Chapter 3: Professor McGonagall, Please Try a Bit Harder
"It may sound harsh, but I have to say, your adoptive father doesn't seem very responsible.
He doesn't seem to... understand the current situation." Professor McGonagall frowned after regaining her
composure.
Lynn shrugged, looking at her helplessly: "But the result is the same. You may not know much about my situation. To be honest, my life in the orphanage wasn't very pleasant, so my current adoptive father is someone I found myself.
He became my guardian through legal channels, giving me ample freedom until I reach adulthood, and promising to fully cooperate with all my decisions, only signing where necessary.
In return, I guarantee to pay him a certain amount after I have the right to inherit my parents' estate.
To put it simply, our relationship is based entirely on financial terms.
Lynn was telling the truth, but the process was certainly not that simple. After all, a transaction between a child of a few years old and an adult cannot be done with just money.
"Besides, he had resorted to a few questionable methods that were better left unsaid."
As Professor McGonagall listened to Lynn's story, her expression softened.
She wasn't truly heartless; she was just cold on the outside but warm on the inside—a common trait among felines.
"Poor child, your situation is indeed somewhat special." Professor McGonagall had already imagined how young Lynn had navigated the dark and treacherous world of adults, ultimately resorting to cold, hard monetary transactions to gain his freedom.
She dared not delve into the hardships and difficulties he had endured.
"She paused briefly before continuing."
"Before heading to Hogwarts, you'll need to go to Diagon Alley to buy necessary school supplies and textbooks.
Although it's not as dangerous as Knockturn Alley, I think it's best to have an adult accompany you.
So, Hogwarts will send another professor soon to help you with your pre-enrollment preparations. After that, be sure to keep an eye out for the letters delivered by owls."
"No problem, Professor."
Lynn naturally had no objection.
Although he wouldn't likely run into trouble going to Diagon Alley alone, it would be better to have someone familiar with the wizarding world guide him.
Besides, the professors at Hogwarts were all excellent teachers; even Snape only had a few flaws in his personality.
Getting acquainted with them beforehand was definitely not a bad thing.
Having said what needed to be said, Professor McGonagall didn't stay long; she had to go to the next Muggle student's home for orientation.
Before leaving, she gave Lynn a rare smile.
"It's clear, Bellok, that you are a child of high character, wit, and courage. Hogwarts looks forward to your arrival."
Lynn shyly scratched his head, about to say a few words of modesty, when suddenly that familiar voice rang in his mind again.
[You have received sincere praise from Transfiguration Professor—Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration talent +1, Transfiguration effect +1.]
At the same time, Lynn felt that his body seemed to be undergoing some changes, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what those changes were.
However, he was certain that they were changing for the better.
Lynn's expression changed instantly, his gaze turning eagerly to Professor McGonagall, who was about to Apparate away.
"Then see you at Hogwarts..."
"Wait, Professor! Quick, praise me again!"
"..."
Professor McGonagall stopped abruptly, wondering if she'd misheard.
While Westerners are generally more outgoing, they weren't this shameless. McGonagall's gaze towards Lynn was strange, as if she wanted to see through his skin to see if it was as thick as the walls of Hogwarts Castle.
"Professor, you know, I'm an orphan." Lynn looked at her expectantly, putting on his best acting.
"I've lived under orders and harsh treatment since I was little. Even my adoptive father is only after my parents' inheritance. So I've never heard anyone praise me before. Your praise just now almost made me cry."
Lynn began to sob softly, as if he were genuinely moved.
"Perhaps my request is a bit unreasonable, but please, could you praise me one more time?"
Professor McGonagall, having lived to such an old age, wasn't so easily fooled.
She looked suspiciously at Lynn's superb acting, sensing something was off.
Seeing that his performance wasn't working, Lynn could only intensify his efforts.
He wiped away the few tears he had managed to squeeze from the corner of his eye and sighed.
"Alright, Professor, I was being presumptuous. Someone like me really has no merits or strengths, not even worthy of praise from a teacher..."
"Ahem, ahem."
Upon hearing Lynn's words, Professor McGonagall felt a little guilty. After all, he was only an 11-year-old child, a time when he needed recognition.
"Don't belittle yourself, Bellok, you...you..."
Having known her for so short, Professor McGonagall couldn't think of anything to say in praise besides the two words she had just uttered.
Lynn had to give her a subtle hint.
"Look at me, I'm not bad-looking, and I even found myself a foster father, how filial..."
Professor McGonagall hesitated for a long time before finally managing to say,
"You're a good boy."
The next moment, a voice rang in Lynn's mind again.
[You received a false "good guy" card from Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall. Nothing happened.]
Lynn, who was overjoyed just a second ago, turned green with embarrassment the next.
I even abandoned all pretense of decency, and this is all I get?
Professor McGonagall, who had lied, felt extremely uncomfortable.
"It's getting late, Mr. Bellok, I must leave."
"Goodbye, Professor."
"..."
After Professor McGonagall left, Lynn activated the system in his head and saw his current attribute panel.
[Name: Lynn Bellok]
[Title: None]
[Magic Power Index: 2]
[Free Points: 0]
[Magical Talents: Transfiguration 3, General Spells 2, Offensive/Defensive Spells 2, Dark Magic 5, Potions 2, Alchemy 2, Herbalism 2, Ancient Runes 2, Divination 0...]
[Main Quest: Head to Hogwarts, Reward: Close your mind.]
[Limited-Time Quests: 1. Obtain a wand, Reward: Magic Power Index +1, 30-day countdown.]
[2. Successfully cast your first spell, Reward: 1 Free Point, 40-day countdown.]
[Note: No penalty for failing a limited-time quest.]
Lynn studied his attribute panel for a long time, even skipping dinner, and roughly figured out some of the tricks.
Aside from Transfiguration, Divination, and Dark Magic, his other magical talents were all 2, with a maximum of 10. This meant 2 was roughly the talent level of a normal wizard.
His Transfiguration talent was 3 because Professor McGonagall's praise had given him a +1 point.
Lynn could understand his Divination talent being 0; after all, such mystical abilities were purely based on innate talent—you either have it or you don't, and there was virtually no way to cultivate it later.
What he couldn't understand the most was his Dark Magic talent.
Starting with 5 points?
Was he born to be a villain?
Lynn's face darkened; he felt his kind nature was being questioned.
As for the main quests and time-limited quests, there wasn't much to say.
Going to Hogwarts was practically a done deal; Occlumency, the magic he needed most right now, was practically a freebie.
The two time-limited quests weren't difficult either, except he didn't know when the professor who would take him to Diagon Alley, as Professor McGonagall had mentioned, would arrive.
If the other party hadn't arrived by the time the mission ended, Lynn would try to find them himself. Although he didn't even know the approximate location of the Leaky Cauldron, he always had a way.
(End of Chapter)