Chapter 394

“Sharing knowledge—this has never been done by any wizard for the Pukki, save for Ms. Isolde Ser.”

Thanks to her generosity, our branch of the Pukki gained the opportunity to grow our community.

“But I hope you know that, wherever you go, Pukki are forbidden to possess wands.”

“All goblins have been stripped of the right to use wands.”

“This is the result of our defeat in war.”

“More importantly, after the war, Pukki knowledge was severed—and will never again be as vast as before.”

“Will trembled as he spoke.”

“And first, Wizard Sean fully understood the importance of the wand to wizards—or to ‘human,’ this category of magical creature.”

“It is the culmination of wizarding wisdom, the most widespread and sophisticated magical tool in the magical world.”

“The ban on wand use was the wizards’ constraint on the entire goblin race after the war—and the key reason goblins lost the right to wage war.”

“This is subtly hinted at in A History of Magic.”

“Second, regarding knowledge and wisdom.”

“The Pukki’s view aligned perfectly with Wizard Sean’s—this is humanity’s greatest asset.”

“As the Pukki steward spoke, Wizard Sean listened, quietly recording his words.”

“This sight stirred even greater delight in the Pukki steward’s eyes.”

“The good news is, Mr. Green is a kind-hearted wizard;”

“The better news is, Mr. Green is deeply obsessed with magic—and exceptionally skilled.”

“Master William said that only powerful wizards wield great wisdom, yet most refuse to share it, and most are ‘mad.’”

“Finding a powerful wizard who isn’t too mad is extremely difficult, and there’s an even harder prerequisite.”

“Will wiped his nose with the corner of his steward’s coat.”

“What?”

“Wizard Sean waited until he had calmed somewhat before asking.”

“Oh, there’s a well-known amusing tale among humans: do you know how to marry a duke?”

“When he was still a lowly guard, before becoming a duke.”

“Will said.”

“That such a mind existed was clearly unexpected by Wizard Sean.”

“He had to adjust his gaze and remind himself once more.”

“This is a magical world as ancient as civilization, its accumulated wisdom like endless stars.”

“So you chose me, this little ‘guard’?”

“Seeing him momentarily dazed, Wizard Sean made a rare jest.”

“Oh! How could you say that!”

“Will flailed to explain, his voice lost in the soft rustle of snow falling outside the window.”

“Wizard Sean gradually understood the Pukki’s way of survival in Europe.”

“After partially participating in the war, some Pukki changed their view of wizards.”

“These Pukki believed wizards surpassed the Pukki clans, for wizards occasionally produced extraordinary individuals.”

“They cited—for example, in the distant age of Merlin, ancient Pukki dared not even show themselves.”

“Or in modern times, Albus Dumbledore.”

“To avoid being captured for horrific experiments, the Pukki, while hiding, devised another plan.”

“If wizards occasionally produce exceptional individuals, then allying with such individuals seemed logical.”

“Unfortunately, the last such individual was Grindelwald—who, as leader of the Wizarding Pure-Bloods, despised Muggles, let alone these Pukki he could wipe out alone.”

“Even more unfortunate, the next such individual was Voldemort...”

“The Pukki suffered heavy losses.”

“Wizard Sean suddenly recalled something: in his own upcoming plan, it was precisely because Voldemort despised such creatures as goblins that the Pukki steward could assist him.”

“He directed his quill to silently ‘scratch’ notes—these were secret histories of magical creatures, and at least one person, he knew, would be eager to hear them.”

“And soon, Wizard Sean would visit the old Hufflepuff prefect.”

“After all, he had already made Cat-Leopard Cookies, and the next magical creature was surely still in Mr. Newt’s case.”

“...”

“So, can you help me practice the Cat-Leopard’s magic?”

“Wizard Sean asked softly.”

“With great pleasure, Mr. Green!”

“Will straightened his chest.”

“After a brief exploration, Wizard Sean confirmed his suspicion—he could not cast strong Legilimency.”

“He could now barely sense emotions and fleeting fragments of thought.”

“For the Pukki steward, his mind held only ‘For the glory of the Pukki!’ and reverence.”

“As for Confundus or Obliviation, that was far beyond what an ‘infant Cat-Leopard’ could achieve.”

“But Wizard Sean was not discouraged—he was energized.”

“Once the Cat-Leopard Cookie appeared on the panel, its proficiency growth rate no longer depended on the magic’s inherent difficulty.”

“Time slipped by in a blink—seven days passed.”

“During this week’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the recently recovered Lockhart announced:”

“Everyone knows something astonishing has happened at the school. More importantly, oh, Hogwarts’ healers worked tirelessly, and with my own considerable wisdom, you have gained the miraculous me.”

“I’m preparing some surprises—I can’t say more now, but I’m confident...”

“He tapped his nose again and strode away.”

“On February 14th, over breakfast, everyone learned how Lockhart had boosted morale.”

“Harry had trained Quidditch late into the night and was sleep-deprived; he arrived at the Great Hall slightly late.”

“For a moment, he thought he’d entered the wrong room. All four walls were covered in enormous, dazzling pink flowers.”

“Worse still, countless heart-shaped confetti continuously drifted down from the pale blue ceiling.”

“Harry walked toward the Gryffindor table, where Ron sat with a teasing grin, and Hermione seemed to be stifling laughter.”

“Harry was baffled. Following Hermione’s gaze, he saw a large banner stretched above their table, reading:”

“[Sincere thanks to Mr. Green for his heroic battle in the Chamber of Secrets. Your devoted teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Arts Defense League, Five-Time Winner of Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award]”

“Beneath the banner sat Wizard Sean, utterly defeated.”

“This—”

“Harry could no longer hold back his laughter.”

“Wizard Sean cast them a look of helpless resignation they’d never seen before; Harry immediately changed tone:”

“What’s going on?”

“Harry asked, stifling laughter as he sat down and brushed confetti off his bacon.”

“Ron pointed at the teachers’ table, too amused to speak.”

“Lockhart wore a vivid pink robe matching the decorations, waving to quiet the room.”