After carefully explaining his origins, showing off a little bit demonstration by transforming his desk into a warthog in front of Madam Perla and Dean Elsa, the two women finally believed in the existence of magic. They realized with certainty that Ryan was indeed a wizard and would be attending a magical academy.
Professor Flitwick was thus able to successfully escort Ryan out of the Silver Lime Tree Orphanage.
"After the magical riot, the magic of young wizards becomes active, but few are able to control or even manipulate their magic before entering the academy," he explained. "You are incredibly outstanding, Mr. Elias," Professor Flitwick continued to praise as they walked along the aisle of the orphanage.
"If you were already enrolled, that spell would have earned your house five points!" Flitwick's voice was passionate. It was not just his usual teaching style, but also genuine excitement.
As a Charms professor, Flitwick knew the incredible nature of what Ryan had just accomplished. He manipulated his own magic to perform a "Floating" spell. Of course, this spell wasn't particularly difficult, requiring neither high magical power nor high magical proficiency. The greatest challenge lay in the extreme concentration required—precisely the most challenging aspect for young wizards. Even the slightest lapse in focus could alter the spell's effectiveness.
There was once a young wizard who, after an all-night outing, exhaustedly cast this spell the next day—and the summoned knife pierced his ear. Therefore, at Hogwarts, this spell was only taught to fourth-year students. Even those in their fourth year or higher needed repeated practice to master the spell accurately, completely, and safely. But Ryan had just managed to cast it silently, even without a wand—a truly astonishing feat.
Of course, Flitwick didn't consider Ryan a true master of spells.
"Young wizards always possess their own unique talents, capable of incredible feats," he said. "And you, Mr. Elias—you possess an exceptional gift for magical control and spellcasting. As long as you study hard at school, you will surely become an exceptional wizard!" Flitwick was always forthright in praising young wizards.
"Thank you for the compliment, Professor Flitwick," Ryan replied. However, he didn't express excessive joy. He simply nodded matter-of-factly.
To him, what he had accomplished was truly a matter of course. Although returning to eleven years old had restored his magical powers to their youthful levels, the magical attainments and control he had acquired through training with four teachers a thousand years prior would not have vanished. Therefore, Ryan didn't take it too seriously. It was just an ordinary spellcasting—if he were to become complacent, Mr. Salazar would likely make him sleep in the same den with the basilisk for days.
Instead, Ryan was simply curious about something else. "The Accio?"
"Yes—the Accio. The spell is called 'Accio.' You should have learned it in your fourth year," Flitwick explained.
"A spell?" Ryan's curiosity deepened. "Have spells become the mainstream method of performing magic now?"
You see, thousands of years ago—wizards relied more on instinct and a deep understanding of magic. The difference between a gifted and powerful wizard and an ordinary one was vast. While the concept of spells existed back then, using special words to stimulate magical power to aid in casting, they were merely auxiliary.
But now, it seems... spells have become the standard method of spellcasting in the magical world? Even silent and wandless spellcasting is being praised?
As Ryan pondered this, he quickly took note of his surroundings. He noticed that as he made his way out of the orphanage, he hadn't encountered a single caregiver or child. After all, it was children's playtime.
"It's the Muggle-Repelling Charm," Flitwick quickly replied after Ryan inquired. "It makes Muggles feel uncomfortable when they're nearby—well, Muggles mean ordinary people who aren't wizards." He was clearly a very good professor, at least generous with his knowledge.
"It's used to repel Muggles and conceal the existence of the magical world." His words made Ryan's brows furrow slightly—he was even more confused. After some indirect probing, Ryan even learned the details from Flitwick. Since 1692, the magical world has been isolated from the Muggle world under the International Statute of Secrecy. "Breaking the Statute is a serious crime, punishable by Azkaban!" Flitwick reminded the young wizard before him.
In reality, Ryan didn't need any reminder; he had already realized it. The era he remembered a thousand years ago was completely different from the magical world a thousand years later.
"It seems I do have a lot to learn, Professor Flitwick." He looked at Flitwick. "So, where are we going now?"
"We're going to Diagon Alley, Mr. Elias." Flitwick was also very fond of the talented and polite young wizard before him. So, he extended his slightly shorter arm, motioning for Ryan to hold onto him.
"It may be a little uncomfortable, but please bear with me—it will be over soon." As he finished speaking, his body and Ryan's began to twist and turn simultaneously, like water being pumped out of a toilet.
There was a sharp whistling sound in the air, and their bodies disappeared from their original location. A moment later, they reappeared in a new place at the same time.
"This is Apparition, a very convenient spell. It's a little difficult to learn, and the movement is not very comfortable—but it's only the first time. It will be much easier after you get used to it." This was obviously not the first time for the half-goblin professor Apparating with the young wizard, so he added very considerately, "Mr. Elias, if you need to vomit, there's a trash can nearby."
But when he took a closer look, he was stunned. Because he didn't see the slightest sign of discomfort on Ryan's face. Quite the opposite. The young wizard simply gazed around with bright, pale blue eyes, like an adventurer arriving in a long-awaited jungle.
His gaze fixed on the skyscrapers of the city not far away. "Is this... London?" he asked softly.
That's right—Ryan, having grown up in the Silver Lime Tree Orphanage, had rarely left the institution. And even a thousand years ago, when he traveled with his four teachers, he had never seen a place like this.
The smoky sky and the city forged of steel—to Ryan's eyes, it was like a giant steel beast, devouring its prey. It was a power completely different from magic, yet equally magnificent and awe-inspiring.
And so, Ryan instantly understood the reason for the Statute of Secrecy. He also gradually began to understand what his teachers had said to him in the past.
In that distant past, his four teachers had held different views on Muggles. The Slytherins, without a doubt, disliked Muggles the most. Even at this moment, the teachers' comments about Muggles unconsciously surfaced in Ryan's mind.
"Wizards have noble blood—magic radiates in their blood and souls," they would say. "As for Muggles, they haven't received the gift of magic... But, Ryan," the proud wizard had said, "you can be proud of your wizarding bloodline, but don't look down on them—don't look down on anyone. Wizards have their own path, and so do Muggles."
At that moment, Ryan seemed to glimpse a distant future, and now, he was witnessing it.
"Yes, this is London." Flitwick had no idea what Ryan was thinking. He simply nodded and pointed to a bar not far away. The bar's facade and signage were shabby—especially compared to the beautifully renovated and elegantly decorated bookstore and record store next to it.
In London, where every inch of land is valuable, this unique decor was truly remarkable. But strangely, passersby seemed completely oblivious to this peculiar pub. They would even abruptly move away after getting a certain distance from it.
Clearly, this was the effect of the Muggle-Repelling Charm.
"That's our destination—the Leaky Cauldron. The entrance to Diagon Alley is right inside."