I Have a Plan!

London.

Diagon Alley.

Beside a counter at Gringotts.

"I've always been curious, how do you goblins view wizarding magic?"

The goblin offered a slight smile.

Revealing sharp teeth.

"We goblins have our own magic, which differs from that of wizards. Our magic focuses more on craftsmanship and metalwork, especially when it comes to creating and protecting treasures."

A blond-haired boy listened with great interest.

Clearly, as a young wizard not yet eleven years old.

The goblin's guard was not as high as it might have been.

The two of them had been chatting there for nearly half an hour.

The boy continued to ask.

"Then, how does your method of spellcasting differ from a wizard's? For example, how do you cast those complex incantations?"

This question was far too sensitive!

The goblin's gaze suddenly turned wary.

"Why are you so curious about these details?"

His voice carried a hint of displeasure.

Clearly, the boy's question had crossed a line for the goblins.

Realizing he might have overstepped.

The boy still attempted to explain.

"I'm just very interested in different magical systems, especially goblin magic..."

The goblin's expression grew even darker.

"Our magic is our secret, not something to be revealed so casually."

He said coldly.

"Furthermore, your questions have crossed the line."

Devero felt a wave of embarrassment and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I was just..."

"Enough!"

The goblin cut him off.

"Please leave this place and do not disturb us any further."

"Right, right, right..."

The boy apologized repeatedly as he backed out of Gringotts.

Unlucky!

Devero complained to himself.

He had originally hoped to learn something about goblin magic from Gringotts.

After all.

He was now a magical prodigy.

This meant he didn't necessarily have to limit himself to learning wizarding magic.

If he could master goblin magic.

How wonderful that would be!

He had also wondered if the goblins' entries held anything special.

But after inspecting them, he felt a bit discouraged.

Like most ordinary wizards, they mostly possessed a blue [Magical Ability] entry.

Nothing special.

So, there was no way to make a breakthrough through the entries.

That was why he had tried to talk his way into information with the goblin.

Even if he hadn't succeeded.

It didn't stop Devero from imagining.

If he could learn goblin forging techniques.

He could forge his own Sword of Gryffindor in the future.

How exciting that would be!

With a sword like that.

What would he have to fear from Voldemort?

He could become the Sword Saint of Gryffindor himself!

However.

Reality was not as simple as he had imagined.

His probing had failed to elicit any useful information from that goblin.

Just as described in the original work.

Goblins were absolute egoists.

Learning the forging methods for such a sword from them was nearly impossible.

Still.

Devero was not discouraged by this.

He had other alternatives.

For instance.

He could learn the technique of Apparition without a wand from house-elves.

Or study astrology from the centaurs.

These forms of magic were equally appealing.

Come to think of it.

Over the past few days, Devero had practically turned all of Diagon Alley upside down.

He had shuttled between every shop.

From Ollivanders Wand Shop to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

He hadn't missed a single corner.

In the process, he had incidentally loaded the entry for [Genius Wandmaker] from Ollivander.

Suddenly, his mastery over wands had become much stronger.

Consequently, Devero had developed a new hobby of reading books on wand-making at Flourish and Blotts.

However.

Despite his efforts.

His exploration progress of the secret realm remained stuck at 58%.

Devero suspected that the remaining two percentage points were likely related to Knockturn Alley.

If he could enter that dark and mysterious place.

He would surely be able to quickly collect the remaining exploration progress.

By observing other wizards casting spells in Diagon Alley every day.

Combined with his new, perfectly fitted wand and the guidance of his textbooks.

His proficiency with spells had improved significantly.

At the very least, the Levitation Charm was now second nature to him.

However.

Entering Knockturn Alley was still fraught with danger.

Who knew if some Dark wizard might suddenly jump out.

Grab him as a test subject, or throw him straight into a cauldron?

Devero did not want to encounter such a situation while completely unprepared.

He didn't even know a single jinx yet.

He had absolutely no countermeasures if he were to run into a Dark wizard.

Although it was a time of peace.

No one could guarantee that some ill-intentioned wizard wouldn't cast a jinx on the street.

Devero decided to wait a while before going to Knockturn Alley.

After all.

He would be heading to Hogwarts soon.

There would be plenty of opportunities to learn jinxes there.

By then.

He would not only learn various defensive spells.

He would also master some necessary offensive means.

In this way.

When he went to Knockturn Alley again.

He would at least have some ability to protect himself.

As for Knockturn Alley.

If Professor Snape were willing to take him there.

That would certainly be the best choice.

Professor Snape was very knowledgeable about the Dark Arts.

With him by his side.

Devero would feel much more at ease.

However.

Devero felt this was unlikely.

Professor Snape was always cold and stern.

It was improbable that he would proactively make such an offer.

Since he could not advance the exploration of the secret realm.

The places Devero frequented most now were the Leaky Cauldron, Flourish and Blotts, and wandering the streets of Diagon Alley.

The Leaky Cauldron was always filled with all sorts of gossip.

Devero liked to sit in a corner.

Listening to wizards discuss recent magical news and strange occurrences.

However.

What he found strange was.

He had not yet encountered Harry Potter.

Perhaps the timing was off.

Or perhaps Harry was not in Diagon Alley at the moment.

Devero was very interested in meeting the Boy Who Lived.

After all, he was the future savior.

Devero was very curious.

What kind of traits Harry might possess.

He truly could not wait to find out.

As for why he wandered the streets.

It was, of course, to collect traits.

Ever since he missed that purple Magical Cooking trait on the first day.

Devero had successfully loaded a new trait from Lady Platinum:

[Magic Tailor (Purple): Possesses a unique talent for using magic to tailor clothing; can quickly learn various fashion design knowledge.]

This was a rather good lifestyle trait.

Devero loaded it without hesitation.

Soon.

He had completely revamped his old clothes.

Making them look brand new.

Besides the Leaky Cauldron and the streets.

The place Devero visited most often was Flourish and Blotts.

The shelves here were filled with all kinds of second-hand books.

Devero could browse through these books.

Searching for useful knowledge.

With the help of these books.

Devero quickly mastered many spells and potion recipes that only upper-year students could learn.

However.

Devero discovered that he seemed to have no talent for Transfiguration.

Even though he studied hard.

Still, he couldn't help but feel that this was the most tedious of all the subjects.

It seemed.

He needed to load Professor McGonagall's entry at Hogwarts.

To improve his skills in this area.

Devero planned to do just that.

He began walking from the entrance of Gringotts toward the Leaky Cauldron.

The streets of Diagon Alley were bustling with people.

The signs of various shops shimmered in the sunlight.

As he walked.

He looked around.

Hoping to discover something interesting.

"Dear wizards and witches, do you want to improve your potion-making skills? Come to our herb shop in Diagon Alley and purchase the finest bicorn roots!"

Suddenly.

A loud hawking voice reached his ears.

Devero stopped in his tracks.

He turned his head toward the direction of the sound.

It was a herb shop with a rustic decor.

A wobbly wooden sign hung at the entrance.

It read "Fenny's Herb Shop."

"Bicorn roots?"

Devero repeated in a low voice.

A sharp glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Revealing a mischievous smirk.

He had a plan!