"Magic... university?"
Quite a few students, especially those born into wizarding families, were still rather unfamiliar with the word "university" and had no idea what it meant. Even Muggle-born students had gradually lost their concept of "university" after being separated from the Muggle education system for too long, and because they did not understand the current volume of knowledge in magical society.
"What is that? A new magic school?"
"But why would they recruit students from existing magic schools? What else do people who have already graduated need to study?"
Muggle Studies textbooks did mention the Muggle concept of "university," but according to the books, wasn't that something born because those people who could not even learn the Levitation Charm were too stupid and needed to spend more time in school?
What would they, as wizards, need that for?
"It seems everyone still has quite a few doubts. This is also why I call this matter an epoch-making feat—we should not have been so confused about this in the first place."
Dumbledore shook his head, unsure whether to laugh or feel regret. But soon after, he became cheerful again.
"However, it is not too late even now. And even if all of you are still unfamiliar with this institution called a 'university,' I believe you should all recognize the people who founded this school. That's right—they are the people standing behind me."
"All you need to know is that they are all among the elite of magical society, top-tier wizards who have made tremendous contributions to the advancement of magic and society. Among them, some wrote the textbooks in your hands, some have defeated countless Dark wizards, some have served as Minister for Magic, and some have developed the Wolfsbane Potion, as well as even greater magic... In that case, the next speech will first be given by the Headmistress of Leach University, Madam Miranda Goshawk!"
As he spoke, Dumbledore stepped back half a pace, giving up his position to an elderly woman with a head full of white hair, but whose complexion was still very good.
Only after exchanging glances with Dumbledore and the other two headmasters beside him, and nodding to one another, did she cast a Sonorous Charm on herself. Then she looked toward those young and bewildered faces with a kindly gaze that hid a trace of excitement.
"I already introduced myself once just now, and all of you have also made an initial tour of Leach University's facilities. However, considering that the teachers and students of Hogwarts and Beauxbatons themselves did not experience the previous events, please allow me to introduce myself once more."
Her gentle voice spread clearly throughout all of Durmstrang, and likewise echoed within the Great Halls of Hogwarts and Beauxbatons, leaving everyone who heard these words, whether students or professors, stunned.
"I am Miranda Goshawk, author of The Book of Spells and the Standard Book of Spells series of textbooks, recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, and the current Headmistress of Leach University..."
"First of all, I need to reveal a somewhat discouraging fact to those children who have yet to graduate. That is, during your seven years at magic school, even if you are able to memorize more than half the books in the library, the knowledge you have racked your brains to master and remember is still merely the tip of the iceberg compared to the total knowledge possessed by magical society at this stage."
"Over the course of more than a thousand years of development, wizards have long since accumulated vast amounts of knowledge, technology, and experience in far too many fields. The sheer volume of it, and the difficulty of understanding it, have already long surpassed the limit of what a single person's mind can grasp. Even if one spends an entire lifetime studying, one would probably only be able to master a rather limited portion of this knowledge... Perhaps quite a few seventh-year students can feel this. If you chose a technical position during your internship, then on your very first day on the job, you would discover in astonishment that there are still so many things you do not understand and have not mastered."
"..."
The students below looked at one another, but none of them could squeeze out anything to say.
In their understanding, they were supposed to keep studying at magic school, take two wizarding level examinations and obtain certificates, then after graduation, use those two certificates to find the job they wanted—preferably at the Ministry of Magic. After that, they would keep working and earning money until retirement.
This was the most natural path, one almost all their predecessors had walked.
But to continue systematic, full-time study after graduation?
That was something they had never even thought about.
"So, there have always been quite a few people who believe that for a wizard to stop learning and start working at only seventeen is perhaps a little too early. The lifespan of modern wizards can easily reach over a hundred years, and one's teenage years are precisely when a person is most energetic and has the strongest capacity for learning... Perhaps many people are happy to find a job immediately after graduation that they can work at until retirement, but at the very least, young people who wish to continue studying and advancing themselves should be given a choice."
"And so, led by former British Minister for Magic Mr. Nobby Leach, a large number of talents, knowledge, and techniques were gathered, and the world's first magical university was officially established. After his passing, the university was ultimately named after him in his memory. Due to certain external factors, the university has operated secretly outside the public eye for decades, and students recruited into it were also required to sign confidentiality agreements. But now, the greatest factor preventing the university from recruiting students publicly has disappeared. Therefore, we have decided to use this Triwizard Tournament as an opportunity to issue our first announcement to all of society..."
Good grief.
Goshawk's speech made Avada's eyelids twitch.
She's directly throwing that huge black pot onto the pure-blood families' heads!
No, it doesn't exactly count as a baseless accusation either... But with this, plus Voldemort's matter, the students' hatred toward those pure-blood families that love causing trouble is going to be maxed out...
After one Tournament, not only has Dumbledore once again dealt a heavy blow to the stubborn pure-blood faction, Karkaroff has completely shaken off his dark history, Crouch has cleaned up his mess, and the university can now make its appearance openly and legitimately... Good grief. Almost every participant managed to gain something from this?
Those Death Eaters actually had this many uses? Do they know that themselves?
As Avada inwardly complained, Goshawk, not far from him, continued her speech.
"...And unlike the magic schools you are currently attending, the university is not only an educational institution, but also a cutting-edge research institution. Here, you may freely choose the field you like most and are best at, continuing to study it deeply until you touch the very forefront of that field, and then become one of the forces that continues to push its boundaries. Elites from different fields can also communicate and cooperate with one another, jointly tackling the same difficult problem..."
"For example,"
At this point, Goshawk could not help revealing a somewhat proud expression.
"Not long ago, through the cooperation of several wizards with profound attainments in the fields of mental power, vitality, potions, curses, Transfiguration, and Dark Magic, lycanthropy—the so-called werewolf condition—which has long troubled magical society, was advanced another great step toward being overcome."
She deliberately paused, looking at the countless astonished faces below, and raised her voice once again.
"With the help of the university's latest achievements, we can now completely eliminate the infectious nature of the werewolf curse and almost entirely suppress the symptoms of transformation and frenzy, making patients no different from ordinary people!"
(End of Chapter)