Professor Binns emerged from the wall, his head appearing first, followed by his entire body.
As soon as he appeared, the temperature in the classroom dropped slightly.
Sean noticed that a small group of candles near the front of the classroom even flickered blue.
"Emeric was a short-lived but extremely vicious dark wizard. He was killed by his opponent, Egbert, in a particularly bloody duel..."
Professor Binns began his lecture immediately upon entering the classroom, without any introduction or roll call.
As a ghost, he didn't care about such formalities.
"Uric the Odd was an ancient, eccentric wizard. He became famous for acts such as wearing jellyfish like a hat... He once slept in a room containing no fewer than fifty augurey birds. During an especially damp winter, Uric, upon hearing the augureys' cries, became convinced that he had died and become a ghost. He then attempted to pass through the walls of his house, resulting in what the biographer Radolphus Pittiman described as 'ten days of concussion'..." Professor Binns' voice always carried inexplicable pauses and drawn-out tones, sounding very peculiar.
"I hear—"
Michael suddenly mimicked Binns' intonation. The students in the back row paused their note-taking, and Terry stopped inspecting the oddly-shaped runestones in his hands.
Even Sean slightly turned his head.
Socially well-connected Michael always had fresh tidbits of news; the three of them knew this well.
"Professor Binns has been a Hogwarts professor for a long time. One day, this elderly History of Magic professor fell asleep in front of the staff room fireplace. When he woke up, he went straight to his next class, but— he left his body behind!" Michael described the scene vividly.
Terry whispered, "Wow!"
Anthony raised his eyebrows.
"Automatic stirring cauldrons are cauldrons enchanted to stir potions automatically, invented by Gaspard Singleton in the late 20th century..." Professor Binns' voice echoed through the classroom, but almost all the young wizards were inattentive.
Some whispered among themselves, while others simply laid their heads down to sleep.
Sean, having studied an entire History of Magic book, took notes diligently.
He noticed that Western magical history seemed non-linear; Binns focused more on individual achievements and confirmed legends.
As for important events, like the invention of the automatic stirring cauldron, they were always tied to the people involved.
Professor Binns' lectures lacked clear logic—whether because magical history was inherently so or because he lost logical capacity after becoming a ghost, it was unclear.
Yet, even amidst these scattered events, Sean managed to discern a clear timeline.
For history-related subjects, a good method always helps.
He scribbled furiously, and as soon as Binns finished speaking, he rotated the parchment.
Michael, curious, leaned over to look and discovered that Sean's notes had a clear timeline linking all the key points.
"Merlin, Sean, you really are a genius."
Michael murmured to himself, amazed that the obscure knowledge had been memorized.
Sean paid no mind and nodded slightly, thinking this would be enough for excellence.
Once the lesson ended, the students woke automatically. After Professor Binns departed, they chattered as they left the classroom.
"Sean, want to play Wizard's Chess?"
Michael enthusiastically invited him.
"No."
Sean was curious about the unfamiliar game but had to go to the greenhouse.
"Alright."
Michael pouted as he watched Sean walk away.
Following Senior Bruce's advice, Sean stopped in front of the first building.
The towering dome sparkled in the sunlight, reflecting the sky and passing clouds.
The thick wooden framework looked ancient yet sturdy, with deep green paint peeling in places to reveal the dark wood beneath.
As the wooden door opened, a warm, damp, life-filled air immediately washed over him.
Professor Sprout was waving her wand, her movements practiced. In a blink, the muddy path was spotless.
"Mr. Green, perfect timing. Please help tidy up the clutter."
Professor Sprout said, picking up a small trowel and placing a black-and-red plant deep within the greenhouse.
Sean looked closely.
The long planting tables were somewhat messy, scattered with small soil pits, water splashes, and bits of plant debris—like the dark green, sticky angelica fragments described in the books.
"Scour—g—ify!"
Sean pronounced the spell accurately and waved his wand according to experience.
[You practiced a Cleaning Charm with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +1]
In the next moment, a small section of the planting table before him was spotless.
Sean focused and began waving his wand repeatedly: "Scour—g—ify!"
[You practiced a Cleaning Charm with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +1]
[You practiced a Cleaning Charm with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +1]
[You practiced a Cleaning Charm with Apprentice Level Skill. Proficiency +3]
...
What a hardworking little sprout...
Professor Sprout watched the little wizard diligently at work, her face full of a warm smile.
Before collapsing from exhaustion, Sean finished cleaning the greenhouse. With a flick of her wand, Professor Sprout sent a cup of honey-lemon water floating into his hand.
"Take a sip and rest, Mr. Green."
Sean looked at the now-clean planting table with a sense of accomplishment, though mostly it came from the Cleaning Charm Proficiency, having increased by 66 points.
[Name: Sean Green]
[Identity: Wizard]
[Title: Spell Novice, Apprentice Transfiguris]
[Proficiency Levels]
[Levitation Charm: Apprentice Level (4/300)]
[Luminous Charm: Apprentice Level (1/300)]
[Cleaning Charm: Apprentice Level (70/300)]
[Transfiguration: Apprentice Level (3/900)]
[Herbology Knowledge: Unlocked (27/90)]
[Advancement: Three beginner-level spells, unlocks Beginner-level Title for the Spell Domain]]
[Advancement: Beginner-level Transfiguration, unlocks Beginner-level transfiguration title]
[Wizarding Talent]
[Charm: Green]
[Transfiguration: Light Purple]
Compared to a few days ago, it was a complete transformation.
Sean sipped the honey-lemon water, the honey blossoming on his tongue, sweet enough to make him squint.
Delicious.
A hundred times better than the bitter tea at the orphanage.
Sean put away his wand, sat on the small stool summoned by Professor Sprout, and thought: 'While chores are fine, the focus now is learning to handle herbs.'
"Professor, may I help you with the herbs?"
Sean asked quickly, stopping Professor Sprout from walking to the other side of the oak table.
"Of course, I mean, why not?"
Professor Sprout blinked. Sean didn't drink his honey-lemon water and quickly ran to follow the plump professor.