First-Class Medal

They were all old hands, having lived long enough to become experts at reading people. How could those masters fail to see what the old fox Aberdo was after?

He clearly had his eye on a rare talent, yet insisted on waving the banner of an Order of Merlin investigation.

Hah. Did he really think they were all fools?

"I think Aberdo has a point. But if the boy needs further evaluation, why send him to some hospital? Staying by my side would be just as good."

"Hmm? Master Wright, your research focuses on cultivating herbs, while Klein's specialty is spells. I think I'm the most suitable candidate."

"Hmph. Would you like me to show you what I can do? This old man's wand hasn't broken yet!"

"Enough, stop arguing. Don't make fools of yourselves in front of the boy. If it's really so hard to decide, then let me—"

"Forget it!"

"Dream on!"

The three old men glared at one another, none willing to back down. The other masters not only made no attempt to break them up, but were also itching to join in and compete for "the right to further evaluate him."

Klein stared at them, dumbfounded.

In his previous life, these masters had never let him see this side of them.

"Ahem. Klein has only recently started school, and his studies are demanding. He probably won't have time for further evaluation."

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Dumbledore cleared his throat and subtly stepped in front of Klein.

Trying to poach one of Deng's people right in front of him?

Not a chance!

"Don't blame me, old friends. You don't understand how special this boy is."

Dumbledore stroked his grizzled beard and thought to himself.

A boy who could see the future and play with Dark Magic like it was fireworks—who besides him could keep him safe?

This wasn't about serving his own interests. It was about the safety of the entire Magical World!

So the old man might as well take this hot potato into his own hands~

"Thank you all for your kindness, but I still have a lot to learn."

Politely declining the masters' offers, Klein lowered his head like a well-behaved child.

He knew Dumbledore wouldn't let him go, so he wasn't disappointed.

No matter how famous the others were, none could outshine Dumbledore.

There was no need to look farther afield.

Dumbledore and Klein's reactions made it clear to the masters what was going on.

They could only feel a little regret, but didn't entertain any other thoughts.

Besides, the surname "Grindelwald" could find true redemption only by Dumbledore's side.

That was the most fitting arrangement.

"Don't lead the boy astray."

Nixlite muttered under his breath and quietly put away his wand.

He had been planning to demonstrate his mastery of spells.

"Our hospital's doors will always be open to you. Those spells—"

Aberdo Hank was disappointed that his attempt to poach Klein had failed, but he was still very well-disposed toward him. Then, as if he had suddenly remembered something, he cut himself off and hurriedly turned to the masters beside him.

"Wait. This isn't just a matter of one spell anymore. It's four! The boy invented four spells!"

At that, the masters of the Order of Merlin changed their expressions, finally catching on.

If a brand-new Healing Spell was enough to earn someone a Third-Class Order of Merlin, what about four spells?

"A First-class medal."

Une Anglaus slowly voiced the answer.

An eleven-year-old recipient of a First-class Order of Merlin.

It was madness!

"No. Absolutely not!"

When she heard that Klein might qualify for a First-class Order of Merlin, Fila Hop, who had been silent until then, finally spoke up.

A First-class medal?

What a joke!

She had painstakingly studied spells for decades before receiving her only First-class medal two years ago.

And this child?

He was eleven, and this was only his second week at school!

If the Order really awarded Klein Grindelwald a First-class medal, she would probably be so ashamed that she'd snap her own wand!

"Whether he qualifies depends on Klein's contributions to the Magical World, not on any one person's wishes."

James White, the Master of Astrology, glanced at Fila and spoke coldly.

The other masters nodded in agreement.

After being won over by Klein's astonishing talent, their attitudes had changed completely from how they'd been at first.

Looking at it objectively, three of the four spells were Healing Spells. If they were distributed throughout the Magical World, how many wizards could they save?

Didn't such a contribution deserve a First-class medal?

"What evidence is there? Perhaps Dumbledore came up with them and simply doesn't want to say so. Or—or perhaps they came from his family's knowledge!"

When she uttered the words "his family," Fila Hop felt her whole body trembling.

Gellert Grindelwald—who knew what that most dangerous wizard in A History of Magic might have left to his family!

The masters who had been defending Klein fell silent at her words.

They knew Klein was highly gifted. Without extraordinary talent, he couldn't have had enough magic at eleven to cast six spells in a row.

But inventing new spells required accumulated knowledge. Even if he'd started reading in the womb, it was unlikely that he could have invented four new spells on his own.

Could these spells really be secret knowledge passed down by the Grindelwald family?

"First, I can guarantee that I didn't invent these spells.

"Second, you may not know this, but the Grindelwald family has long since ceased to exist in all but name. The German Ministry of Magic took everything.

"Klein is the last member of the Grindelwald family. There is no such thing as secret family knowledge."

Seeing that his old friends were starting to be persuaded by Fila's words, Dumbledore could no longer remain silent.

He paused, then pushed up the half-moon spectacles perched on his crooked nose.

"I know this is hard to believe. If I didn't know him, I'd think the world had gone mad too.

"So why not give Klein a chance? As for the First-class Order of Merlin, perhaps we can set aside our differences and let the whole Magical World decide."

"You mean..."

Aberdo and the others looked at Dumbledore, puzzled.

"If some people have doubts, let them see for themselves."

Dumbledore smiled slightly and tilted his head toward Klein, who was doing his best to look like a well-behaved child and keep a low profile.

"You want the boy to attend the upcoming London Ministry of Magic Conference?"

The masters' eyes widened. They had never expected Dumbledore to have so much faith in Klein.

Dumbledore's expression didn't change, which amounted to confirmation.

He patted Klein on the shoulder and spoke softly.

"You should be able to make the most of this opportunity, right?"

"I will."

Klein nodded and met the old man's gaze.

Everything was understood without a word.