Chapter 73 This invitation came unexpectedly
"Principal." Snape asked flatly, "Isn't it a good thing for a student to be outstanding?"
"Of course it's a good thing." Dumbledore said without hesitation, "As Principal, I dream of Hogwarts having better student quality.
But this student of yours is a bit too mature, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and you, Professor Severus Snape.
Haha! I'm honestly not surprised that he proposed such a luxurious lineup; in fact, I'd even find it natural.
After all, it's about asking for the sky and settling for the ground; business is all about bargaining. As long as both parties' expectations are met, it's a win-win.
However, he also specifically mentioned not needing to inform everyone, which is rather intriguing."
"Isn't that quite normal?" Hagrid chuckled, patting his beer belly. "Clearly, he doesn't want to trouble anyone else."
"Perhaps." Dumbledore stroked his white beard, a wise glint in his eyes, and continued, "But it's also possible he's guarding against something.
What do you think, Severus?"
Snape pondered for a moment, his expression gradually turning solemn. "You mean he knows…"
"Not necessarily, but he saw the Black-robed Man with his own eyes, saw him consuming Unicorn blood to sustain his life.
Given his intelligence, he can't help but guess something, for instance, how did this Black-robed Man manage to hide in Hogwarts?
What is his purpose in entering Hogwarts?
Is anyone else in the school colluding with him, and so on and so forth."
"It can't be!
Aaron, he…" Hagrid paused before continuing, "He's just a first-year Wizard, how could he think so much?"
"Hahaha! Hagrid, you can't deny that there is indeed a small group of geniuses in the world.
They are unique, outstanding, better at thinking than others, and possess a unique perspective.
One thing is certain now: besides you, me, and the Deans of the four Houses, all other faculty members are on his suspect list." Dumbledore chuckled, shaking his head. "He's probably gloating right now over his successful transaction!
But these little tricks can't hide from my eyes. Using the power to temporarily assign two Professors to cut off Lord Voldemort's other path to resurrection, that's quite a profit."
Snape's mouth twitched. He finally understood why Aaronwas so calm when he left earlier.
This was a confrontation between an old fox and a young fox; neither was easy to deal with.
"Severus." Dumbledore suddenly said, "You must guide this student well; you cannot let him follow that person's old path, or it will be another disaster."
Hearing this, Snape's expression suddenly turned somewhat grim. "You mean you want me to monitor him?"
Dumbledore noticed this change in expression and sighed deeply, "Not monitor, but pay as much attention as possible.
Once, I neglected a student's education, which led to a series of tragedies later on. That is something I regret my entire life.
If possible, I hope…"
"Enough, Professor Dumbledore." Snape angrily interrupted him, "Aaron Gaius is my student. His future path will be chosen by himself, and I will not deliberately guide him.
Besides, I am not you, and he will not be Lord Voldemort."
"Calm down, calm down, Snape.
I didn't mean that; don't misunderstand."
"Hmph!" Snape suppressed the anger in his heart. "I lost my composure, Principal.
If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Goodbye."
After Snape left, Hagrid said, "I've never seen Snape so angry. What were you trying to say just now?"
"Nothing." Dumbledore shrugged. "I just hoped Aaroncould transfer to Gryffindor, but it seems that might be difficult."
...Slytherin Common Room.
Aaron lay on his bed in the dormitory, petting the silly-looking Holy Dragon, while checking his personal panel.
[Host: Aaron Gaius]
[magic Power: 1126 (Advanced Magician, barely able to stand on his own, but still insignificant)]
[Talent: Once-in-a-century (Can be improved, magicPower increases by 2 points daily)]
[Items: moon drop, Felix Felicis, Invisibility Potion]
[magic Points: 778 (Hogwarts check-in, 10 points added daily)]
"It's really gone!"
Aaron saw the Resurrection Potion that had disappeared from the item column. Although he was prepared, he still felt empty, as if he had lost a particularly important sense of security.
Then he opened Abey's attribute panel.
[Pet: Abey]
[Race: Dragon (Holy: Unawakened)]
[magic Power: 496 (Increases by one point daily, although its potential is infinite, it is currently extremely weak.)]
[Talent Abilities: Flight,???]
There were four days left until the Holy Dragon's first evolution; this was the only thing he was currently looking forward to.
Although Abey still needed a stage of 'investment' to awaken other talent skills, its size would definitely increase.
He didn't expect it to be tens of meters long like other dragons, but it should at least grow to the Centaur stage. This was the first step in evolving from a pet to a battle pet.
"System, can you conveniently tell me how big Abey will grow in the next stage?" Aaron asked somewhat nervously.
"One meter."
Crack! Crack!
Aaron blinked, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
"What good is one meter? It's not even as tall as me!
I thought after this, it would be able to carry me flying. I was indeed too naive."
"The Host shouldn't think that way.
Holy Dragon evolution takes time."
"Time? Or capital?" Aaron said disdainfully, "With the speed of my magic Points increase, feeding it into a Giant Dragon seems a long way off!"
"But the return is worth it." The System said earnestly, "Although the Holy Dragon's size hasn't increased much, its strength, speed, defense, vitality, flight speed, and all other attributes will be improved to a certain extent.
Moreover… it's not impossible if the Host really wants to experience the feeling of flying."
"Oh?" Aaron was instantly awake. Could there be a turn of events?
"It can't carry you flying, but it can prop you up to fly."
Hearing this, an image appeared in Aaron's mind.
He floated high in the sky, with a pair of pure white divine wings behind him, looking down on all beings like an angel.
But when he turned around, a silly-looking creature was hanging on his back, reluctantly turning its head away, and his cool factor instantly plummeted, becoming particularly comical.
"Hiss! Never mind." Aaron shivered. "Unless it's to save my life, I will absolutely not play like this."
"By the way, will there be any unusual phenomena when it evolves?
I remember it was quite miraculous when it was born."
"No!" The System immediately poured cold water on him. "Birth and growth are two different things.
Birth is the creation of new life, but growth is natural. It's just that the Host can accelerate this process, but please don't overthink it."
"Is that so?" Aaron felt a little disappointed. He had originally planned to let Abey complete its evolution in the Forbidden Forest, but now it seemed that step was saved.
However, this was not necessarily a bad thing. Going to the Forbidden Forest would mean getting past Hagrid first.
He had thoroughly offended him these past two days, feeling incredibly guilty, so he would probably agree to this request.
But with the Giant's personality, as soon as Abey finished evolving, he might not be able to resist going to the Headmaster's Office to report it.
At that time, who knew if Dumbledore would want to keep Abey for a while.
But if he secretly entered the Forbidden Forest, bypassing Hagrid, the danger would skyrocket.
The magical creatures and dark creatures in the Forbidden Forest would give Hagrid face, but they wouldn't give anyone else face.
With his small build, he could protect himself on the periphery, but once he went deeper, if he entered the lair of some magical creature, he might not be able to leave unharmed… The next day.
Aaron sat up from his bed, stretched, and felt refreshed.
Although there had been a lot of trouble these past few days, he knew it was all over.
The dangerous detention, the blood-drinking Lord Voldemort, the unfathomable Dumbledore, and the overly full Rubeus Hagrid would no longer bother him. All he had to do was attend classes and study diligently.
At least before Lord Voldemort stole the Philosopher's Stone, he could quietly develop for quite some time.
However, things were not as good as he imagined. One Classtold him he was wrong, and quite ridiculously so.
Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, taught by Professor Quirrell.
Aaron considered himself a good student, but he didn't hear a single word of this Class.
Professor Quirrell, possessed by Lord Voldemort, would look at him every few minutes, with a particularly pale smile on his face, making him feel extremely uneasy.
But to avoid showing any flaws that might cause Quirrell to give up and even resort to murder, he had to pretend to listen attentively, occasionally returning a friendly smile to the teacher who was constantly watching him, his facial expression somewhat stiff.
After Class, Aaron breathed a sigh of relief, picked up Abey, and prepared to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait a minute." Quirrell stammered, "Mr. Gaius, can you wait a moment?
I, I have something I'd like to discuss with you, in my office."
Aaron:...