I Actually Refused

"Is it my fault they copied my homework?"

"Is it my fault they got caught by the teacher after copying it?"

"Is it my fault I admitted it was my homework when the teacher asked who wrote it?"

"Am I supposed to tell the teacher that I was the one who copied the homework?"

"Was I the one who begged them tearfully to copy it?"

"When they ostracize me now, do they not remember how they called me 'good sister' when they asked to copy my homework?"

"So why do I have to bear all of this?"

Hermione was filled with resentment, her face puffed up like a bun. She couldn't help but roll her eyes every time she complained to Linley.

But Linley clearly wasn't paying close attention to the young girl's "confession." He was engrossed in studying a spell called "Tarantella Charm" from his second-year Charms textbook.

This spell was quite interesting; it could make any object with legs start dancing, even inanimate objects like chairs and tables.

However, the spellbook didn't contain detailed records of the pronunciation and wand movements, which made Linley hesitant to try it.

Professor Flitwick had specifically warned him that spellcasting mistakes could sometimes lead to very serious consequences, advising him to act within his capabilities.

Linley's magical talent in Charms was only two points, which was just the average wizard's level. Even for a spell that wasn't much more difficult than the Levitation Charm, he wasn't confident he could cast it without incident.

Therefore, he had only reached the theoretical research stage so far.

However, he had completed the timed task of casting a spell on the third day after returning from Diagon Alley.

As mentioned before, some spells are indeed not difficult, with simple pronunciation and wand movements. For example, spells like the Lumos Charm, Levitation Charm, and Cleaning Charm are very easy to master once you get the feel for the pronunciation and movements.

Linley didn't misuse the one free point he received as a reward for completing the task. He hadn't yet decided which direction of magic to focus on, so he decided to save it for later.

"Hmm... yes, so why are you still going to school when it's already summer vacation?"

Linley flipped through the thick magic book. Although his mind was mainly focused on researching spells, he had still heard some of Hermione's complaints.

Speaking of this, Hermione's face involuntarily showed a proud expression.

"Because my parents' goal for me is to attend St. Paul's Girls' School. What we learn in regular classes is definitely not enough, so of course, I have to attend the summer enrichment camp."

At this point, she became indignant again: "Who knew that there would be slackers attending the summer camp too."

Linley knew about St. Paul's Girls' School; it was arguably the best girls' school in Britain, having produced many famous women, with a 100% university admission rate for prestigious institutions.

Naturally, such a school wasn't for those who casually enjoyed "happy education." It definitely required some genuine talent, along with a significant family background.

The content taught in Western classrooms is very limited because extracurricular time occupies too much of it, making the curriculum very superficial.

In this case, how can one get into a prestigious university?

One must start working hard from a young age, supplementing their studies with various tutoring classes, and then get admitted into a private or elite school.

However, tutoring fees and private tutors are too expensive, and private school tuition is even more so, almost completely restricting the educational path for impoverished and ordinary families, leaving them with only the option of attending run-down public schools and community colleges.

Basically, their destinies and those of their next generation are already predetermined.

Hermione's parents are both dentists, which is a very respectable profession in Western countries, with incomes belonging to the genuine middle class. It was certainly not a problem for them to send her to tutoring classes and have her strive to get into an elite girls' academy.

As for why there were slackers among the summer camp attendees, it was likely because the camp activities weren't just about tutoring but also offered many opportunities for social welfare activities, and it had a considerable international reputation.

Some children with poor academic performance whose parents have favorable financial situations would send their children to such summer camps to "polish" them.

Then they would send them to study abroad in America.

The admission style there differs from that in Europe; they don't place a very high emphasis on academic performance but require children to have sufficient "social experience." The judgment criterion is whether your child has a rich "résumé" that can impress the admissions officers.

For example, in his previous life, Linley remembered a student from China being admitted to the prestigious University of Rochester in the United States because of their fervent passion for instant noodles.

Of course, their academic performance couldn't be too poor; it had to reach at least an excellent level.

"There's no need for you to be angry about this. Their goals and future paths are different from yours. After the summer camp ends, you won't have any further interaction with them, so there's no need to be friends. In fact, if you're unhappy, you can even beat them up."

Linley closed his book and casually placed a few barley grains into Umr's bowl, saying meaningfully.

"After all, you're someone with superpowers."

Hermione's attention was now drawn to Umr, who had run over to eat the barley. Her eyes lit up, and she eagerly reached out to touch its soft fur.

"What's the difference between having that kind of superpower and not having it? I still don't even know how to activate it."

"Here."

As Hermione's hand was halfway extended, Umr sensed her intention. It vigilantly clutched the barley in its paws and quickly jumped onto Linley's shoulder, giving her no opportunity.

"You, you, you... why does the squeak of this hamster you're raising sound so cute!!!"

Hermione's girlish heart was overcome, and she desperately wanted to hold Umr in her arms and dote on it.

"Maybe its throat is just sore. What normal hamster would make a sound like that?" Linley's habit of deceiving the young girl had become ingrained, and he couldn't change it.

"Then what is that wooden stick you hold in your hand every day?"

"Do you know about pen spinning? I find it more convenient to spin this wooden stick, and it's great for exercising finger dexterity."

As he spoke, the Rowan wand spun nimbly between Linley's fingers. Ollivander would likely have been furious enough to strangle him if he knew Linley was playing with his wand like this.

"And what about these books you're reading? Why do they have 'spells' and 'magic' written on the covers?"

"Who hasn't gone through that awkward phase? What's wrong with me reading a magic book? I bet you've fantasized at home about becoming Snow White and having a handsome, dashing Prince Charming on a white horse come to marry you, haven't you?"

Hermione's face flushed, as if her innermost thoughts had been exposed. Angrily, she lunged to grab Linley's hair.

"I did not! Don't you dare say that!"

Linley burst out laughing and leaned back to dodge, but he accidentally tumbled off his chair. Hermione, on the other hand, laughed heartily at his misfortune.

Linley's reason for deceiving the young girl like this was out of helplessness. He didn't know much about the wizarding world, and he wasn't sure if the subjects prohibited from disclosure by the International Statute of Secrecy included a budding witch like Hermione.

To avoid trouble, he tried to trick her as much as possible. Anyway, once Hermione received her Hogwarts acceptance letter next year, this concern would naturally disappear.

Yes... that's right. You should believe that Linley was forced to deceive people; deep down, he was actually reluctant.

Goodnight????