Lucien: I Guarantee I Won't Blow Up the School

Upon receiving Dumbledore's message, Lucien, Harry, and the other two quickly said goodbye and left the Great Hall. Since they had no classes in the morning, they decided to go directly to the Headmaster's Office.

Ron watched Lucien's figure disappear through the door, his gaze then falling on the basket of small buns Lucien hadn't finished eating.

Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, he reached out and pulled the basket of buns back in front of him, intending to continue eating them.

"By the way, Hermione," Ron mumbled, stuffing a bun into his mouth, "What exactly did you say the fog looked like last night? Silvery-white, with a faint glow?"

Hermione was about to answer when Ron continued to ask:

"It's that little silver bird that mimicked Headmaster Dumbledore's speech from earlier—"

Before he could finish speaking, Ron's face flushed red, and he couldn't continue.

He pounded his chest frantically, his eyes wide open.

Seeing this, Harry and Hermione shook their heads in unison.

Harry pushed his milk towards Ron, the movement so practiced that it was clear this wasn't the first time.

Ron picked up the cup and gulped down several mouthfuls of milk, finally managing to swallow the food in his throat.

Take a deep breath, pretend nothing happened, and clear your throat:

"Ahem, I noticed that the mist that the little bird turned into after it disappeared was also silvery-white and glowing, just like the mist from last night, isn't it?"

Hermione was stunned by these words.

Ron said it so casually, it seems...

Does it look similar?

Headmaster's Office.

As soon as Lucien entered, he noticed Fawkes lying listlessly in the nest, curled up in a ball, as if he hadn't slept well the night before.

Hmm, even Phoenix stays up late?

No wonder Dumbledore didn't use Fawkes to deliver the message, but instead used his own Patronus.

This was, in fact, the first time Lucien had ever seen Dumbledore's Patronus in person— the Phoenix.

The fact that Dumbledore's Patronus is Phoenix, Magical Creatures, certainly fits his character perfectly.

Most wizards summon Patronus that are ordinary animals, while only a few wizards Patronus spirits that are Magical Creatures such as dragons or Thestral.

The greatest wizard of this century certainly belongs to that special "minority," especially since he already possessed a Phoenix.

When Lucien sat down at the table, a steaming cup of black tea was already in front of him.

The tea was amber in color, with wisps of white steam rising from it, and a small piece of honey rested on the rim of the cup.

Dumbledore sat opposite him, his blue eyes behind his Half-moon Spectacles scrutinizing Lucien.

Seeing the boy's slightly weak complexion, he asked with a firm tone, though it was a question:

"Excessive use of magic?"

Lucien wasn't surprised that the crux of the problem was pointed out directly.

A centenarian wizard's insight is such that he can't hide his little problem from anyone.

"During practice last night..." Lucien picked up his teacup, carefully choosing his words, "I didn't control myself well."

Dumbledore nodded, not pressing for specific details, but instead offering a heartfelt reminder:

"You still need to take care of your health. You're so young, you can't just squander your magic power. Magic power takes time to recover, and overdrawing it will affect your future growth. In the long run, it's not worth it."

Lucien nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The principal's words made sense, and I was genuinely feeling guilty and in the wrong.

Sure enough, after offering a few reminders, Dumbledore changed the subject and said with a smile:

"Last night, there was a sudden surge of emotional energy within the core of the castle."

Lucien put down his teacup, a rare blush creeping onto his face.

It was both hot from drinking tea and awkward.

Emotional energy.

If the mist of one's Patronus Charm truly evokes happy memories in those who come into contact with it, those positive emotions will naturally release corresponding emotional energy.

And the magical core of Hogwarts Castle is perfectly capable of collecting this energy...

This is irrefutable evidence.

Lucien was about to explain when Dumbledore spoke again, his tone more serious than before:

"Never try to craft Sorcerer's Stone at school again. Even the simplified version won't work."

Judging from the skill level displayed by the many alchemical items designed and crafted by Lucien, Dumbledore estimated that his old friend Nicolas Flamel might have taught his prized student how to create the Sorcerer's Stone, or at least a simplified Sorcerer's Stone of it.

Having known Nicolas for many years and having conducted numerous Alchemy studies together, Dumbledore was well aware of the consequences of a failed attempt to forge the Sorcerer's Stone.

Therefore, Dumbledore wanted to take this opportunity to solemnly warn Lucien.

Lucien lowered his head in shame, his fingers unconsciously scratching his cheek.

This is because they're afraid they'll blow up the school.

Although with his current alchemical skills, he should, probably, almost certainly not cause such a major accident, but...

Cough cough, wasn't last night's Patronus Charm a cautionary tale?

Lucien thought he could handle it, but the result was a huge scandal.

What if a similar problem occurs when crafting the Sorcerer's Stone...?

"I'll definitely find a secluded place first," Lucien promised.

A look of satisfaction appeared in Dumbledore's eyes. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and set it down. His blue eyes looked gently at Lucien.

"So, how did it feel to use the Patronus Charm for the first time?"