Chapter 244: Opening Soon
Sean and the others had to sign a notice prohibiting the use of magic during the holidays, so at the station, he had to pull his trunk by hand rather than using a Hover Charm.
Professor McGonagall took his hand, and amidst a flurry of noise, they arrived at Diagon Alley.
As usual, the Professor was quickly drawn to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Even though his trunk was completely full, she insisted on picking out summer clothes for him.
Sean was deep in thought; Justin's final words had struck a chord with him.
Indeed, they were all Muggle-born wizards, which meant they would be easy targets once the Chamber of Secrets was opened. Sean didn't know if he could defeat a Basilisk yet, but his Transfiguration had reached the final threshold of Master level. With just a thousand more proficiency points, he could achieve Mastery.
Once he settled in at The Burrow, he would be able to unlock Master-level Transfiguration. It would become his most powerful branch of magic.
Of course, if events took a turn for the worse, he would reveal another trump card.
[Title: Dark Arts Saint (Expert Level)]
[Substantially increases perception of Dark Arts, greatly enhances Dark Arts talent, and comprehensively improves the level of Dark Arts mastery.]
Since his Dark Arts reached the Expert level, he had unlocked a new, special talent. Simply put, it enhanced his control over the power and emotional resonance of the Dark Arts.
This also made him further realize the crudeness of his own mana manipulation. He guessed that as wizards aged, what improved was not just their raw magic, but their ability to master it.
For instance, Sean might be able to exert eighty percent of his magical power, which was already excellent. But someone like Professor McGonagall could exert one hundred percent—and with the reinforcement of her mental discipline, perhaps even two hundred percent.
Sean looked further down his panel:
[Wizard Sean, Dark Arts Talent: Gold (Dark Arts Saint title applied). Note: Average wizards are Green.]
[Evaluation: You are a rare genius in the history of the Dark Arts. The Dark Arts will actively embrace you; you are a natural King of the Dark Arts.]
Sean sighed; he knew the Dark Arts had already begun their embrace.
[Impediment Jinx: Master (100/?)]
[Reductor Curse: Expert (2000/9000)]
[Sectumsempra: Expert (3000/9000)]
...
[Advancement: Seven Master-level Dark Arts spells required to unlock the Master-level title in the Dark Arts field.]
Beyond the Master level, there seemed to be another stage entirely. Sean could no longer even see the proficiency points for it.
However, it didn't stop his Master-level Impediment Jinx from undergoing a transformation. Originally, it could only act on a single object, but now it had evolved to affect everything within a specific area.
"Professor, may I go to the joke shop for a bit?"
Sean walked over to Professor McGonagall, who was still picking out clothes. She granted permission without hesitation.
"Oh, children always love that place. Those Weird Wizard's Chess sets and the Transfiguration Biscuits sold there are very interesting. It's a pity they are always in such short supply. No one knows who the maker is; they're always keeping everyone in suspense," the shopkeeper, her blonde hair styled perfectly, said with a smile.
"It's not for lack of trying," Professor McGonagall sighed. She thought of how busy the young wizard was, yet he still found time to make these things. She didn't know whether to be proud or heartbroken.
"Oh?" The shopkeeper witch seemed to sense something. She recalled the last time the two had come to Diagon Alley and were received by the manager, little Gertie. She had a faint suspicion.
Professor McGonagall certainly wasn't participating in making these, so who could it be? It was hard to guess...
"A very excellent child, Professor. You must be very proud of him." The shopkeeper's words hit home for McGonagall, and the extra clothes being wrapped up made the shopkeeper's smile even brighter.
Gringotts.
Sean walked out with a dazed expression.
Who put so many Galleons in my vault?!
He had only intended to withdraw some pocket money, but upon entering, he was nearly blinded by the mountains of gold. Was Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes truly this profitable?
Without much time to ponder, Sean walked toward a specific location. Diagon Alley was teeming with people, all discussing the news that the joke shop was about to officially open. Various animals were hopping and running about, making the atmosphere boisterous.
In front of an empty shop, Sean met up with Professor Quirrell.
"Mr. Green..." Professor Quirrell still looked timid and cautious.
"Professor Quirrell, have you made a choice?" Sean asked.
"Of course. You required a shop that is hidden yet open, located in a place where magic can be used... This shop in Diagon Alley fits rather well. Diagon Alley is the largest commercial street in Britain, and it just happened to have a vacancy—a fairly cheap one at that. However... a joke shop has already opened here. According to your wish to sell magical items, perhaps we should find another location..." Professor Quirrell said thoughtfully.
"That won't be necessary, Professor," Sean shook his head.
This was the shop Professor Terra had asked him to open as the distribution point for the Fairy Tale Biscuits. To be precise, the items sold here would likely be difficult for ordinary wizards to obtain unless Sean's alchemy reached Master level and he could produce them at will.
During this time, Sean's life at Hogwarts had been disciplined and peaceful. Meanwhile, alchemical masters from various countries, the Ministry of Magic, and ancient families who had caught wind of the news were nearly turning Britain upside down, yet they couldn't find the alchemist who had seized the "authority of magical beasts."
After all, no one would imagine that the genius known as "Hermes" was currently a student at Hogwarts. And even if they did—who would dare to barge into Hogwarts?
"Good... very well. It can open soon. In... in the second week." Professor Quirrell asked no questions, simply continuing his report.
Hearing the timeline, Sean was surprised. He looked at the shop. Could such a dilapidated place be reorganized, rebuilt, and renovated in just one week?
Magic was truly all-encompassing.
"We will be selling some biscuits," Sean said.
"Those animal transformation biscuits, I suppose... I see." Professor Quirrell's eyes flickered. Although the wizarding world protected patents, if the patent holder actively transferred them...
"Professor?" Sean had no idea what the professor thought he had understood.
"It's this." Sean pulled out a Kneazle Biscuit that was emitting a "purring" sound.
"This is..." Professor Quirrell froze. He took it, and for some reason, a thought occurred to him.
He remembered the conversations between the Alchemy Professor who occasionally appeared at the High Table and Professor McGonagall.
"At Hogwarts... the one recognized by the Joint Committee of the International Alchemical Symposium as the most gifted alchemist in six hundred years... the youngest member ever... the winner of the Gold Award for Pioneering Contribution at the Udala Symposium..."
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