Castle Exploration Plan!

Professor McGonagall was there to greet them.

She stood at the doorway, stern and solemn.

The moment Devero saw the lady, his eyes nearly popped out of his head!

He had been craving the traits of this adorable and respectable professor from the original work for far too long.

He was most lacking in talent for Transfiguration.

He had asked the system about it before.

Why was it that even though he was a Magic Prodigy, and found learning all sorts of spells incredibly easy, he struggled so much with Transfiguration?

The system's reply had left Devero speechless.

It claimed his talent for Transfiguration was simply abysmal, and that while the Magic Prodigy trait had a significant effect on incantation-based magic, it was only because Devero's base aptitude was decent to begin with.

Traits could not solve every problem.

The fact that he could even learn Transfiguration at all was already the result of the Magic Prodigy trait working its magic.

If he wasn't satisfied, he should go find more traits to boost his power!

What?

As a Transmigrator, could his talent really be that pathetic?

Devero felt a bit depressed.

Compared to Harry, a super Child of Destiny covered in golden traits, his own background truly paled in comparison.

He was probably on par with Ron, or perhaps even worse—destined to sit at the same table as Neville.

That was why Devero was so desperate for high-quality traits!

But at last, Devero had laid eyes on the goddess who had been haunting his dreams.

Professor Minerva McGonagall!!

"First-years, Professor McGonagall,"

Hagrid said to Professor McGonagall.

It was clear that even he was a little afraid of this highly respected lady.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

Professor McGonagall nodded, her expression stern as she looked at the rowdy first-years.

This dignified old professor possessed the ability to silence everyone

without even saying a word.

Under her gaze, no one dared to speak.

Professor McGonagall turned around

and pulled the door wide open.

Inside, the stone walls were lined with blazing torches, and the ceiling was so high it was nearly invisible.

Directly ahead was a grand marble staircase

leading up to the floors above.

Devero was still some distance away from Professor McGonagall, so he couldn't inspect her traits.

He was so anxious he was practically hopping in place.

But there was nothing he could do;

there were simply too many people.

At that moment, Devero wished he could just whip out his wand

and blast every single young wizard blocking his path out of the way.

In the end, he had no choice but to follow the others.

They followed Professor McGonagall along the stone-paved floor.

Just then.

A familiar sound rang out.

[Ding!]

[Wizard Secret Realm discovered, exploration function triggered!]

[Current Wizard Secret Realm: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]

[Exploration progress: 0.01%]

As expected.

Just as Devero had anticipated.

Hogwarts was a Wizard Secret Realm.

But what he hadn't expected was.

Hogwarts was simply too massive!

What was the meaning of this 0.01% exploration rate?

Did that mean the long stretch of path he had just walked.

Only accounted for one ten-thousandth of this magic school?

That was absurd!

Back when he had just climbed up the cliffside stairs.

Devero had already been shocked by the sheer scale of the school.

He hadn't expected that, according to the system's assessment.

The size of this place likely far exceeded his imagination.

No wonder the Weasley Twins couldn't fully explore the school even after a whole academic year.

It was truly impossible to accomplish such a feat in a single year!

Devero couldn't help but feel fortunate for his own wit at this moment.

It was a good thing that before coming to school.

He had already used a silent spell as bait.

To find Fred and George, those two troublemakers who made all of Hogwarts tremble, to serve as his tour guides.

Otherwise, relying on himself, he would be lucky to explore 30% in seven years.

However, Devero still felt that this wasn't enough.

Hogwarts had a long and storied history.

There were likely many places like the Room of Requirement that even the twins hadn't found yet.

Relying solely on them, progress probably wouldn't be very fast.

He still had to rely on himself.

Devero pondered.

If he were to rely on himself.

As a first-year student.

He was currently subject to many restrictions.

There were many places he couldn't possibly go.

For instance, the Forbidden Forest.

Or places like the Restricted Section.

In the original story, Harry's Invisibility Cloak was truly a fine item.

With it.

Wouldn't the entire castle be his to roam at will?

However.

As one of the Deathly Hallows, the Invisibility Cloak.

Dumbledore would certainly keep a close watch on it.

Trying to borrow it here would likely mean being under surveillance.

Devero frowned slightly.

He certainly didn't want to be targeted by Dumbledore.

That would surely lead to being hindered at every turn.

When it all came down to it.

He had to rely on himself.

Devero currently had two plans in mind.

One was the Disillusionment Charm that had appeared in the original story.

The other was the Animagus transformation.

However, Devero had no idea where he could go to learn the Disillusionment Charm at the moment.

That left him with only the Animagus option.

So, truly.

Professor McGonagall's traits!

They were far too important!

After walking for a while.

The young wizards were led into a cramped stone chamber.

The space was far too small.

Many of the young wizards began to complain.

But for Devero.

This was truly a wonderful place.

He had finally come within three meters of Professor McGonagall.

He immediately inspected Professor McGonagall's panel.

[Name: Minerva McGonagall]

[Age: 55]

[Spell Library: Animagus (Mastery), various Transfiguration spells (Mastery),...]

[Traits: Transfiguration Prodigy (Gold), Magical Talent (Purple), Good Mentor (Purple)]

[Transfiguration Prodigy (Gold): Transfiguration talent has reached the pinnacle; extremely rigorous and serious in nature, this is the most important talent for Transfiguration! Destined to achieve great things on this path!]

[Magical Talent (Purple): Possesses magical talent exceeding that of an average wizard; the speed of learning spells surpasses ordinary people, while also possessing a certain degree of creativity.]

[Good Mentor (Purple): Skilled at imparting knowledge and skills, capable of guiding a student's moral growth, stimulating potential, and exerting a positive influence on a student's personal development; highly likely to become a beloved teacher!]

Wow!

Devero's eyes went wide!

She was truly worthy of being a future Headmistress of Hogwarts.

The quality of these traits was in no way inferior to Snape's!

For Devero, they might even be more useful!

He felt as if his heart were being clawed at!

He had previously loaded one gold and one purple trait from Harry at the station.

Both were currently in their cooldown phase.

Seeing the traits right before his eyes.

Yet being unable to load them.

This was even more agonizing for Devero than being killed!

"Devero, what's wrong?"

Neville asked from beside him, looking worried.

By this time, Harry and his group of four had already reunited with Devero.

They were all standing together.

"Have you ever experienced the feeling of being pulled away while you were halfway through using the bathroom?"

Devero said, his face ashen.

Neville shook his head in horror.

"That's exactly how I feel right now."

Devero said listlessly.

Their whispering earned them a glare from Professor McGonagall.

Neville straightened up immediately.

Devero, however, just hung his head, unable to muster any interest.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall said once the room had gone quiet.

"The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your houses."

Then followed a long speech about the significance of the Sorting.

Devero didn't really listen.

Right now, he just wished time would move a little faster!

Why was this cooldown taking so long!!!