It had to be said: Despite Professor Snape's sharp tongue, unpleasant demeanor, ahan-charming appearahe dear professor did have his redeeming qualities.

  For example, he had left Ian with plenty of gold Galleons. Even though today's shopping spree for all the essential school supplies had cost a siderable amount, the purse – clearly ented with the Uable Extension Charm – still held an astonishing fortune of 150 gold Galleons!

  Don't uimate that number. A typical Ministry of Magic employee would wo full months of work to earn that much, assuming they saved every Knut without spending a single .

  sider this: Even the Weasleys couldn't afford to buy a wand worth just seven Galleons. So, the sum of 150 gold Galleons was enough to make any wizard, young or old, envious.

  "Seriously? Even if I'm starting as an orphan-for-plot-veniehis feels excessive," Ian muttered to himself, growing increasingly suspicious. Could his mother have been... Lily Potter's e? No way. It's only the 1990s! her the Muggle nor wizarding worlds had developed such teology yet!

  "But that alone is way too terrifying to think about! Let's not go there!"

  Though uled by the thought, Ia aside his doubts to focus on learning magic. After moving all his belongings into the little wooden house Snape had provided, Ian eagerly took out his wand and picked up the quintessential Hogwarts textbook: The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1.

  As dusk fell, the st traces of sunlight disappeared over the horizon. When darkness settled in, Ian decided to attempt the simplest and most frequently used spell.

  "Lumos!"

  Following the instrus iextbook, Ian focused his mind, synized his thoughts with his wand, and took a deep breath before softly uttering the intation.

  The tip of his wand flickered with a faint glow. It was fleeting, vanishing almost instantly. Clearly, this was an unsuccessful attempt at the charm.

  But Ia no discement. Instead, his eyes gleamed with excitement. When it came to learning, most people struggled with progress, often finding it difficult to measure their improvement or stay motivated. But for Ian, this wasn't a problem at all.

  [Lumos (Level 0): 3/50]

  With just one failed attempt, a new skill appeared on Ian's personal status panel – a process he had experienced more than once before.

  "Looks like my talent fi't too shabby!"

  Staring at the information on his panel, Ian couldn't tain his excitement. With a siempt, Ian gaihree points of proficy. This meant that in fewer thay tries, he would master the charm, reag the most basitroductory level.

  When skill learning could be quantified in numbers, it was like a god revealing their health bar.

  "Lumos!"

  "Lumos!"

  "Lumos!"

  In the quiet wooden house, white light flickered on and off repeatedly. Each attempt was a testament to Ian's passion fid his anticipation for what kind of extraordinary abilities it might bring forth.

  …

  Hogwarts.

  In the headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore, currently the most powerful wizard in the magical world, sat like an ordinary elderly man. Dressed in faded, floral-patterned pajamas, he was seated behind a solid wood desk.

  The desk mp atop his table wasn't ected to any wires yet emitted a steady glow akin to that of an old-fashioned oil mp. At the ter of the desk y an open book.

  'Aurrindelwald'

  Dumbledore's gaze was fixed on a partiame among the many illustrious entries. Beh the silver lenses of his gsses, his eyes shoh a mix of wisdom and weariness.

  "Tap. Tap. Tap."

  His fingers drummed rhythmically against the desk as though deep in thought. For someone his age to stay awake at this hour, he clearly had matters weighing on his mind.

  Suddenly—

  "Click! k!"

  The sound of gears shifting echoed through the room.

  Dumbledore didn't look up.

  Through the doorway of the headmaster's office strode a figure in haste.

  "Albus, you didn't tell me Ian is a natural-born Legilimens!" Snape's face was stormy, his tone accusatory.

  The walls of the office were lined with portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses, most of whom covered their ears at the loud outburst. A few, however, leaned forward in their frames, eager to eavesdrop.

  "I believe some things are best discovered on one's own; it makes the surprise more delightful. Just as I haven't told Mr. Prince about the unbreakable boweewo of you," Dumbledore replied at st, his voice calm yet warm.

  With a gentle wave of his hand, the book on his desk closed on its own.

  'The Book of Admittance.'

  That was its name.

  Every student admitted to Hogwarts had their name inscribed in it by the 'Quill of Acceptance'. For turies, Hogwarts' admissions system had relied owo remarkable alchemical creations.

  Of course, the book on Dumbledore's desk wasn't the inal Book of Admitta was likely a replica lio the inal. The true book and quill were securely stored in a locked tower that no student had ever visited.

  "His dition is highly unusual!" Snape decred, standing in the ter of the office, his expression tinged with unease.

  "Occlumency has proveirely iive against him. I've attempted with all my strength, not just o multiple times."

  "He cims he only sense my emotions, but I believe he's capable of far more than that. Albus, I've never entered su irrationally powerful Legilimency."

  Snape's eyes locked onto Dumbledore, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

  "Some people are exceptional beyond imagination, Severus. I believe that's something you should uand quite well," Dumbledore replied calmly, his expression unging.

  It was clear that he had long been aware of the unusual nature of Ian.

  "I've entered natural-born Legilimens before, but their mental presence was his overwhelmingly invasive. His talent is far too dangerous!"

  Sone was grave, his words ced with unmistakable . His gaze never left Dumbledore, as though he inteo devour the older man with his gre. It even made Dumbledore shift slightly, sitting straighter in his chair.

  "Exceptional talent is not ily a bad thing," Dumbledore said gently.

  "We had an agreement!" Sorted, his voice tinged with frustration. "He was just supposed to attend school like a normal student, graduate, and then lead an ordinary life! For Merlin's sake, you're bringing him to the school this year!"

  "In times like these, the st thing he needs is to be exceptional. What he needs is a quiet, mundane life, like those unremarkable students who tract attention!"

  Snape's voice was tight, his frustration palpable.

  "I believe, Severus, that Mr. Prince's life is not for any of us to dictate," Dumbledore tered, his tone firm but uanding.

  He paused briefly before tinuing, "Not even a parent has that right. I know what you're thinking, and I strongly advise you to abandon suotions."

  (To Be tinued)