Chapter 185: A New Educational Industry
After Ryan stated his position...
He finally realized why it felt so familiar.
Setting aside time every week for a grassroots survey, and then acting according to his own heart...
This sounds like a "Report on the Investigation of the Wizarding World's Grassroots Masses"!
But when others conduct surveys, they can say: "Because I have seen the light, I cannot bear to see people stumbling in the darkness."
However, thanks to magic, the quality and standard of living in the wizarding world, when compared horizontally within the same social class, were far superior to those in the Muggle world—at least decades ahead.
Take the Weasleys, for example. When Ron started school, they couldn't even afford a new wand. They could be considered the lowest rung of wizarding families, supporting a family of nine on Arthur Weasley's single salary. In the Muggle world, they would have been destitute long ago.
But the Weasleys had no issues with basic food, clothing, shelter, or transportation; they were only strapped for extra expenses.
So, if Ryan were to bring in inappropriate reference points to compare with the wizarding world's standard of living...
Forget it, forget it, don't overthink it, he interrupted his own thoughts, fearing that the deeper he delved, the more he would genuinely start believing that "wizards are tough, wizards can endure hardship."
In a world with such immense and abundant productivity, suppressing the living standards of ordinary wizards to increase the overall power of the wizarding world was, in his view, undesirable.
The pure-blood families, with their long lineages, already showed this tendency—a tendency to exploit ordinary wizards.
If this continued, the critique of pure-blood wealth and power would eventually be replaced by the critique of the wand.
Ryan felt that next year, he should find an opportunity to deploy his side's Draco Malfoy to conduct a precision strike against the pure-blood families' concentrations of wealth and power.
Nicolas and Perenelle naturally had no idea of Ryan's rich inner monologue.
They simply felt fortunate to have taken on such a student in this era.
"It's just a pity... if you had been born a hundred years earlier, it would have been even better."
Satisfied with Ryan's handling of the matter, Nicolas and Perenelle declined the offer from Ryan and Madame Maxime to escort them home. They brushed off their robes and departed as lightly as they had come.
Even though their offer was refused, Ryan and Maxime still saw them to the gates of Beauxbatons.
Coming to seek answers, leaving with a wave of the hand once those answers were found—watching the two figures vanish, Maxime sighed with admiration. Truly legendary figures; their style was reminiscent of the ancients.
"Professor Ryan, regarding the Magi-Alloy wands, what do you plan to do next? If you need any help in the French wizarding community, just say the word." She saw the potential market for the wands, and she saw the heights Ryan's reputation would reach once that market was opened.
There was no clear data on exactly how many Squibs existed in the world.
But almost every wizard knew at least one Squib.
These Squibs could form a network, one covering the entire global wizarding community, and every movement of that network would ultimately lead back to Ryan.
At that point, saying Ryan's prestige would be "like the sun at high noon" would be no exaggeration.
From his research into magic to his beneficence toward Squibs, Maxime genuinely felt that this young man had achieved a feat unprecedented in history.
Whether her name, Olympe Maxime, would be a mere footnote in future history books or occupy a significant chapter depended on this moment.
Ryan happened to have follow-up plans.
After all, the newborn Magi-Metal Wizards were like infants encountering the world for the first time; they knew nothing of the magical world, knew nothing of magic.
As their creator, their "maker" in a metaphysical sense, Ryan naturally couldn't just wash his hands of them. He couldn't just birth them and not raise them.
The Magi-Metal Wizards needed systematic education and correct guidance. These could only come from Beauxbatons and the French Ministry of Magic. Even if he split himself into eighteen pieces, Ryan couldn't handle every aspect alone.
"Madame Headmistress, since I need to travel between several locations, it will be hard for me to oversee everything. Regarding the purchase of Magi-Alloy wands by the French Magi-Metal Wizards and their magical training... if you are willing, I implore you to discuss this with the Ministry. We could establish a small educational institution. Outstanding students from Beauxbatons could teach there, or Ministry employees could take up teaching positions."
"Since they gain the ability to cast spells through the Magi-Alloy wands, their method of casting is unique. They don't need to learn incantations or complex spell theories. They can be taught how to control their magic, taught potions, taught herbology... enough to make them basic wizards."
"Rest assured, I will handle it," Maxime agreed readily. Providing a teaching venue and some staff was a simple matter for her.
Moreover, this wasn't just a favor; the favor came with its own reward.
Ryan could have found many people to help him with this, and doing so would bring unparalleled fame.
Think about it: the first-ever magical academy for Squibs in history! What kind of reputation would the founder of such an academy gain?
And what kind of footnote would the educator who established the curriculum for this academy have in the history of magic?
Maxime decided to make this her top priority.
She would personally oversee the site selection, staff assignment, and curriculum customization, ensuring that all Magi-Metal Wizards could learn well, learn deeply, and continue learning.
Hearing the passion and drive in Madame Maxime's voice, Ryan knew his efforts hadn't been wasted on the blind. She understood his intent.
He relaxed.
True, Ryan could have found many people, even strangers who would have jumped at the chance to help.
But the Headmistress of Beauxbatons was different.
Because Beauxbatons was the alma mater of his teacher, Nicolas Flamel, and his wife, Perenelle. Ryan dared not forget the guidance of the two elders.
As for why he didn't ask the Headmaster of Hogwarts... the reason was simple. Massive fame had always been Dumbledore's enemy. Dumbledore personally detested it, wishing fervently that he didn't have such renown, wishing that people wouldn't constantly use his most painful memory as a badge of honor to pin on him.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts.
Two old men strolled by the Black Lake, discussing the Magi-Metal Wizard movement erupting in France.
"When Squibs cast magic, the resulting wave is enough to reshape the world order. Albus, you really don't need to repeatedly warn me against sharing my views with him. Because his views... are already more radical than mine."
"It's not the same, Gellert. Your views are radical because you will use any means necessary. His views are radical because he ignores all established laws and conventions."
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