Changes

Over the next few days, Albert secretly observed Professor Smith.

He had completely forgotten about the Baruffio's Brain Elixir he had originally planned to try concocting. He continued practicing making his Patronus speak, but without any substantial progress. His distracted spellcasting had weakened his Patronus, and if he hadn't noticed that his Patronus Charm skill experience was gradually increasing, Albert would have even suspected that Aberforth was toying with him.

Perhaps one day I'll be able to distract myself and summon the Patronus, then I probably won't need to worry so much about being affected by Dementor and causing my spells to fail.

"What is it? By the way, you've been making rapid progress lately."

The Charms Club party had just ended when Albert was stopped by Katrina. The two walked side by side down the corridor. Seeing that Albert didn't say anything, Katrina casually started a conversation.

"I make time every week to go see Professor Smith to learn magic techniques."

"Professor Smith was indeed very talented in teaching, but unfortunately he resigned soon after."

After greeting some acquaintances passing by, Albert continued, "By the way, when did you all become so close?"

"Don't you often go to Professor Smith for afternoon tea too?" Katrina was a little dissatisfied with Albert's statement. It sounded like only he could go, but she couldn't.

"Yes, because we have common topics to talk about!"

Albert went to have afternoon tea with the professor because they did have some common topics, and they could talk for a long time, somewhat like an academic exchange.

Katrina understood Albert's meaning, and couldn't help but purse her lips. Suddenly, she asked, "Have you been very busy lately? I heard from Isobel that you haven't been to the Ancient Runes Advanced Class in a long time."

"Yes, I was distracted by some things. After all, you only have one brain, and time is limited each day. You always need enough time to rest."

These days, Albert has been practicing magic with his roommates in the Room of Requirement.

As for where to find the time, it can be squeezed out naturally; everything else takes a backseat.

"Speak, what is it?"

"Is your bottle of Baruffio's Brain Elixir effective?" Katrina hesitated for a moment before finally getting to the point. "I've heard that Baruffio's Brain Elixir can make users smarter."

"You want Baruffio's Brain Elixir?" Albert stopped and looked Katrina up and down, then suddenly asked, "Have you signed up for the Wizard Card Competition?"

"I've already signed up, so I'll ask in advance. If the Baruffio's Brain Elixir doesn't work, I'll..." Katrina was only after the prize. She did want to spend money to buy a bottle of the potion from Albert, but she felt that Albert probably wouldn't sell it to her. Besides, Katrina didn't have much pocket money, and unlike Albert, she didn't always seem to have a handful of Galleon in her pocket.

"Yes, it works. However, it requires a certain concentration of Baruffio's Brain Elixir. My bottle was diluted, so it doesn't have a permanent enhancement effect." Albert didn't try to hide anything and even reminded him, "If you want to take undiluted Baruffio's Brain Elixir, you need to be very careful. That stuff can easily turn you into an idiot if you're not careful."

"You've taken it?" Katrina raised an eyebrow.

"Um."

"Could you get me some undiluted Baruffio's Brain Elixir?" Katrina's eyes lit up. If possible, she still hoped to become smarter. She had heard that Albert might know a powerful Potions Master.

"No, Baruffio's Brain Elixir is a prohibited substance," Albert shook his head. "Moreover, it's very difficult to prepare. Almost all of the ones on the black market are failures, which is why they need to be diluted to reduce their harm."

"Wait, you actually drank undiluted Baruffio's Brain Elixir?" Katrina suddenly felt terrible after realizing what had happened.

Is this even allowed to have fun?

Now, she doesn't want to talk to Albert anymore.

What happened?

Albert watched Katrina walk away, not understanding what she was thinking.

After parting ways with Katrina, Albert went straight to the Room of Requirement, where Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were already practicing spells.

In fact, Albert had known all along that the three bastards had been secretly practicing spells from "Practical Defense Magic and Its Countermeasures Against Dark Magic," but he didn't mind. There were no dangerous spells in the book that was allowed to be sold by the Ministry of Magic.

When Albert entered, the three were practicing the Soft Leg Jinx. He saw George struck by the spell, his legs giving way and unable to stand.

"This spell is far less practical than the Full Body-Bind Curse," Albert said simply, pulling out his wand to remove the Soft Leg Jinx Charm from George.

"I think it works pretty well," George muttered.

"That's because you want to use it for pranks." Albert saw through their intentions at a glance and said with a sneer, "If you want to trick people, you'd better be able to cast spells without a wand or a sound, then no one will know what you did."

"Wow, as expected of Albert." The three of them showed exaggerated expressions and tried to use the Soft Leg Jinx on Albert, but the curses were blocked by the Shield Charm.

"If you have time, learn the Spider Repelling Spell first." Albert waved his wand, and a red light struck Lee Jordan, disarming his wand.

"Damn it." George chanted some kind of spell, Albert quickly dodged. With a flick of his wand, he was left hanging upside down in mid-air.

"Okay, okay." Fred raised his wand, giving him a wink.

"Today we're practicing the Stunning Spell," Albert said, pointing to the training doll. "And don't use it on me. I don't want to be carried to the School Hospital."

"We already know how to use the Stunning Spell," Fred and George protested. "We'd rather learn the Disarming Charm."

"You'll know how to use it when you can cast spells quietly and quickly," Albert said irritably. "Shouting out spells in front of others is like telling them what magic you're about to use. Don't you think that's stupid?"

Will it?

"If you're going to play a prank, at least make sure no one knows it was you who did it," Albert said irritably.

He raised his wand and flicked it, and Fred was knocked away by the Obstruction Jinx and crashed to the ground.

"Pain!"

Fred rubbed his bottom and couldn't help but complain.

"Since you don't want to practice the Stunning Spell, then let's continue our previous sparring practice!" Albert said. "The three of you can coordinate with each other and speed up the casting of Obstruction Jinx at me."

"What's the point?" George muttered, not understanding why Albert wanted them to keep practicing the Obstruction Jinx.

"Idiots, don't you think your attacks are getting smoother?" Albert said irritably. "Developing the feeling of casting spells will allow you to launch attacks more quickly when fighting others in the future, instead of being overwhelmed by the attacks. This is a high-level magical skill. If you don't want to learn it, that's fine."

"You're not trying to fool us again, are you?" The three of them looked at Albert with suspicion, clearly not believing him.

Albert said irritably, "Don't you yourselves feel whether it's effective or not?"

"The spellcasting is definitely smoother now," Fred muttered.

In fact, Albert was just fooling them.

However, all four of them did grow rapidly in the magical battles, surpassing most of the students.

If the previous four merely used their wands as tools, now they at least look like they're wielding weapons.