In another dormitory, Draco Malfoy is talking with his son Scorpius.
"I know that the Dark Arts Department staff in the school are a bit... eccentric, so be careful not to have any accidents."
Scorpius nodded silently. Noticing his son's absent-mindedness, Draco continued, "Don't worry. The stigma and bad reputation of Dark Magic has long been cleared by the empire."
"It's not because of this," Scorpius raised his head, "I was just thinking, why do both my grandfather and you insist that I become a battle mage? Wouldn't it be better to become a scholar mage, or even have a tower of my own one day like my grandmother?"
Malfoy paused for a moment and asked, "Tell me, how much do you know about our family? Where are we in terms of the status and power of the empire?"
"We are certainly one of the most powerful families in the empire," Scorpius replied without thinking. "As the earliest follower of Arcane Archon, my grandfather is the commander-in-chief of Earth Defense Force. Basically, he controls the entire army of the empire. Therefore, our family is very powerful."
"That's the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know Auror Command?"
"Yes. They are basically the police force of the planet. Any criminal activity - whether magical or non-magical - falls under their jurisdiction." Scorpius replied, with confusion in his tone.
"Ten years ago, Auror Command was still under your grandfather's jurisdiction. However, Council voted to secede, and Arcane Archon agreed.
"Five years ago, Space Marines was also under your grandfather's command, but now, they have become an independent department. Do you understand what I want to say?"
"You mean... grandfather's power is being gradually divided?"
"That's right. There are even rumors recently that Earth Defense Force itself will be further split."
"Why? Our family has always been loyal to Arcane Archon."
"This may be true, but it does not change the fact that we hold too much power. In addition, my father has proven that he is actually unable to fully control such a huge power, so it is inevitable that the power will be reduced."
Scorpius was silent for a moment and asked, "Is there any way we can stop it?"
"No, but we can take measures to ensure that the family can still retain some power. For example, I have been slowly rising through the ranks in Royal Guard, hoping to become its commander one day."
Scorpius knows that Royal Guard is an elite force that is only responsible to Arcane Archon himself, and only the consul himself has the right to mobilize them. According to rumors, under the same conditions and disguises, Be prepared, Royal Guard can defeat Earth Defense Force and Space Marines at the same time. In addition, they can always get the best and latest equipment and resources first, they are indeed the well-deserved elite of the empire.
"As for you," Malfoy continued, "Your grandfather and I both hope that you can enter 'Ghost Squad'."
"Ghost Squad? I've never heard of it."
"This is exactly the key. Only a very few people know of their existence, and everyone else who knows of their existence is already dead. If Royal Guard is the right hand and the light side of the Archon, then Ghost Squad is the left hand and the dark side; the shadow of the empire."
Scorpius was shocked by the sudden news, and then thought about whether knowing such a secret would lead to death, and he couldn't help feeling a little scared.
"Do you still remember the rumors about Royal Guard?" Malfoy asked, unaware of the turmoil in his son's heart.
Scorpius nodded.
"Well, that's not true. Royal Guard can indeed defeat any other army on its own, but not all at once. However, Ghost Squad is different; they are unstoppable."
"Why are they so powerful?"
"Each member of this team signed a contract and dedicated their souls to Arcane Archon. In return, they will receive personal training from the Archon himself and have access to all the resources of the empire. For example, even the Lords of the Tower need Arcane Points to redeem certain knowledge, Potions, or rituals from Arcane Grand Library.
"This is a law that all people in the empire must abide by - except members of Ghost Squad. Anything they want or need to strengthen themselves will be provided unconditionally."
Malfoy patted his son on the shoulder and said, "According to the potential test, you have extremely high talent in Dark Magic. Do your best to develop this talent to the extreme. After you graduate, your grandfather can request Arcane Archon to reserve a position for you as Ghost Squad."
Scorpius solemnly nodded in agreement, and then murmured in a low voice, "No matter what, our family will still be stronger than Potter family."
"Don't underestimate Potter family," Draco warned, "Lily·Potter is one of the few people who is not a member of the Imperial Family or directly serves the Archon, but has obtained fourth-level access rights; this is enough to illustrate her importance in the eyes of Arcane Archon."
After having this conversation with his son, Malfoy left.
--Scene change--
After Albus said goodbye to his parents, he returned to his room. He saw Hugo who was very excited because his father would not be around all the time.
"What are you going to do now?" Albus asked.
"I want to play a game for a while. What about you?"
"Learn."
"Don't be so nerdy, come play with me."
However, Albus ignored it, walked into his room and closed the door. To be more precise, he entered the area that belonged to him in the dormitory.
The room or area he calls it is very spacious, as Undetectable Extension Charm was applied. It contains three rooms: a bedroom, a study and a bathroom.
Albus walked into the study and immediately noticed the sleeping cabin inside. He opened the hatch without hesitation, lay down in it, and then closed the hatch from the inside.
"Scan facial recognition. Scan soul marks. Detect magic power. Scan magic power characteristics...
"Welcome to Mr. Skynet, Albus·Potter. Tip: Your security clearance is level 1-A. Please choose to use neural link or Soul Link?"
"Soul Link."
"Warning: Although Soul Link can achieve 100% authenticity, while the neural link is only 90%, the former still has potential risks. Are you sure to continue?"
"Confirm."
"As ordered. Depending on the strength of your soul, you can be connected continuously for approximately 2 hours, 39 minutes and 23 seconds at most."
"Start Soul-Soothing Potion in the cabin." Albus ordered.
"As you wish. Started. Your current connection time has now been extended to exactly 5 hours."
Soon, Albus found himself in a pure white empty room, and his appearance changed into that of his avatar. He waved his hand, and a holographic image containing various icons appeared in front of him.
There are options for the Internet, social media, games, etc. Albus quickly clicked on the Bones Academy's application and completed the registration. Immediately, a list of online courses he could choose to participate in was displayed in front of him.
These courses include lectures from various professors, tower masters, and even Arcane Archon himself.
Since Albus was interested in Illusion Magic, he chose the course under this category. Soon, Albus spent several weeks (virtual time) learning Illusion Magic. From theory to practice to application. He learned a lot.
However, as soon as the five hours of real time were up, he was forced to exit Soul Link. So he opened the hatch and prepared to take a shower because he knew he would not be able to connect again until tomorrow.
While taking a shower, Albus reviewed all the knowledge he had just learned. Although only 5 hours had passed in the real world, he had spent weeks in the virtual world due to the effect of sensing Time Dilation's magic. Therefore, he had a lot of content to digest and sort out.
After finishing, he went to bed to rest. Tomorrow was the first day of class and he needed to recharge his batteries.