"Therefore, I became a Prefect of Slytherin, and that's why I called this meeting today. I believe it is necessary to seriously and earnestly address the current problems within this Academy." Alan returned to his expressionless state, solemnly watching the crowd.
"What kind of House should Slytherin be?" Alan's voice seemed to carry magic, firm and powerful. "Look at the classmates beside you. Do you truly want to treat them as enemies? To kick them when they're down, or to treat them with cold indifference? Are you willing to continue muddling along like this, like a pile of useless mud?"
Accompanied by Alan's captivating words, the wizards in the stone hall couldn't help but look up, glancing left and right. Only then did they realize how little they knew about the people they had shared a House with for so long. Now, in their eyes, a spark of unknown anger flickered—a strange, exhilarating sensation.
"Answer me! Are you still willing to be as useless as mud?" Alan's clear, cold voice echoed through the hall again.
The students exchanged glances. A desire in their hearts urged them to speak, but they hesitated, afraid of being disappointed as they had been in the past.
"Answer me!" Alan demanded. This time his voice was even more resounding, giving them the courage they lacked.
William, standing in the corner, felt his blood surge and was about to respond, but someone else nearby spoke faster.
"No!" Joy Farley, the pure-blood wizard who was usually out causing trouble, yelled with red-rimmed eyes.
"No!" "No!" "No!"
Following Joy's lead, the other students around him began to shout as well. Each shout was louder than the last, until finally, everyone raised their fists, rhythmically chanting "No!"
The continuous shouting allowed them to vent long-suppressed frustrations and gave courage to everyone around them. Even the three Prefects Alan had assigned to maintain order joined in excitedly. Watching the waves of sound ripple through the crowd, Alan silently nodded. Joy's reaction earned him a new level of respect.
"Very good!" Alan gestured with his hand, and the room slowly quieted under his command. "It seems you are not beyond salvation. Although you are still just a pile of mud, mud is not without the possibility of sublimation."
"You must remember, we are Slytherin!" Alan swept his gaze over them with profound intensity. "We are born from the mire, we crave power, we are full of ambition. We are strong and calm, elegant and self-possessed. We never regret. Glory belongs to Slytherin!"
"Glory belongs to Slytherin!"
"Glory belongs to Slytherin!"
"Glory belongs to Slytherin!"
The crowd, which had just quieted down, erupted again. Their voices were even more resolute than before. Alan's speech wasn't as loud this time, but it left everyone frenzied. They hadn't tasted the flavor of glory for far too long. Even Vivian, who was becoming increasingly easygoing, and Evan, who was usually introverted and shy, were red-faced and shouting.
*Morale is high,* Alan assessed. He waved his hand again to signal for silence, but the students were so overstimulated that it took several moments for the cheering to stop.
"It seems you have the determination to change?" Alan scanned the room with a questioning gaze. The students below nodded repeatedly, still caught in the heat of the moment.
"That's good." Alan nodded, then changed the subject. "But shouting slogans is useless. Next, effective action must be taken to truly change. And to change, you must listen to me. What I say next, you must complete without compromise; otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite!"
"No problem, tell us what to do!"
"As long as you can deliver, I am willing to follow!"
The crowd, their confidence ignited, were no longer intimidated. Instead, they instinctively chose trust and obedience.
"Good." Alan reached out and summoned a blank screen, slowly unfolding it on the steps. "To truly change, you must first resolve to achieve two goals. The first is this year's House Cup, but that is just a simple secondary goal. Second, everyone's average grade must reach 'Exceeds Expectations' or above. This is the key point. To help you achieve these two goals, I will stop at nothing!"
Alan's sharp gaze swept across their faces, causing many to twitch uncomfortably. The Slytherin snakes felt a drum beating in their hearts. Winning the House Cup was only a secondary goal? They had been third for years; they knew that wouldn't be easy. And the second goal was chilling: everyone an 'E' or above? That meant a 'Good' or better in every subject. Not just 'Acceptable'? Even in the current Slytherin, few could manage that.
Alan ignored their hesitant looks and continued, "To achieve this, three things must be implemented. Be mentally prepared; I will show no mercy to anyone who violates them. First, I have re-established the internal organizational structure of the House, as well as the corresponding standards. Second, I will issue disciplinary guidelines which everyone must strictly abide by. Third, Slytherin will implement a 'Two Meetings, One Exam' system."
As Alan spoke, the screen displayed the three headers: Organizational Structure, Disciplinary Guidelines, and Two Meetings, One Exam. The students looked at the text in confusion. They understood every word, but the concepts felt entirely alien.
"Next, I will explain each item. First, the organizational structure." Alan pointed, and the corresponding line of text enlarged on the screen.