Chapter 186: The Guidebook

After leaving the Magic Research Institute, Murphy used his phantom shift to arrive near Hogwarts Castle.

Then, transforming into a wisp of black smoke, he flew into the castle and landed at the entrance of the Great Hall.

The caretaker, Filch, was mopping the floor and jumped at Murphy's dramatic entrance. Recognizing who it was, he immediately put on a sycophantic smile, "Mr. Darkholme, good to see you."

Murphy nodded slightly, pushed open the doors of the Great Hall and entered. He saw Professor Flitwick waving his wand, arranging the tables and chairs neatly and setting up thousands of candles on the ceiling of the Great Hall.

"Professor, long time no see."

"Oh! Murphy!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed in surprise, then smiled, "Looks like the school's youngest professor title is about to change hands."

"It's an honor to work with you, Professor."

Murphy was also happy. Professor Flitwick was his head of house and his favorite professor, more to his liking than the strict Professor McGonagall or the always unfriendly Snape.

Professor Flitwick jumped down from the podium and patted Murphy's arm, "I heard you've joined the school as a member of the board of governors. Impressive, really impressive."

After chatting for a while, Filch went to inform Professor McGonagall about Murphy's arrival. She soon arrived, arranged an office for Murphy on the seventh floor, and consulted him about his course schedule.

"If you want classes for two houses at the same time, we can arrange one on Wednesday and another on Friday..."

"Can I teach all four houses together?" Murphy asked.

His main reason for coming to Hogwarts, aside from the purpose of the Philosopher's Stone, was to find a place to rest and recuperate. The picturesque surroundings and the fresh air were appealing, and being with a bunch of students wasn't stressful. If he made himself too busy, it would be counterproductive.

"That's possible," McGonagall said after a glance. "In that case, I'll schedule your class for Friday afternoon. You can control the duration as you like."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

"What do you plan to have the students practice?"

"This..."

Murphy hadn't really thought about it, "I need to consider it further."

"Alright, but try not to delay too long. Classes start next week."

Afterward, Professor McGonagall left to get busy. She had to oversee the sorting of students into houses and many other tasks.

Murphy wanted to report to Dumbledore, the headmaster, although he had no direct authority over him. Respecting the hierarchy was important and there was no need to make himself too exceptional.

However, Dumbledore was reportedly out and hadn't returned yet, so Murphy found himself with some free time. After some thought, he decided to take a walk outside.

Returning to the school after four years, Murphy was filled with nostalgia. He visited the Ravenclaw common room, looked over the school from the Astronomy Tower, strolled through the library, and took a walk by the Black Lake.

He didn't visit the forbidden corridor where the Philosopher's Stone was hidden. There was no rush; he had a year ahead of him and didn't need to hurry.

As he walked, Murphy's mood gradually became more tranquil.

Since graduation, he had been constantly on edge, earning money, starting a company, selling potions, manufacturing chips, and engaging in battles of wits with sorcerers and wizards... like an unstoppable machine.

It was all because he was afraid.

Afraid of being ordinary, of complacency, of proving to himself that he was just a common man destined to achieve nothing.

He still remembered the dream he had in the village of Joachim.

Deep down, he believed in his uniqueness, but in his previous life, he was just an ordinary person. He feared that even with the chance of being reborn in this magical world, he might not be able to prove himself, becoming a mere shadow, an imitation.

Now, his obsession with proving himself had somewhat dissipated.

It wasn't because of his achievements, but because, in the process, he gradually found self-confidence that didn't need external validation.

This made his mood much more stable than before.

And it allowed him to focus on things beyond growth and power.

Combat prowess wasn't everything. The greatest aspect of magic lies in its universality and expansibility. Murphy's combat abilities were already formidable, but there was still much to do in expanding the power of magic and becoming all-powerful.

In the early years of his transmigration, he was too busy adapting to this world to appreciate it. Now that he had returned to his old grounds with enough power and energy, he was ready to re-explore this world.

He didn't know how long he would stay at Hogwarts, maybe six months, a year, or longer, but perhaps it was time to slow down and expand his abilities in more dimensions.

After all, life wasn't just about magic.

Tom, Harry, and everyone at Hogwarts.

Let the joy begin.

...

The Hogwarts Express.

Naturally, Tom, Harry, and Hermione ended up in the same carriage due to boarding the train together. Partway through, Ron Weasley, whom Harry had met at the Burrow, joined them.

They snacked on the treats Harry had bought and chatted leisurely.

Suddenly, Tom felt something in his heart. He excused himself to the bathroom, locked himself in, and opened his diary.

He saw that the text had updated.

"11 AM, I finally boarded the Hogwarts Express."

Then a line of golden text appeared.

"Initial guidance completed!"

"'Future Diary' upgraded to 'The Guidebook'!"

"'The Guidebook' will periodically issue tasks to its owner. Completing tasks will earn rewards. Rewards include but are not limited to: magical power, new spells, spell proficiency, combat skills, potion knowledge, magical creature knowledge, botany knowledge, information about the wizarding world, and more."

The Guidebook?

Before Tom could ponder the meaning, another line of text appeared.

"Preliminary Task: Board the Hogwarts Express. Completed."

"Task Reward: Basic Knowledge of Hogwarts."

"Please prepare to receive your reward."

Prepare? For what?

How will this reward be given?

A book?

Just then, Tom felt as if a channel had been opened in his mind. A flood of information surged in an instant. He was startled at first, then his vision went dark. Moments later, when he reopened his eyes, his mind was filled with new knowledge.

About Hogwarts, the four houses, a general map of Hogwarts, routes, and more, as if he had already lived there for a while. He now had a comprehensive basic understanding of Hogwarts.

Knowledge infusion?

Tom was astonished.

And it wasn't just academic knowledge. It included a lot of intuitive understanding, as if he truly had those memories and was just recalling them.

With The Guidebook, he could progress faster than other students.

Perhaps, it could even help him find clues about himself.

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