Lucien leaned against the window, withdrew his gaze from the drifting clouds, and summoned the system panel in his mind.
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes, clearly displaying the progress of his various loans.
He looked through them one by one, silently calculating in his mind.
First were the annual loans.
The loan progress for the Emerald Tablet fragment was nearing completion. Once Instant Speech was officially released and fully introduced to the market, the final piece of the puzzle would basically be in place.
Once this annual loan was repaid, his SS+ Alchemy talent would be completely stabilised, though he currently had no idea how to further raise it to SSS-rank.
As for the newly triggered Apple of Youth Seed loan, its repayment cycle was much longer, and its benefits were not something he could enjoy immediately.
He would have to wait until the Apple of Youth truly matured and was consumed before he could experience its effects of extending his lifespan and increasing his magic.
The enormous amount of magic required to cultivate it, along with collecting a list of materials that covered almost everything known in the wizarding world, including rare and extinct ingredients, would be a long process.
At the very least, it would take years.
However, Lucien was still very young, so his need for "longevity" was not particularly urgent.
By comparison, he was more interested in the increase in magic that would come from consuming the Apple of Youth.
More magic meant being able to attempt more complex and mysterious spells.
Who would refuse a longer "mana bar"?
Lucien continued looking down.
Next came the monthly loans.
His main recent monthly loans were the advanced magical runes for the earth and fire elements.
The repayment task for the earth-element loan had already been completed, and he had also mastered the method of improving the Beauty Spring. The progress he had made in Alchemy along the way was an unexpected bonus.
The fire-element loan required him to contribute to the festive atmosphere of this year's Valentine's Day after returning to Hogwarts.
As it happened, he could first recreate an improved Beauty Spring at Hogwarts.
He expected it would be quite useful in creating the Valentine's Day atmosphere later.
As for the weekly loan that had upgraded the Shapeshifting Flesh Puppet, although it seemed insignificant compared with the annual and monthly loans, it had unexpectedly opened an entirely new door for him.
With the upgraded Shapeshifting Flesh Puppet, Lucien could now conduct simulated experiments on Magic Circuit Transformation, effectively revealing a new path for magical research.
Transfiguration remained the field of magic in which he was most proficient, so there was no reason not to continue developing it.
Lucien's thoughts continued to wander.
To cure bloodline curses and repay the Apple of Youth loan, approaching the problem from the source through the study of Dark Arts curses was certainly one path.
But besides confronting the curse directly, were there other possibilities?
Could he use the Transfiguration and Alchemy he had already mastered to approach the problem from another angle?
For example, could Transfiguration be used to alter the local structure of a person's Magic Circuit and thereby simulate resistance to the curse?
The more Lucien thought about it, the more he felt this approach was worth exploring.
In any case, the loan requirement was simply to cure bloodline curses.
It had never specified how he had to do it.
Learning Dark Arts curses was one path, while trying to counter them through Transfiguration and Alchemy was another.
Lucien had no reason to refuse the opportunity to learn more.
...
Stars dotted the night sky as darkness settled over the land.
The Thestral-drawn carriage landed steadily, jolting slightly as its wheels touched the ground.
Lucien stepped down with his suitcase in hand, the night breeze carrying a familiar scent against his face.
Beside him, Riemann took a deep breath, his voice full of relief.
"Our own school is still the most comfortable. Even the air feels better here, doesn't it?"
Lucien nodded. Looking at the familiar school gates illuminated by scattered lights, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
In terms of splendour and magnificence, Hogwarts indeed fell short of Beauxbatons.
With its palace-like buildings, meticulously landscaped gardens, and magical fountains everywhere, Beauxbatons clearly had the advantage when it came to grandeur.
However, the moment Lucien stepped back onto Hogwarts grounds, a natural sense of ease and familiarity settled over him.
It felt like coming home.
...
Hogwarts Headmaster's Office.
In the familiar room, various silver instruments puffed out gentle wisps of mist, reflecting faint glimmers beneath the moonlight.
Lucien habitually glanced over the portraits of the former headmasters. Most were fast asleep, while only a few briefly looked his way before closing their eyes again.
His gaze finally settled on the golden nest.
Fawkes, having recently undergone rebirth and still in its fledgling state, was curled up inside, its small head tucked beneath one wing as its body rose and fell gently with each breath.
Lucien slowed his steps, not wanting to disturb the "chick's" peaceful sleep.
However, the moment he drew closer, Fawkes suddenly opened its eyes.
Those golden-glowing eyes locked precisely onto Lucien, and a tender yet clear birdsong rang through the quiet Headmaster's Office.
Thanks to the Unicorn's blessing, Lucien immediately understood Fawkes's meaning.
"You seem... to have gained the favour of the fire element?"
The favour of the fire element?
Lucien was slightly startled, then immediately realised what Fawkes meant.
It was because of the Fire Elemental Magic Pattern.
He subconsciously rubbed the nearly invisible flame-shaped mark on his right middle finger, understanding dawning in his mind.
Lucien was not surprised that Fawkes could sense the change in him.
Magical Creatures such as Abraxans, Thunderbirds, and Kelpies, which were relatively sensitive to elemental forces, could all perceive the special aura created by an Elemental Magic Pattern to some extent.
That was even more true for a legendary creature like a Phoenix, which could be reborn through fire.
Lucien walked over to the edge of the nest.
Fawkes lowered its small head and examined him carefully before letting out another soft cry.
"Strange... it's neither a magical effect nor a blessing..." Its tone carried a hint of confusion. "It's more like... a natural affinity with the elements."
Fawkes shifted slightly and poked its head over the edge of the nest, proactively leaning closer to Lucien.
"And it seems it isn't only the fire element. There's also..."
It suddenly tilted its head up and met Lucien's gaze, curiosity shimmering in its eyes.
"Does your ancestry contain the bloodline of a Magical Creature?"
Lucien froze.
This...
Fawkes had misunderstood.
Well, the ancestors of the Grafton family should all have been fairly ordinary Muggles. They probably had not done anything that would result in their descendants inheriting the bloodline of a Magical Creature.
Before Fawkes could continue examining him, light but steady footsteps sounded from within the Headmaster's Office.
Lucien turned towards the staircase.
An elderly man with silver hair and a long silver beard, dressed in a deep purple dressing gown, was slowly descending the spiral staircase with one hand resting on the railing.
Dumbledore was also wearing a nightcap, the small pom-pom on top swaying gently with each step.
"You're already back?"
Those were Dumbledore's first words, his tone carrying obvious surprise.
Lucien was slightly taken aback, but he still nodded.
"Yes, Headmaster. We just arrived. Didn't Professor Shafiq tell you?"
Dumbledore adjusted his nightcap. He was not wearing his half-moon spectacles at the moment, and helplessness showed clearly in his blue eyes.
"Professor Shafiq did not send any message saying whether you would be returning today or tomorrow."
Lucien blinked.
Could it be that Professor Shafiq had been so delighted by their championship victory that she had forgotten the minor detail of informing the school when they were returning?
Then again, judging by Professor Shafiq's usual behaviour, it was equally possible that she had simply been too lazy...
No wonder there had been no welcoming ceremony at the castle gates when they returned.
Lucien had originally assumed it was because they had arrived too late and the school planned to hold one tomorrow.
It turned out no one had even known they were coming back tonight.
Standing on the staircase, Dumbledore seemed to arrive at the same conclusion.
He looked down at his dressing gown, then at Lucien.
For a moment, an oddly awkward silence settled between them.
________
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