Everyone in the room, including Dumbledore, couldn't help but frown slightly.
While it sounded like anyone could choose the course, the curriculum seemed overwhelming.
Could the students really handle it?
"They're only a year or two away from graduation. Are they really ready for this level of training? Honestly, judging by your curriculum, I doubt many will pass. And since this is a new course at Hogwarts, it's bound to be challenging for them."
"Can't the requirements be a bit lower to start with?" Mag frowned, clearly frustrated.
What she meant was simple: these wizards aren't like ducks that you can just stuff full all at once.
It might work if they learned little by little from the lower grades, but for those in the 6th and 7th years who are just joining this class, she worried they wouldn't keep up with Alex's pace.
For kids about to graduate, new subjects usually just felt pointless.
"I don't believe in lowering my standards," Alex said firmly.
"I want to set high expectations for students entering the professional class. Real Aurors can pass the assessment after just a few months of intensive training, why can't they?"
"And if they really can't handle these subjects, then they don't have to take my class," he added with a sneer.
"But they need to understand one thing: once they pass my final exam, they'll earn the 'Auror Professional Examination Certificate.' With that certificate, they can join the Aurors at the Ministry of Magic or even the magical congresses in Britain, France, Germany, and the United States."
He continued, "Thanks to Moody's ongoing promotion and training efforts, more and more Departments of Magic are adopting my standards. That means even if students graduate normally, when they apply to become Aurors, they'll have to meet these same professional training standards."
"So if you want to become an Auror, you can't avoid these subjects. Even if you don't pass my final assessment, at least you'll have a foundation that gives you an edge when applying for Auror positions at the"
"Ministry of Magic."
Everyone fell silent after hearing this. They knew Alex was right.
Since Moody retired from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, this stubborn old wizard has accepted a position as head tactical instructor at Wilson's Arcane Alchemica.
He then worked with Alex to promote tactical training worldwide, especially in wizarding schools, focusing on basic subjects and training methods.
The Ministry of Magic had also begun adopting the professional standards outlined in the "Tactical Training" manual.
Law enforcement agencies in Britain, France, Germany, and the United States have all received professional training from Alex or Moody.
Because of this expertise, Alex has been appointed as an Auror instructor for the Ministries of Magic in several countries.
He's recognized as an authority in Auror training, so if he ever decides to become an Auror himself, he'll have to go through their rigorous process.
"Well, if that's the case, let the young wizards decide," Dumbledore said, seeing it as a positive development.
He hoped that by bringing Alex back, he could offer the students better self-defense training.
Even though Alex's methods seemed a bit intense, it was definitely better than leaving them unprepared.
With Dumbledore's approval, Alex nodded contentedly and went on, "Besides the curriculum plans for each school year, there are three other things I need everyone's agreement on."
Snape sneered, "What else could there be? Your troublesome subject just keeps piling up problems."
But Flitwick quickly jumped in, "At least Alex is asking for our input instead of making decisions on his own."
He smiled warmly at Alex and added, "Just tell us what you need. It's good to have some new ideas at Hogwarts."
Alex returned the smile and said, "It's really not that complicated. First, my course involves a lot of outdoor practical work, so I'd like to build some teaching equipment in an outdoor area to serve as a playground for these lessons.
I've already picked out a spot between Hagrid's hut and the owlery, and I hope Hagrid can be my teaching assistant during the practical sessions."
McGonagall looked confused.
"Between Hagrid's hut and the owlery?
That's at least a few kilometers apart in a straight line. Does your course really need such a large space?
Why not just use the central courtyard, where flying lessons are held? It should be enough."
She continued thoughtfully, "The courtyard is fairly spacious, but it does serve as a playground for flying lessons and a place for many students to relax and have fun. The equipment you want to set up would be semi-permanent and could take up a lot of that space."
"And it's not exactly a pretty sight either," Alex admitted with a cheerful smile. "Besides, the area I need isn't that big. Some subjects just require a bit more space. I'll keep the main activity zone confined between Hagrid's hut and the ring-shaped stone pile."
He gestured toward the circular pile of stones located between Hagrid's hut and the owlery, meaning the space he planned to use was only a little over a kilometer wide.
Professor McGonagall nodded thoughtfully and then turned to Dumbledore.
"I don't see any reason to oppose Alex's request," she said quietly.
"It's a reasonable and basic need."
Dumbledore glanced around the room, noting the lack of objections from the other professors, and gave a nod of approval.
"Very well. Thank you for your understanding," Alex said, bowing his head slightly in gratitude before continuing. "As for my second request, I hope the school will grant me permission to access the Forbidden Forest. I want to take students to the edges of the forest for some hands-on lessons. Of course, I'll make sure the young wizards are kept safe at all times."
At the mention of the Forbidden Forest, several deans exchanged uneasy looks.
Snape frowned and spoke up, "Do you realize how dangerous the Forbidden Forest is? It's home to many high-risk magical creatures, and there are also sentient groups like centaurs and trolls.
Encountering them can be no laughing matter."
Alex nodded confidently.
"I understand the risks.
Handling magical creatures and intelligent beings is part of the tactical training curriculum, but only for students in their fifth through seventh years. Not every grade gets this kind of exposure."
He smiled again before adding, "Besides, I have a good relationship with the centaur clans in the forest. I've made sure they won't harm the students."
Dumbledore furrowed his brow, lowering his gaze in thought for a moment before looking back up.
"I've heard from Brandwadden, the centaur elder, that you've established some sort of cooperation with the centaur tribes.
Are you certain you can keep them in check?"
Alex grinned.
"I didn't expect you to know Brandwadden.
Yes, they supply leather to Wilson's Arcane Alchemica, and I'm familiar with most of the riders in that settlement."
"They won't embarrass the young wizard who's entering the Forbidden Forest," Alex assured.
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
"Alright, you may try teaching in the Forbidden Forest, but you must not go too deep.
Every time you enter, you must stick together, and make sure Hagrid is with you. Take good care.
If any accidents happen, I will immediately revoke your permission for practical lessons in the forest."
"No problem," Alex replied, understanding that this was Dumbledore's biggest concession.
But once the children were inside the Forbidden Forest, they would quickly learn what real danger meant.
"Finally!" Alex laughed after agreeing to the conditions. "Since tactical training involves a lot of emergency avoidance and crisis management, and to improve safety at Hogwarts, I want to make sure we hold a school-wide safety drill every year. It's important to take precautions and protect our young wizards."
When Alex mentioned a "safety drill," several deans and even Dumbledore exchanged confused glances, clearly unsure what he meant by "exercise."
From their expressions, it was obvious none of them had heard of such a thing.
Snape, growing increasingly annoyed at Alex's persistence, snapped, "What's wrong with you? Haven't you heard?
Hogwarts and Gringotts are the two safest places in the UK. There's no need for these so-called security drills!
We have our guards, and Dumbledore himself is here!"
Alex just smiled calmly and replied, "Oh, really? Well, I might have some bad news for you.
About a year ago, Gringotts hired Wilson's Arcane Alchemica to conduct a full security inspection. We ran a simulated crime exercise back then."
He looked at Snape with a knowing smile and continued, "What do you think the results were?"
Before Snape could respond, Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise.