Hogwarts' Everyday Player
Chapter 50

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As he slowly sank contentedly into the bath, Ryan finally immersed himself in water again after so long, rather than taking showers in carriages and castles.

Being a wizard was truly wonderful. If Ryan had been a wizard in his previous life, he would definitely have lived in seclusion, at most mooching off someone's Wi-Fi. Magic could handle everything else.

Being a Smith was wonderful too. Every generation before him had possessed such a strong sense of crisis that Ryan could barely find anything to spend money on now. His family could produce everything themselves, so what more could he ask for?

The Weasleys were the negative example among wizards. How could they still be poor despite being wizards? Many of their expenses were completely unnecessary.

Impoverished wizards like the Weasleys were simply too optimistic.

Wizards did not actually need money. Magic could obtain or create everything.

Of course, that was also related to the fact that the only household spells circulating on the market were those for removing stains and preparing food.

There was a serious lack of magic related to making clothes, farming, and breeding magical creatures, not to mention all-purpose alchemy. Britain did not even offer it as a course.

Besides, wizards had limited energy and could not take care of every aspect of life. Making clothes? Breeding creatures? They could just buy them from other wizards!

And so monopolies formed, and Galleons gained value.

As for using Transfiguration to make clothes, that was merely a trick that could fool Muggles. Skilled wizards, or those familiar with Transfiguration, could see through it. That was why Ron had worried over his ugly dress robes in his fourth year, yet only used a Cutting Curse to remove the lace from his maroon robes.

Even Molly Weasley, a witch skilled in Cooking and household magic, was lacking when it came to making clothes. Yet she was astonishingly powerful in battle, killing Bellatrix Lestrange, a formidable Death Eater, head-on in a one-on-one fight.

Hogwarts should offer a sewing class. Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures should not merely introduce magical plants and animals either. The most important thing was teaching students how to use magic to grow and raise them conveniently.

Magic should have been capable of doing everything. That way, wizards could save their Galleons for other things, such as alchemical products.

In short, other wizards did not possess the same sense of urgency as the Smiths, and could not achieve complete self-sufficiency.

Wizards were far too versatile. Take the Weasley twins' Daydream Charm: paired with a prop, simply casting it allowed one to enter a high-quality, hyper-realistic daydream realm lasting thirty minutes. Its only side effects were a blank expression and slight drooling.

Any kind of dream was possible, let alone indescribable things.

No wonder it was not sold to anyone under sixteen.

The techniques involved were not actually difficult. For Hogwarts professors, it was no wonder almost all of them were single. With such a technique, what did they need a partner for?

Especially Snape, who excelled at Occlumency. Such a simple technique was probably as easy as eating and drinking to him. Other than brewing potions and carrying out Dumbledore's tasks, he was likely always living in dreams of his own making, sharing blissful days and nights with Lily.

It was understandable why Grindelwald, imprisoned by himself, lived so simply. With a younger Dumbledore keeping him company, what more could he ask for?

Ryan could now do something similar himself without any spell. After all, the magical painting in the Smith family bathroom allowed one's consciousness to briefly enter the painting after staring at it long enough as an adult.

Once, the wife of a family head had become jealous and tried to destroy the painting. Unfortunately, due to a powerful Permanent Sticking Charm and some unknown reason, that sole magical painting remained until now.

Occlumency was already the most profound and difficult type of Daydream Charm. If Harry knew about this use of the spell, he would definitely devote himself to learning it. Then he probably would not have been misled by Voldemort and caused Sirius to leave the world.

This spell could even affect the efficacy of Veritaserum, creating false memories in the mind. One of the effects of Ryan's Thinking skill was actually an enhanced version of Occlumency.

Any wizard skilled in advanced magic would generally have encountered this spell.

The hardest part of the spell was controlling oneself. If Harry had learned it at eleven, before entering the magical world, he would probably have gotten the hang of it quickly.

But for Harry to learn it after entering puberty, when he was impulsive, irritable, attracted to the opposite sex, and unstable, was undoubtedly far too difficult.

One had to be cruel to oneself, control unnecessary emotions, and endure pressure. Draco Malfoy was very talented in this regard. He was good at locking away his sympathy, allowing him to bully others effectively.

Under the pressure of assassinating Dumbledore and Bella's cruel instruction, Draco could even withstand Snape's Legilimency and perfectly close off his heart. Yet he had also nearly broken down many times, secretly weeping alone in Myrtle's bathroom.

Another talented young wizard. There were many young wizards in the original story who, if pushed harder to study diligently and undergo combat training, should have become remarkable wizards.

If they had united as well, what would Voldemort have amounted to?

Voldemort had dominated the wizarding world through his terrifying actions and the distrust between wizards.

Hogwarts' education should have been reformed long ago, and the Ministry of Magic should not have maintained its so-called stability at the cost of weakening wizards.

It was only after Ryan truly transmigrated here that he understood why an ordinary wizard like Fudge, accomplished in neither scholarship nor combat, could become Minister for Magic.

Because Fudge's magic was not particularly strong and he lacked prestige, his sole strength was glossing over problems and listening to Dumbledore's advice. During his campaign, he had repeatedly implied that Dumbledore stood behind him.

The sudden peace made wizards need a minister skilled at maintaining appearances, rather than one constantly emphasizing that Voldemort was not dead and everyone needed to stay vigilant.

Fudge's Ministry of Magic wanted every young wizard to understand only theory, leaving everything else to the Ministry. Yet under Fudge's leadership, the Ministry did nothing useful beyond controlling public opinion.

That was why Fudge had been so resolute over Voldemort's return. Maintaining appearances was the foundation of Fudge's position, while Dumbledore's preparations for war seemed to him nothing more than a peaceful coup to seize power.

Even if Voldemort really returned, Fudge was a pure-blood and did not fear Voldemort settling accounts with him afterward.

Voldemort's return in the original story was proof enough. Hogwarts did not need to teach too much advanced magic, but Aurors—the combination of wizard soldiers and police—should also have a form of advanced study.

The existence of universities was necessary. After graduating at seventeen, most wizards became corporate drones. Their former outstanding talents became little more than certificates, while most of what they had learned went unused.

Hogwarts' seven years should cultivate young wizards capable of living comfortably even outside wizarding society. Universities could then provide further training in everything else. Full-time students of magic would also be more focused, rather than being swayed by economic games.

For the first time, Ryan felt that he had found a goal: become Hogwarts' headmaster, or establish a university directly. Graduating at seventeen and never studying magic again? Dream on!

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