Lorne bought two books first.
The Magic Mobile Phone Instructions, which he had no choice but to buy, and the other book with the highest word count, Detailed Explanation of Basic Magical Theory.
After shopping, Lorne suddenly thought of a question: did the quest progress bar track the cumulative power of emotion he had earned, or his current amount?
Lorne nervously opened the system.
[Progress: 10/100]
Hahahaha! He knew it!
There was absolutely no need to give this damned system the benefit of the doubt. Assuming the worst could never go wrong.
The progress bar tracked his current amount. In other words, if he bought something, he would have to earn that portion of power of emotion all over again to reach the milestones on the progress bar.
What a rip-off!
Lorne cursed inwardly for a long time before taking out the two books he had bought and starting to read.
He started with the Magic Mobile Phone Instructions. He desperately wanted to know how to use this glowing brick.
"The Magic Mobile Phone is an epoch-making invention: waterproof, fireproof, and jinxproof. Made from special materials, it automatically draws magic upon contact with a wizard to ensure normal operation. Wizards can deliberately reduce their magical output to lower the brightness, or increase their magical output to improve performance."
"Users can manipulate their magic to activate the built-in miniature alchemical matrices, achieving interactions similar to 'tapping' and 'swiping' on Muggle phones, but with greater flexibility. Experiments have shown that with just three hours of practice using the Magic Mobile Phone each day for one week, users can operate it however they wish."
"Detailed operating instructions are as follows..."
Lorne carefully studied every sentence of the detailed instructions, testing them word by word, sentence by sentence.
"Beginners are advised to cup the Magic Mobile Phone in both hands." Lorne adjusted his posture as he read. "All right, next step: relax your body and maintain your magical output for approximately three seconds until it is fully charged."
Lorne waited quietly for five seconds.
"Sense the location of your magic within the Magic Mobile Phone. This step is extremely important. You must concentrate and sense the needs and feelings in your heart-this step is just like casting any spell. Strong conviction is the foundation of all magic."
The instructions suddenly became abstract. Lorne concentrated on the screen, imagining the sensation of sliding his finger across it.
That was it!
The screen actually slid a little to the left. As his intent stopped, the screen returned to its original state.
As though he had discovered a new continent, Lorne spent all his time on the train studying this Magic Mobile Phone.
Hogwarts Station.
Like a night watchman, Hagrid held up a beautiful lantern and shouted, "All first-year young wizards, over here!"
The young wizards had changed into their robes well before the train arrived. They emerged from the train in twos and threes, but because of Hagrid's enormous size, not one dared approach.
Harry was the first.
He walked up and asked, "Hagrid, where's Director Lorne? Isn't he coming with us?"
At that moment, Lorne was wondering whether he should take a carriage with the older students or a boat with Hagrid. He stood among the crowd, looking around blankly.
"Lorne-"
Hagrid waved his large hand and called to him. Even little Harry beneath the lantern stretched out a hand to wave at him.
Lorne took a deep breath. He stopped hesitating and strode through the first years, who were huddling with their necks drawn in like quails, heading straight toward the light.
As he approached, Hagrid's face, hidden beneath his thick beard and unruly hair, became clearer in the lantern's dim yellow glow.
He grinned, revealing a completely unguarded smile.
"They're scared of me," Hagrid said helplessly.
"That's because they don't know you yet, Hagrid."
After reassuring him, Lorne turned and clapped his hands toward the bustling first years. He knew Dumbledore still had a speech to give in the castle tonight, and he did not want to steal the spotlight.
Lorne's clapping drew everyone's attention their way.
Hagrid seized the chance to call out, "Hurry up, first years! Don't be shy. Follow me."
They were going to cross the Black Lake by boat.
Lorne shared a boat with Hagrid. Without discussing it, they sat in the same places they had occupied the day they picked up Harry.
"This boat doesn't go as fast as the one we took to pick up Harry. After all, that day I used-" As Hagrid spoke, he added a warning. "You mustn't tell anyone I used magic that day, Lorne."
"Don't worry, Hagrid. If anyone finds out about it, it'll definitely be because you blabbed." Lorne pressed a hand to his forehead.
Behind them, boats drifted steadily along, with Harry and Ron sitting together.
"I thought you were calling me just now," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Your names do sound a bit alike." Harry enthusiastically recommended Hagrid and Lorne to Ron, looking as though he shared in their glory. "Hagrid and Director Lorne are both really good people. You'll definitely see once we get to Hogwarts."
"I believe you, Harry. Anyone named Lorne must be a good person, just like me."
The lake reflected the blackness of the night sky, making it impossible to distinguish the boundary between water and sky.
Lit up in the distance, Hogwarts was the only point to head toward in the darkness. The closer they drew to that ancient, magnificent building, the more they could feel its wonder.
The castle's spires were like swords, piercing straight into the curtain of night sky as though trying to tear open that deep blackness. Its artfully staggered towers, flying buttresses, and battlements traced an intricate, mysterious silhouette against the night.
Dancing flames adorned the castle in a dazzling display of light. Windows glowing orange-yellow were like gentle eyes watching the new students between water and sky, like a mother waiting for her wandering children to return.
Welcome to Hogwarts.
Lorne and Hagrid left ahead of the others. They went to their own rooms to change into formal attire in preparation for that evening's start-of-term feast.
Setting the two newly purchased books on the desk, Lorne thought for a moment, then took the Magic Mobile Phone with him after all.
Listening to the leadership speak is bound to be boring.
He could now write and draw skillfully on the phone-its screen could serve as a memo pad.
There was not a single app on the phone. For now, besides posing as a flashlight, it could also serve as a perfectly adequate notepad.
Lorne was already very satisfied. After all, he had only read a little of the book.
After changing, Lorne took his seat before the new students' Sorting Ceremony.
The older students were already seated when the great doors slowly opened on their own. Professor McGonagall walked in with a crowd of young wizards, who chattered like a flock of ducklings.
Before all the teachers and students sat a dusty gray leather hat: the very Sorting Hat Lorne had seen in the Headmaster's Office.
Professor McGonagall walked over to the hat, turned around, and waved for the new students to quiet down.
Dumbledore sat in the very center. His gaze drifted toward Harry as he stood and said loudly, "Your attention, please. This term, in addition to the Dark Forest, the corridor on the right-hand side of the third floor is also out of bounds. If you do not wish to die a horrible death, please persuade your feet."
Lorne pressed his lips together and mercilessly wrote on his phone: Hogwarts' two major attractions.
"In addition, we are honored to welcome two new members of staff this term: Professor Quirinus Quirrell, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Director Lorne Miles, our director of the General Affairs Office. If you have any problems with your studies or daily life, you are welcome to trouble him."