Shrink the Ground into an Inch

It was called an assessment, but it felt more like an exam.

Charms, herbology, astrology, Potions—

The masters discussed everything under the sun, showing no mercy just because Klein was so young.

To everyone's surprise, not one of their questions stumped the eleven-year-old. Instead, some of Klein's unique insights made the masters' eyes light up.

"Exactly. If you draw out the 'clean' in 'Clean and New' for an extra syllable, the effect becomes more pronounced. That's not all, either. I've found that changing the flick of your wrist can also improve the Cleaning Spell. Like this—flick! Yes, try to keep the motion as restrained as possible."

"Growing Hogen Grass is incredibly difficult, but if you add a few drops of Citric Acid to the rainwater you use to water it each day, it should grow much more vigorously. Trust me, Mr. Wright. Try it when you get home and see for yourself."

"There's not much point in studying this question. The paths of celestial bodies aren't fixed. But I agree with you that the convergence of Wood Satellite and the Canis Lupus Constellation affects the Magic Tide."

"Hypnosis Potion can definitely be improved; there's no doubt about that. Rococo Bean currently contributes less than half of its potential to the existing recipe. It's such a waste. If we could find an herb with the same properties as Hill Grass, but more mature, I believe the new potion would be twice as effective!"

Watching Klein surrounded by his old friends, Dumbledore felt nothing in particular.

How could questions that didn't touch on the core of their fields possibly stump someone born with knowledge?

The kid was a bug in the Magical World!

"Hmph. Easy enough to say. But how does it work in practice? Do you dare swear these are your own discoveries?"

The sight of Klein holding forth so confidently rubbed Fila Hop the wrong way. She did admire his improvements to the Cleaning Spell, but when she remembered that wicked surname, the woman's wrinkled face stiffened. She gave a disdainful snort.

"Heh."

Klein merely smiled at Fila Hop's snort, unbothered.

He'd seen this sort of thing too many times. He was used to it by now.

"Whether these insights are his own discoveries is beside the point. Even considering talent alone, Klein is worthy of a medal."

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Aberdo smiled and voiced his support for Klein.

As he'd said, even if Klein had learned those insights elsewhere, could an ordinary eleven-year-old remember them and put them to such skillful use?

Wasn't that talent worth a Third-Class Order of Merlin?

"Indeed."

"Mr. Hank makes a good point."

"I agree."

Once someone had spoken up, the other masters voiced their support as well. They had no love for the surname Grindelwald, but they weren't as deeply prejudiced as Fila Hop.

There was no denying that the Improved Healing Spell benefited the entire Magical World.

Their assessment had shown that Klein Grindelwald, its creator, was no fraud taking credit for someone else's work. By the rules, he could be awarded the Third-Class Order of Merlin.

"I have reservations!"

At that, Fila Hop's expression darkened. She awkwardly turned her face away.

Even setting aside the surname Grindelwald, she still didn't think Klein deserved the medal.

Fila Hop had always been proud of her status as an Order of Merlin Member. She simply couldn't stand the thought of someone with no achievements tarnishing the Order's reputation.

Just look at the last person to join the Order. It was none other than the famous Gilderoy Lockhart!

And now?

A descendant of a wicked family! A clueless child!

She wouldn't believe for a second that anyone could master such a vast amount of profound knowledge at the age of eleven. In her youth, the Magical World had called her a "genius," too—but when had she finally turned her talent into real skill?

Thirty-seven!

She'd spent twenty-six years studying Charms, from the moment she first encountered magic at school, before she'd achieved anything of note.

And Klein?

He was eleven.

What a joke!

I'll expose you, you damned little fraud! Fila Hop vowed to herself.

"Once we cross this lawn, we'll be at Hogwarts Castle. But do be careful. I believe the children have Flying Class today, so make sure a falling broom doesn't land on your head."

Dumbledore chuckled merrily, seeming quite pleased with his own joke.

But Klein, standing among the masters, twitched his ears. His smile stiffened before he could stop it.

"Headmaster, gentlemen, and Ms. Hop, please forgive me for being rude."

Klein stepped out of the group, his expression calm as he gave a slight bow. A wand slid from his sleeve into his palm.

Dumbledore and the Order of Merlin were taken aback.

What was going on?

"Shrink the Ground into an Inch."

Regardless of what the bigwigs of the Magical World thought, Klein gave a quiet greeting, murmured a spell, and took a light step. Without warning, he vanished before their eyes!

What was that?

Apparition?!

The masters couldn't help staring, wide-eyed.

"No, it wasn't Apparition!"

The masters were all leaders in their respective fields, with plenty of knowledge and skill. After a brief moment of shock, Aberdo Hank, head of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, recovered and spoke with certainty.

He was an expert at Apparition himself. The way Klein had teleported just now was clearly very different.

"I think the boy just muttered 'Shrink the Ground into an Inch.' Yes, that's what he said. Have any of you heard of this spell?"

Yafi Thompson pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, looking dazed.

He seemed to search his old friends' faces for an answer, but to no avail. Everyone, including Dumbledore, wore the same expression as he did.

That left only one possibility.

This was a never-before-seen New Spell—a form of teleportation magic other than Apparition!

"Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Unbelievable!"

Aberdo stared excitedly at the patch of grass where Klein had stood, repeating the word "unbelievable" three times.

He'd suspected Klein might truly be a genius, but he hadn't imagined he was this much of one!

I need to get on Klein's good side. Once the others are gone, I'll bring the hospital's healers over to learn from him.

And Klein will graduate in seven years. If he joins our hospital...

Thinking of the team of healers waiting at the hospital and the future of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Aberdo raised his eyebrows and smiled expectantly.

"Hm?"

A sudden jolt seemed to flash through him. Dumbledore felt a sense of alarm.

Why do I get the feeling...

Someone's trying to poach my boy?