Chapter 40: The Boring History of Magic

"Alright, there's another explanation..." Albert said with a peculiar expression. "In the Muggle world, a group of professional scientists discovered a substance, a protein that catalyzes the formation of eggshells. This protein exists only in the chicken's ovary. In other words, without the chicken, there wouldn't be this protein necessary for forming eggshells. Without the eggshell, successful incubation and protection of the chick wouldn't be possible. Therefore, their conclusion is that the chicken came first, then the egg."

As Albert spoke, everyone froze, including the young wizards from the Muggle world.

"I know you may not understand, but the 'chicken first' answer has been verified by people," Albert explained.

"So..." Katrina asked tentatively, "Do you believe the phoenix comes before the fire?"

"No, the magical world is different from the Muggle world," Albert shook his head. "The phoenix and the fire, I believe it's a cycle. After the phoenix dies, it is reborn from the ashes. Its life will always continue in an eternal cycle. I think it's meaningless to explore the starting point of the phoenix."

Katrina raised an eyebrow. Albert's answer wasn't bad.

"Impressive, not many Ravenclaw students can answer correctly on their first attempt," a Ravenclaw boy behind Albert couldn't help but praise. "By the way, I'm Roger Davis. Nice to meet you."

There was no choice but to admit it.

Roger Davis had also faced the question from the eagle-shaped bronze door knocker, but he had answered it all wrong.

Most Ravenclaw first-year students couldn't pass the question from the eagle-shaped bronze door knocker. If they wanted to enter or exit the common room, they always needed an older Ravenclaw student to accompany them, which was inconvenient.

"I'm curious, why were you sorted into Gryffindor?" Roger Davis asked the question that everyone was curious about.

"Who knows?" Albert replied.

The conversation ended there because Professor Binns entered the History of Magic classroom by passing through the blackboard. This kind of entrance truly widened everyone's eyes.

Ten minutes later, all the students in the classroom appeared drowsy and on the verge of falling asleep.

The History of Magic is considered the most boring course for a reason. Professor Binns always recites the contents of the book in a monotonous and dull voice. Everyone simply hastily jots down important names and dates, and even Ravenclaw students can't resist the hypnotic effect.

The only one still attentive in the classroom is Albert, with a candy in his mouth, earnestly reading the book and occasionally taking notes in another book.

"It's hard to imagine that you can resist Professor Binns' hypnosis!" Fred and George Weasley said admiringly as they approached Albert after class, each placing a hand on his shoulder. "Please lend us a copy of your notes for History of Magic."

Lee Jordan had already cheekily taken the History of Magic book from Albert's hand.

"What do you think?" Albert rolled his eyes. In the History of Magic class, he multitasked, reading and taking notes simultaneously.

To accomplish this, Albert even leveled up his multitasking ability to level 2.

However, using it to get through History of Magic was indeed useful, considering they still had five years of history classes to go.

"Do you guys know about the rumors surrounding Cuthbert Binns, the professor?" Albert lowered his voice and said, capturing their attention.

"What rumors?" The three of them were immediately intrigued.

"According to a record in Hogwarts' history," Albert whispered, "Professor Binns didn't realize he was already dead, at least in the beginning."

"One day, Professor Binns got up to go to class but accidentally left his body in a fireside armchair in the staff room. Of course, he was already quite elderly by that time."

"Wow!" The three of them were astonished. They hadn't expected this wizard to forever become Hogwarts' History of Magic professor like that.

Before dinner, the three of them had already copied Albert's notes for History of Magic.

"Do we have any more classes in the afternoon?" George asked eagerly, itching to ride Charlie's Comet.

"We have one more class in the afternoon, Transfiguration," Lee Jordan said regretfully.

Albert muttered, "I dare say it's definitely the easiest class!"

With only three classes in a day, how could it not be easy?

By the way, the British, who don't pay much attention to lunch, usually just grab something to eat at this time.

Albert gave up on the idea of preparing sandwiches for himself. He disliked eating sandwiches all the time. After drinking some pumpkin juice and eating a few stewed potatoes, he quickly finished his lunch.

The twins planned to go out for a stroll during this time, but Albert believed they should do so after the Transfiguration class. That way, they would have sufficient time and energy. As for the period between lunch and class, Albert intended to rest in the castle courtyard and read a book.

The courtyard was filled with students. They gathered in groups, chatting and some even brought their lunches here to eat.

Hogwarts in September no longer had the summer heat, especially since it had rained yesterday. A gentle breeze brought a coolness reminiscent of autumn.

"If only I could conjure a cushion," Albert sighed as he sat on the grass, "I suddenly feel that it's quite important to excel in Transfiguration."

"No, no, that's definitely not a good reason to excel in Transfiguration," Lee Jordan couldn't help but quip.

"Hey, what do you think is in that forest?" Fred suddenly asked, looking towards the Forbidden Forest in the distance.

"Dumbledore said there are werewolves inside."

"And centaurs."

"Probably other magical creatures too," Albert continued, "Perhaps even the gamekeeper keeps some strange creatures in the forest."

Like Thestrals, Acromantulas, or giants...

"Oh, by the way, how's your Disillusionment Charm coming along?" George changed the subject. He didn't currently plan on going into the Forbidden Forest. They enjoyed adventure and excitement, not risking their lives. Besides, werewolves had a notorious reputation in the wizarding world; one bite and it's all over.

At the moment, when they could start their nightly excursions was their main concern.

"Not so fast, mastering the Disillusionment Charm is not easy," Albert said as he took out his wand, recited an incantation, and gently tapped a fallen leaf.

The color of the leaf's surface began to change, blending in with his palm.

"It feels different from what I imagined," Lee Jordan scratched his head.

"It might not be noticeable from a distance, but in reality..." Albert shook his head helplessly. "It would be immediately detected up close."

"It's a bit like a chameleon."

"The principle is similar to the protective coloration of a chameleon," Albert didn't directly use experience points from his experience pool to level up the Disillusionment Charm. He planned to take his time and explore it on his own. He would only feel a sense of accomplishment when he completely mastered it.

The process of learning was still important. Only then would he truly feel like he was attending Hogwarts. He didn't want to miss out on this experience.

Albert was already prepared to spend two months self-studying the Disillusionment Charm.

(End of this chapter)

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