Hogwarts Library.
Immersed in the ocean of knowledge, Ian did not realize that his performance in Transformation Class actually led to a deep conversation between the current and future headmasters in the Headmaster's Office.
The world of Transformation is extremely enchanting.
The growth in skill level also makes people enjoy it endlessly.
[Transformation Technique (Level 3) 114/800]
After a significant improvement in skill level.
Time quickly turned to afternoon.
Ian glanced at the time on the wall.
There's still a full fifty minutes before Magic Potion Class starts. Considering the rebellious nature of Hogwarts' staircases, he had to end today's library visit early.
Of course.
To have something to study at night, Ian decided to borrow some books to take back.
"Look at me! Take a look at me!"
"I can offer you five hundred ways to identify Fantastic Beasts!"
"Interested in learning some culinary skills?"
"I'm so full of knowledge it's almost bursting out of me!"
...
To say the least, Hogwarts Library is truly magical, even outside the Forbidden Book Area, Ian still saw several books that could utter words.
But these were not the books he wanted to read. Using the library's categorization, he continued to search among the bookshelves and chose a few books he had originally intended to read.
Hogwarts Historical Records
Medieval Wizard History
The Legend of the Enchanting Illusion Realm
Land of Illusion: Spirit Thin Prison
...
Although these books do not contain knowledge to enhance abilities, they hide secrets Ian urgently wanted to uncover. He wanted to know the footprints left by Teacher Mara and Pandro in history.
He also wanted to know the kind of connection he had with the Misty Illusion Realm. At the same time, Ian was rather suspicious that Ariana might be related to the family of former Hogwarts students several hundred years ago.
Although the beautiful senior promised to help him gather information, if Ariana's brothers had graduated, the senior might not be able to find useful information either.
Ian has always been very attentive to his friends' matters.
Perhaps these books on the public area shelves may not answer all his questions, but he can only explore them little by little, and if necessary, think of a way to visit the Forbidden Book Area at night to find the remaining answers. The Forbidden Book Area is basically like a sieve with people entering repeatedly every year; adding him as another student breaking school rules doesn't really matter.
Just as the Sorting Hat said.
Ian possesses traits from multiple houses.
"I need to borrow these books."
Ian placed a total of seven or eight books on Madam Irma Pince's desk. She was a thin, elderly woman, looking like a malnourished bald eagle.
"Ravenclaw's little wizard?"
Madam Pince was caring for her feather duster at the time.
Being able to be in Hogwarts' Library organizing and guarding books 365 days a year, Madam Pince was clearly either divorced or widowed.
"Yes, ma'am."
Ian maintained social politeness.
"I like Ravenclaw's little wizards because you understand how to take care of books better than students from other houses." Madam Pince softened her gaze slightly as she looked at Ian.
She glanced at the books Ian wanted to borrow.
"Generally, for little wizards, I only permit borrowing of five books at a time." Madam Pince was clearly saying Ian wanted to borrow too many books.
"Perhaps I could be in the exceptional category?"
"Ma'am, I just want to learn more to become a wizard useful to the world. I've never seen my father since I was young; he might have died shortly after I was born."
"I've heard he died fighting against the Mysterious Man; he probably fell just before dawn. I hope to achieve something worthy so he would know I did not waste his protection."
"He died creating a better life for me; I must make myself grow excellently." Ian temporarily borrowed his roommate Michael's background.
It was indeed very convincing.
In some sense, perhaps, maybe, it was new way of conveying the truth? While playing the sympathy card, Ian also tried bribery.
The Extraordinary Traits of Thought Perception was subtly controlled by Ian now, though its effect was somewhat compromised, it was enough for him to understand from which angle to proceed.
"Ma'am, I brought some delicious soft candies from home to school; next time when returning the books, I hope to have the honor to bring some for you to taste."
Older, solitary elders tend to fall for this kind of gesture.
"No eating candy while reading." Madam Pince did not outright refuse; today, in a world without the Candy Inequality, not refusing naturally implied acquiescence.
"Of course, I assure you they will return home unharmed." Ian quickly nodded obediently, Madam Pince's gaze softened again upon hearing this.
"You're quite likable; you remind me of my first love when I was young. I hope you won't betray my trust or these valuable books."
Madam Pince finally went through the borrowing registry for Ian.
"Of course, thank you for your help."
Ian eagerly expressed thanks while holding the books.
Though he didn't believe Madam Pince's first love could be as handsome as him, he felt she wasn't as difficult to persuade as many young wizards claimed.
Leaving the library.
On the way back, he did not encounter any little wizards, or rather, except for the Ravenclaw little wizards, very few would walk the corridor leading to the library.
"Woo~ woo!!!"
On the road.
Ian unexpectedly encountered a bristling cat, which growled deeply and fiercely at him, baring its teeth with a sinister expression, like a road-blocking bully staring at Ian. This was Argus Filch's cat, called Madam Loris, whose temperament matched Argus Filch's peculiarity.
"Please make way."
Ian attempted to reason.
However.
"Woo~ woo!!!!"
Madam Loris growled even louder.
Fear Descending!
Ian only liked well-behaved cats, so without hesitation, he pulled out his magic wand and granted Madam Loris a road-blocking reward in the empty corridor.
"Wah wah wah!!"
Madam Loris covered its eyes with two paws and started rolling on the ground in terror, screaming like a baby, having no idea what it experienced.
The magical effect would last a few minutes; Ian bypassed Madam Loris, first returning to the Ravenclaw Common Room and placing all the borrowed books in his dormitory.
He checked the time.
There was still half an hour.
However.
"Hurry up! My brother told me; you shouldn't be late for Magic Potion Class!"
"The seniors said those late would be forced to drink a whole bottle of aphrodisiac!"
"I heard it's to drink giant-eyed spider venom?"
...
The Ravenclaw first-year wizards were all in panic, fearing punishment for being late for Magic Potion Class. Their smart little heads couldn't quite understand how Snape might reward them like that.
Maybe it's because they are still too young, not worldly-wise; even the smartest brain is still just smart.
"There's plenty of time."
Ian said this.
But his actions were to quickly follow the crowd and rush to the Potion Classroom.
This class.
Ravenclaw will have it together with Slytherin.