Shrink the Ground into an Inch

The examination felt more like a test.

Spells, cultivation, astrology, potions.

The masters chatted casually, showing no leniency towards Klein's age.

Surprisingly, not a single question stumped the eleven-year-old. Instead, Klein's unique insights made the masters' eyes light up.

"Indeed," Klein explained, "'Clean and New' works better if the syllable 'clean' is deliberately drawn out. Not only that, I've found that slightly altering the wrist movement can also enhance the Cleaning Spell's effect, like this, a flick~ Yes, the flick should be subtle."

"Cultivating Hogen Grass is truly difficult, but adding a few drops of citric acid to the rainwater used for watering the herbs daily should yield more pleasing growth. Believe me, Mr. Wright, you'll know once you try it."

"This topic itself is meaningless; celestial orbits are not immutable. However, regarding the influence of the Wood Satellite and Canis Lupus Constellation conjunction on the Magic Tide, I agree with you and support this view."

"The Hypnosis Potion definitely has room for improvement, no doubt about it. Rococo Beans can currently only exert less than half their potential in the original formula, which is such a waste. If we could find an ingredient with the same medicinal properties as Hill Grass but more mature, I believe the new formula's effect would be double the original!"

Watching Klein surrounded by his old friends, Dumbledore remained unfazed.

How could these questions, which didn't touch upon the core of academia, possibly stump someone who seemed to know everything from birth?

This kid was a bug in the magical world!

"Hmph, you talk a good game, but I wonder about the reality. Do you dare swear these are your research findings?"

Klein's confident demeanor struck Fila Hop as incredibly irritating. Although she admired his improvement to the Cleaning Spell's technique, the mention of that infamous surname made the lady's wrinkled face contort in disdain. She let out a cold snort.

"Heh."

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

He had seen too many such minor scenes to be bothered.

"Setting aside whose research it truly is for now, purely based on talent, Klein is qualified to receive a medal."

Sensing the awkward silence, Aberdo spoke up with a smile, strongly supporting Klein.

As he said, even if these unique insights were gleaned from elsewhere, could an ordinary eleven-year-old remember and apply them so proficiently?

Didn't this talent deserve a Third-Class Order of Merlin?

"Indeed."

"Mr. Hank makes a valid point."

"I agree as well."

With someone taking the lead, the other masters voiced their opinions. While they didn't hold a favorable view of the surname "Grindelwald," they weren't as deeply prejudiced as Fila Hop.

The "Improved Healing Spell" benefiting the entire magical world was a foregone conclusion.

After their assessment, they found Klein Grindelwald, the improver, to be no charlatan. According to the rules, this Third-Class Order of Merlin could be awarded.

"I reserve my opinion!"

Hearing this, Fila Hop's expression soured, and she awkwardly turned her face away.

In truth, setting aside the matter of the Grindelwald surname, she disagreed with Klein receiving the medal.

Fila Hop, a Charms Master, took immense pride in her status as an Order of Merlin Member and couldn't bear to see the Order's reputation tarnished by someone with no achievements.

Who was the last person to join the Order? The famous Gilderoy Lockhart!

And now?

The descendant of a Wicked Family! An ignorant child!

She refused to believe anyone could master such profound knowledge at the age of eleven. She herself had been hailed as a "genius" in the magical world in her youth, but when did she truly convert that talent into ability?

At thirty-seven!

It took her twenty-six years of studying charms since first encountering magic to achieve anything.

And Klein?

He was eleven this year.

Was this a joke!

"I will expose you, you damned little liar!"

Fila Hop vowed silently in her heart.

"We'll reach Hogwarts Castle after crossing this meadow. But do be careful, I recall the children have Flying Class today. Try not to get hit on the head by a falling broom."

Dumbledore chuckled merrily, seemingly pleased with his own jest.

But Klein, standing amidst the masters, twitched an ear, his smile freezing involuntarily.

"Headmaster, esteemed sirs, and Madam Hop, please excuse my rudeness."

Stepping out of the group, Klein bowed slightly with a calm expression, a spell slipping from his sleeve into his palm.

Dumbledore and the Order of Merlin members were caught off guard.

What was happening?

"Shrink the Ground into an Inch."

Regardless of what the big shots in the wizarding world were thinking, after exchanging greetings, Klein quietly recited a spell and took a step forward, disappearing before everyone's eyes without any warning!

This is

Apparition?!

The masters couldn't help but widen their eyes.

"No, it's not Apparition!"

After all, they were leaders in their respective fields, possessing both knowledge and strength. After a brief moment of shock, Aberdo Hank, the Headmaster of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, regained his composure and spoke with certainty.

He himself was a master of Apparition, and the way Klein had teleported was clearly very different from Apparition.

"That child seemed to have quietly recited 'Shrink the Ground into an Inch.' Yes, that's what he said. Have you heard of this spell?"

Yafi Thompson pushed up the glasses on his nose, his expression somewhat dazed.

He seemed to be looking for something on the faces of his old friends, but unfortunately, everyone, including Dumbledore, had the same expression as him.

So, there was only one answer:

This was a new spell that had never been seen before, a Teleportation Magic other than Apparition!

"Incredible! Incredible! Incredible!"

Aberdo excitedly looked at the grass where Klein had stood before disappearing, repeating "incredible" three times.

He had thought before coming that Klein might truly be a genius, but he hadn't expected him to be this much of a genius!

"I need to build a good relationship with Klein. After these people leave, I'll have the Healers from the hospital come over to learn from him properly.

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

Thinking of the healer team waiting on standby at the hospital and the future of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Aberdo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, revealing an expectant smile.

"Hmm?"

A current flashed through the void, and Dumbledore suddenly felt a sense of alarm.

Why did it feel like...

Someone was trying to poach from this old man?