"Gilderoy Lockhart?"
Avada was quite surprised to hear that name again. He frowned slightly.
"You don't mean to say he's also a professor here, do you?"
"Of course not."
Headmistress Miranda Goshawk shook her head with a chuckle and waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright, Professor Clarke. This isn't something that can be explained clearly in a short time. I think it would be better if Professor Belby personally explained the situation to you."
"So if you really intend to take the assessment this afternoon, you'd better spend more time preparing. Once you officially become a professor here, you'll find there are far more things to worry about than this."
"Would you like me to take you to the library?"
"I'd appreciate that, Professor."
In the end, carrying a stomach full of questions about Gilderoy Lockhart, Avada followed Headmistress Goshawk to the library of Nobby Leach University.
The moment he saw the building, he immediately realized that the title of "largest library in Britain" might need a new owner.
Not only was the library at Nobby Leach University significantly larger than the one at Hogwarts, its collection quality completely overwhelmed it.
After all, Hogwarts' library had to accommodate many younger students, meaning it needed to include large numbers of introductory books such as A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration or The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.
Here, however, books that would normally be locked away in Hogwarts' Restricted Section were simply lined up row after row on the shelves.
Their titles were straightforward.Their covers were clean and minimal.
There were no screaming faces, eyeballs, or other bizarre nonsense.
And that wasn't all.
In addition to books and research papers about magic, the library also stored a vast number of books from the Muggle world, covering fields from natural sciences to humanities and history.
It was essentially like taking a Muggle university library and stuffing it full of magical books.
It even made one wonder whether they had secretly emptied out the library of some Muggle university.
It was still morning, so the library was not crowded. A few middle-aged or elderly people who appeared to be professors sat quietly reading at nearby tables, along with several younger faces.
Some people glanced up briefly at Avada's unfamiliar face before lowering their heads and returning to their books.
If someone placed a few laptops on the tables, the atmosphere would feel even more like a modern university library.
With all sorts of strange thoughts running through his head, Avada quickly located the section related to mental magic and pulled out the books listed on the reading list:
PsychodynamicsAnalysis of Common Mental MagicPsychopharmacologyGuidelines for the Use of Mental MagicImaging Analysis of Mental InstrumentsInterpretation of Mental Spectra
He began reading them on the spot.
Although he had already mastered Psychodynamics, he still needed to confirm whether the version used at Nobby Leach University was the same as the one at Hogwarts. Otherwise, things might become awkward during the examination.
Spectra and imaging…
Not as unfamiliar as I thought. Most of it corresponds to what I observe directly through magical perception, but operating the instruments themselves will require some practice.
As for Psychopharmacology… it discusses how the human mind reacts to various potions? Shouldn't that belong under a branch of Potions?
This is bad. I haven't studied this field very deeply. At most, I was barely capable of reconstructing Peter Pettigrew's memories. Compared to my other specialties, this area is definitely weaker.
There are only a few hours left. I'll need to focus most of my mental power here, or I might run into trouble during the assessment…
Fortunately, the class Avada was attending at Hogwarts at that very moment happened to be History of Magic.
Since everyone in that class was either dozing off or daydreaming anyway, it wouldn't seem strange if his reactions were a bit slow.
And so—
Half a day later.
"Hmm… congratulations, Professor Clarke. Your results fully meet the standard required to become a professor. In fact, your performance in some areas exceeded expectations…"
Inside a tightly sealed room—one that blocked everything except the Vanishing Cabinet—Headmistress Goshawk and the previously encountered Professor Trimb sat behind a desk.
Several test papers filled with answers were spread across the table.
Beside them stood several intricate and sophisticated instruments.
And standing nearby, looking rather awkward, was Avada.
"However…"
Professor Trimb raised his head and looked at him with confusion.
"Forgive my bluntness, Professor Clarke. Have you only studied mental magic theoretically and through spellcasting, without personally conducting experiments?"
"Your performance in theoretical knowledge and magical skill is nearly perfect. But when you began operating these instruments, you looked like a student handling them for the first time."
"Yet from the paper you submitted, I can tell you're a scholar with a strong research spirit and considerable experience. Many of the small details you mentioned are things only people who spend years in laboratories would notice."
"Could it be that you previously used a different type of instrument?"
"…Yes."
Avada scratched his head awkwardly.
"Now that I've seen your equipment, I realize the instruments I used before were rather primitive. Yours are far easier to use."
"Then what kind of instruments were you accustomed to using? I think it might be beneficial for students to learn about different types of instruments as well. That could inspire students majoring in alchemy to think more creatively about innovation…"
"Well… I don't know the names of those instruments, but I can describe them briefly."
Fortunately, aside from mental magic, Avada's alchemy knowledge was also quite solid.
Combined with the understanding he had gained about various instruments earlier that day, he could easily cobble together explanations for devices with similar effects—though their operation differed drastically from the official models.
As for where those devices came from or who invented them…
Sorry.
He was merely a wild wizard from Australia.
How could he possibly know such complicated things?
It was also worth mentioning that Professor Benjamin Baker and Mr. Shafik had not yet revealed Avada's true identity to the other professors.
They had simply vouched for him.
Given their status and influence combined, that was more than sufficient.
On one hand, this protected Avada's personal safety.
On the other hand, it protected Professor Baker's technical secrets—dual casting was his trump card and not something he shared publicly.
But this was perfectly normal.
After all, Nobby Leach University wasn't a prison.
They weren't going to dissect every professor's background before allowing them to join. As long as the candidate wasn't a Dark wizard, was willing to abide by the magical contract, and possessed sufficient knowledge, that was enough.
As for personal secrets or private circles among faculty members…
A university neither needed nor wanted to manage such things in detail.
As long as it didn't interfere with teaching, that was fine.
"So, may I go see Professor Belby now?"
After confirming that he had indeed passed the assessment and obtained the qualifications to become a professor, Avada asked.
After all, he hadn't forgotten about the werewolf investigation.
"Ah, of course, Professor Clarke."
Headmistress Goshawk nodded with a smile, apparently quite satisfied with the new professor.
"He should currently be in his laboratory. I can take you there. But don't focus only on this matter—you still have many things to take care of."
"Receiving your personal room and office, coordinating courses with Professor Trimb, and familiarizing yourself with the university's layout… oh, right. And this."
As she spoke, she took out an ancient-looking key and handed it to Avada.
"This is the personal entrance key to Nobby Leach University. Professor Baker should already have shown you how to use it."
"Once you have this, you are officially a member of the university."
"Come with me. I've already informed Professor Belby in advance—he should be waiting for you now."
(End of Chapter)