Chapter 161: Make Wizards Great Again!

Lockhart's words seemed to detonate the entire Quidditch stadium at once. Many wizards began discussing fervently. The benefits of being a research assistant were beyond anyone's imagination.

In the current wizarding world, there was no technology to accurately judge Squibs and wizards. Therefore, they could only rely on rough methods. Before the age of 12, everyone was regarded as a potential wizard, just waiting for their magical power to outburst and awaken their bloodline. Only after the age of 12, if there was still no change, would they be considered a Squib.

The age of 12 was the final deadline. After this age, there was basically no possibility of awakening. Consequently, after becoming a Squib, there was essentially no chance of attending Hogwarts. Even with the meditation method, many Squibs were years past the school entrance age.

In the entire wizarding world, except for some basic service jobs, Squibs were usually responsible for them. For other jobs, employers would always choose wizards, mostly those from Hogwarts.

It can be said that in the British wizarding world, almost all positions that required wizards were filled by Hogwarts graduates. One can imagine how troublesome it would be for a wizard who practiced alone or studied abroad to live in the wizarding world.

Of course, this kind of employment environment stemmed from the fact that all wizards in the British wizarding world were Hogwarts students. Anyone with wizard qualifications would be detected by Hogwarts and invited to attend. Ordinary wizards would never refuse because entering Hogwarts was the best choice for them.

This effectively meant that Hogwarts monopolized all wizard qualifications in the British wizarding world. Such an employment environment naturally formed as a result.

Now, what Lockhart said meant that their older Squib children would be able to enjoy the most orthodox education. For some pure-blood families, it might not matter much. But for ordinary mixed-blood wizard families and some declining pure-blood families, it would be a huge benefit.

Moreover, they could also enjoy the full guidance of Professor Lockhart, the founder of the meditation method. In an instant, all the families or pure-blood families with Squibs decided to seize the opportunity to become Lockhart's research assistants.

Lockhart saw everyone's eagerness and the corner of his mouth curled up. Hansen's voice then echoed loudly, "Professor Lockhart, I will send two of my children to Hogwarts to serve as your research assistants, is that okay?"

"Of course," Lockhart replied immediately. "However, to further test the meditation method, I would like to recruit Squibs. Currently, we are only recruiting 100 children who are Squibs or suspected to be Squibs."

Hanson expressed his gratitude at Lockhart's reply and sat down, knowing his child would certainly be one of the 100 candidates. His statement had been to pressure others as per Lockhart's instructions.

Lockhart then found a few more suitable candidates to ask questions, fully demonstrating the allure of meditation and the urgency of the opportunity. For example, he mentioned that the first batch of Squibs who practiced meditation would likely be recorded in the history of magic and remembered by everyone, or they might enjoy the dividends of the new era.

The more the wizards and Squibs listened, the more they felt that this was an opportunity they couldn't afford to miss. They couldn't wait to apply as soon as the event was over.

Soon, Lockhart controlled the beam of light to fall on a young Squib. This Squib was the last person to ask questions in Lockhart's plan.

"Professor Lockhart, if we are not selected as research assistants, when can we learn the meditation method? We Squibs can't wait," the Squib asked anxiously.

Lockhart answered directly, "I will write relevant papers on meditation methods and other research results and publish them in journals such as 'The Philosopher's Stone' and 'Magic Words.' If you are interested, you can purchase them directly. They will introduce meditation practice methods and precautions for practice."

"Thank you, Professor Lockhart, I will definitely buy it. Of course, I also hope to learn meditation from you," the young Squib immediately replied.

Then, he asked again, "Professor Lockhart, I personally think that your research results are a great kindness to Squibs. However, I would like to ask, what do you think the significance of your research results is?"

Lockhart pondered for a moment before answering. "I believe that the existence of meditation will solve the dilemma faced by our wizarding world."

Seeing the confused faces of many wizards, Lockhart waved his wand, drawing a line chart and a large number of numbers in mid-air. The magic projection revealed it to the many wizards.

Lockhart started to introduce directly, "As a researcher and writer, besides writing books, I enjoy reading very much. After joining Hogwarts as a professor, I learned a lot from the books in the Hogwarts library, which also answered a question for me. You may not understand what I'm talking about regarding the difficulties facing the wizarding world, but look at this line chart and the numbers on it."

"My investigation of Hogwarts' admissions record data revealed a surprising fact. In the past 100 years, the number of students enrolling has been on a downward trend. With the two Dark Lord periods, enrollment dropped off a cliff. Overall, the numbers have been trending downward."

At this point, some wizards began to look concerned, as if they had realized something.

Lockhart analyzed calmly, "If the number of new students at Hogwarts continues to decrease every year, it means that in the future, we will be able to train fewer and fewer wizards. It's very possible that when we grow old, the wizarding world will face a crisis of extinction."

Unlike Lockhart's calm demeanor, most of the wizards present were a little panicked. Their analysis matched Lockhart's, especially some pure-blood families. When they recalled their family histories, they showed signs of fear.

Lockhart continued in an inciting tone, "This is the greatest significance of meditation. It turns Squibs into wizards, increasing the number of wizards. The children of wizards will no longer risk becoming Squibs. As long as they work hard, they will become wizards, ensuring that wizards can reproduce easily without the threat of producing Squibs. The number of wizards will increase, making the wizarding world more prosperous."

With excitement, Lockhart waved his wand and spoke passionately. "This is, in my opinion, the greatest significance of meditation. Make wizards great again!!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm reaching a fever pitch. The future looked bright, and the wizarding world seemed poised for a renaissance.

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