Chapter 130: The Demon Hunter and Mass Cheating
Chapter 130: The Demon Hunter and Mass Cheating
After discovering the reason, Ved could hardly wait to improve the other cabinet.
However, considering that he still had classes tomorrow, he could only obediently return to the dormitory to sleep.
The first class in the morning was Transfiguration.
Transfiguration was a type of magic that Ved could quickly master without relying on his eyes.
Perhaps due to his constant practice of the Brain Locking Spell, Ved's thoughts were much clearer than in his previous life, and the images he formed in his mind were more concrete and distinct. As a result, his magic guiding process was smooth and stable.
This allowed him to successfully perform transfiguration spells within just a few attempts, even at the initial learning stage.
Moreover, Lupin was an excellent Transfiguration teacher.
His three companions had all successfully become Animagi, and his own understanding and command of Transfiguration theory were masterful.
His guidance to Ved was always easy to understand and insightful, targeting the fundamental principles. Ved's progress in Transfiguration could be described as rapid.
It was also Lupin's assessment that Ved's current level was sufficient to start preparing to become an Animagus.
The first step was to continuously hold a fresh Mandrake leaf in his mouth for an entire month without swallowing or taking it out.
This process was undoubtedly challenging because people need to eat, drink, and even sleep, during which they might unconsciously chew and swallow.
Therefore, although it was said to be a month-long process, it was not unusual for it to be repeated several times or even a dozen times. Those who couldn't persevere would naturally have to give up.
However, the Mandrake plants were still seedlings at the moment. According to Professor Sprout, they would have to wait at least another month before the leaves could be harvested for use.
For now, all Ved could do was continue practicing and improving his Transfiguration skills.
Since Ved's learning progress far exceeded the course content, Professor McGonagall specially allowed him to practice independently during class. She would provide guidance a few times while supervising the class.
The Transfiguration class ended relatively early, after which Ved went to the Astronomy Tower to continue his supplementary lessons in bio-alchemy with Professor Moore.
Towards the end of the supplementary lesson, one of the chess pieces finally came to life.
The white knight spun around the chessboard a few times, unsheathed its longsword, and waved it about as if fighting an invisible enemy.
Then, holding the sword with both hands, it stood tall and said in a deep voice, "Evil is evil; there is no distinction between big and small!"
Professor Moore smiled and asked, "He seems to have quite a personality... What kind of thoughts did you give it?"
At this, the white knight suddenly raised its head.
"Based on my first impression of you, I don't like your attitude, but I will listen to your explanation," Ved said.
"I once read a short story in a magazine about a demon hunter as the protagonist, and I found it interesting, so I gave it similar ideas," Ved explained.
"Interesting... Most people just tell the chess pieces what to do, and their personalities emerge unintentionally," Professor Moore said with interest as she asked the chess piece, "Are you a knight with the eight virtues?"
The white knight remained silent for a while before answering seriously, "No, I am not a knight, but a demon hunter!"
"A demon hunter?" Professor Moore almost laughed. "Do you intend to hunt down demons and vampires?"
"Go ahead and laugh at me," the white knight said solemnly. "I know how difficult it is for people to understand each other."
"Perhaps you will find it hard to believe, but even in the lands bathed in sunshine, there are shadows that the light does not reach."
"What if I ask you to go and fight the chess piece across from you?" Professor Moore inquired.
The white knight looked at the black chess pieces without thoughts and shook his head. "I will not harm the innocent!"
"But you are a chess piece, and this is your mission."
Professor Moore actually started to argue with the chess piece.
The white knight disagreed, "I do not agree with the mission you have imposed upon me. I know what I must do... Even if my path is destined to be a lonely one."
Seeing that Professor Moore was having a lot of fun, Ved decided to keep this chess piece. He bade farewell and left.
In the afternoon, it was time for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"I heard from Ryan and Harry that their Defense Against the Dark Arts class yesterday was a complete disaster.
During lunch, Michael shared the latest gossip he'd heard from the umbrella shop, "Professor Lockhart brought a cage of Cornish pixies to class, and they wreaked havoc before escaping."
Padma leaned in, adding, "It's worse than that. Several students were bitten or scratched, and Madam Pomfrey is furious."
Lisa chimed in, sounding incredulous, "And get this, they had to take a quiz before the class even started! All the questions were about Lockhart's favorite colors and achievements."
<NAME> quietly gathered the second-year Ravenclaws into a small room at the back of the Great Hall and slipped each of them a piece of parchment.
"To be honest, I think the questions Professor Lockhart asks are pointless, and it's not worth wasting time looking up the answers in books," he said.
"These are the questions and answers I've managed to find out. Take a look and try to get through the class," he instructed.
"Oh, and don't take out your cheatsheets during the quiz. He is a professor, after all, and who knows if he has some way to detect cheating," he warned.
"Got it," Terry unfolded the parchment and scanned its contents. "I really don't like the idea of sucking up to him like this."
"It's important to make a good first impression," Anthony urged. "After all, he's a professor, and sometimes we might need him to sign off on things for us. Plus, if our grades are too low, he might give us detention."
Terry fell silent.
The group of students pored over the parchments, murmuring the answers to themselves to commit them to memory.
While the Ravenclaws didn't have photographic memories, they were certainly not known for their poor recall.
Some glanced over the answers once and got the general idea, not aiming for perfection; others, especially most of the girls, reviewed the answers two or three times.
Ved also memorized the answers, not out of interest in Lockhart, but because he knew how easy it would be to get permission slips for the restricted section from this man.
So Anthony was right; making a good first impression was important.
But there was no need to aim for a perfect score.
If he scored too high, the professor might think he was some kind of fanatical admirer and make him perform ridiculous plays in every class, which would be unbearable.
Once they had finished memorizing, the students burned the parchments to avoid getting caught for collective cheating.
When they arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Slytherins were already inside. As the Ravenclaws settled in, Lockhart strolled in with a stack of quizzes, beaming.
"Wonderful, my dears, it looks like you're all eager to start class. And I see you've all purchased my complete set of books, so I'm sure you've familiarized yourselves with my illustrious career."
Lockhart's voice rang out, high and cheerful.
"Perhaps some of you are thinking—"
He mimicked a little girl's high-pitched voice, "Oh, when will I be as great as the magnificent Professor Lockhart—a third-class Order of Merlin recipient, honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of the Most Charming Smile Award from the Wizarding World Weekly—"
He flashed what he presumably thought was his most charming smile and continued, "—as him?"
"Don't worry, dears, I can only say, don't rush it. If you study hard like I did, one day you might become outstanding witches and wizards," Lockhart encouraged.
"Now, let's see how much you've learned..."
He began distributing the quizzes.
Ved glanced at the quiz.
It was identical to the information Anthony had gathered, and he couldn't be bothered to change even a single answer.
The Ravenclaws exchanged knowing glances and smiled, then began furiously scribbling their answers.
The Slytherins, however, had mixed reactions.
Some looked disdainful, others frowned, a few admired him, and there were also those who, like the Ravenclaws, had apparently gotten their hands on the answers beforehand and started writing without a second thought.
The sound of quills scratching against parchment filled the room.
Today, Lockhart was destined to receive a set of results that would delight him immensely.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
