[Loan: Qilin (Annual Loan)
Repayment Period: 365 days
Loan Content: Obtain a Qilin
Loan Task: Refine a Potion using the Philosopher's Stone
Evaluation: Qilin, an auspicious legendary creature, wards off evil, breathes fire, treads on clouds, and breaks spatial prohibitions.
Note: In the current world, those chosen by a Qilin are considered natural leaders. Even the International Confederation of Wizards chooses the next Supreme Mugwump with this creature's help!]
A Qilin is a divine beast that breathes fucking fire! Not to mention its ability to break spatial prohibitions!
Having such a pet would definitely be better than some round-faced fat owl or a toad!
The task is to refine a Potion using the Philosopher's Stone... hmm.. but it doesn't specify what kind of Potion!
Hmm, in the first year at Hogwarts, there will be a chance to come into contact with the Philosopher's Stone.
As long as I keep an eye on Harry Potter, finding the Philosopher's Stone shouldn't be a problem.
I remember Dumbledore liked prophecies.
And he must have arranged for Harry to get the Philosopher's Stone.
Can I find a way to get it earlier? After all, I'll need to research how to use the Philosopher's Stone to refine Potions.
Would you like to take out the loan?
"Yes."
Lucien chose to accept directly.
It was also an annual loan, and he felt this task was much simpler than perfectly mastering Transfiguration.
Firstly, because he knew how to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, the biggest difficulty of the task was already solved.
Secondly, the task didn't require refining a specific Potion.
That meant even refining a cold remedy with the Philosopher's Stone would be acceptable.
However, doing so would be a bit wasteful. Hmm, I'll make a simple Potion first as a backup, repay the loan, and then see.
If conditions allow, I'll try refining more advanced Potions.
The Philosopher's Stone can turn lead into gold and grant immortality. I wonder if it can be used to refine related Potions…
Seeing that Lucien hadn't chosen a pet for a long time, Professor McGonagall asked:
"Don't you want any?"
Lucien shook his head. There really wasn't a pet here that caught his eye, especially now that he had the divine beast Qilin.
"Then you don't have to buy one now. Not all young wizards have pets in their first year. Now let's go to the last stop, the one you've been looking forward to—Flourish and Blotts."
Hearing Professor McGonagall's words, Lucien's eyes lit up.
Flourish and Blotts was a famous bookstore in the wizarding world, selling a vast number of magical books.
"Okay, Professor."
...
Inside Flourish and Blotts.
Lucien moved through rows of bookshelves, constantly pulling out books and tucking them into his arms.
"Basic Introduction to Transfiguration, must get it!"
"First-Time Potion Identification, useful, buy it!"
"Beginner's Spell Encyclopedia, a no-brainer!"
"...Buy, buy them all!"
Seeing the pile of books in Lucien's arms quickly grow, Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to remind him that newly admitted young wizards usually didn't need to buy so many books.
Firstly, the amount of introductory magical knowledge was quite substantial, enough for young wizards to study for one or even two years.
Secondly, young wizards of this age were often more playful, and those who could persist in reading ten pages were already considered determined; most books bought just ended up gathering dust.
But thinking of Lucien's extraordinary talent, Professor McGonagall felt that he really could quickly grasp these books.
"Lucien looks like a good child who loves to study; he'll definitely read diligently."
Professor McGonagall glanced at the bulging money pouch at Lucien's waist.
"Anyway, he's not short on money."
The books were stacked too high, so Lucien had to tilt his head to look at the bookshelf.
Guide to the Care of Magical Creatures?
I happen to have a Qilin to raise, so I need to learn the relevant knowledge.
Only one left, buy it!
Lucien reached out and grabbed the book.
But the other side of the book was held by a small hand.
"Ahem, I got this book first. Could you please let go?"
A childish but somewhat imperious voice sounded beside Lucien.
Heh, a little polite, but only a little.
I want to see who dares to snatch my book?
Lucien turned his head to look.
The owner of the voice was a pale-skinned little girl with thick brown hair.
She had a pair of brown eyes, but the most noticeable feature was her prominent front teeth, making her look like a little rabbit.
She also carried a stack of books in her arms, though not as many as Lucien's.
"Hello, Miss. May I ask who you are?"
Lucien showed a polite smile; this was the etiquette of his upbringing.
But the hand holding the book didn't loosen at all.
Looking at Lucien's handsome smiling face, his deep, dark green eyes were profound and mysterious, like a pool of water that could draw in one's soul.
The little girl blushed slightly, but still looked up, her tone softening a bit: "Hermione, Hermione Granger."
Who?
Lucien was stunned for a moment.
Of course, he knew the name Hermione—the big sister of the main trio.
He had already met someone from the main group; that was fast enough.
But I remembered Hermione wasn't a delicate little girl like a porcelain doll. Who was this one with the little rabbit teeth?
Could it be that this world isn't set according to the movies, but according to the original novels?
Or a mix of both?
Seeing Lucien not speaking, just staring blankly at her, Hermione suddenly pursed her lips and uncomfortably lowered her head.
"Uh, sorry, seeing you reminded me of a friend. You both have beautiful brown hair. Ehm.. My name is Lucien, Lucien Grafton."
Hearing Lucien's words, Hermione secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
So he wasn't looking at my front teeth; he was just complimenting my hair?
Hermione's fingers, gripping the book, suddenly loosened.
Lucien took the opportunity to pull away Guide to the Care of Magical Creatures.
Noticing the book moving in her hand, Hermione subconsciously tightened her grip again.
The two were about to fall into a stalemate.
"Miss Granger, have you found a book you like?"
A short lady, wearing a heavily patched hat, walked up behind Hermione.
"Ah, Professor Sprout, I—I'm looking."
Sprout?
Lucien looked at the lady. She had flowing gray hair and was kindly watching the two young wizards.
"Pomona?"
Professor McGonagall also walked over at the sound, seeing her colleague, Pomona Sprout.
Head of Hufflepuff House, Professor of Herbology.
"What a coincidence, Minerva. Is this the young wizard you're guiding?"
Sprout nodded toward Lucien.
"Yes, he is Lucien Grafton. A very talented young wizard."
Hearing Professor McGonagall's introduction, Sprout was a little surprised.
She knew her colleague, with whom she had worked for many years, was very strict in her teaching style and rarely praised a young wizard who hadn't even started school so directly.
Sprout looked at Lucien again, smiling as she said: "I can tell he must be a good child who loves to read."
Seeing so many books in Lucien's arms, Sprout kindly reminded him:
"First-year young wizards don't actually need to buy so many. You should also save some pocket money."
Hearing this, Lucien showed no reaction; after all, his money pouch was heavy.
It was Hermione whose body stiffened, and her hand, which had been holding Guide to the Care of Magical Creatures, recoiled.
She had already spent a lot of the Galleons she exchanged, and her family wasn't wealthy enough to trade more gold for Galleons.
Lucien took the opportunity to pull the book away and stack it in his arms.
In the face of knowledge, why bother with politeness?
What girl is as appealing as knowledge?