The One Who Drew the Gryffindor Sword!

I was careless.

I actually overlooked this troublesome little fellow.

Because Minerva McGonagall had been focusing her attention on the Weasley twins, she forgot that this little fellow named Vinson Wright didn't seem to be a quiet student either.

"There's no need for that..."

Professor Minerva McGonagall's forehead twitched uncontrollably as she replied with a completely serious expression, "I can assure you that the Sorting Ceremony is completely safe..."

"I still hope you'll let me inspect it myself."

Vinson Wright shook his head and earnestly explained, "If Professor McGonagall thinks it might delay things, I can be sorted last..."

"Please inspect it, Mr. Wright. You're the first student to ever request this."

Professor Minerva McGonagall gave Vinson Wright a deep look and placed the Sorting Hat on the stool. This little fellow named Vinson was truly bold.

No.

Or rather.

He was too timid.

"Thank you."

Vinson Wright nodded politely.

Seeing Vinson actually begin to carefully inspect the Sorting Hat, a group of older students couldn't help but start whispering. Some even began to mock this cautious and timid fellow with bursts of laughter...

As expected...

The new students always believed the Sorting Ceremony was dangerous!

However.

They soon wouldn't be able to laugh.

Vinson Wright held the hat with his left hand and reached into it with his right. His face suddenly showed an expression of disbelief!

The next moment!

Vinson Wright suddenly pulled a sharp sword from the Sorting Hat!

"Oh!"

Professor Minerva McGonagall was startled.

The entire Hogwarts erupted in an uproar!

The Hogwarts faculty and staff also involuntarily stood up!

Even the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore, looked at the scene with disbelief!

Clang!

The crisp metallic sound was quite pleasant!

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a sharp sword was pulled from the Sorting Hat!

Vinson Wright, holding the sharp sword, directly plunged it into the stone slab beneath his feet!

Vinson leaned on the sword and looked up at the stunned Professor Minerva McGonagall, his face full of innocence.

Actually, Vinson Wright had originally just been trying to see if he had the ability to draw the Gryffindor Sword. If he couldn't, he could have tried using the Disarming Charm...

However...

The Gryffindor Sword responded to his request.

[Advanced Exploration Quest: Draw the Gryffindor Sword from the Sorting Hat (1/1), Quest Complete, Reward: 500 HP.]

Compared to the innocent-looking Vinson Wright...

The other young wizards present were truly terrified!

Some of the more timid new students were even scared to tears by the sword in the Sorting Hat!

No one had expected...

That there was a sharp sword hidden inside the Sorting Hat!

Even every student who had ever worn the Sorting Hat felt a sense of dread!

Because more or less, they had been intimidated by their elders about the dangers of the Sorting Ceremony. After going through it, they all thought the adults were lying to them. Who would have thought such a thing could actually be true...

The Sorting Ceremony...

Was actually very dangerous!

The entire Great Hall was in an uproar. Everyone couldn't help but whisper to the person next to them. No one had ever imagined that the Sorting Hat contained a blade that could injure someone!

"..."

Professor Minerva McGonagall's face was pale.

Because she had never known there was a sword in the Sorting Hat either. Just moments ago, she had confidently assured them that the Sorting Ceremony was completely safe. Now, this slap in the face had come even faster than the one at the entrance...

"Dumbledore?"

Professor McGonagall slowly turned her head to look at Dumbledore, her eyes filled with unease and confusion.

If anyone knew why there was a sword in the Sorting Hat, it was undoubtedly Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster.

"..."

Dumbledore was also a little dumbfounded.

There was indeed a sword in the Hogwarts Sorting Hat.

This sword was left behind by Godric Gryffindor, one of the founders of Hogwarts.

Even Dumbledore had never imagined that the Gryffindor Sword would be drawn by a first-year student!

Strictly speaking, only those recognized by the Sorting Hat as possessing enough courage could draw the Gryffindor Sword left in the Sorting Hat. This was a secret passed down among Headmasters...

Alright...

Perhaps Vinson Wright did indeed fit the bill.

It seemed this young fellow definitely possessed enough mettle.

Dumbledore's shock slowly subsided, and he felt a sudden sense of gratification, as his own Gryffindor House had once again produced an outstanding student.

"S~hush!"

Just as the Great Hall was still abuzz with discussion, Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat, his aged voice still carrying a clear, resonant tone!

The entire Great Hall quickly fell silent.

"That is a treasure left by Godric Gryffindor, the founder of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore glanced at Vinson Wright, who stood holding the sword, and said loudly, "No one has ever seen it before. Only those who truly possess the qualities of Gryffindor House can draw it out."

As he said this, Dumbledore gently clapped his hands. "It seems we don't need the Sorting Hat to judge; we already know Gryffindor House has gained an excellent student..."

"..."

A round of applause erupted throughout the Great Hall.

Except for Slytherin House, students from all other Houses couldn't help but clap in celebration. The students of Gryffindor House, in particular, were so excited they almost clapped their hands red!

"..."

Cedric, who had just been sorted into Hufflepuff House, looked utterly bewildered.

Who could tell him what was going on? His friends, with whom he had walked all the way here, had promised they would go to Hufflepuff together...

Now he was sorted into Hufflepuff, but why was his friend going to Gryffindor!

"I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Vinson Wright slowly loosened his grip on the sword hilt.

"Mr. Wright?"

Professor McGonagall's eyes held even more confusion, disbelief coloring her tone as she asked, "Do you know what you're saying? Gryffindor is the most suitable for you..."

"I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Vinson Wright calmly and firmly repeated his request.

Professor McGonagall felt more weary than ever. She spoke again, trying to persuade him, "Mr. Wright, this is not something you can decide on your own..."

Who could tell her...

What was so bad about Gryffindor House!

Why was a good student clamoring to go to Hufflepuff!

And this young fellow had drawn the Gryffindor Sword, yet here he was, repeatedly saying he wanted to go to Hufflepuff. Had he considered the embarrassment of a Gryffindor Head of House?

What made Professor McGonagall so frustrated was that she herself was the Head of Gryffindor House.

"Who can decide?"

Vinson Wright looked up in surprise.

"...The Sorting Hat."

Professor McGonagall glanced speechlessly at the Sorting Hat on the high stool and explained softly, "Now that you can confirm the Sorting Hat is not dangerous, right? Only it can decide where you belong..."

"The Sorting Hat?"

Vinson Wright raised the sword and placed it beside the Sorting Hat.

"Whoa~ Whoa~ Yes, I already had my answer!"

The Sorting Hat trembled involuntarily and quickly offered its opinion, "Drawing the sword left by Gryffindor on your first day of school? There is no House more suitable for you than Gryffindor. Of course, I'd also like to ask for your opinion..."

"I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Vinson Wright repeated his request once more.

The Sorting Hat, like a living person, patiently and persuasively inquired, "Alright, then why do you want to go to Hufflepuff? For the magical food..."

"No."

Vinson Wright's gaze shifted towards Cedric, and he said calmly, "I promised my friend that we would go to Hufflepuff together. Friends cannot break their promises lightly."

Of course.

As he said this.

Vinson knew he could break promises to friends as he pleased from now on.

Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore, Snape...

They were probably the most responsible teachers for their students...

This week is a trial push, I hope no one is hoarding the book! Because promotion depends on continued reading...

Also, any book friends who want to give rewards can do so now...

I'll add more updates when the book officially goes on sale... emmm... I've really learned shamelessness from the protagonist.