Seeing no one speak, Li Wei spoke again:
"For the next month, you will all have the chance to change your minds at any time. If anyone feels the pressure is too much, you can come to me privately. I completely understand."
"I think this is an excellent learning opportunity. I believe studying under you, Professor, will be invaluable to us."
Cedric, a fourth-year, took the initiative to speak.
Li Wei's approach made him feel at ease, and he felt he should offer the corresponding respect and sincerity.
"Professor, with your abilities, why be so modest with us? Whatever you say, I'll support with both hands unconditionally."
Pas, a seventh-year, lounged carelessly in his chair and casually tossed a pastry into his mouth. He turned his gaze toward the other students, his eyes carrying a faintly threatening edge.
He had already learned of Li Wei's abilities from the sixth-years. He knew he had gotten the first chance this time and would not allow anyone to cause trouble.
Hermione sat among the seven of them, her cheeks flushed. She could not help feeling excited—were these seven people the most outstanding students from all seven years?
So, in the professor's eyes, was she the best second-year student?
Pride, ambition, and timidity surged within her at once, forming a statistical distribution chart in her eyes.
"Very good. I'm glad we've reached a consensus. Time is precious, so let's begin now."
"We'll start with the first-years, then proceed in order up to the seventh-years. During the entire Q&A, anyone who has an idea may raise their hand and share it.
"I hope that, after some time, the upper-years will be able to handle all the lower-years' questions among themselves. I should only need to answer the upper-years' questions."
He said it as though it were perfectly natural, but to the upper-years, it carried a different meaning.
"Of course. I got six Os on my O.W.L.s, after all. It's not like I can't even answer questions from lower-years."
There was a trace of disdain in Pas's voice. Hermione immediately felt a competitive urge rise in her, and she instinctively looked toward the handsome Cedric beside her.
He still wore a smile, as though he did not mind in the slightest.
He must be from Hufflepuff.
Hermione thought to herself.
Monday, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The moment of execution finally arrived amid the students' unease.
"Good morning, students."
Li Wei entered the classroom, looking as listless as ever.
This time, however, Cedric was the first to respond.
"Good morning, Professor."
Li Wei nodded at him and quickly handed back the students' assignments.
"These are your assignments from last week. I'll quickly go over the key points and mistakes, then we'll move on to practical training."
Li Wei waved his wand, and the wall facing the students swiftly transformed into a huge whiteboard.
An automatic note-taking quill floated beside him, darting up and down as he spoke.
"First, the key points of casting. Everyone wrote them fairly well. I assume that while copying, you also memorized the feeling involved. I hope you'll be able to apply it fluidly in battle later.
"The more serious issue is your understanding of the Immobilus incantation."
The wall was soon filled with dense notes. At Cedric's reminder, most people hurriedly copied them down while listening—some used magical quills to transcribe automatically so they could focus entirely on the lecture, while others wrote by hand as they listened. Some did not take notes at all.
Li Wei noticed all of this, but did not interfere.
He would not force everyone to think in the same way, whether that way was good or bad.
Five minutes passed. The review of the assignment's key points was complete, and the automatic note-taking quill slowly came to rest on the desk.
"Now I'll pick three people to recite last week's assignment."
Li Wei swept his gaze over the crowd and casually pointed at a green-haired student.
"You."
"Cough, cough!"
The green-haired boy wiped his nose. There was not the slightest fear on his face as he smoothly recited the information on all ten dark creatures.
"Not bad. One point to Ravenclaw."
Next, Li Wei called on Cedric.
Sure enough, he performed well too.
"Very good. One point to Hufflepuff."
Li Wei pointed to the final boy. Though he stumbled a little, he still managed to finish the recitation.
Li Wei nodded encouragingly and gained a deeper understanding of the character of students from the two Houses.
It took no guessing to know that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students could carry out his principles more effectively.
The former were naturally fond of knowledge, while the latter were honest and dutiful. Though keeping up with his plans was somewhat difficult for them, they would obediently do as instructed.
As for Slytherin and Gryffindor, the third-years had performed reasonably well. Although they occasionally failed to recite everything or omitted information, they had at least managed to get through it.
After telling them to review it again after class when they had time, Li Wei let them off.
But when he taught the second-years that afternoon, the atmosphere became somewhat strange.
"All right, that concludes the assignment discussion."
The automatic note-taking quill slowly came to rest on the desk.
Don't pick me! Don't pick me! Don't pick me! Don't pick me! Don't pick me!
The students secretly watched Li Wei, praying frantically in their hearts.
"Shouldn't we do the questions next, Professor?"
Before Li Wei could continue, Ron took the initiative to ask from below.
Li Wei gave him a faintly amused look. For some reason, though there was no particular meaning in that gaze, Ron felt guilty deep down and instinctively wanted to shrink his neck.
Fortunately, he held himself back with all his might.
So the professor did not notice anything unusual about him.
"Since you all want to do questions so badly, then let's do them first. You'll still have three minutes."
Li Wei waved his wand, and the prepared test papers were distributed one after another.
Well done, Ronnie!
Gryffindor's poor students silently cheered Ron on, while Harry was especially nervous for him.
"Ron! You're so brave!"
He quietly pumped his fist at Ron in encouragement.
Hermione, seated in the front row, could not help frowning. If this had been first year, she definitely would have raised her hand to remind Li Wei.
But now, she chose to mention it later—if Li Wei did not remember.
Three minutes later, Li Wei collected the test papers. The students obediently rose from their seats, preparing to line up as they had in the previous class and challenge the dark creatures they would face this time.
Then they suddenly heard Li Wei say:
"Wait, haven't we still not checked the recitation assignment?"
"Nooooo!!!!!!!"
A mournful cry rose from the students.
"Still couldn't do it? Still couldn't hide from it!"
Ron hammered the floor with both fists, pitying himself.
Li Wei therefore picked him first.
"Ron, you're full of spirit. You can be the first to recite."
Perhaps it was an illusion, but for an instant, Hermione seemed to see the professor smile.
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