Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard-Chapter 550 - 548: Magic Text Magic

The eighth floor of the castle.

Kael had been to the Headmaster’s Office many times before and easily found the gargoyle statue, speaking the password.

The statue jumped aside, revealing the passage behind it.

In the Headmaster’s Office, Dumbledore was searching for something on the bookshelf and only turned around when he heard the door open.

"I do hope my invitation hasn’t disturbed you," he said cheerfully, "but please wait a moment, I think I’m about to find it... ah, here it is."

Dumbledore pulled a thin booklet from the shelf?

"I believe it’s time to fulfill our previous agreement now."

He said with a smile, "Do you remember? In that cave, I promised to teach you a spell."

"Of course, I’ve never forgotten," Kael suddenly became excited but then asked puzzledly, "But professor, do you have the time now? I mean... the Philosopher’s Stone."

"Creating the Philosopher’s Stone is destined to be a long process, Kael," Dumbledore said, "After the preparations are complete, we can’t do much else, all we can do is wait patiently.

"This time is just right for me to fulfill my promise... I should have taught you at the start of the term, but it dragged on until now, I imagine you’ve been quite impatient."

Kael didn’t speak, which could be considered as an acknowledgment.

He was indeed quite impatient, but every time he saw how busy Dumbledore was, he felt embarrassed to ask, especially after Nicolas Flamel had visited the school.

"Forgive me for asking, why do you want to learn Periculum... well, that’s the name of the spell." Dumbledore looked at Kael, "To explore the mysteries of spells? Or to pursue powerful magic?"

"Both." Kael thought for a moment and said, "But mostly because of interest and curiosity."

"Oh?" Dumbledore’s expression shifted slightly.

"To be honest, I actually don’t lack powerful spells," Kael sat in the chair opposite Dumbledore, "For instance, the Fiendfyre Curse."

A series of clinking noises came from around him.

It was from the headmasters’ portraits; they seemed surprised a student would dare to admit they knew Dark Magic in front of Dumbledore.

The headmasters couldn’t pretend to be asleep anymore and gathered in the largest frame, whispering among themselves.

But Dumbledore remained calm, as if Kael had just said something entirely usual.

"Although this might make me seem arrogant..." Kael also didn’t feel anything was wrong, and continued, "I consider myself to have mastered the spell proficiently and use it effectively.

In terms of power and destructiveness, I think there aren’t many spells more potent than the Fiendfyre."

"That’s indeed true." Dumbledore nodded, agreeing.

The Fiendfyre isn’t classed as Unforgivable Curse only because of its counter, Finite Incantatem, not because it isn’t powerful enough.

"I thought you’d say it was for self-protection." Dumbledore said.

"That’s also a reason," Kael said, "but realistically, it wouldn’t be used often; what I’ve learned from the professors is sufficient."

Kael recalled, saying: "For example, in my first year, Oren told me about carrying a broomstick as a practical means of self-defense.

"And in the second year, Quirrell demonstrated the Fiendfyre Curse to me, which is when I learned that spell.

"In the third year, Lockhart was unreliable, but eventually gave me a notebook on Forgetfulness Spells. In some ways, it’s also quite useful as it can directly prevent someone from resisting.

"Crucially, it’s entirely in line with Wizard Law, as long as you don’t steal others’ memories like Lockhart did, it can be used without concern.

"In the fourth year, Lupin... uh... Professor Lupin he..."

Kael thought and thought but couldn’t remember what extra things Lupin taught him, the only Patronus Charm was something he already knew before the term started.

"Uh... he taught me how to identify werewolves." Kael said vaguely.

"And then the fifth year with Professor Moody..."

Kael was stumped again because the Iron Armor Spell was also something he had learned previously.

At this point, Kael suddenly realized something was off.

What he was talking about were taught by the less conventional professors, while the serious professors seemed irrelevant.

This can’t be right...

Dumbledore also seemed to notice it, he looked at the bewildered Kael and shook his head amusedly, feeling a strange kind of solace.

Even though the Defence Against the Dark Arts professors he hired had their individual issues, someone at least benefited from their lessons, which proved his decisions weren’t entirely wrong.

"Every wizard is curious and wants to explore more magic." Dumbledore said, "I am no different, it’s normal."

"That’s good then." Kael said.

"Actually, I asked out of mere curiosity, regardless of your answer, I will teach you because I promised... Oh, here, this is for you." Dumbledore handed the booklet to Kael, "This is something I wrote a long time ago, and it contains the basic theories necessary for learning Periculum."

Kael took the booklet and looked at the slightly fading cover.

"The Evolution of Magic Texts: Spells and Talismans"

"Ancient Runes?"

"More accurately, it’s Magic Text Magic."

Dumbledore explained, "Using a wand to write Magic Texts and replacing spells with talismans, this was what magic was like initially—powerful yet complex and difficult to control, if not careful, magic could backfire.

"It was because of this that Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin—four founders—established Hogwarts, they believed it crucial to teach young wizards to use magic properly and ensure their safety.

"But even so, it couldn’t completely change the decline of wizards... Until a few hundred years later, through the efforts of some visionary wizards, Magic Texts and Talismans were gradually replaced by spells and gestures, which led to an increase in Hogwarts students."

"Ancient Magical Text Magic..." Kael whispered.

Indeed, his previous thoughts were correct, even if a Time Turner allowed him to encounter people from a thousand years ago, it would be tantamount to seeking one’s own doom.

"Professor, how many people were at Hogwarts a thousand years ago?" Kael asked out of curiosity.

"According to the Access Book records..." Dumbledore thought for a moment, "at its least, twenty people, and at its most, fewer than fifty."

"Per year?" Kael blurted out.

"No, that was everyone."

Dumbledore said seriously, "In fact, if not for your understanding of Ancient Magical Texts surpassing most adult wizards, I wouldn’t agree to teach you this spell, it’s too dangerous."

Kael pondered Dumbledore’s words—a school with fifty people meant ten per house?

That probably didn’t require dividing by year groups.

"But here, you don’t need to worry about your safety."

Then Dumbledore adopted a more relaxed tone,

"So, the first lesson is to memorize the contents of this booklet."

He tapped the booklet with his finger, "Only by mastering these fundamental theoretical knowledge can we proceed with the next level of study.

"How about a week, I can arrange to have most professors waive your homework for that week, or if you need more time, that’s fine too."

Kael casually flipped through the booklet, which was just five pages, "No problem, professor, a week is more than enough."

"That’s good." Dumbledore said, "In that case, our lessons will be every Saturday at nine in the morning, and the password won’t change then."

"Okay, professor," Kael said, a hint of anticipation in his tone.

The first encounter with Ancient Magical Text Magic naturally piqued his interest, and he wished to come in every day, but since Dumbledore had made the decision, he could do nothing differently.