Chapter 658: The Valuable Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society
Chapter 658: The Valuable Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society
Most students like to cram for exams, but cramming for the "Buddha's foot" is not easy, and sometimes it doesn't work. It's rare to find a thick and big quality "Buddha's foot" like Albert's.
After cramming, exams always become much "easier." However, after a while, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan began to dread the idea of last-minute cramming.
Nevertheless, Albert was a good roommate and wouldn't let their efforts go to waste. He motivated them by suggesting that if they improved their grades, their families wouldn't object to their joke shop idea.
Seeing them study hard always brought Albert immense comfort, and doing good deeds indeed brought joy.
For most students, exam week was torture, but for Albert, it was a rare leisure break.
With his clever mind, final exams were a breeze. He always finished early and had plenty of time to do whatever he wanted, such as revisiting the research materials on the Human Restoration Spell that he had tossed aside. He always felt that this spell was valuable.
After all, Wolfsbane Potion was exceedingly expensive, even the improved version. Impoverished werewolves would still struggle to afford it. Moreover, there were only a handful of Master Potioneers, and it was uncertain if an ordinary Potioneer could brew the potion successfully.
Albert was well aware that the Human Transfiguration Spell was challenging to master, but it had one advantage that made up for all its shortcomings—it didn't cost a thing to cast. Even impoverished wizards could learn it if they were willing to invest the time.
Reproducing the Human Transfiguration Spell could bring unexpected rewards, such as a Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society. Albert believed that receiving such an award would undoubtedly bring him wonderful surprises.
A wizard's intuition was sometimes remarkably accurate.
Of course, the prerequisite was mastering the spell, and reconstructing it from the pile of research materials was evidently a challenging task. Hence, Albert contemplated resorting to some unconventional cheating methods, such as scrying his future with a crystal ball in an attempt to achieve "something from nothing."
He failed, or rather, he succeeded only halfway.
Albert managed to see himself casting the spell in the crystal ball, but the problem was that he only saw the wand movements without hearing the incantation. Undeterred, he scryed again and took notes on the incantation for the Human Transfiguration Spell. However, when he tried to cast it, he failed.
The attempt to create something from nothing had failed.
Or perhaps the Human Transfiguration Spell was so intricate that even a magical genius like him couldn't master it in a short time.
Albert kept trying, but he couldn't get the spell to appear on his skill panel. Then, one day, while discussing the spell with Professor Flitwick, he suddenly had a breakthrough.
It was a peculiar feeling, as if everything had become effortless, as if he had taken a Felix Felicis potion.
Indeed, Albert had secretly taken Felix Felicis to test if it would enable him to successfully cast the Human Transfiguration Spell.
As it turned out, the effects of Felix Felicis were indeed remarkable, and Albert succeeded.
To be precise, the Human Transfiguration Spell successfully appeared on his skill panel.
Subsequently, Albert shared his understanding and the incantation of the spell with Professor Flitwick.
Although there were no werewolves at Hogwarts to test the spell's effectiveness, the elderly professor believed that if the spell had the effects Albert described, it would be worthy of a Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society for outstanding contributions.
This implied a reward-filled quest.
Being an honest kid, Albert didn't hide anything. He recounted Lockhart's good deed and sincerely expressed that he hadn't invented the spell himself. Instead, he had successfully reconstructed it based on the notes left by Lockhart.
"You're an honest lad," Professor Macgoban said, satisfied with Albert's honesty. "If what you say is true, then that poor Armenian wizard has lost his memory, and likely no other wizard can master the Human Transfiguration Spell. If you can reconstruct his spell and spread its knowledge, I'm sure the entire wizarding community will be grateful. You'll undoubtedly receive a Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society, and Tiberius has mentioned that he wishes for you to become a reserve member of the Wizengamot, just like Dumbledore. With that badge, you'll face far fewer obstacles."
"Is the Merlin badge cheap, then?" Albert asked curiously.
"It's cheap, but also not cheap," Professor Macgoban said meaningfully. "The number of awards given out is far greater than people expect. As far as I know, some associations like to bestow the Merlin Order upon their long-term members."
"A standard badge for members of the Wizengamot?"
"In a sense, yes. But the actual awarded badges still hold significant weight. Each badge records the reason for the merit. At the very least, I know that Cornelius Fudge intends to award himself a First-Class Meritorius Service Award, using the reason of contributing to the peace of the wizarding world. If we're willing to turn a blind eye... Well, to be frank, I don't particularly like it either, but that's how politics works." The old wizard was keenly aware of the difficulty of reconstructing the Human Transfiguration Curse from Lockhart's messy notes. "I'll spread these notes around, and after all the experts hit a dead end and get a bloody nose, no one will dare to point fingers at you."
In fact, when Albert gave the copy of the notes to Professor McGonagall last time, he had a similar idea. He was still thinking about how to ask the old wizard in front of him for help when the latter took the initiative to offer his assistance.
"Let's talk about this again after the term-end exams are over."
"Okay."
Albert watched as Professor Macgoban's back disappeared from view, and his gaze unconsciously drifted towards the quest panel that had just appeared.
Merlin Society Meritorius Service Award:
The Wizengamot bestows this award upon wizards who have made significant contributions to the wizarding world. The fact that a senior member of the Wizengamot has informed you of this opportunity is a rare chance for someone with only a modest reputation like yourself. Even if you only receive a Third-Class award, grasp this opportunity tightly. It will help elevate your status in the wizarding world. (Repeatable) Obtain a First-Class award.
Reward: 50,000 experience, gain a max-level designated skill, 10,000 wizarding world reputation.
Obtain a Second-Class award.
Reward: 30,000 experience, raise a designated skill to max level, 5,000 wizarding world reputation.
Obtain a Third-Class award.
Reward: 10,000 experience, gain a designated skill, 2,000 wizarding world reputation.
Wizarding Sage:
Two senior members of the Wizengamot, Gelsilda Macgoban and Tiberius Ogden, intend to recommend you to join the Wizengamot. This is a rare opportunity for someone from the Muggle world like yourself. Become one of the fifty members of the Wizengamot and increase your reputation and status in the wizarding world.
Reward: 50,000 experience, 3 skill points, 20,000 wizarding world reputation.
Albert knew a bit about the Wizengamot, an organization that predated the Ministry of Magic and was similar to the King's Advisory Council. That was why the quest was named 'Wizarding Sage.' As for now, the Wizengamot served as the court and parliament of the British Ministry of Magic, making it the most influential institution.
To be honest, Albert had suddenly become quite interested in becoming a part of it.
He never expected that a First-Class Meritorius Service Award from the Merlin Society would be so valuable.
Perhaps this would be his life goal after graduation.
He could aim for multiple awards.
No, that's not right.
He should directly climb to the top of the Wizengamot and then award himself a badge every year. That way, he wouldn't need to bother with quests in the future and could simply lie down and win.
(End of Chapter)
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