Maxime's Plan

While listening to the whispers between his own alchemy professor and the professor leading the Hogwarts team, Maxime had a faint smile on his lips and did not interrupt.

She knew, of course, who Lucien inherited his Alchemy from, but she couldn't say it outright.

Those who have had dealings with Nicolas Flamel in recent years have vaguely sensed that the legend who has lived for more than six centuries seems to have become increasingly detached, unwilling to get too involved in worldly affairs, and has devoted all his energy to certain research.

Nicolas didn't publicly announce Lucien's status as his last student, which Maxime guessed was a form of protection, since Lucien was still young and perhaps he was waiting for the right opportunity.

Maxime even had a subtle feeling that Lucien's appearance might also be an "accident" for Nicolas.

This young man seemed to have injected some fresh and different elements into the Alchemy's life.

Judging from their recent correspondence, Maxime felt that Nicolas's mindset seemed to have become "younger."

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but recall the truly frightening letter she had received a few days ago—an exquisitely crafted envelope that resembled a formal funeral invitation.

Inside the package was a photograph of Nicolas himself with his "corpse," and the accompanying letter explained that he was hesitating about whether to hold a "publicly known" funeral for himself in order to put an end to certain covetousness and spying.

In the past, Maxime would never have imagined that someone like Nicolas would behave in such a "mischievous" way.

Soon, Madame Maxime's thoughts were drawn back to the commotion on the field.

Lucien, carrying a rather plain-looking crystal bottle, had left his alchemy table and was steadily walking towards the judges' table.

Maxime's slender eyebrows were slightly raised. He finished so quickly?

But this thought was quickly replaced by another, more obvious one: yes, he was Nicolas's student.

That's normal.

Lucien's action instantly drew everyone's attention in the side room.

The judges and professors stopped whispering, and the murmurs in the audience suddenly amplified. The other contestants, who were still engrossed in their work, couldn't help but look up, their gazes turning to the steady young man with complicated expressions.

Surprise, confusion, understanding, scrutiny, doubt... a variety of emotions flashed across different faces.

Madame Maxime sat gracefully on the high seat, taking in the reactions of the crowd below.

When her gaze swept over her favorite student, Phoebe, a strange light seemed to flicker in her usually overly calm and arrogant azure eyes, like ripples spreading when a pebble is thrown into a pool.

A hint of a smile flickered in Maxime's eyes.

Over the past few days, she had noticed the natural interactions between Phoebe and Lucien.

She was happy to see this happen.

Young people should communicate more; it's a good thing.

If someone as talented as Lucien could be made to like Beauxbatons, or even...

It would be even better if you could transfer here directly.

In Maxime's view, Lucien's value goes far beyond being "Nicolas Flamel's student".

His own qualifications and abilities are already extraordinary.

It's important to understand that Hogwarts enjoys such a prestigious position in the global Wizarding World primarily because of Albus Dumbledore's leadership.

One of the greatest wizards of the century is himself the most dazzling calling card and the most solid foundation of a school.

Madame Maxime had a clear intuition: this young man who was walking towards her, if he grew up smoothly, would very likely stand at the pinnacle of the magical world in the future.

Perhaps he is the "Dumbledore" of the next century.

The key point is that Lucien is still so young, unlike those upperclassmen who have been at Hogwarts for six or seven years.

If we can bring him to Beauxbatons now and nurture him carefully, it will be easier to build his sense of belonging to the school.

Moreover, if Lucien transferred schools voluntarily, then Dumbledore couldn't really say anything.

In Nicolas recent correspondence, Maxime even vaguely sensed that the Alchemy seemed somewhat "uneasy" about Lucien staying at Hogwarts.

This discovery immediately struck her, and she quickly understood why— Hogwarts had been plagued by inexplicable accidents in recent years, including attacks in the Chamber of Secrets and the annual deaths of the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts...

It's really not a place where one can feel at ease to study.

Various thoughts flashed through Madame Maxime's mind, but she maintained an elegant and peaceful smile on her face.

She watched as Lucien approached, gently placing the seemingly ordinary crystal bottle on the empty seat of the long table in front of the judges' panel with unhurried movements.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she turned to the alchemy professor beside her, her voice gentle yet clear, "It seems some of our contestants have finished their work ahead of schedule. Let's begin the judging process."