Gold in Books

"There aren't many candidates," Mr. Brood said with a smile, not angry. "However, we've produced two suitable geniuses this time. Of course, Katrina's talent is passable, but we don't know what her personality is like."

"Tell me the benefits of inheriting this surname!"

"Benefits?" Mr. Brood stroked his beard. "The biggest benefit is that you will have the opportunity to read the knowledge left behind by the Wildsmith Family over the centuries. Every heir is a genius and will leave behind what they are best at."

At that moment, Albert finally understood why Isobel had said in the letter that he should agree; it was indeed very appealing to him.

"Of course, you will receive a sum of money and a house of your own. Oh, you've already seen the house; yes, this is it." Mr. Brood spoke of these things casually, as if they were unimportant matters.

"These things are not important, because those who are selected will not lack these things. We are just giving you a gentle push from behind to make you go faster and more smoothly, that's all."

"What do I have to give in return if I agree?" Albert asked. "I don't believe in free lunches."

"Some responsibilities are actually quite easy."

Mr. Brood smiled broadly, knowing he had successfully persuaded Albert; almost no one would refuse such an offer.

"First, you must keep this a secret and not tell anyone, not even your family," Mr. Brood said, raising his second finger. "Second, choose a suitable person, the successor you mentioned, and ensure that they contribute to the upbringing of the next generation without any selfish motives. Finally, leave behind your knowledge before you die."

"That's it?" Albert looked completely bewildered, as if he had really made a huge profit!

"That's it. The responsibility is quite light." Mr. Brood nodded. "Most of it is actually beneficial, because most of the people chosen are very smart, and they usually don't refuse. You probably know why they don't refuse, because there's absolutely no harm in it, and they can get a lot of benefits for nothing."

"May I ask why you agreed to this?" Albert hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Why? Don't you find the accumulation of knowledge over hundreds of years fascinating?" Mr. Brood blinked and said, "A large part of that knowledge has even been lost."

"Alright, when can I see those things?" Albert agreed. Mr. Brood's words were indeed very attractive. The knowledge left behind by countless geniuses was all in their most proficient fields. For Albert, who was like a cheat code, it was simply a gold mine.

Others may only be able to select and absorb a portion of knowledge, but Albert is prepared to turn all that knowledge into his own nourishment.

"Originally, you would need to enter Wildsmith's Castle to have the opportunity to look through those books, but after discussing it with a few others, I have decided to allow you to look through the books there. However, you will only be allowed to enter Wildsmith Castle after you come of age and truly inherit the family name," Mr. Brood said.

"The castle hasn't been discovered yet?" Albert exclaimed in surprise. "You've hidden it very well. Is it some kind of Fidelius Charm?"

"Why do you say that?" Mr. Brood asked in surprise.

"You said that only wizards who inherit the Wildsmith name are allowed to enter that place, and that others will never be able to find it," Albert said, offering his guess. "If it were me, I would use the Fidelius Charm. The Fidelius Charm's characteristic is that Secret-Keeper dies, other people who know the secret will automatically become Secret-Keeper. There are only a few members of the Wildsmith Family, and not many people know your identities, so naturally, others will never be able to find it."

"Brilliant." Mr. Brood couldn't help but applaud, admitting it outright, "It truly is the Fidelius Charm."

"I have a question."

"Go on," Mr. Brood said, looking all ears.

"Was the Founders of Wildsmith Wildsmith, the inventor of Floo Powder?" Albert asked, voicing his doubts.

"You really did find out." Mr. Brood was not surprised by this. "The surname Wildsmith actually comes from Ignasia Wildsmith's father: Will de Smith."

"I knew it. I'd seen that name in Ravenclaw's Chamber." Albert connected the dots. "Speaking of which, what about Ignasia Wildsmith's descendants?"

"We are his descendants," Professor Broad said calmly. "Every chosen person has a blood connection to this surname, and the chosen person needs not only bloodline, but also sufficient intelligence and a good character."

"I thought the Smith Family were her direct descendants," Albert couldn't help but laugh at himself.

"Bloodline inheritance is unreliable, as you should have already realized. The descendants of the Four Founders of Hogwarts have all disappeared over the long course of time, and many ancient families have declined. Only we remain very powerful." Speaking of this, Mr. Brood's tone was filled with undisguised pride. "Every Wildsmith is a genius, and only geniuses are qualified to inherit the Wildsmith name."

Why is Mr. Rowena unqualified?

"Because we all voted that he was unsuitable," Mr. Brood stated a harsh truth.

"Mr. Smith. Ge Bo Smith too?"

"As I said, we never show any favoritism when selecting people," Mr. Brood said, shaking his head.

"Looks like I'm in luck!" Albert said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"No, because you are a perfect fit," Mr. Brood said. "It was a decision we made together, so there's no mistake."

"I'm very Rowena Smith didn't qualify?" Albert said, frowning as he recalled Rowena's appearance at the time. "I think you guys are half the reason he became like that."

"This matter has always been a secret," Mr. Brood said, shaking his head. "Even if we find some clues in the records, it's useless. We will spare no effort to cultivate those with talent, but that doesn't mean they are suitable."

"Rowena's talent is actually quite good, but his personality is terrible, especially the things he did." Mr. Brood said this in a somewhat cold tone. "Actually, you should have realized that we are not in a hurry to inherit that surname. It is dispensable to us because we are both geniuses enough to go far even without its brilliance and help."

"What about Isobel's father?" Albert countered.

"Brell's talent is not as good as Rowena's, and... he was considered unsuitable by everyone a long time ago." Professor Broad recalled, "Under normal circumstances, we would maintain friendly relations with them, just like we used to, and have a good relationship."

"I suddenly feel a little sorry for Rowena Smith!" Albert said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Rowena Smith was largely responsible for Isobel's father's death, and he felt guilty about it.

The result was actually like this.

"No, you don't need to pity him," Mr. Brood shook his head. "Since he did those things, he can't blame anyone else for his fate."

"One last question, when will I be able to see what I want?" Albert asked Mr. Brood.

"I brought you a book!" Mr. Brood said, pointing to a Wooden Box next to him.

For some reason, the box in front of him gave Albert a strange sense of familiarity.

"Is the book inside?" he asked.

"Yes, it's inside."

When Albert opened the box, he felt like he was about to be blinded by the light.

Inside the box was a book, a metal book.

"This is brass? No, this is... gold?"

Albert stared at Mr. Brood in disbelief. "This is a book made of gold...?"

"It's not all gold; there's some silver and a small amount of other metals in it," Mr. Brood said with a grin. "I was stunned by this thing back then. Can you believe there are so many books made of gold and silver in a castle?"

"You guys are really rich!" Albert said dryly, waving his wand Gold Book box flew out and landed on the tilted desk in front of him.

"Knowledge is even more valuable," Mr. Brood said softly. "Besides, we are never short of money."

"Did you specifically choose this book for me?" Albert saw the method of making Two-Way Mirror in the book, and it was clear that the owner of this book was the former maker of Two-Way Mirror.

On the back of the book, Albert found these words: "I leave my life's knowledge in books, and I hope that those who come after me will find their own happiness within them." —Brell Bosted.