I'd let my guard down.
He had actually overlooked this troublesome little fellow.
Because Minerva McGonagall had kept her attention focused on the Weasley twins, she had forgotten that this little fellow named Vinson Wright didn't seem to be an obedient student either.
"There's no need for that..."
Professor Minerva McGonagall's forehead twitched. She answered seriously, "I can assure you that the Sorting Ceremony is not dangerous at all..."
"I'd still like to inspect it myself."
Vinson Wright shook his head and explained seriously, "If Professor McGonagall thinks it might delay things, I can be the last one to undergo the Sorting Ceremony..."
"Go ahead and inspect it, Mr. Wright. You're the first student to make such a request."
Professor Minerva McGonagall gave Vinson Wright a deep look before placing the Sorting Hat on the stool. This little fellow named Vinson was truly very bold.
No.
It could also be said—
His courage was far too lacking.
"Thank you."
Vinson Wright nodded politely.
Seeing that Vinson had really begun carefully inspecting the Sorting Hat, a group of older students could not help whispering among themselves. Some even began laughing at this cautious, timid fellow...
As expected...
The first-years had always believed that the Sorting Ceremony was dangerous!
However.
They soon found themselves unable to laugh.
Vinson Wright's left hand gripped the hat while his right hand reached inside it. An incredulous look suddenly appeared on his face!
The next moment!
Vinson Wright abruptly pulled a sharp sword from the Sorting Hat!
"Oh!"
Professor Minerva McGonagall was startled.
The entire Hogwarts instantly erupted in an uproar!
The Hogwarts faculty and staff also rose to their feet involuntarily!
Even the Hogwarts Headmaster, Dumbledore, stared at the scene in disbelief!
Clang!
The crisp metallic sound was exceptionally pleasant to the ear!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a sharp sword had been pulled from the Sorting Hat!
Vinson Wright gripped the sharp sword and plunged it straight into the flagstones beneath his feet!
Vinson leaned on the sword and raised his head to look at the dumbfounded Professor Minerva McGonagall, his face filled with innocence.
Actually, Vinson Wright had only wanted to test whether he could draw the Gryffindor Sword. If he couldn't, he could always try using the Disarming Charm...
However...
The Gryffindor Sword had answered his request.
[Advanced Exploration Quest: Draw the Gryffindor Sword from the Sorting Hat (1/1), quest completed. Reward: 500 Health Value.]
Compared with the innocent-looking Vinson Wright...
The other young wizards present had genuinely been terrified!
Some especially timid first-years had even been frightened into tears by the sword inside the Sorting Hat!
No one had expected...
There to be a sharp sword hidden inside the Sorting Hat!
Even every student who had ever worn the Sorting Hat felt somewhat horrified!
After all, their elders had frightened them with tales of the Sorting Ceremony's dangers. Once they had experienced the Sorting Ceremony, they had all assumed the adults had been lying to them. Who could have imagined that it was actually true...
The Sorting Ceremony...
Was actually extremely dangerous!
The entire Great Hall was in an uproar. Everyone could not help whispering to the people beside them. No one had ever imagined that the Sorting Hat contained a blade capable of hurting someone!
"..."
Professor Minerva McGonagall's face had gone deathly pale.
She had never known that there was a sword inside the Sorting Hat either. Just now, she had sworn that the Sorting Ceremony was completely safe, only to be proven wrong even more quickly than she had been at the entrance...
"Dumbledore?"
Professor Minerva McGonagall slowly turned to look at Dumbledore, unease and confusion in her eyes.
If anyone knew why there was a sword inside the Sorting Hat, then without a doubt, Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster, would be one of those in the know.
"..."
Dumbledore was also somewhat dumbfounded.
There really was a sword inside the Hogwarts Sorting Hat.
It was a sword 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 someone recognized by the Sorting Hat as possessing sufficient courage could draw the Gryffindor Sword left inside it. This was a secret passed down among the Headmasters...
Well...
Perhaps Vinson Wright really did qualify.
It seemed that this little fellow definitely possessed enough courage.
The shock in Dumbledore's heart gradually faded, replaced by a sudden sense of relief. After all, Gryffindor, the house he had belonged to, had produced another outstanding student.
"Silence~!"
While the Great Hall was still buzzing with discussion, Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat. His aged voice remained loud and clear!
The entire Great Hall quickly fell silent.
"That is a treasure left behind by Godric Gryffindor, one of the Founders of Hogwarts."
Dumbledore glanced at Vinson Wright, who was standing in place and leaning on the sword, then called out, "No one has ever seen it before. Only someone who truly possesses the qualities of Gryffindor can draw it out."
As he said this, Dumbledore began lightly applauding. "It seems that without needing the Sorting Hat to decide, we already know that Gryffindor has gained an outstanding student..."
"..."
A wave of applause rang out through the Great Hall.
Other than Slytherin, every house could not help applauding in celebration. The students of Gryffindor, in particular, were so excited that they nearly clapped their hands raw!
"..."
Cedric, who had just been sorted into Hufflepuff, wore a bewildered expression.
Could someone tell him what was going on? The friend who had traveled here with him had said they would go to Hufflepuff together...
Now that he had been sorted into Hufflepuff, why was his friend going to Gryffindor?!
"I'm going to Hufflepuff."
Vinson Wright slowly released the sword hilt.
"Mr. Wright?"
The confusion in Professor Minerva McGonagall's eyes deepened. She could hardly believe what she had heard. "Do you know what you're saying? Gryffindor is the house most suited to you..."
"I'm going to Hufflepuff."
Vinson Wright repeated his request calmly and firmly.
Professor Minerva McGonagall felt more exhausted than ever before. She tried to persuade him again, "Mr. Wright, this isn't something you can decide for yourself..."
Could someone tell her...
Just how bad was Gryffindor?!
Why was an excellent student insisting on going to Hufflepuff?!
And this little fellow had even drawn the Gryffindor Sword, yet he was still standing here insisting on going to Hufflepuff. Had he considered how awkward this made a Gryffindor Head of House feel?
What left Professor Minerva McGonagall helpless was that she herself was the Head of Gryffindor.
"Who can decide?"
Vinson Wright raised his head in surprise.
"...The Sorting Hat."
Professor Minerva McGonagall glanced speechlessly at the Sorting Hat on the stool and explained softly, "Now you can confirm that the Sorting Hat isn't dangerous, right? Only it can decide where you belong..."
"The Sorting Hat?"
Vinson Wright raised the sword and placed it beside the Sorting Hat.
"Wow~ wow~ Yes, I already have the answer!"
The Sorting Hat's body trembled involuntarily. It quickly offered its opinion, "Being able to draw the sword left behind by Gryffindor on your very first day of school—there's no house more suitable for you than Gryffindor. Of course, I'd also like to ask your opinion..."
"I'm going to Hufflepuff."
Vinson Wright repeated his request once more.
Like a living person, the Sorting Hat patiently coaxed him, asking, "All right, then why do you want to go to Hufflepuff? For the food magic..."
"No."
Vinson Wright looked toward Cedric and spoke calmly. "My friend and I promised to go to Hufflepuff together. Friends can't casually break their promises to each other."
Of course.
When he said this,
Vinson knew that he would be able to casually break promises to his friends in the future.
Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Snape...
They were probably the most responsible teachers a student could have...
This week's trial recommendation is underway. I hope everyone won't put the book aside for later! Advancing depends on the number of readers who keep following it...
By the way, readers who want to reward the author can do so now...
I'll add the extra chapters all at once when it goes premium... emmm... I really did learn shamelessness from the protagonist.
Before you continue