This accumulation of minor lapses led to the young wizards becoming increasingly frequent in their slacking. For example, it was nearly time for self-study, and with the exception of the sixth and seventh years, several young wizards from other years had not yet arrived.
But just as 7 PM struck, Alan appeared.
He appeared out of thin air. Everyone had been sitting in the hall, chatting amongst themselves with the latecomers lingering by their sides, when they suddenly noticed a figure materialize on the stone steps. It startled many of them; they immediately fell silent and gestured frantically to their still-noisy classmates.
The experienced upper-year wizards recognized it immediately as the Disillusionment Charm. Their Chief had likely been there for a long time, remaining invisible. Their hearts sank. If he had been invisible now, it became clear where he had been and what he had been doing since the morning. The older students understood perfectly.
They looked at the younger years with pity, feeling a sense of fortunate relief, while casting grateful glances at William and Wendy. Many of these older students were pure-bloods who were already terrified of Alan, making them the most obedient.
Alan stood firm on the stone steps, then manipulated his magic to form an air wall with a Shield Charm, blocking the corridors leading to the dormitories and the exit.
"Evening self-study officially begins. From now on, anyone who has not arrived is considered absent," Alan's cold voice echoed throughout the hall.
The young wizards already seated looked at Alan on the stage. Seeing his unpleasant expression, they trembled with fear. Those who had arrived a step late were now blocked by the Shield Charm at the passage entrance. They were looking through what felt like a transparent glass wall, able to see and hear everything inside the hall but unable to enter.
"Now, all year group leaders, stand up and report attendance. Reporting format: Year, number of people who should be present, number of people actually present, and number of people absent. If everyone is present, shout 'All present.' If not, report the names of the absent personnel." Alan ignored the nervous and anxious gazes and spoke with icy detachment.
The group leaders stood up with bitter expressions, quickly looking around to count their years in the shortest possible time. Some, such as William and Wendy, stood with calm expressions, but others showed visible panic because they were missing people.
"Don't dawdle; report quickly. This is an essential procedure for every self-study session and meeting. Every minute you waste now is a waste of everyone's time," Alan urged sternly. He turned to William. "Start with the seventh year, and report successively downwards."
"Seventh year: nine people should be present, nine people actually present. All present," William shouted, his expression steady.
"Good. Please sit," Alan nodded, then looked at Wendy.
"Sixth year: twelve people should be present, twelve people actually present. All present," Wendy reported calmly. Alan motioned for her to sit and continued down the line.
"Fifth year: fifteen people should be present, fourteen people actually present, one person absent. It is Sibyll Roser. She was actually just one step away from arriving..." Jenny explained, looking at Sibyll, who was blocked in the passage behind Alan. She was immediately interrupted.
"Don't make excuses. Late is late. If everyone says they were just a little late, what is the point of punctuality? Continue!" Alan ignored Jenny's defense and turned to Joy from the fourth year.
Joy was the most nervous of all. His face was slick with sweat, but seeing Alan staring directly at him, he had to bite the bullet. "Fourth year: fourteen people should be present, actually present... actually present eleven. Three people absent. They are Nico Barragan, Arco Ruiz, and Lumen Haywood."
Joy reported nervously, looking at Alan with anxiety. He was terrified.
But Alan just listened expressionlessly, recording the data on a clipboard. His expression did not change; he simply turned his head blankly to the next person.
"Third year: seventeen people should be present, seventeen people actually present. All present."
"Second year: twenty people should be present, eighteen actually present. Two people absent. They are..."
"First year: twenty-three people should be present, twenty-two actually present. One person absent. The absent person is..."
Soon, all the year group leaders finished the roll call. Except for the third, sixth, and seventh years, every year had absentees. In a House of only 110 people, six were late—an absenteeism rate of five percent. This made Alan's expression darken further.
"Do you think I like to joke, or do you think I am merciful? I am gone for only one day, and so many of you dare to ignore discipline. You truly know how to make yourselves look good," Alan snorted coldly, his tone unfriendly.
The young wizards he reprimanded only trembled, including the latecomers blocked in the passage.
"All of you, come in and stand on the stone platform." Alan waved his hand, and the Shield Charm at the entrance lifted. The six young wizards from the entrance and dormitory passages lowered their heads in shame and slowly walked to his side.
"Is being late interesting? Does ignoring the rules I set make you feel capable? It seems you do not even put me in your eyes," Alan stared at the six with a majestic, heavy gaze.
"No, it isn't like that. We just forgot the time," one young wizard explained nervously.
"Forgot the time? A fine excuse. But look at the remaining 104 people below. Can you explain why they did not forget the time? This is only the third day of school." Alan ignored the defense and questioned them coldly.
Under his persistent questioning, the latecomers had nothing left to say and could only lower their heads awkwardly.
"Since you violated discipline, you must accept punishment. Tonight, we start with you. Everyone who is late will do thirty push-ups on the spot," Alan said.
"Push-ups?" The group on the stage looked at each other, puzzled. They had no idea what he meant.
"It seems you are not clear on the term, so I will have someone demonstrate. From now on, this method will be used for all physical punishments." Alan kept a stern face and turned to the side. "William, step forward. Demonstrate the action."