Peaceful Studies Before School Starts

The next day, Roy got up unusually early to sort through the spoils he had picked up yesterday.

He dumped the chaotic pile of things from his backpack onto the floor, scattering all kinds of miscellaneous trinkets everywhere.

Roy bent down and lay on the floor, sorting the scattered odds and ends by category.

"Hmm, this should be a component from some magical machine. It might come in handy someday."

"What kind of animal bone was this ornament made from? There's a trace of evil magic clinging to it. I'll study it later."

After more than half an hour of fussing around on the floor, Roy picked out the worthless items and divided the somewhat valuable ones into several piles: usable magical materials, small items intended for resale, and magical objects awaiting research.

Roy put away the magical materials. He had bought some books on Potions and Alchemy yesterday and planned to study them himself.

"Hmm, I wonder if Diagon Alley has anywhere that buys these things. If not, I'll have to make another trip to Knockturn Alley."

Roy extended his wand and gave it a light flick. A stream of water sprayed from its tip, washing the fairly well-preserved ornaments and decorations. He then shoved them all beneath his bed.

As for the rest, Roy could sense magical traces on all of them. Especially a full set of ornaments made from some unknown animal's bones—he could feel the same Dark Magic with an evil aura contained in every piece. He did not know what those spells did and planned to study them next.

He suddenly remembered that he had also picked up a pile of old books from Knockturn Alley yesterday, even exchanging a few moves with a dark wizard over them.

Roy carried the battered books over to his small table, pulled over a chair, and sat down at the desk.

The worn covers were coated in dust. Roy wiped one clean with his hand, randomly opened it, and skimmed through it.

"Fuck, this is way too fucked up!"

The contents made even battle-hardened Roy feel his sanity slipping. This white-covered book concerned Dark Magic and biological transmutation. The human experiment designs and illustrations that shattered every ethical boundary made Roy's back prickle.

Just glancing through the book made Roy feel like his eyes had been sullied. He put it down, then cautiously picked up another book and began flipping through it.

This one described all kinds of Dark Magic—the sort that would get someone caught immediately and kissed by a Dementor. Compared to it, even the Unforgivable Curses could be considered merciful.

"This one's okay. Let's see the rest."

The remaining books did not surprise Roy. Every one of them involved evil magic without any moral limits. After only a few quick glances, Roy wanted to disinfect his eyes.

Even if he learned these evil spells, he could never use them openly in broad daylight. Still, he had paid for these books, so Roy had no intention of throwing them all away.

Feeling mentally contaminated, Roy decided he needed a break and casually pulled out a copy of Making Alchemical Constructs Move, which he had bought from Flourish and Blotts yesterday.

There was still plenty of time. He had nothing to do in August anyway, so he might as well use the time to study magic.

In his previous life, Roy had been a super genius who entered university without ever attending school and still graduated top of his class. Studying magic would be just as easy.

At a manor in Central Europe, Aisling was intently brewing Potions in a pitch-black basement.

The dim basement had been specially treated, with its temperature and humidity kept constant year-round, creating the ideal conditions for brewing Potions.

Aisling stood expressionlessly before a cauldron, wand in hand, watching the thick red liquid churn within it.

A knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Wolf gently pushed open the door and bowed to the focused Aisling, whose gaze never left the cauldron.

"Miss, we have found the information on the boy you wanted investigated. If you are busy, I can report to you later."

"No need."

Aisling's voice still carried no emotion. With a flick of her wand, the flames beneath the cauldron went out at once. Glass bottles flew over from the shelves, and the potion from the cauldron filled five small bottles in total.

Aisling raised one of the potion-filled bottles and inspected the clear liquid through the dim yellow light overhead.

"It's still somewhat cloudy," Aisling judged.

Wolf stepped forward, carefully examined the potion Aisling had brewed, and offered high praise.

"Miss, what you have brewed is already exceptionally perfect. Energizing Potion is only taught in Hogwarts' fifth year. Successfully brewing it at your age is already remarkable."

"It's average. I've seen young witches who could brew Polyjuice Potion in their second year."

Aisling always seemed to speak without any emotion. Wolf knew that she could see fragments of the future, so he did not question whether her words were true.

"Let's go. We can talk outside."

Aisling set down the potion in her hand and left the basement. Wolf followed behind her as they entered the lavishly decorated drawing room.

Aisling sat in the middle of a luxurious sofa. She took out her wand and gave it a light wave, causing blue flames to ignite in the nearby fireplace.

Wolf sat opposite Aisling, took out a document, and handed it to her.

With a pop, two cups of black tea suddenly appeared on the coffee table. Aisling accepted the document, lifted a teacup from the table, and read while drinking.

"According to our investigation, this Roy Smith is merely a very ordinary orphanage child and had never come into contact with the Wizarding World before this. Our investigation suggests that the real reason Dumbledore personally went to collect him was likely the orphanage he lived in. The man who once called himself Voldemort also came from that orphanage."

"Roy Smith..."

Aisling set down both the document and her cup. One hand lightly tapped the papers on the coffee table.

"I do not think you need to worry about him. Based on the current investigation, he is simply an ordinary child and poses no threat to you."

Seeing Aisling deep in thought, Wolf voiced his own opinion.

"I saw... him attacking me, and I... was lying on the ground..."

The usually expressionless Aisling closed her eyes, a conflicted look appearing on her face as though she were trying desperately to recall the images from her prophecy.

"In a forest. It was very dark, but I could sense it was him. I could even see the smile on his face. Most importantly, I was no match for him."

Aisling's tone was hesitant and confused.

"Who exactly are you...?"

Hearing Aisling's words, Wolf also fell into thought. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and offered his conclusion.

"That is impossible. That Muggle brat absolutely cannot possess such power. Prophecies can be wrong. Dumbledore once deceived your great-uncle's prophecy and ultimately defeated him. This is very likely Dumbledore's suppression of you."

Aisling did not answer. Her eyes remained fixed on the sheet of paper atop the coffee table, filled with resolve and ferocity.

"If fate tries to trap me, then I will use my own power to defeat fate. I want to see just what Roy Smith... really is."

Far away in London, Roy was studying Apparition in his room. He had no idea that before even starting school, he had already caught the attention of a gifted young witch.

Roy, lying on his bed and reading, suddenly shivered. Bee Doctor Sense abruptly issued a warning, making him stop what he was doing.

"Hiss—why do I have a bad feeling about this? Is someone planning to ambush me?"