Bloodline Supremacy? Strength Supremacy!

"Slytherin!"

After the Sorting Hat shouted the name, sparse applause drifted from one of the long tables.

Clearly, they weren't very interested in a young wizard who didn't hail from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families.

Devero, meanwhile, was completely stunned.

Wait.

I haven't even put the hat on yet!

Couldn't this Sorting Hat at least struggle with the decision for a bit?

I am a peerless, super genius of the wizarding world!

Am I not brave? Am I not loyal?

Uh.

I suppose I'm not exactly loyal.

But at least consider the student's opinion, for goodness' sake!

I don't want to sleep in a dungeon for seven years!!

Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat off his head and gave Devero a gentle push on the back, jolting him out of his mental breakdown.

Devero stood up from the stool, his legs feeling as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

He took hesitant steps, slowly making his way toward the Slytherin table.

At the Slytherin table, the students watched him with expressionless faces.

There was curiosity in their eyes, but for the most part, it was indifference, as if they were waiting for a newcomer to join but held no high expectations.

Devero didn't care about their coldness; his heart was simply filled with despair for his future life at the school.

"Hey, hello, welcome to Slytherin. I'm the prefect, Marcus Flint."

Devero was suddenly addressed.

He turned his head to see a tall, muscular boy with short, dark brown hair and sharp blue eyes. A confident, slightly arrogant smile played on his face.

"Uh, hello, I'm Devero Alexander."

Devero nodded, feeling a bit hesitant.

Marcus leaned down with a smile.

"To be able to use the Disarming Charm proficiently before even starting school—that's impressive, Devero."

"Even in Slytherin, your mastery of spells is considered quite excellent! I reckon many third-years wouldn't be a match for you in a duel."

Surprisingly, Marcus didn't seem to have any issues with what Devero had done at the station.

On the contrary, he was actually quite enthusiastic, forming a stark contrast to the other Slytherins.

"Um, thanks. Actually, I'm not that amazing; I certainly can't compare to the spells mastered by the third-year seniors."

Devero wasn't about to let the flattery go to his head; he remained quite humble.

While he was at it, he loaded the blue status entry from the other boy.

"Don't be modest. Modesty isn't a good quality if you want to earn respect in Slytherin, especially when it comes to... well, you know."

Marcus said, his tone cryptic.

Devero understood immediately.

The other boy was definitely referring to matters of bloodline and family.

Indeed.

He could tell just from the attitudes of the Slytherins present.

They must have heard about Devero defeating Malfoy with Expelliarmus.

Yet, they didn't seem to hold him in high regard.

Some might even be giving him the cold shoulder because of Malfoy.

Under these circumstances.

If Devero wanted to avoid being picked on by everyone later on.

He would have to show them what he was capable of.

Devero's gaze swept sharply across every Slytherin in the room.

Most of them looked at him with indifference.

Only Marcus could be considered relatively friendly.

And, of course, there were those like Malfoy who looked at him with hostility.

Aristocratic social maneuvering, is it? Heh, it seems I'll have to resolve these interpersonal issues before I can further my studies in Transfiguration.

A cold glint flashed in Devero's eyes.

"So, what should I do? Are duels allowed within Slytherin?"

Devero asked Marcus, full of fighting spirit.

Marcus was left dumbfounded by the question.

"Duels? What kind of duels?"

Devero paused.

Uh.

All those fanfictions from his past life.

Didn't they all write about Slytherin having some sort of dueling system to select prefects for each year?

"We Slytherins certainly don't judge a person's value through duels. What era do you think this is? The war ended a long time ago."

Devero felt like slapping his forehead.

It seemed he had just exposed his own reckless, combat-hungry nature.

Fanfiction is a menace!

Marcus said with a strange expression.

"When I said don't be modest, I meant I encourage you to strive for academic success. Your foundation in spells is decent; work hard in that area. If you can achieve the top overall grade in your year, Slytherin will provide a reward."

A reward?

Devero's ears perked up the moment he heard that.

"May I ask what this so-called reward entails?"

Devero pressed on.

"It allows first-years to go to places they otherwise couldn't, right here at Hogwarts."

Marcus smiled mysteriously.

Places he couldn't go!?

Then Devero absolutely had to go there!

This was a major matter concerning his exploration progress!

Devero was immediately filled with motivation.

"Alright, Prefect, then this year's top grade is mine!"

Devero promised, patting his chest.

Pfft.

Hearing him say that.

Malfoy, sitting across from him, burst out laughing.

Many of the other Slytherins followed suit, chuckling along.

"Oh, look, the Frenchie Alexander wants to take first place in the year? That's truly possible, provided he can recognize all the English letters."

Malfoy said in an incredibly exaggerated tone.

His two lackeys followed suit with loud laughter.

Quite a few Slytherins joined in the laughter as well.

Even though they probably didn't find the joke funny at all.

"A bunch of sycophants."

Devero swept his gaze over those wearing fake smiles.

He secretly added them to his blacklist.

Of course, Devero didn't care about the joke at all.

He didn't consider himself French, after all.

So, this kind of vulgar teasing couldn't hurt him in the slightest.

Seeing Devero's expression remain unchanged.

Malfoy's laughter gradually stiffened.

His eyes grew increasingly hostile.

"By the way, Devero, your surname should be French, right? Why aren't you attending Beauxbatons?"

Marcus wasn't laughing either.

To change the subject.

He pretended to ask about other aspects of Devero's life casually.

"Well, as for that, it's actually because my mother entrusted me to..."

"Woo-hoo~"

"We got Potter!!"

Clatter, clatter!!

Before Devero could mention that he was Snape's Potions apprentice.

Suddenly, a burst of cheers erupted from another long table.

Accompanied by loud table-thumping and foot-stomping.

Harry Potter had been sorted into Gryffindor.

Devero didn't continue with the topic.

Marcus didn't seem very interested in the matter either.

So they continued to chat about other things.

For instance, the structure of Hogwarts, which Devero was most concerned about.

At this moment, the last student, Blaise Zabini, was sorted into Slytherin.

Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment.

She picked up the Sorting Hat and left.

Just then.

The most powerful and unfathomable figure from the original story stood up with a beaming smile.

Albus Dumbledore!

He spread his arms and said.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before