Talking a Kid Around

Sleep after Star-track Guidance Meditation was exceptionally effective.

It was like being immersed in a tranquil expanse woven from starlight. His soul was nourished and strengthened, while his fatigue was quietly soothed away.

When he woke, not only was he full of energy and clear-headed, but every limb and bone brimmed with solid strength. Even with every breath, he could feel Magic Power flowing more smoothly through his body.

This progress, which he could clearly sense almost every moment, was intoxicating.

Regulus knew that this was most likely a period of rapid adaptation and growth brought about by the unprecedented systematic stimulation of Star-track Guidance Meditation during its initial stages, affecting both body and mind.

Like parched land receiving abundant sweet rain for the first time, every drop was greedily absorbed.

But he also understood clearly that such swift progress could not continue forever.

Both flesh and soul had limits to what they could bear. Once his potential had been initially tapped and his foundation solidified, his rate of growth would inevitably slow, until he reached some bottleneck that would be difficult to overcome.

By then, if he wanted to advance further, he might need some fundamental transformation, or seek an entirely new and perhaps even more efficient method.

But for now, he had to take the path one step at a time. He enjoyed this rapid accumulation of the early stages.

On Wednesday afternoon, just after Charms Class, Regulus was holding his books and preparing to head for the Library when Avery Cuthbert stopped him.

"Regulus," Avery said, with less of his usual casual arrogance in his voice. "Can we talk in the dormitory? There's something."

Regulus glanced at him and nodded. "All right."

When they returned to the Slytherin Dormitory, neither Alex nor Hermes was there.

Avery shut the door. His face carried a seriousness somewhat ill-suited to his age, mixed with a trace of adolescent awkwardness.

He cleared his throat and said, "My father... sent me a letter last night."

Regulus listened quietly without responding, already having a rough idea of what this was about.

Avery paused for a while, seemingly organizing his thoughts. Then, as if making up his mind, he abruptly spilled out a string of words.

"He said the atmosphere at the Ministry of Magic has been rather delicate lately, and many Ancient Families are adjusting their strategies again. He heard about your performance at Hogwarts, especially that... exchange you had with Travers from fifth year. He believes that with an heir like you, the Black family may play a more important role in the coming changes. He hopes I can maintain a good relationship with you."

His words were somewhat stiff, but the meaning was perfectly clear.

The Cuthbert family, another old Pureblood family, had its current head in an important position at the Ministry of Magic and possessed keen instincts.

The strength and potential Regulus had displayed had already spread through various channels, drawing the attention of those calculating or farsighted Pureblood families.

They had begun reassessing the value of the Black family and were attempting to establish or strengthen ties through the next generation.

Regulus neither confirmed nor denied it.

After Avery finished speaking, he looked at Regulus somewhat nervously.

He had long since been convinced by Regulus in his heart. The gap in their strength was undeniably real.

His family's instructions had merely given him a more legitimate reason to draw closer.

An eleven-year-old boy did not yet understand things like political investment or family alliances. His thoughts at that moment were simpler and more direct: Regulus was strong. Following him could not be wrong, and it was not embarrassing either.

Regulus looked at Avery's complicated expression, a mixture of family duty, personal conviction, and a hint of youthful pride that refused to fully bow its head, and understood.

No matter how elite a pureblood education was, an eleven-year-old was still a child. For him to clearly express, "I'm convinced by you, and I want to follow you," was already no easy thing.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke slowly. "Avery, we live in the same dormitory and attend classes together. We are companions to begin with. If you want to maintain a good relationship with me, there's no problem with that."

Then his tone turned more solemn. "But there are some things I need to make clear first."

Avery instinctively straightened his back, as though he were taking part in a serious discussion, though he did not know why he reacted that way.

Perhaps it was because Regulus's manner and bearing were more like the adults at home. He simply reacted without thinking.

"First, strength is fundamental. A family's Glory gives us a starting point, but true pride should be built upon strength we hold in our own hands, not merely upon a surname."

Avery could not have agreed more. He longed to prove himself, to earn personal Glory beyond the shelter of his family.

His eyes burned as he stared intently at Regulus.

"Second, learn to observe and think. Slytherin has no shortage of clever people, but often their cleverness is used in the wrong places. Look further ahead."

There was a deeper meaning in those words. Avery did not completely understand, but he still nodded vigorously.

"Third," Regulus said, looking at him, "observe the most basic bottom line, at least in front of me."

Avery barely hesitated before nodding heavily. "I understand. I'll do it."

He felt that Regulus did not regard him as a mere follower who needed to obey orders, but as someone making an agreement with him. That made him feel much better.

Who wasn't a Pure-blood Young Master, after all?

Seeing that their agreement had been tentatively reached, Avery seemed to relax somewhat. Lowering his voice, he gestured with his chin toward Hermes's tightly drawn Bed Curtains. "Regulus, don't you think... Mulciber is a little strange? He often disappears at night, and whenever he comes back, he always has some odd smell on him. During that last duel, he even used that kind of..."

Regulus followed his gaze and glanced at the dark curtains. Calmly, he said, "Avery, everyone has their own secrets. Before someone voluntarily reveals them or causes actual harm, giving them a certain degree of privacy and respect is basic courtesy."

Then he shifted the subject. "However, it is necessary to maintain appropriate attention. His behavior is indeed somewhat abnormal. It may involve some less common fields of magic, perhaps even things related to curses. He may have his own purpose at Hogwarts. We do not need to dig to the bottom of it; we only need to keep a limited eye on him and avoid being dragged into unnecessary trouble."

Avery nodded thoughtfully. But did Black mean that Hermes was in trouble?

Doesn't look like it! I thought he was just a Dark Arts enthusiast...

But Regulus was thinking of something else entirely.

Hermes Mulciber: gloomy, dangerous, possessing unconventional knowledge of the Dark Arts, and driven by clear purposes.

Someone like that would be wasted if treated merely as a roommate to guard against.

He might become a capable executor. Of course, that was contingent upon controlling him, or at least establishing a stable relationship based on interests or deterrence.

The deterrence should already have taken initial shape, but he still needed to find the interests.

Avery could be won over through the high-ground display of insight and strength.

As for Hermes, only more direct and powerful force and exchanges of interest would likely work.

In the same dormitory, so-called privacy was inherently fragile before absolute strength.

Regulus did not intend to pry into every detail, but he needed to know Hermes's bottom line and needs so that, at the right moment, he could extend an olive branch of cooperation.

Before they knew it, the topic shifted to Alex Rosier.

Avery curled his lip. "Rosier... he's too soft. He's timid, and his talent is average. In our dormitory, he's somewhat... out of place."

His words were full of contempt and disdain.

Even after Regulus's earlier guidance, Avery's arrogant nature still made him look down on Alex, who was on the fringe of the pureblood world and had a mild, slow disposition.

Regulus understood the mindset of boys like Avery. Straightforward lecturing could easily provoke defiance.

"Avery," he said, changing his approach, "if you want to accomplish something important that requires many people's involvement, such as preserving family Glory or achieving some goal, do you think it is better to have more people around you, or fewer?"

Avery froze for a moment. "Of course, more is better."

Regulus continued to guide him. "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Alex may not stand out in duels, but he is meticulous and patient. His Potions and Herbology notes are always the most complete, and his grasp of foundational theory is also solid. Furthermore, he comes from the Rosier family. Even if it is only a branch family, it still represents a connection, an attitude, and strength."

Seeing Avery's thoughtful expression, he continued, "Strength takes many forms. Pure combat ability is one of them. Meticulous support, reliable information, even merely taking a position that does not oppose us—these are all forms of strength. Pushing away someone who could become part of your own strength simply because of prejudice is not a wise choice."

What Regulus showed Avery was an understanding far beyond that of an eleven-year-old: pragmatism and the ability to integrate resources.

Avery could not understand all the twists and turns behind it, but he had to admit that Regulus made sense.