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{Implementation Guidelines on Deepening the Reform of Wizard Practical-Combat Rank Assessment and Professional Skill Evaluation Systems}
The moment the title appeared, a wave of dizziness washed over the assembled headmasters.
Most wizards were practically illiterate to begin with. This sort of classic, torturous British long sentence would confuse plenty of native English speakers, let alone a room full of foreigners.
Crouch felt the resentful looks stabbing into him, but his expression didn't change in the slightest.
Why are you all staring at me? That blasted title was my boss's idea. What was I supposed to do about it?
Only after Agilbert Fontaine kindly explained it did the heads of places like Castelobruxo and Uagadou finally grasp what the title meant.
Wizard combat rank assessment?
What kind of nonsense was that… From the sound of it, were they planning to re-test and re-rank all wizards?
"Mr. Riddle," Madame Maxime asked, turning her gaze toward the boy, "is this document aimed at students? Are you proposing to add practical combat tests to graduation exams?"
Crouch might have been the one presenting it, but everyone knew whose will truly stood behind the document.
"No. This assessment is for adult wizards," Tom said, tapping his finger lightly against the table. "Please don't jump to conclusions. Read the whole document first. We can discuss opinions afterward."
Even Dumbledore had no idea what Tom's true purpose for today's meeting was. He opened the file and began reading carefully.
For a while, the meeting room was filled only with the soft rustling of turning pages. The document wasn't long, five or six pages at most, and it was mostly plans and outlines rather than detailed explanations.
In less than fifteen minutes, everyone had finished reading and understood Tom's goal.
To provide a clear, detailed ranking system for adult wizards' practical combat abilities, along with evaluation tests for specialized fields like potions, herbology, and alchemy.
"Is… is this really necessary?"
Headmaster Santos of Castelobruxo voiced what most of them were thinking.
To them, this all felt completely redundant. Yes, more people had been dying lately, and there was a Dark Lord running around causing trouble, but overall the situation was still stable. Peace was the general trend. Aside from Aurors and other combat-focused professions, most people simply didn't need fighting skills.
That was exactly why so many Ministry employees couldn't even cast a proper Shield Charm anymore. People got comfortable, and before long, they rotted.
"I don't think it's necessary either," Vinda Rosier said with a faint smile, agreeing to Santos's surprise.
"Within the Acolytes, we already have a similar internal system for measuring power. Lord Grindelwald's intention is to promote it at Durmstrang and in several Ministries of Magic that work with us."
Several headmasters bared their teeth at that. "Ministries that work with us," huh? You might as well just say your own territory.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.
On the surface, Vinda was opposing the proposal, but in reality she was lending support. Just look at the urgency creeping onto Madame Maxime's face and the others'.
"Everyone," Tom said with an easy smile, "I'm sure you've noticed it too. The overall quality of wizards is declining. I may be young, but I know quite a few senior figures."
"For example, Mr. Scamander once told me that when he was young, Ministry employees were true elites. Silent casting was routine, wide-area spells came naturally, and even Apparition during combat wasn't considered difficult."
"And now?" Tom shrugged slightly. "It's a mess. Take the people who died by my hand not long ago. They couldn't even Apparate properly. Otherwise, at least a few dozen might have escaped."
Riddle, was that really a good example to use?
Tom's words were grim, almost hellish, but they were undeniably true. Every headmaster present had felt it. The students they taught were getting younger, not in actual age, but in mentality and capability.
Graduates today would barely rank as fourth- or fifth-years back in their time. Worse still, many people regressed after graduation. Aside from a handful of commonly used spells, most of what they'd learned was slowly handed back to the school.
That was also why magical schools had recently been seeking more exchanges, hoping competition would push students to improve.
"A clear ranking system would indeed help wizards understand where they stand," Madame Maxime said, nodding in agreement before voicing her concern. "But schools are, after all, places for training young witches and wizards. Mr. Riddle, shouldn't this be something you discuss with the Ministries of Magic instead?"
Tom shook his head. "Large-scale promotion will definitely require cooperation with the Ministries later on. But for a small-scale trial, you're the right people to start with."
"The professors at each school are elites among elites. If they take the assessment first, it sets a powerful example. It's also a perfect opportunity to showcase your schools' depth and strength."
A faint smile curved his lips. "Of course, a professor's personal power doesn't necessarily reflect their teaching ability. I've had plenty of firsthand experience with that…"
Dumbledore's eyelid twitched. Who exactly was that supposed to be aimed at?
In a small house on Spinner's End, Severus Snape suddenly sneezed while brewing a potion. A strand of mucus dropped straight into the cauldron. Thick smoke erupted at once, and Snape, furious, kicked the cauldron over.
Back in the meeting, Tom continued smoothly, "A professor's strength can inspire pride in their students. If we're talking about competition, we can't just pile the pressure onto the students. Professors should carry some of it too."
"And besides… with a clear evaluation of ability, you can avoid being deceived by the wrong sort of people. For instance, Headmaster Dumbledore here hired not one but two frauds, Quirrell and Lockhart…"
"Cough, cough!" Under the strange looks from the other headmasters, Dumbledore cleared his throat rather forcefully.
"Mr. Riddle, there's no need to be quite so specific…"
The boy really had no loyalty at all. When it suited his purpose, he'd sell his Headmaster out without the slightest hesitation.
"Could you elaborate on the specific rank divisions?" Fontaine finally spoke up, breaking his silence and drawing everyone's focus back. "And what standards will be used?"
As the Headmaster of Ilvermorny, Fontaine intrigued Tom more than anyone else present. If not for the current priorities, Tom would have loved to drag him out of that Lume-Lens and use Legilimency properly. For now, though, the plan mattered more.
Tom launched into a detailed explanation. One question after another flew at him from the various headmasters, and he answered each calmly and thoroughly.
Two and a half hours later, however, there was still no final decision.
The idea itself was good, but the headmasters had their own concerns. Poor student performance wasn't the end of the world. People tended to be forgiving with children. As long as a student showed even a hint of promise, there was always hope for their future.
Adults were judged far more harshly.
Put bluntly, this was like organizing another inter-school tournament, except this time it was the professors competing instead of the students. If they performed poorly, it would absolutely affect enrollment.
There were British students studying at Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. North America had its share attending Castelobruxo. Nothing in the magical world was ever absolute.
But as always, the larger tide favored Tom. The Ministry officials didn't dare push back against him, and these headmasters were hardly in a stronger position. Tom had half expected Fontaine to reveal some hidden agenda, yet he was the first to agree.
When the meeting ended, the others said they would consider the proposal carefully and give their answers within two weeks. Tom didn't press them. If they refused, he could always pay them a visit afterward.
Once the other connections to Lume-Lens were severed, Madame Maxime remained.
She extended her invitation once more, asking Tom to visit Beauxbatons Academy of Magic as her guest.
She had invited him many times before, and he had always found excuses to decline. This time, he finally agreed.
Fleur and Gabrielle were still staying at his home. Beauxbatons' term began on August 31st, with students returning on the 30th, only two days away. He could escort them back himself.
Delighted by his promise, Madame Maxime confirmed the time with him before closing the connection.
"Headmaster, I'm going to see Professor Snape," Tom said, turning to the old man at his left. "Care to join me?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Cornelius invited me for tea in his office. I'm already late."
"Alright then. See you at the start of term."
Tom waved casually and vanished on the spot. His vision blurred for an instant, and he reappeared at the entrance to Spinner's End.
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