Chapter 244

Xiang Xiang Xien and his group signed a notice prohibiting the use of magic, so at the station, he could only pull his suitcase by hand instead of using the Levitation Charm.

Professor McGonagall took his hand, and amid a burst of noise, Diagon Alley appeared.

As usual, the professor was soon drawn to the De Fan Clothing Store; though her suitcase was completely full, she still picked out summer clothes.

Xiang Xiang Xien was pondering deeply—Justin’s final words had stirred him.

Yes, they were all Muggle wizards, so when the Chamber of Secrets opened, they would all be easy targets.

Xiang Xiang Xien did not know if he could defeat the Basilisk now, but his Transfiguration had reached the final threshold of the Master level—just a thousand points of proficiency would make him a Master.

Once he settled at the Burrow, he would unlock Master-level Transfiguration.

This would become his most powerful branch of magic.

Of course, if events escalated to a serious level, he would reveal another trump card.

【Title: Black Magic Saint (Expert Level)】

【Greatly increases perception of Black Magic, greatly enhances Black Magic talent, comprehensively improves mastery of Black Magic】

Since reaching Expert level in Black Magic, he had unlocked a new, special talent.

In simple terms, it enhanced both the power and emotional control of Black Magic.

It also made him further aware of his crude control over magical power—he suspected that as wizards aged, they improved not just their magical strength, but their ability to master it.

Like Xiang Xiang Xien, he might unleash eighty percent of his magical power—that was already quite good;

but Professor McGonagall could unleash one hundred percent, and with mental enhancement, even two hundred percent.

Xiang Xiang Xien continued reading downward:

【Wizard Xiang Xiang Xien, Black Magic Talent: Gold (enhanced by Black Magic Saint title). Note: Average wizards are Green】

【Evaluation: You are a rare genius in the history of Black Magic—Black Magic embraces you willingly; you are a born King of Black Magic】

Xiang Xiang Xien sighed—he knew Black Magic had already embraced him.

【Barrier Spell: Master Level (100/?)】

【Shatter Spell: Expert Level (2000/9000)】

【Sword of the Shadowless Blade: Expert Level (3000/9000)】

……

【Advancement: Seven Master-level Black Magic spells unlock the Master-level title in the Black Magic domain】

Above Master level seemed to be another stage.

Xiang Xiang Xien could no longer see his proficiency.

But this did not prevent the Master-level Barrier Spell from undergoing a transformation—it once affected only a single object, now it affected all items within a region.

“Professor, may I visit the Trickery Shop?”

Xiang Xiang Xien walked up to Professor McGonagall, who was selecting clothes; without hesitation, she gave him permission.

“Oh, children always love that place. The strange wizard chess sets and Transfiguration cookies they sell are quite interesting. Too bad there are so few. No one knows who makes them—they always keep everyone waiting.”

The shopkeeper, with her meticulously combed blonde hair, smiled.

“More than enough.”

Professor McGonagall sighed.

She remembered how busy the young wizards were, yet still found time to make these—she didn’t know whether to be proud or heartbroken.

“Oh?”

The blonde-haired witch shopkeeper seemed to sense something. She recalled the last time they came to Diagon Alley—how they had been welcomed inside by the shopkeeper, Little Gert—and she had a faint suspicion.

Professor McGonagall certainly wasn’t involved in making these—so who could it be? Hard to guess…

“Such an excellent child, Professor—you must be very proud of him.”

The blonde witch’s words struck a chord deep within Professor McGonagall; the extra clothes bundled up made the shopkeeper’s smile even brighter.

……

Gringotts.

Xiang Xiang Xien walked out with a dazed expression.

Who had put so many Jin Jin Jialong in his vault?!

He had only intended to withdraw some money for emergencies—yet upon entering, the vault’s Jin Jin Jialong had blinded him.

Are Wei Wei Silai and Green Magic Trickery Shop that profitable?

Before he could think further, Xiang Xiang Xien headed toward a certain place.

Diagon Alley was packed with people, all discussing the upcoming opening of Wei Wei Silai and Green Magic Trickery Shop.

Different animals hopped about, creating a chaotic din.

Before an empty shop, Xiang Xiang Xien met Professor Qiluo.

“Mr. Green…”

Professor Qiluo still looked timid and cautious.

“Professor Qiluo, have you chosen?”

Xiang Xiang Xien said.

“Of course. You need a hidden, open shop located in a place where magic can be used…this shop in Diagon Alley fits well.

Diagon Alley is the largest commercial street in Britain, and there happens to be an available, relatively inexpensive shop.

But… there’s already a Magic Trickery Shop open here. Given your intention to sell magical objects, perhaps we could find another location…”

Professor Qiluo hesitated.

“No need, Professor.”

Xiang Xiang Xien shook his head.

This shop was the one Taila had instructed him to open, as the sales location for the Fairy Cookie.

Precisely speaking, the items sold here would be hard for ordinary wizards to obtain.

Unless Xiang Xiang Xien’s Alchemy reached Master level, capable of casually crafting Fairy Cookies.

During this time, Xiang Xiang Xien’s life at Hogwarts had been orderly and peaceful.

Alchemy Masters from various countries, the Ministry of Magic, and several ancient families who had heard the rumors had nearly turned Britain upside down—yet still could not find the Alchemist who seized the authority of magical creatures.

After all, no one could have imagined that the genius known as Hermes was studying at Hogwarts.

Even if they had guessed, who would dare break into Hogwarts?

“Good… good. It will open soon—in… in the second week.”

Professor Qiluo asked nothing further, merely continued his report.

Hearing this timeline, Xiang Xiang Xien was surprised—he looked at the shop.

Could such a dilapidated shop be cleaned, rebuilt, and renovated in just one week?

Magic was still too comprehensive.

“We will sell some cookies.”

Xiang Xiang Xien said.

“Those animal-transfiguration cookies? I’m afraid… I understand.”

Professor Qiluo’s eyes flickered. Though the Wizarding World protected patents, if the patent holder voluntarily transferred it…

“Professor?”

Xiang Xiang Xien had no idea what the professor understood.

“This one.”

Xiang Xiang Xien pulled out a “Huhlu Huhlu”-sounding Catling Cookie.

“This is…”

Professor Qiluo stared blankly, taking it—unbidden, something came to mind.

The conversations between the Alchemy professor and Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts’ main table, occasionally seen.

“The Hogwarts… the internationally recognized Alchemy Master with the greatest talent in six hundred years, the youngest member ever admitted to the International Alchemy Convention Joint Committee, the recipient of the Udal International Alchemy Convention’s Gold Medal for Groundbreaking Contribution…”