The moment Sean selected the challenge, the system notification instantly appeared before his eyes.
[Level 1: A Small Test.]
Without hesitation, Sean pressed start.
The next second, six figures in black robes appeared ahead of him like ghosts emerging from the darkness. Before Sean could even process what was happening, six different coloured beams of magic exploded toward him simultaneously.
Everything happened too fast.
Sean's brain buzzed violently.
Then darkness swallowed his vision.
[Level challenge failed. Please continue working hard.]
Sean sat frozen for several seconds before exploding in disbelief.
"What the hell was that?!"
He stared blankly at his own hands.
"They killed me instantly without even giving me time to react!"
Sean hadn't even managed to draw his wand before dying. It was the most humiliating defeat he had experienced since arriving in this world.
Grinding his teeth, Sean immediately restarted the level.
Again, six black-robed wizards appeared the moment the challenge began. Again, six curses fired toward him without hesitation.
This time Sean reacted immediately.
"Protego!"
A pale shield of light instantly formed in front of him.
Almost simultaneously, six spells crashed against the barrier.
Crack.
Sean only heard a brittle shattering sound before his vision went black once more.
[Level challenge failed.]
Sean reappeared in the wasteland training ground looking utterly defeated.
"No… there's no way to block six spells at once."
He sat cross-legged on the stained ground, rubbing his chin while analysing the fight seriously.
"If I had stronger defensive magic, maybe I could survive temporarily. But advanced protection spells are still beyond me."
His brows tightened.
"Transfiguration could probably counter them too… but I can't use that properly yet either."
Sean suddenly realised something painful.
For the first time since arriving at Hogwarts, he genuinely felt weak.
Not irritated.
Not annoyed.
Weak.
That feeling was unbelievably unpleasant.
.....
Meanwhile, inside the Headmaster's office, Professor McGonagall had already finished explaining the incident involving the Slytherin students.
"And that is what happened," she concluded calmly. "Mr Sebastian chose to accept all responsibility himself in order to protect his classmates."
Although her tone remained composed, there was still an unmistakable trace of amusement hidden in her eyes.
Dumbledore noticed it immediately.
"It seems," he said with a faint smile, "that Professor McGonagall may have discovered a few admirable qualities in young Sean after all."
McGonagall's expression immediately became serious again.
"I admit he possesses a stronger sense of responsibility and justice than… certain people from the past," she replied carefully. "But I still maintain my previous opinion."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Power changes people. Sean is still too young. Nobody can say with certainty what kind of person he'll become in the future."
Dumbledore chuckled softly.
"Minerva, Sean has never lacked power." His blue eyes sparkled knowingly. "The military strength under his control is already comparable to that of a small nation, yet he has never lost himself because of it."
Then Dumbledore lightly waved his wand.
A floating magical mirror slowly appeared in the air before them, displaying scenes from the Muggle world.
"This morning," a news presenter announced, "Restmoment Group officially confirmed that company assets have surpassed ten billion pounds."
The screen changed rapidly.
"At the same time, Restmoment Group donated one billion pounds toward infrastructure development in impoverished rural regions."
Another scene appeared immediately afterward.
"Reports from Eastern Europe indicate that the Raymond Group has supplied large quantities of weapons and ammunition free of charge to smaller nations threatened by neighbouring military powers. Officials claim these supplies have already protected countless civilian families."
The next report followed closely behind.
"This morning, Restmoment Group also announced the creation of a global angel investment fund dedicated to supporting developing countries worldwide…"
The mirror slowly vanished.
Dumbledore folded his hands together calmly.
"You know perfectly well the Raymond family follows Sean's orders." His gaze turned thoughtful. "Surely I don't need to explain who is truly responsible for all this."
Professor McGonagall fell silent for a very long time.
Finally, she sighed softly.
"Then we'll see whether he can truly pass the test in the end." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "At the very least, he seems extremely interested in becoming an Animagus."
With that, she turned and left the office.
Soon, only Dumbledore and the phoenix remained behind.
The old Headmaster gently stroked Fawkes' crimson feathers.
"Sean…" he murmured quietly. "Even I can't fully understand what that child is thinking."
Fawkes let out a soft chirp before rubbing affectionately against Dumbledore's beard, causing the old wizard to laugh.
After a while, Dumbledore's smile faded as he glanced toward the pile of reports on his desk.
Every single document concerned Sean Sebastian.
Several pages even contained direct records of Sean's previous remarks.
"If violence solves the problem, then revenge should never wait."
"A truly educated person carries dignity naturally."
"What appears beautiful on the outside may already be rotten within."
"Sean's leadership, judgment, charisma, and ability to unite others exceed all expectations. Slytherin House is changing at an unimaginable speed under his influence."
Dumbledore stared quietly at the final line in the report.
"Harry… Harry…"
His voice became unusually soft.
"With such a terrifying opponent standing before you… can you really win?"
For the first time in many years, Dumbledore's confidence in his chosen saviour wavered slightly.
.....
Inside the training room, Sean looked utterly miserable.
His robes were torn in several places, his hair resembled a bird's nest, and his face was covered in dirt and frustration.
"System," Sean said through gritted teeth, "is this level genuinely beatable?"
By now, he had already challenged the stage eight times.
Eight instant deaths.
Eight humiliating failures.
Not once had he survived longer than a few seconds.
The entire experience had shattered Sean's confidence so badly that he nearly started swearing at the system itself.
Several moments later, the system finally responded.
[Please learn to adapt, Host.]
[The first level can be cleared easily.]
[Hint: The enemy's first wave of attacks will inevitably eliminate one target.]
Sean froze.
Then he slowly frowned.
"The first wave… will inevitably kill one target?"
The training ground suddenly fell silent.
Several seconds later, Sean's eyes widened violently.
He slapped his thigh and shot to his feet.
"I get it now!"
A fierce grin spread across his face.
"System! Start the level again!"
The wasteland around him shifted instantly.
Sean tightly gripped his wand while staring ahead with full concentration.
As before, six black-robed wizards appeared simultaneously.
And just like every previous attempt, six curses exploded toward him the instant they landed.
But this time Sean moved first.
"Avis!"
Countless birds burst from the tip of his wand like a living storm.
The flock immediately rushed forward fearlessly.
Six curses smashed directly into the birds, destroying several instantly—but against hundreds of flying targets, the damage was meaningless.
The remaining birds continued charging toward the black-robed wizards in a chaotic swarm.
For the first time, the enemy formation hesitated.
The black-robed wizards quickly coordinated with one another, launching spell after spell to destroy the incoming flock.
And at that exact moment, Sean finally found his opening from the darkness.
"Reducto!"
Then, almost immediately after:
"Incendio!"
.....
Read the next chapter on my p@treon for free.
Paid members can get more than 60 chapters.
Link: [email protected]/GalaxyWonder