slightly as he gave the other person an awkward smile.

"I know, I can tell," Isobel nodded, not angry at all, but rather finding it amusing.

Since you know why you would say such things, are you implying that you agree to me pursuing your sister? Albert suddenly had a strange feeling: it turns out that his values haven't been completely assimilated into this world yet! He still retains the ideas of the previous generation, no wonder he sometimes seems a bit out of place.

"However, ten Galleon, you're quite generous!" Isobel sighed and said, "Thank you for that. I haven't seen Katrina so happy in a long time."

"Knowledge is always valuable, and in a way, I'm not at a disadvantage!" Albert raised his hand and shook the notebook in his hand that contained the Eagle Ring Riddle. "One day I'll compile all the Eagle Ring Riddle I've collected into a book, and then I can earn not just ten Galleon, but a hundred Galleon. I'll definitely break even."

Isobel found Albert's thinking increasingly peculiar, but his ideas were not wrong. Knowledge was valuable, and it was indeed possible to do so; it was just that many people had not thought of it that way.

"You continue, I'll wait for you here. I'll tell you my discovery once we're inside the Chamber of Secrets." Isobel brought the topic back on track and pulled up a chair to sit beside him, quietly watching Albert knock on the door and answer the Eagle Ring Riddle.

To be honest, the remaining riddles weren't difficult, at least not for Albert. It was like doing practice problems; the more he did, the faster he got, and the better he felt for them. In less than half an hour, Albert had finished answering the remaining riddles. After confirming on the Task Panel that he had completed "The Greedy Plunderer," his mood immediately improved. However, Albert didn't rush to claim the task reward. Instead, he pushed open the door to the Chamber of Secrets and went in with Isobel, who had been waiting nearby.

"What secret have you discovered?" Albert walked to the wall, ran his hand over the Ancient Runes on it, and finally couldn't help but ask.

"And you? What did you discover?" Isobel didn't answer immediately, but instead asked.

"You speak first, then I'll speak," Albert gestured for him to speak.

"Alright, you know the Ravenclaw Eagle Ring Riddle, right?" Isobel walked over to Albert, staring at the Ancient Runes on the wall, and said softly, "We need to answer the Eagle Ring Riddle to go in."

Albert raised an eyebrow, but remained quiet as Isobel continued.

"Just like the first threshold outside," Isobel turned to Albert and continued, "If you answer incorrectly, you can only wait for someone else to answer correctly, and that's how you learn. That's Ravenclaw."

"Learn knowledge? So, you think Ravenclaw wants newcomers to the Chamber of Secrets to learn knowledge?" Albert immediately grasped the key point, not because of Isobel's hint, but because Albert had also thought about this.

"Yes, you are indeed very clever; you figured it out in no time. This is my discovery." Isobel nodded and asked, "And your discovery?"

"Ancient Runes. Perhaps Ravenclaw hopes we can master the correct way to use Ancient Runes." Albert ran his fingers over the text on the wall and muttered to himself, "It is said that Runic Script are a magical script, however, this is clearly beyond our understanding of Runic Script."

An eerie silence fell over the Chamber of Secrets.

"Did Professor Smith really come to Hogwarts to find Ravenclaw's Chamber?" Albert broke the silence again, raising his doubts with Isobel.

"Why would you have such an idea?" Isobel, somewhat surprised, looking Albert up and down.

"I don't know, it's more of a gut feeling. Although Professor Smith has shown enough curiosity about Ravenclaw's Chamber, I think Professor Smith didn't risk teaching at Hogwarts for this reason. There must be another reason." Albert frowned and said.

"You think I know some inside information?"

"Yes, I think you should know quite a lot."

"You want to know?" Isobel didn't deny it, but asked in return; she did indeed know some things.

"Hmm." Albert nodded.

"Alright, I might as well tell you, since this is related to you anyway."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"It should be said that it is related to a right of succession in the Smith Family, or rather, it may not necessarily be the Smith Family, anyway it is a matter of a right of succession." Isobel seemed not very happy when talking about this matter.

"I think you might have misunderstood. I am Muggle-born wizard, from a Muggle family," Albert kindly reminded him.

"Muggle-born wizard? No, I don't think you're just a pure Muggle-born wizard," Isobel shook his head and denied it, and was quite certain of his judgment. "Professor Broad and Uncle Morg Uncle McDougal's help to you is not just because you are a genius."

"Why would you say that..." Albert was surprised, although he also felt that this was a bit strange, Professor Broad clearly had the idea of grooming him.

"Because of your situation, I've been through it too. In a way, you're a carbon copy of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm referring to certain things." Isobel's face grew even more somber as he chatted with Albert about some childhood memories. "After my father died, Professor Broad, Uncle Morg, and some of my father's friends took good care of me and my family. Thanks to their help, Katrina and I had a pretty good childhood."

"I was considered a genius from a very young age." The girl continued with a hint of sarcasm, "They weren't this enthusiastic before I was considered a genius."

"You hate them?"

"No, I don't mean I hate them. I'm actually very grateful to them. Thanks to their help, I had a fairly happy childhood." Isobel shook his head and said, "Later, my situation became similar to yours now. They seemed to be doing everything they could to raise me, as if they were raising a..."

"The heir?"

"Yes, heir." Isobel didn't deny it, but nodded and continued, "At first, I didn't pay much attention to these things, I just found them a little strange. Later, I read through my father's old diaries..."

"As far as I know, my father and Professor Smith Rowena Smith both had similar experiences." Isobel turned her head away, avoiding Albert's gaze. "Now you've encountered it again. Why do you think that is?"

"My situation is similar to yours?" Albert replied without hesitation. "Because I'm also a genius?"

"Not only that, although you are a genius, it's definitely not for that reason." Isobel shook his head and said, "They still have the resources to help you achieve even greater things."

"So, you must have a blood relationship with the Smith Family?"

"I am Muggle-born wizard," Albert reminded him with a half-smile.

"I know, but that doesn't mean your family members are necessarily Muggle. They could be Squib or wizards living in the Muggle World. It can definitely be traced back to a certain generation, and you might be related to that family. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been chosen."

Damn, he guessed right! Albert could feel his heart skip a beat.

This guy is definitely something else!

"Oh!" Albert pretended to know nothing, giving a noncommittal reply and shaking his head. "Anything else?"

"There is no such thing as love without a reason," Isobel reminded him.

"That's true. By the way, you seem to know a lot of things." Albert looked Isobel over again, his brow furrowing deeply. "But I don't think they would tell you these things. In other words, everything you've said is either your own deduction or something you've gleaned from somewhere, but I think the former is more likely. I won't think about how you did it, but why are you telling me? As you said, there's no such thing as love without a reason. Are you planning to use me? Or do you want me to do something for you?"

Isobel fell into a brief silence upon hearing this, seemingly hesitant to let Albert know more.

Albert took advantage of this free time to glance at the new mission. Although he had already guessed some things, he still didn't know what this successor was all about.

Ancient Secret.

You seem to be involved in something that involves an ancient family. You, who have inexplicably become a candidate for heir, need to find out what's going on.

Reward: 2000 experience points, +10 favorability with Isobel McDougal.

Albert stared at the Task Panel, somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected it to actually increase his favorability. "Tell me what you know, if you need me to do anything," Albert gestured to the girl.

"Actually, I don't know much either. I only know that it's about a certain heir's position, or more accurately, a competition for a certain surname. But I don't know the specifics because this matter is too secretive, and almost no one knows about it."

"Heir, surname?" Albert raised an eyebrow. He naturally knew that he was related to the Smith Family, but he did not expect that this matter would fall on his head.

"Does every Smith have that opportunity? Or rather, does everyone with that bloodline have that opportunity?"

"Probably not. I feel the spots should be selected. As far as I know, my sister Katrina wasn't chosen," Isobel said, shaking his head.

"She's so pitiful," Albert said, pursing his lips. "By the way, how are you so sure?"

"She didn't have much contact with Professor Broad and Uncle Morg, nor was she introduced to any other famous wizards," Isobel continued. "Our situations are similar. Of course, it's undeniable that you are more talented than me in some ways."

"Do you care about this?" Albert countered.

"No." Isobel wasn't lying; she didn't really care about becoming the so-called heir.

"Your father was also one of the candidates for heir?" Albert thought of Professor Smith's Boggart and had a bad feeling.

"Hmm, I think so," Isobel said softly.

"You think I'm one of them, and you're looking for allies?" Albert thought he had guessed the answer; it was highly likely. "But what would I gain?"

"They should be able to inherit a large sum of Galleon," Isobel said without hesitation. "Ancient families are usually very wealthy."

"Do I look like someone who would be short of Galleon? Even if Galleon were, do you think I couldn't earn Galleon? Why would I fight for that ridiculous right of inheritance?" Albert interrupted impatiently. "Frankly, I'm quite averse to getting involved in family disputes. Besides, I have nothing to do with the Smith Family. And even if I did, are you planning to give up your inheritance to me?"

Isobel fell into a brief silence, then nodded to Albert.

"To be honest, I'm quite disgusted by this too." Isobel didn't hide his disgust and continued, "My sister and mother are more important than these damn inheritance rights."

"Why don't you just give up?" Albert countered.

"Don't you find that ridiculous?" Isobel's expression became even stranger. "Do you expect me to go directly to Uncle Morg and tell him about this? What do you think he'll think? Pretending to know nothing is the wisest choice."

"Okay, you're right." Albert nodded in agreement.

"However, what you're saying about the inheritance rights is related to Ravenclaw's Chamber?"

"I don't know." Isobel shook his head. "I'm still searching for a solution, but I'm still stuck here. Tell me what you've found!"

"Hmm, you think I was lying just now?" Albert countered.

"At least not entirely truthfully," Isobel said.

"Well, according to what you said earlier, Ravenclaw prefers people to learn proactively, like the Eagle Ring Riddle. Although some people can find the answer through their own wisdom, they are only a minority. Most people still have to learn." Albert's finger traced the line on the wall that read, "Exceptional intelligence is the greatest wealth of mankind."

"Whoever wants to get through here and obtain the treasure from Ravenclaw's Chamber needs to master what Ravenclaw wants us to master in this Chamber of Secrets... Ancient Runes!"

"So, you weren't lying, you were just hiding some secrets."

"No, you just haven't noticed it, or you've noticed but are unwilling to admit it. You should have discovered this while studying Ancient Runes; Ancient Runes are merely an ancient script." Albert ran his hand over the characters. "To truly pass this hurdle set by Ravenclaw and advance to the next level, you need to understand how to actually use them. However, once we discover this place and truly master it, it means we've obtained the treasure left behind by Ravenclaw. Isn't that very Ravenclaw?"

"Knowledge, sometimes, is a kind of wealth." Isobel suddenly smiled, a very pleasant smile.

"Yes, that's very Ravenclaw, and it echoes the saying that exceptional intelligence is the greatest treasure of mankind," she said softly. "Are you going to tell Professor Smith about this?"

"Why not? But I don't think he can open the hidden Chamber of Secrets anyway. Maybe he can ask Dumbledore for help, but what good would that do? Even if he opens it, he'll just be entering the next Chamber of Secrets and still find nothing." Albert said with a smirk. "Of course, maybe he can find some of Ravenclaw's legacy in the Chamber of Secrets, like that missing Diadem."

"The Ravenclaw's Diadem? I don't think you'd place your wisdom in something like that!"

"I was just saying it offhand! By the way, Professor Smith is a bit pitiful. The Chamber of Secrets treasure he was looking forward to turned out like this."

Albert shrugged, not really caring about it. Was Professor Smith pitiful?

Who knows!

"You might be the next person to open the Chamber of Secrets," Isobel sighed, leaning against the wall. After all, Albert's level of Ancient Runes far surpassed theirs, and although she had learned them well, she was only a beginner.

The two chatted about trivial matters for a while, then Isobel suddenly said, "It's ten o'clock, Professor Smith should be here soon."

"Is he coming here?" Albert asked, frowning.

"Yes, we made plans yesterday. You should stay too, and we can use this as an opportunity to study the Ancient Runes." Isobel seemed to be in a good mood. "When he arrives, tell him your earlier guesses!"

"Okay, fine!"

About ten minutes later, another noise came from outside the Chamber of Secrets. The door was opened from the outside, and Professor Smith walked in. His gaze fell on Albert, and he seemed a little surprised that the other was there.

"You're here too, that's perfect..." Professor Smith greeted Albert with a smile.

"Professor Smith, Isobel and I just discussed this..." Albert interrupted hastily, immediately telling Professor Smith about his and Isobel's speculations.

After a long silence, Professor Smith sighed deeply and said with a bitter expression, "What you say is quite possible, which explains why things are like this here."

Perhaps, what I shouldn't have told him is that the truth is often more cruel than a lie.

Professor Smith took several deep breaths to calm himself down, then patted Albert on the shoulder and said, "You are the only one among us who might be able to open the Chamber of Secrets. I hope you can work harder. Once you have successfully opened it, just let me know. After all you've done, I don't want to end up with nothing to show for it. That would be too cruel."

After saying that, Professor Smith turned and left, his back looking desolate, as if he had aged several years in an instant.

I originally wanted to post them together, but there was a power outage yesterday, so there was nothing I could do.