What Geniuses Need is Guidance

When the Sorting Hat bluntly said that Lucien's talent might even surpass Dumbledore's—

The headmaster portraits stopped laughing, their expressions turning grave one by one.

Any wizard who could become headmaster of Hogwarts was without exception an outstanding figure of their era, and had inevitably achieved brilliance in certain fields.

That was why they understood even better just how powerful the current headmaster, this easygoing-looking old man with the great beard—Dumbledore—truly was.

But now the Sorting Hat had openly admitted that Lucien's talent was even greater!

What did that mean?

Even Phineas put away his arrogant look and stared silently at the Sorting Hat.

In the end, it was Dumbledore who broke the silence first, asking with a chuckle, "What sort of talents are you referring to?"

"Want to know? Then you'll have to prepare a glass display case for me. Mm, and put it in the most prominent spot in the room."

Faced with the Sorting Hat's demand, Dumbledore did not hesitate in the slightest and agreed at once.

"No problem."

The Sorting Hat shook the tip of its brim in satisfaction.

"Transfiguration. He's much stronger than you in that regard."

Dumbledore nodded as if he had expected it. He had already learned about it from McGonagall.

He was not particularly surprised that Lucien's talent in Transfiguration surpassed his own.

Perhaps because its requests had been satisfied one after another, the Sorting Hat was in quite a good mood, and offered a little more besides:

"Mm. At least in the field of Transfiguration, Lucien has the best aptitude I have ever seen. Bar none."

Silence. The entire headmaster's office sank into absolute silence.

Dumbledore also put away his smile, digesting the meaning behind the Sorting Hat's evaluation.

Although no one was paying attention to it, the Sorting Hat continued reminiscing:

"You all know I was born over a thousand years ago, and I've seen who knows how many wizards."

"This is the first time I've ever seen someone like Lucien."

"Hey, Albus, remember to cultivate him properly. Hogwarts will be great again!"

"..."

"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you think Lucien only has talent in Transfiguration?"

"His aptitude for white magic is about the same as yours too, Albus. Ooh, perhaps yours is a little stronger, but not by much."

Dumbledore, who had already come back to himself, asked as if casually, "And dark magic?"

"Oh, far stronger than you."

Dumbledore's gaze instantly turned dark and unreadable.

The world respectfully called him the strongest wizard of the century, and had even given him the even more awe-filled title of "White Demon King."

But Dumbledore also possessed astonishing talent in the field of dark magic.

Without an extraordinary understanding of dark magic, how could he have defeated the first Dark Lord and deterred the second?

"Dark magic..."

"Ah..."

Dumbledore let out a long sigh.

Just now, for a brief instant, an intense wariness had truly arisen in his heart.

But perhaps it was precisely such wariness that had made the world lose a student named Tom and gain a dark wizard named Voldemort!

He could not guard against a child again simply because of their talent in dark magic.

Besides, Lucien had gone to Ravenclaw after all. What guided his nature was not ambition.

Somewhat relieved, Dumbledore stood and walked to the windowsill, looking at the starlight that had already grown sparse and dim.

Geniuses needed guidance, not suppression.

"I should have a talk with Lucien."

Faint morning light shone into the dormitory.

Lucien was already up, and as he washed, he opened the system panel.

[White Magic: S]

[Dark Magic: SS+]

[Defense: S+]

[Transfiguration: SSS]

[Potions: A]

[Alchemy: A+]

[Magic Power: SS]

[Outstanding Loans: Loki's Faceless (335 days), Qilin (335 days), Pet Growth (29 days)]

[Quests: Perfectly master Transfiguration; use the Sorcerer's Stone to brew a potion; record 5 magical creatures]

Lucien brushed his teeth while thinking over his goals for the near future.

Studying Transfiguration was something he had to keep doing, and the pace of the school curriculum definitely wasn't enough.

First, he would go to the library to find some advanced books, and at the same time he could ask Professor McGonagall for guidance.

He definitely wouldn't get access to the Sorcerer's Stone anytime soon, but he could practice brewing potions in advance.

Mm. When I go to the Forbidden Forest to look for magical creatures, I'll probably need some potions to help me, too.

Things like bait to attract specific magical creatures, calming draughts, potions to erase my own scent...

When he went to the library today, besides books on Transfiguration and Potions, he would also look for any records on the terrain and species distribution of the Forbidden Forest.

Once Lucien had sorted out what he needed to do, he had also finished washing up.

Seeing that Terry was still sleeping with his head buried, Lucien glanced at the time. It was still early, so he didn't wake him right away.

After taking the textbooks he needed for Charms class, Lucien prepared to head to the Great Hall for breakfast first.

On the way out, he casually carried the magic alarm clock issued by the school over to Terry's bedside table.

Then he glanced again at Terry's extremely peaceful sleeping posture.

Lucien took out his wand, tapped the alarm clock, and cast a simple Amplifying Charm on it.

Done. This time, the alarm would definitely wake him up.

After leaving the dormitory, he had just arrived in the common room hall when a clear voice called out to him.

"Lucien? You're up this early?"

He turned his head and saw that it was Cho, who had also risen early.

She was holding a broom in her hand, and her previously loose black hair had been tied into a high ponytail.

"Morning, Cho."

"What's this?"

Lucien looked at the broom and asked.

"You mean this?"

"I don't have classes today, so I'm going to take part in the house team's Quidditch training."

Cho waved the broom in her hand, and even her ponytail swayed along with it.

The girl who usually looked very quiet and refined was now blooming with the energy of sport and youth.

"I'm heading to the Great Hall. Want to go together?"

Lucien nodded. It was on the way anyway.

Cho picked up her broom and quickly walked to Lucien's side.

The two of them left the common room together and followed the stairs out of the tower.

Glancing sideways at the books in Lucien's arms, Cho asked, "Lucien, do you have Charms this morning?"

"That's right."

"That's pretty great. Your first class after term starts is with our Head of House. Professor Flitwick is very learned, and he's especially nice!"

"..."

As the two chatted while walking, they arrived before a staircase that shifted intermittently.

Cho kindly reminded him, "Oh right, Lucien, you should have seen it yesterday too."

"Some staircases in the castle change position. It's hard for first-years to figure out the pattern at first, but you can ask the portraits nearby. They'll all help point the way."

As she spoke, Cho waved to a portrait beside the staircase, and the latter responded enthusiastically.

Lucien looked at the moving staircases and the portraits that interacted with people.

He couldn't help sighing over the wonder of Hogwarts castle.

A magical ancient castle with a history of a thousand years—just how many interesting secrets were hidden inside?

The things out in the open were already enough for young wizards to explore for a long time, let alone the many hidden rooms and secret passages. He guessed even the successive headmasters might not have fully understood this castle.

"Thanks for the reminder, Cho."

Hearing Lucien thank her, Cho felt a faint spark of joy.

"You're welcome. If there's anything you don't understand in the future, you can ask me too."

Soon, the two of them arrived at the dining hall. After finishing breakfast, they went their separate ways.

With directions from the portraits and ghosts along the way, Lucien smoothly found the Charms classroom.

At this hour, the classroom was empty. Lucien chose a seat in the middle, closer to the outside, and sat down.

He took out a copy of Popular Common Spells and quietly began to read.

Patiently waiting for his first class at Hogwarts.