Looking at Draco Malfoy, whose head had transformed into that of a pig, Gilderoy Lockhart carefully reread the question.
To be honest, he absolutely did not want to end up like that. It was far too embarrassing.
For the sake of his adoring book fans, he felt he had to answer correctly this time.
"It is your turn, Mr. Lockhart."
"I know, I know. I am the only one left now," Lockhart touched his nose as his eyes darted around nervously.
He was not entirely sure which answer was correct.
Albus Dumbledore's youth had taken place many decades ago.
Unless one had seriously studied History of Magic and understood the Wizarding World's past in detail, it would be difficult to know the truth.
And given Lockhart's personality—one focused almost entirely on fame—he naturally had not paid much attention to such matters.
Even though he had once been an outstanding Ravenclaw graduate.
Knowledgeable?
That was in the past.
"Let me think," Lockhart held the card tightly, staring at it without blinking.
First, Armando Dippet.
He did not truly recognize the name, though it sounded somewhat familiar.
Second, Gellert Grindelwald.
That name was also familiar.
He had seen it on Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card.
Grindelwald was Dumbledore's defeated enemy, and Dumbledore had become world-famous for defeating him in 1945.
So which one was correct? Both names carried a strange familiarity.
"Armando Dippet… Armando Dippet…" Lockhart muttered under his breath, his eyes slightly unfocused.
"I remember now. He was the previous Headmaster of Hogwarts."
He whispered it to himself.
Clearly, as a former Headmaster, Armando Dippet could not have been the same age as Dumbledore during Dumbledore's youth.
That left only one possibility.
Although it sounded unbelievable.
Lockhart straightened slightly.
"My choice is…"
He looked up and immediately met Dumbledore's complicated gaze.
Lockhart trembled for a brief moment, but he still spoke firmly.
"My choice is the first option. The person who said that phrase with Professor Dumbledore in his youth was Gellert Grindelwald.
I know this sounds incredible, that Professor Dumbledore's defeated enemy could have once been his close friend, but in my opinion, this is the most likely answer."
Once Lockhart began speaking confidently, he was astonishingly persuasive.
Even Dumbledore fixed his eyes upon him.
Within those blue eyes, a storm of memories stirred.
The name Gellert Grindelwald, spoken openly before everyone, dragged the elderly Headmaster back decades.
He seemed to see officials from the Ministry of Magic coming to find him.
Aurors watching him with hopeful eyes, waiting for him to confront the Dark wizard who dominated Europe.
At that time, he had hesitated.
Too much time had passed.
And yet those memories felt as vivid as yesterday.
For a fleeting moment, he saw a blond youth leaning casually by a doorway, smiling.
Then he heard a familiar voice.
Albus, you are still the same.
Perhaps he truly should visit Nurmengard.
How many years had it been since they had last seen one another?
While Dumbledore drifted through memory, Lockhart stood anxiously awaiting the result.
"Congratulations, Mr. Lockhart. Your answer is correct. Rewards are now being issued. The entertainment question you participated in earlier will also be rewarded. Both rewards will be granted together."
Lockhart let out a long breath of relief.
His perfect smile returned instantly, revealing a dazzling row of white teeth.
The classic Lockhart smile.
A black-covered book and a faintly glowing orb appeared in his hands.
He examined the book first.
[10086 Kinds of Deception Encyclopedia]
[Introduction: I know you do not want to deceive people, but you must at least prevent others from deceiving you, must you not?]
[Level: Trash (Even though it collects countless tricks and could be considered a divine artifact for you, for fairness, it is rated only as trash.)]
[Holder: Gilderoy Lockhart]
[Main Use: Enhances a swindler's abilities and allows you to better guard against other swindlers.]
[Note: Be careful not to let others discover that you are a swindler. Believe me, if they do, the outcome may not be pleasant.]
After reading the description, Lockhart's expression turned strange.
On one hand, he felt as though he had swallowed something unpleasant.
On the other hand, he felt a secret thrill.
"I truly do not know whether receiving this item is a blessing or a curse."
He murmured quietly before slipping the 10086 Kinds of Deception Encyclopedia into his robes.
The question-and-answer space might have rated it as trash, but that depended on the owner.
After putting away the book, Lockhart focused on the glowing orb.
He raised both hands and accepted it.
Information flooded into his mind.
[Basic Three Spells Mastery Upgrade (Shield Charm, Incarcerous, Expelliarmus)]
[Introduction: No wizard would fail to know attack, defense, and control spells, would they? Surely no wizard is that weak.]
[Level: Excellent (Mastering offensive, defensive, and control spells makes you a competent wizard. At the very least, you will not be defeated in a single blow.)]
[Holder: Gilderoy Lockhart]
[Main Use: Wizards unfamiliar with these three spells will instantly master them at a proficient level. The question-and-answer space guarantees teaching and learning. Only one second passes in the outside world.
Wizards who already know these spells will be upgraded to proficiency without side effects. Those already beyond proficiency will increase by one level according to the system's standards.]
[Note: Use these spells wisely. Swindlers have no future. Only great wizards can continue forward.]
The orb dissolved into light and entered Lockhart's mind.
Memories from years ago resurfaced.
Scenes of him learning the Shield Charm, practicing Incarcerous, and casting Expelliarmus flickered before him.
Then new scenes appeared.
Wizards demonstrated each spell flawlessly, again and again.
Moments later, Lockhart opened his eyes.
From the outside, it seemed as though he simply closed his eyes for a second before reopening them.
But when he opened them he was no longer the same Lockhart as before.
Albus Dumbledore was absolutely certain of that.
...
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