New news about Bagnold

Okay, okay... I'll let it slide since you're going to the competition.

Manus sighed:

"You also participated in that... seminar about fate and Curse?"

Calling it a seminar might be an overstatement, but that's the official name it is.

"That's fate, after all. Who wouldn't be curious at all?"

Wizard's Chess is too mentally taxing, and Ignis is happy to use casual conversation to shift his focus. With less than two weeks left until the Inter-School Wizard's Chess Championship, what he needs most now is not intensive training, but maintaining his form and relaxing.

"Speaking of which, you must be one of the few people around here who has really studied this subject. What's your view on fate?"

This topic inevitably brings to mind Sybill. She did agree readily to Manus's request, and indeed, she didn't publicize it extensively afterward.

But Sybill's own changes couldn't make others forget, and she herself still occasionally couldn't help but reveal a little bit...

Her identity is now, at least within Ravenclaw, a "secret" that few people deliberately mention.

At the same time, it was also discovered that Sybill did not inherit the talent for Divination —there is a proverb in the Middle East that says, "Don't show off your abilities, or others will find out you have no abilities."

This proverb is meant to warn others that in a dangerous and complex social environment, one must have a trump card up their sleeve to instill fear, as the unknown is more threatening than any known strength.

Once you reveal all your cards, you're bound to invite trouble; there will always be someone stronger than you.

But for Sybill now, this proverb seems to mean exactly what it says.

Fortunately, Ravenclaw people by their knowledge, and especially after Manus's influence expanded, it went further to Meritocracy. The Sybill did not inherit the ability to Divination —ah, they didn't have the ability to Divination to inherit either, so it's alright.

In short, Sybill doesn't need to worry about being looked down upon for this reason yet, at least not until her final first-year grades are released.

After a brief moment of distraction, Manus spoke calmly, showing no sign of being lost in thought:

"I've said it before, fate isn't that magical."

Manus had repeated his views on fate more than once, but unfortunately few people believed him, let alone helped spread them.

Perhaps this seminar will allow us to promote his views on fate?

"The world develops according to its own laws; fire rises, water flows down... Human character is fixed, the laws of the world are fixed, and many things are foreshadowed long before they happen."

Manus shrugged.

"Some people find foreshadowing on their own and are certain that something will happen; this is called deduction. Others obtain foreshadowing and answers through magical abilities that they cannot fully control, but do not understand why; this is called Divination."

Ignis was somewhat speechless, but as he said, Manus was already the one among them who had the most say in their fate.

Manus did indeed know how to Divination, so they couldn't say there was anything wrong with Manus theories; it's just that they differed somewhat from their previous understanding of Divination...

"It sounds like you prefer mystery-solving; no wonder I haven't seen you do Divination much."

Manus secretly rolled his eyes at this.

Well, the common knowledge that Manus could Divination actually predates his own awareness of having Third Eye.

I remember that Manus only gave the other person some small guidance on how to confess his love, but who knew that it would be spread that he was Divination, and even that he was exceptionally accurate in matters of love.

At first, Manus felt that there was no need to clarify such rumors. The more you care, the more enthusiastic the people spreading them become, especially since this matter involves love, a topic that makes people's gossip desires particularly strong.

Furthermore, Manus possessed some Divination Magic, so it's fair to say he could perform some Divination.

Later, Manus discovered that he truly possessed Third Eye, so there was no need to clarify anything... but this also made it impossible for Manus to shake off his reputation as a love Divination teller.

"We've rested enough, time to start the next game?"

"Ah?"

Ignis was taken aback. How did the conversation suddenly veer from lighthearted gossip and small talk back to something so heartbreaking?

However, seeing that Manus had already arranged all the pieces, Ignis nodded in agreement.

"Knight, charge!"

Ignis was trained by Manus day after day, just three days before he was to depart for Koldovstoretz...

"Have you heard? There's news about Professor Millicent Bagnold."

"... oh?"

Manus snapped out of his thoughts and looked somewhat surprised.

Manus had always been curious about one thing: why did he insist on having Millicent Bagnold investigate? Was there anything or anyone that required her personal investigation?

Logically speaking, as a professor at Hogwarts, Millicent Bagnold should have been entrusted with any investigations the Order of the Phoenix needed to conduct to someone more available, not Millicent Bagnold.

"Guess if it's good news or bad news?"

"It should be good news, otherwise you wouldn't be so calm."

This doesn't mean Ignis cares so much about Millicent Bagnold, but rather that if something had happened to Millicent Bagnold, it would undoubtedly prove the Curse had been fulfilled, and the consequences wouldn't be as minor as they are now.

As they were talking, Manus quietly captured one of Ignis's pieces.

"Hehe, you're wrong—Professor Millicent Bagnold was seen in St. Mungo's's. Although he wasn't seriously injured to the point of being unconscious, he was covered in blood and could barely walk."

Ignis was somewhat smug:

"My uncle saw it when he went to St. Mungo's's to get his medicine. It was worth coming to you about this first."

Manus laughed upon hearing this:

"Then why did you say 'have you heard'? None of the other classmates know, how am I supposed to hear about it?"

"I just thought you might have other sources of information... Castle, wait, where's my castle?"

Ignis looked at the chessboard and blinked, somewhat puzzled.

"It was just captured by my bishop. You need to concentrate when playing chess..."

Manus shook his head, waiting for Ignis to concede defeat before picking up the last chocolate chip cookie and putting it in his mouth.

"Alright, that concludes today's reinforcement exercises."

Ignis leaned back and let out a long sigh. Seeing Manus about to leave, he couldn't help but say:

"Eh? Aren't you interested in Professor Millicent Bagnold's situation at all?"

"Knowing she was injured is enough. Professor Millicent Bagnold should be heading back to Hogwarts soon."