Professor McGonagall, please increase the intensity!

"Although it may sound harsh, I have to say your adoptive father doesn't seem very responsible. He appears... not to fully grasp the current situation." After coming back to her senses, Professor McGonagall frowned.

Lynn spread his hands and looked at her helplessly. "But the result is the same. You might not know much about my situation. To be honest with you, I didn't have a great time at the orphanage before, so my current adoptive father is actually someone I found and paid myself.

He went through legal channels to become my guardian, giving me enough freedom until I come of age, and promised to fully cooperate with all my decisions—just signing where he needs to sign. In return, I guarantee that once I'm entitled to inherit my parents' estate, I'll pay him a certain reward.

Simply put, our adoptive relationship is purely a monetary transaction."

Everything Lynn said was true, though the process wasn't that simple, of course. A child a few years old making a deal with an adult—relying solely on money would never be enough.

Besides that, he'd used some shady little tricks, but those weren't worth mentioning to outsiders.

Listening to Lynn's account, Professor McGonagall's expression gradually softened.

She wasn't truly cold-hearted, just stern on the outside but warm inside—a common trait among felines.

"Poor child, your situation is indeed quite special." In her mind, Professor McGonagall had already pieced together a picture of young Lynn maneuvering among dark, cunning adults, ultimately relying on cold monetary transactions to secure his freedom.

The hardships and difficulties he must have endured—she dared not dwell on them.

She thought for a moment, then continued.

"Before heading to Hogwarts, you'll need to go to Diagon Alley to purchase your study materials and textbooks. While it's not as dangerous as Knockturn Alley, I think it's best for an adult to accompany you.

So in a while, Hogwarts will send another professor to help you with your pre-enrollment preparations. After that, be sure to watch for letters delivered by owl."

"No problem, Professor."

Lynn had no objections to this. Even if he went to Diagon Alley alone, it was unlikely anything would go wrong, but having someone familiar with the wizarding world guide him was certainly better.

Besides, the professors at Hogwarts were all excellent teachers. Even Snape only had a few flaws in his personality.

Getting on their good side early couldn't hurt.

Having said everything she needed to, Professor McGonagall didn't stay long. She still had to visit the next Muggle-born student's home for enrollment guidance.

Before leaving, she gave Lynn a rare smile.

"I can tell, Belloc, that you're a child of noble character, wit, and courage. Hogwarts looks forward to your arrival."

Lynn shyly scratched his hair, about to offer a modest reply, when that familiar voice rang out in his mind again.

You have received sincere praise from Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall. Transfiguration talent +1, Transfiguration effect +1.

At the same time, Lynn felt some change in his body, though he couldn't quite describe what it was.

But he was sure it was a change for the better.

Lynn's expression shifted instantly, and he gazed eagerly at Professor McGonagall, who was about to Disapparate.

"Then we'll meet again at Hogwarts..."

"Wait, Professor! Quick, praise me again!"

"..."

Professor McGonagall froze mid-motion, her wand hand stopping in surprise. She wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her.

Westerners might be more outgoing, but not to the point of being this shameless. She looked at Lynn with a strange expression, as if trying to see if his face was thicker than the walls of Hogwarts Castle.

"Professor, you know, I'm an orphan." Lynn stared at her with wide eyes, pouring all his acting skills into it.

"I've lived my whole life under orders and criticism. Even my current adoptive father only covets the inheritance my parents left behind. I've never heard anyone praise me before. Your compliment just now almost moved me to tears."

As he spoke, Lynn began to sniffle softly, as if genuinely touched.

"My request might be a bit unreasonable, but please, could you praise me one more time?"

Professor McGonagall had lived long enough not to be easily fooled.

She eyed Lynn suspiciously as he put on his dramatic performance, feeling something was off.

Seeing his act wasn't working, Lynn decided to double down.

He wiped the corner of his eye, squeezing out a tear with effort, and sighed.

"Fine, Professor. I was being presumptuous. Someone like me has no strengths or merits, not even worthy of a teacher's praise..."

"Ahem, ahem."

Hearing this, Professor McGonagall felt a pang of guilt. After all, he was just an eleven-year-old child in need of validation.

"Don't sell yourself short, Belloc. You... you..."

They hadn't known each other long, and aside from the two words she'd blurted out earlier, Professor McGonagall couldn't think of anything else to praise.

Lynn had to nudge her with a hint. "Look, I'm not bad-looking, and I even found my own adoptive father. So filial, right..."

Professor McGonagall struggled for a long moment before finally squeezing out a sentence.

"You're a good kid."

The next second, the voice rang out in Lynn's mind again.

You have received an insincere good-person card from Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall. Nothing happens.

The elated Lynn from a moment ago turned green in the face.

I threw away all my dignity, and this is what I get?

Professor McGonagall, who had just told a lie, now felt thoroughly uncomfortable.

"It's getting late, Mr. Belloc. I really must be going."

"Take your time, Professor."

"..."

After Professor McGonagall left, Lynn called up the system in his head and saw his current status panel.

Name: Lynn Belloc

Title: None

Magic Power Index: 2

Free Points: 0

Magic Talent: Transfiguration 3, General Spells 2, Attack & Defensive Spells 2, Dark Arts 5, Potions 2, Alchemy 2, Herbology 2, Ancient Runes 2, Divination 0...

Main Quest: Arrive at Hogwarts. Reward: Seal your mind.

Time-Limited Quests: 1. Obtain a wand. Reward: Magic Power Index +1. Countdown: 30 days.

2. Successfully cast your first spell. Reward: 1 Free Point. Countdown: 40 days.

Note: Failure in time-limited quests carries no penalty.

Lynn studied his status panel for a long time, skipping dinner entirely, and roughly figured out the pattern.

Aside from Transfiguration, Divination, and the Dark Arts, all his other magic talents were at 2, with the maximum being 10. That meant 2 was likely the baseline talent level for an ordinary wizard.

Transfiguration was at 3 because Professor McGonagall's praise had prompted the system to add 1 point.

Lynn could also understand why Divination was at 0—this kind of mystical ability was purely a matter of innate talent. Either you had it, or you didn't; it was virtually impossible to cultivate later.

What baffled him most, however, was his Dark Arts talent.

Why the hell was it at 5 from the start?

Was he born to be a villain?

Lynn's face darkened, feeling that his virtuous character had been called into question.

As for the Main Quest and time-limited quests below, there wasn't much to say.

Going to Hogwarts was practically a done deal, and Legilimency—the magic he needed most right now—was essentially being handed to him for free.

The two time-limited quests weren't difficult either, though he had no idea when the professor Professor McGonagall mentioned—the one who would take him to Diagon Alley—would show up.

If the deadline drew near and the professor still hadn't arrived, Lynn would find a way to go on his own. He didn't even know the approximate location of The Leaky Cauldron, but he was sure he could figure something out.

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