Library

The two of them eagerly headed into the library, but after only a few steps, they were stopped by the librarian, Madam Pince.

Tap! Tap!

The elderly woman, whose expression was as stern—if not sterner—than Professor McGonagall's, said nothing. She merely tapped the notice board beside her with a feather duster.

Li Wei and Hermione instinctively shrank back and turned to look. The sign read:

Eating, loud noise, horseplay, and damaging books are forbidden in the library. Violators will lose points, be expelled from the library, and reported to their House for detention!

The words "damaging books" had even been marked in red and black, carrying an overwhelming sense of stern warning!

Li Wei and Hermione did not dare speak. Holding their textbooks, they obediently nodded. Madam Pince swept her gaze over them before putting away her feather duster and allowing them inside.

Once they entered the library, the two exchanged a look and both breathed a sigh of relief. As agreed, they began selecting reference books.

After returning to their seats, they used the borrowed reference books to complete their assignments. Then they read through all five reference books, memorizing the key points within. After that, they exchanged their five magic books and repeated the process.

When it came time to quiz each other, both of them fell silent. They had realized that the entire library was deathly quiet, and neither dared make an unnecessary sound.

They looked at each other, each trying to discern from the other's eyes what they wanted to say.

But after staring at each other for ages, all they accomplished was a wide-eyed stare-down!

Fine, they would have to rely on magic after all.

Li Wei thought helplessly to himself. With a wave of the Elderwood Phoenix Feather Wand, he softly chanted:

"Muffliato!"

Madam Pince sensed the fluctuation of magic and immediately shot a look toward Li Wei's seat. Once she saw that he was not doing anything improper, she withdrew her gaze and continued patrolling her territory like a lioness.

"Phew..." Li Wei let out a soft breath. Afraid that they might be thrown out, he only relaxed after seeing that nothing had happened, then said to Hermione:

"Alright, I cast the spell. The two of us can talk now! No one else can hear us for the time being!"

"I know. It's the Muffliato Charm." Hermione's knowledge never disappointed. She said with a face full of amazement:

"Li Wei, I never expected you to have already learned this spell too!"

"If we hadn't come to school together on the train, I might have thought you were an upper-year student!"

"How did you do it?"

"I mean, I mastered some first-year spells before school started too, but I had no idea where to begin with the more difficult spells. Even when I memorized the incantations, casting methods, and key points, I still couldn't cast them!"

Of course it's because of my talent for spells!

Li Wei answered Hermione's question in his heart, but did not say it aloud.

He had long realized that an E-rank, Good talent, compared horizontally with the teachers and students at Hogwarts, was talent at the professor level.

And if a particular talent could reach O-rank, Outstanding, then it would definitely be the sort of world-class talent Dumbledore, Voldemort, Grindelwald, or Newt Scamander possessed in certain specialized fields.

Was Hermione talented?

In Li Wei's opinion, of course she was!

But her strengths lay in her extensive knowledge, excellent memory, and ability to adapt on the fly.

Perhaps through diligent study, she could easily cast some simple little spells. But once she began learning intermediate, advanced, and top-tier spells, she would only be considered above average.

How could she possibly compare to an E-rank, Good talent at the professor level!

So how was he supposed to answer her, this highly competitive little Hermione?

Not knowing how to explain himself, Li Wei simply acted embarrassed. He lowered his head slightly and said with a bewildered expression:

"Actually, I don't know either. During the holidays, I just followed what the book said, tried a few times, and it worked!"

Hermione opened her mouth, feeling that Li Wei was showing off, though she did not yet know the meaning of the term "humblebrag."

Against a talent monster like Li Wei, even Hermione, the ultimate study maniac, was completely helpless!

Hermione no longer dwelled on the matter of spells. Since she already knew that she was behind Li Wei, she would simply train even more diligently from now on!

The two quizzed each other for a while, helping one another deepen their understanding and mastery of the knowledge in the books. Then they began previewing that afternoon's Herbology lesson together.

"Alright, children, it's time for lunch. Put all the books back. Anyone who wants to borrow a book, come to me."

Madam Pince glanced at the library clock and suddenly broke the library's silence with her announcement.

When she mentioned borrowing books, both her tone and expression revealed a distinct reluctance.

Madam Pince truly regarded books as incomparably important, to the point of being somewhat excessive.

By managing their time properly, Li Wei and Hermione had both finished reading their books. After returning them, they left the library carrying their textbooks.

"This morning went by so quickly. I feel like my study efficiency improved by quite a lot!"

After leaving the library, little Hermione hugged her large textbooks as she walked, occasionally glancing at Li Wei from the corner of her eye.

"Mm, I think this method helps with studying too," Li Wei casually replied. Ten more books had already been added to his Memory Library.

"This afternoon's Herbology class is with both our Houses, right?"

Hermione glanced at Li Wei again and asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"That's right. And tonight's Astronomy class is with all four Houses."

Li Wei was somewhat puzzled. Had Hermione not looked at the timetable?

"Then after Herbology, are you coming back to the library to read?"

Li Wei's puzzled expression made Hermione grit her silver teeth in frustration, but she still suppressed her anger and asked.

The moment Li Wei heard Hermione ask that, combined with her expression, how could he not understand what was going on?

The little girl had grown fond of this atmosphere of studying together, improving together, and becoming more efficient.

What was more, they could talk freely in the library and have evenly matched exchanges of knowledge, like worthy opponents meeting on the battlefield. Naturally, she hoped they could keep reading together like this.

"Of course, Hermione. I hope you'll still read with me this afternoon!"

Li Wei made the invitation openly and without hesitation.

"No problem." Hermione's face immediately blossomed into a smile!