Secret

The two returned to the castle and, without alerting the students, quietly entered the Room of Requirement.

Albert pretended to know nothing, and fortunately, with the help of Felix Felicis, his acting was superb.

"We did it!" Albert breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Professor Smith beside him, and smiled excitedly. "We did it, Professor! We did it!"

"Yes, you succeeded!" Professor Smith's tone carried a hint of satisfaction. He patted Albert on the shoulder and praised him, "Let's go in together!"

With that, Professor Smith went inside first.

Professor Smith's reaction was somewhat different from Albert's expectations. He quickly looked around, seemingly searching for something, but he was not disappointed by the loss of the Bronze Book that was placed there, as if he already knew what was going on in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Professor, there's nothing here." Albert looked around and, after glancing at the writing on the wall, said with feigned exasperation, "The books left by Ravenclaw have been taken. Greedy fellows are really annoying."

To be honest, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't even flip through the Bronze Book.

That's right, Professor Broad said if I could open the secret door to Ravenclaw's Chamber... Albert suddenly realized a possibility! That Bronze Book, could it be...?

"Dumbledore really was here!" Professor Smith murmured, his fingers tracing the words left by Dumbledore, his eyes narrowing. "But why wouldn't he tell me?"

"What's wrong, Professor?" Albert asked softly, watching Professor Smith's retreating figure.

"Nothing."

"Um... Professor Smith, may I also leave my name here?" Albert asked cautiously.

Just like someone leaving a message saying "So-and-so was here," frankly, doing so shows a lack of public morality.

However, Albert felt he could leave some research results here for future generations to admire.

"That's your right," Professor Smith smiled at Albert. "Do you need my help?"

"No need, this is no problem for me." Albert began to find an empty space to carve his name. After finishing, he walked over to Professor Smith, his gaze falling on a particular name, and asked with feigned curiosity, "Is Will De Smith an ancestor of the Smith Family?"

"I don't recall," Professor Smith said, shaking his head. "However, I do know a surname called Wildsmith!"

"Surname, Wildsmith?" Albert was stunned upon hearing this, and asked incredulously, "There's such a surname?"

"Haven't you heard of it?" Professor Smith looked at Albert with a half-smile and said softly, "It's a very famous surname."

Albert felt a little uncomfortable when Professor Smith mentioned the name; the way the other person was looking at him... well, Legilimency.

However, Professor Smith did not obtain any useful information.

"No!" Albert shook his head. His Occlumency was already very advanced, and with the help of Felix Felicis, he was able to disguise himself very smoothly.

In fact, Albert had never heard of this surname.

"Many wizarding families in the Wizarding World have their own secrets. Although some ancient families have disappeared into the long river of history, a large part of them have been passed down. The Smith Family is one of them," Professor Smith explained to Albert. "However, some of these families have always been very careful to hide themselves, so that others do not know their true nature."

"The Wildsmith Family?" Albert asked doubtfully. "But isn't he part of your family?"

"Well, I think it has something to do with the Smith Family." Professor Smith did not deny this, and he continued, "However, I am not exactly the first in line to the Smith Family, and I am not very clear about some things."

"Professor, why are you telling me all this?" Albert asked, puzzled. He had a vague feeling that it was related to the issue of succession. To be honest, Albert really didn't want to get involved in this inheritance dispute; such disputes were always incredibly cruel.

"Because you are also a candidate for Wildsmith." Smith stated this directly, causing Albert's eyes to widen in disbelief.

"Waiting for what?"

"The substitute".

"A candidate? What does that mean?" Albert continued to play dumb.

"They are candidates for succession," Professor Smith explained.

"Me? A candidate for heir? Are you sure?" Albert pointed to himself, astonished. "But I'm just a Muggle-born wizard. My parents are ordinary people who don't know magic at all. Are you sure Wildsmith's candidates are chosen from exceptionally talented Magical Genius, and not from his own family?"

"Magical Genius?" Smith looked Albert up and down, then nodded and said, "That is indeed one reason."

"Isobel is also a Magical Genius!" Albert reminded him. "Moreover, she is a Pure-blood wizard, so she is more likely to become the candidate you mentioned. I've heard that Pure-blood wizard are very concerned about their bloodline and don't like wizards like me who Muggle blood."

"Well, how should I put it!" Smith stroked the writing on the wall and said softly, "There's no doubt that one of your family members is a wizard!"

"Impossible." Albert met Professor Smith's gaze and said very seriously, "My parents and grandparents were just ordinary people and did not know magic at all. I can confirm that."

"I'm quite certain you're the candidate, otherwise Mr. Brood wouldn't have offered you such a privilege so easily." Professor Smith paid no heed to the facts Albert stated; he trusted his own judgment more.

"What does this have to do with Professor Broad?" Albert suddenly understood why Professor Broad disliked this guy; no one likes someone who wants to dig up their secrets.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You'll find out for yourself later!" Professor Smith interrupted Albert's question. "Let's continue with the topic we were discussing."

"What was that topic just now?"

"For example, that Bronze Book, and that surname," Professor Smith said.

"Actually, I don't really want to know," Albert coughed lightly and explained. "The more you know, the more trouble you'll get."

"But you already know that, don't you?" Professor Smith looked at Albert with a half-smile. "The Bronze Book that was originally there was taken away by Will de Smith."

"Is the Bronze Book in your house now?" Albert's eyes widened, and he clasped his hands together, pleading, "Could I borrow it?"

"No, they're not at the Smith Family. However, I did check the relevant records and found similar information." Professor Smith continued to steer the conversation back to the surname issue, "The Wildsmith are one of the most mysterious families in the entire Wizarding World."

"I don't know, I've never heard of Wildsmith." Albert hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Is it really not possible?"

Albert really didn't know.

"Floo Powder." Professor Smith was too lazy to explain, and besides, Ravenclaw's Bronze Book really wasn't with him.

"This... Floo Powder, I do know a little about it. It's said that no one knows how Floo Powder is made!" Albert felt that Professor Smith had revealed the tip of the iceberg regarding his inheritance rights.

"The inventor of Floo Powder was named Ignasia Wildsmith," Professor Smith revealed, unveiling the mystery surrounding the surname.

"The production of Floo Powder is strictly controlled, and in the Britain, only Floo-Pow Company is authorized to produce it. The company's headquarters are located in Diagon Alley, but that's just a Empty Shells." Professor Smith began to explain to Albert about Floo Powder.

"There has never been a shortage of Floo Powder, nor has anyone else been able to manufacture it. Its price has never changed in a hundred years, always at 2 Sickle a spoonful."

"So you mean I might inherit a large portion of Floo Powder and the Wildsmith family's wealth?" Albert felt he might have guessed part of the answer.

To be honest, the patent for Floo Powder is good, but it will definitely come with a lot of trouble. Moreover, compared to the trouble that Floo Powder brings, Albert doesn't care much about the Wildsmith family's wealth.

After all, money is something you can earn effortlessly once you master the methods.

"Well, actually I'm not entirely sure either." Professor Smith also only had a superficial understanding of the actual situation; much of the information was painstakingly gathered by him.

"However, Isobel is also one of the candidates."

"So... Wildsmith's successor is chosen based on talent, not bloodline?" Albert's eyes widened, veerging the conversation off-topic.

"There is definitely a blood relationship, but it's hard to say how close or distant they are."

"Isobel is actually my cousin?"

"I thought you would be more concerned about Floo Powder." Professor Smith felt a little tired of talking to Albert. He could tell that Albert was not interested in these things and didn't really want to know.

"Okay, there's something I'm curious about. Floo Powder has been around for hundreds of years now, so why hasn't anyone actually cracked it?"

"This? It's said that someone once created Floo Powder. However, it's likely that the Wildsmith family silenced them! After all, if it were you, you certainly wouldn't let the Floo Powder formula leak out!"

"Why kill him? He's capable of creating Floo Powder, so he must be a talent. If it were me, I would definitely use threats and bribes to trick him into working for me," Albert said, spouting nonsense with a straight face.

Professor Smith was speechless. After a moment of silence, he continued, "Later, some people tried to make Floo Powder using the methods that had been passed down, and that's how ' Pseudo-Floo ' came to be. This powder contains ingredients Runespoor powder."

"Did it work?" Albert asked curiously.

"It failed. This powder is very dangerous; it can burn people and even blow them out of chimneys. St. Mungo's's healers treat at least one patient a year who has been injured by ' Pseudo-Floo,'" Professor Smith said, shaking his head.

"Those people are really stupid. This formula might have been deliberately created by the Wildsmith family to fool others," Albert speculated maliciously.

Professor Smith: "..."

"Professor, I have a question!" Albert suddenly said.

"Why would I know so much?" Professor Smith countered.

"Right!"

"Because I was once one of the candidates!" Professor Smith didn't intend to hide this fact. "You should have guessed it by now."

"You've given up?" Albert asked.

"No, I must not have met the requirements and have been rejected."

"Why doesn't it fit? I think you're amazing, Professor!" Albert was speaking from the heart. Smith wasn't very old and had achieved remarkable results in many fields.

"I don't know," Professor Smith shook his head. "Anyway, it doesn't fit. I only obtained this information through some special means. Perhaps, only if it fits and I become the heir will I be told all the secrets!"

"Well... I just feel like this is a bit of a hassle. Why don't they just let Isobel inherit it?" Albert stated quite frankly that he didn't want it.

"Hmm, you don't want it?" Professor Smith was very surprised.

"I don't want it. I have this. Making money is actually very easy." Albert raised his hand and tapped his head. "Besides, I'm already so capable, why should I follow a path laid out for me by others?"

Professor Smith was speechless. He hadn't expected Albert to look down on that wealth. Well, he had to admit one thing: Albert was indeed very capable, more capable than most people.

Perhaps, this is the pride of a genius!

Professor Smith suddenly felt a pang of jealousy towards Albert, and resentfully reminded him, "That's a huge sum of money! Hundreds of years of accumulation—that wealth is unimaginable!"

"I don't want it!" Albert shook his head. "Whoever wants to inherit it can have it. Anyway, I'm not greedy for other people's money. Taking things that don't belong to me will always cause unnecessary trouble. Although I like Galleon, I've never been a greedy person."

"Sigh, I think I know why Professor Broad thinks highly of you," Professor Smith couldn't help but sigh. "If it were me, I would also think highly of you."

"I'm embarrassed by your praise," Albert continued. "I heard that the professor is quite familiar with the Isobel family. Could you talk to them and say that I'm giving up that candidate status so that they can borrow some old books to read?"

"You should go to Ravenclaw," Professor Smith said softly.

"I think Gryffindor pretty good too. People shouldn't discriminate against others because of their school," Albert said earnestly.

Professor Smith paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don't think the chances are great. Think about it again, don't rush into a decision!"

"No, no, I feel it's better for me to give up!" Albert was adamant; he really didn't want to get involved in this.

Professor Smith in front of me still seems to want to become that so-called heir. Wait, could he be planning to kill me and Isobel? That can't be right!

There was no animosity between them.

Or perhaps it was because he couldn't get it, so... Professor Smith harbored resentment?

Albert felt he might be getting closer to the truth.

After finishing the outline, I feel like I've filled in the holes I dug, and I estimate I can write another hundred thousand words for this volume.

Well, you can guess what will be inherited.

The answer is actually quite easy to guess; I've already given a hint.