For Penelope, her life was no longer calm and uneventful. Every day, she had intense and thrilling training waiting for her.
For her, as well as the many Knowledge Society graduates determined to join the Auror Office, applying to become an Auror was merely a formality, because their names had already been handed to Gianna by Lewis beforehand.
With everything already reported to the department superiors, the application process naturally went smoothly.
Of course, this did not mean Gianna was abusing her authority for personal gain.
She had not lowered the standards for becoming an Auror.
Every one of these graduates had met the requirements—at least five N.E.W.T. certificates, with grades of "Outstanding" or "Exceeds Expectations" in Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Charms, along with a clean record.
Only after these requirements had been met did she exercise her discretionary authority.
Both she and Lewis had a bottom line when it came to this matter.
As for those who fell slightly short of the requirements but were clearly full of potential, as well as Knowledge Society graduates who had no intention of joining the Ministry of Magic, Onyxia hired them and arranged for them to train at her manor.
She even requested a sum of funding from Lewis—the 50% of her earnings that should have gone to him—to be used for this training program.
She even requested permission to use her own dragon blood.
In the end, Lewis approved her request.
This was how Onyxia put it:
"Besides the Auror Office, I think we also need a private armed force to handle matters where it isn't convenient for the Aurors to appear."
"If you leave it to me, I guarantee I'll return a loyal and powerful force to you."
Lewis naturally believed in Onyxia's ability to produce troops.
He only hoped she wouldn't turn these people into some kind of hideous monsters that could never be shown in public.
As for those who joined the Auror Office, they were basically assigned under Tonks's command.
They then threw themselves into intense and tightly scheduled training.
To improve the effectiveness of the training, Tonks specifically invited Alastor Moody to serve as an advisor and help train the newcomers.
Moody was the most experienced Auror in the Ministry of Magic and had only recently retired.
Dumbledore had invited him to Hogwarts to serve as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor next term.
Although Tonks knew that Penelope was a member of the Genius Club, she would never lower her standards for her.
Instead, she became even stricter.
Because she understood that possessing attributes beyond those of ordinary people meant one had to undergo training beyond what ordinary people received in order to fully unleash the power of those attributes.
If one did not train hard enough during ordinary practice, then by the time danger appeared in actual combat, it would already be too late for regret.
The work of an Auror was filled with danger.
It required extreme caution and concentration, without the slightest room for carelessness.
Everyone had to hold themselves to the highest possible standards in order to survive in this dangerous and challenging field.
As for Shirella, her foundation was far better than Penelope's, so she required far less training.
This allowed her to participate in Quidditch World Cup training and matches while undergoing Auror training.
In terms of combat ability alone, Shirella, as a demon hunter and a Body of Magical Origin, had already completely surpassed Tonks.
All she needed was professional training outside of combat.
In order not to disappoint Lewis and not to hold her best friend back, Penelope not only completed all of her training assignments at work but also went to Lewis's tower during her free time.
Her efforts also inspired the others, making the entire Auror squad's training more organized and disciplined.
In order to better prepare for the series of events that would follow, Lewis planned to give Hermione, Zhang Qiu, and Luna some special training during the summer, teaching them how to deal with the potential threat posed by the Death Eaters.
Tonks also brought most of the Auror training curriculum to the tower, including foreign languages, psychology, hand-to-hand combat, stealth, and disguise, personally guiding everyone through the training.
As for Tonks herself, although she had already completed her Auror training long ago, she was now enthusiastic about learning combat techniques from Shirella instead.
Penelope discovered that training in Lewis's tower was far more practical and effective than ordinary training.
Lewis had upgraded the training room, using illusions to simulate various environments and assist everyone with their practice.
Deserts, oceans, high mountains, swamps, snowfields…
As long as you could imagine it, any environment could appear, allowing them to practice under almost any circumstances.
In addition, Lewis used the Arcane Eye to record the trainees' movements, allowing them to review their own performances afterward.
His Iron Golems also became the best targets for practical combat training.
Besides arcane magic, the little witches of the Genius Club had already begun coming into contact with some dark magic.
After all, their potential enemies in the future were all highly proficient in it.
Therefore, everyone's lives became exceptionally full and busy.
Hermione, Zhang Qiu, and Luna also had more important tasks.
They needed to learn [Teleportation] and [Mechanized Mind].
Zhang Qiu was very much looking forward to Lewis teleporting to her home every day and then holding her hand as he brought her to the tower.
But seeing everyone else working so hard, she also forced herself not to become a burden to the others.
Especially, she could not become a burden to Lewis.
In this regard, Zhang Qiu was extremely envious of Hermione and Luna.
Especially Luna.
She was younger than Zhang Qiu and spent most of her time absentmindedly lost in her own thoughts, yet every time, she could effortlessly maintain roughly the same pace as everyone else.
Zhang Qiu had already given it everything she had, yet she still felt that there was a deep gap between herself and true geniuses.
She even began to wonder whether she was really capable of handling all of this.
But in reality, her current abilities had already far surpassed those of wizards her age, and even many older wizards.
Wherever she went, she would be praised as a genius.
It was only in the presence of several even greater geniuses among her companions that she seemed somewhat ordinary.
"The Auror training curriculum is so extensive, the pressure is so great, and the workload is so heavy. No wonder that in the past two years, no one besides Tonks has managed to complete the training."
Gianna Proudmoore flipped through the training manual organized by Tonks and sighed.
"Perhaps Shirella can pass."
Tonks thought about it before saying, "With her abilities, she could practically serve as an instructor for the Aurors already."
After saying that, she looked toward Penelope.
"Based on the talent and ability Penelope has demonstrated so far, there's definitely no problem with her passing within three years."
"Penelope's temperament has become more and more… um, capable and efficient."
Gianna also looked over at Penelope and praised her after a moment's hesitation.
Gianna felt that Lewis's judgment of people was exceptionally good.
Every one of the girls currently training in the training room was outstanding.
However, being too outstanding could also create problems.
Shirella and Penelope were practically like cats and dogs when it came to their relationship with Moody. They found it difficult to coexist peacefully.
Moody always felt that Shirella's methods were too ruthless, while he was also worried that Penelope was becoming too deeply immersed in dark magic.
And they had no intention of accepting Moody's methods either, mocking him for being overly conservative.
Two weeks after the training began, Tonks returned to the tower and complained to Lewis.
"Moody became famous throughout the world in the 1970s. He never used the Unforgivable Curses forbidden by the Ministry of Magic. Instead, through his wisdom and courage, he successfully guided all the Aurors who had turned to the Death Eaters back onto the right path. His scars are direct proof of his steadfast principles. He could have protected himself, but he chose to stand by his convictions."
Although Gianna did not agree with Alastor Moody's views, she greatly admired the determination and steadfast spirit of the veteran Auror.
"Penelope used to be such a quiet and elegant girl. After training, she's practically become a female leopard that chooses its prey before devouring it, with a dangerous aura surrounding her entire body."
Tonks slowly recounted what she had learned.
"She acts decisively and doesn't care what methods she has to use. Whenever she encounters an obstacle, she will cast a more effective and more aggressive spell without the slightest hesitation."
"As for Shirella, there's even less to say about her. Everyone knows that I have a wizard under my command who fights with a sword."
"But no one can beat her."
"Everyone both respects and fears her. I suspect Penelope learned it from her."
Lewis sat beside them without interrupting, simply listening attentively.
"But the younger Aurors support them. I personally think Shirella and the others are right. As long as you protect yourself, there's nothing wrong with using more effective methods."
"However, I can't say much about Moody. After all, the veteran Aurors with deep experience, people like Kingsley, are all on his side."
Tonks helplessly shrugged.
"But, Little Brother Lewis, you don't need to worry about this. Moody is only serving as a training advisor temporarily. Once you return to school, he'll be going back to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"That way, he and Shirella won't have any more conflicts."
Gianna noticed Lewis's concern and quickly reassured him.
"I'm not worried about that, Sister Gianna. I'm thinking about the World Cup."
Lewis shook his head.
"The World Cup? Haven't we already prepared for the Death Eaters based on your prophecy?"
Tonks was somewhat confused.
"What's there to worry about now?"
"No. What I mean is that my prophetic magic has given me further information."
Lewis looked at Tonks with a serious expression.
Tonks immediately turned her attention toward him.
Gianna was also extremely interested in what Lewis had to say.
"I've already foreseen a more precise point in time. Immediately after the final ends, the Dark Mark will appear again, and a disturbance will occur."
"If you prepare in advance, you'll definitely be able to distinguish yourselves through this."
Lewis spoke solemnly.
"Understood, Little Brother Lewis. I'll make the arrangements and ensure we're fully prepared. We'll definitely handle this beautifully."
Tonks had no doubts whatsoever about Lewis's words.
After all, his previous prophecies had all come true.
Now that Lewis had given her a more specific time, it ignited her ambition.
She was determined to use this opportunity to make a name for herself.
"We'd better find some reporters too. I'll arrange that."
Onyxia also came over and joined the conversation.
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