Aurora did not directly respond to Ian's doubts, but instead turned to the first page of "Human Weakness: Prince's Secret" and pointed to the introduction with her fair hand.
Ian took a quick glance and immediately looked away, the words like "We cannot prevent campus bullying, but we can choose to avoid it" pricked his eyes painfully.
"Old Deng is definitely slandering me... I clearly only bully the bullies..." Ian's voice was weak, feeling his reputation was likely beyond saving.
For the next seven years, it was surely beyond saving, probably even after graduation.
"Maybe he's exaggerating a bit too, to incite panic among the parents of the young wizards... Actually, my grandfather's behavior is obviously also to build your reputation."
Aurora smiled, clearly enjoying seeing Ian in a tight spot.
"What kind of reputation building is this..."
Ian didn't even know where to start with the complaints.
"No one understands building reputation better than him, I think on this point, he and Dumbledore think exactly alike." Aurora's heterochromatic eyes were filled with a profound meaning.
"Hmm?"
Ian recalled Aurora saying earlier that Dumbledore had revealed matters between him and Voldemort to some pure-blood heir or authority figures.
Did this have anything to do with Grindelwald's operations?
Not waiting for Ian to ask.
Aurora stood up, dusted herself off, and as if predicting, answered his unspoken question.
"No one is grateful or reveres a goody two-shoes, even if they spend their whole life doing good... But it's different when a ruthless and powerful villain does a good deed."
"People will only praise you because they know you like them doing so." The German girl gave Ian a deep look with a thoughtful tone, "My grandfather named this book 'Human Weakness' not to upset you, but to subtly mock a good portion of people while colluding with Dumbledore in building your image."
After speaking.
The German girl stuffed the money bag she had taken out earlier into Ian's robe, and also retrieved the homework that Ian had sneakily swiped from her when he approached earlier.
She didn't accuse Ian of trying to make her rewrite the holiday homework, just wiped her mouth with Ian's robe, and then walked alone towards the entrance of the hall.
"Clang Clang!"
Phoenix Fox, at some unknown time, was already waiting in the corridor. It took Aurora and disappeared at the entrance of the hall, causing an uproar among the young wizards who were still eating.
"That's Headmaster Dumbledore's Phoenix!"
"It can actually Apparate with Little Grindelwald!"
"Oh my! I heard Little Grindelwald has already become Headmaster Dumbledore's apprentice; looks like it's true. She comes from the family of that terrifying Dark Wizard!"
"Even though my dad is a Muggle, my mom firmly believes there's Prophet clan blood in me. I think I've already foreseen the major impact this will have in the future!"
"Wake up, brother, our neighbor Uncle John is the one with Prophet blood, not us."
...
A commotion ensued in the hall.
Obviously.
Not only have some of Ian's secrets been publicized, but also some of Aurora's secrets are spreading, who knows how many unseen hands are behind all this.
"Building reputation, huh..."
Ian glanced around, sighed, and was just about to leave when he noticed a fellow college's young wizard sneaking over.
"Young Professor, your plate is so clean, impressive." He still seemed a little awkward, but managed to smile and give Ian a thumbs up.
"..."
Ian, without a word, reached over and pulled out a book from the young wizard's robe, the name "Human Weakness: Prince's Secret" on it made his teeth ache.
"You believe this book? You're silly!"
Ian sternly scolded the young wizard attempting to enact a child psychology play on him.
Seeing the young wizard looking somewhat dejected.
"I'm telling you, this is Lockhart tricking you for money… I have genuinely useful books, just wait, after I write it in a few days, come buy it."
"Return this book quickly." Ian's painful admonishment left the scolded young wizard bewildered; as he came to his senses, Ian had already stuffed the book back into his hands.
"When the time comes… the book will be called 'True Prince's Secret,' remember to support the official version and resist these pirated ones." Ian's repeated instructions, stepping away, left the young wizard with eyes wide like a copper bell.
Can it really be played this way?
Publishing a strategy on oneself?
Even if he was a student from Ravenclaw College.
This young wizard, whose understanding was reshaped by Ian's behavior, still felt his brain CPU was somewhat inadequate — actually Ian's mindset, if carefully pondered, is quite understandable.
After all.
What's done is done.
If Grindelwald can make money off this.
Why can't he, Ian?
...
The peaceful holiday life was gradually coming to an end.
Ian's academic life was continuing accordingly.
Of course.
Continuing to brew potions and prepare some trump cards were also essential parts of each day.
[Master of Potions (Level 5) 82/1600]
With the continuous growth in magic proficiency from potion brewing, Ian finally successfully pushed [Master of Potions] to the level five height.