The world is unpredictable.
Imagining receiving Ravenclaw's test, then smoothly overcoming various challenges and solving puzzles, finding the founder's legacy, and finally becoming the Ravenclaw Little Emperor, reaching the pinnacle of life—none of this happened to Ian. What he faced was merely an alchemical creature with its own thoughts and a penchant for holding grudges.
"In the long river of history, why did you choose Lady Ravenclaw as your teacher?" The bronze eagle head always remembered the little grievance Ian gave it on the day school started.
"Because the matter was already settled, the college I attended is called Ravenclaw College. The moment I took off the Sorting Hat, I belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw's students." Ian attempted to illustrate the theory of causality to the bronze eagle head.
The door did not open.
"Makes sense, but not enough."
The bronze eagle head was clearly making things difficult for him.
"Lady Ravenclaw is the incarnation of the light of wisdom, a dazzling beacon that can lead me to explore the universe of knowledge."
"Still not enough."
"She has a fair and selfless heart, respecting the unique traits of every student."
"Still not enough."
"I can follow Lady Ravenclaw to better understand myself, discover my unknown talents and potential."
"Still not enough."
The bronze eagle head held grudges more than Ian.
"Hiss~"
Ian took a deep breath. He seemed to comprehend Lady Ravenclaw's pettiness across the millennia. Alchemical creatures often reflect certain personality traits of their creators.
"Because Rowena Ravenclaw would bring me back here, finally meet you, and feel your gentleness and thoughtfulness?" Ian, trying his last resort, chose cheesy romantic words.
The bronze eagle head did not respond.
"Click~"
The grandly opened door spoke louder than words.
Even though he wouldn't have to sleep in the hallway tonight, Ian still wasn't happy. What kind of boomerang year is this, the clown senior in love with the bronze eagle head turned out to be me?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Ian felt his college's bronze eagle head was somewhat insane. He rushed into the common room, where many Ravenclaw wizards of various ages were packed around the limited number of long tables studying.
Unlike other colleges, Ravenclaw's common room had a small library exclusive to them, though most of the books in it were related to school courses.
"Hi, Ian."
Qiu Zhang, who was selecting books in front of the bookshelf, saw Ian entering.
Ian waved back to her.
"Need inside information for tomorrow's Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" Qiu Zhang approached with a mysterious face, holding a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Ian chuckled, "The first class, they wouldn't let us deal with giants, would they?"
Even though he was just a new student at Hogwarts, he had already experienced several unreliable rumors at Hogwarts in the past two days.
"Of course not; it's the Irish Little Demon. Someone saw their cage in Professor Erich's office." Qiu Zhang patted the book in her hand.
"Everyone is eager to find a solution now, hoping to earn points for the college tomorrow. No one wants the Gryffindor little wizards to steal the spotlight."
Qiu Zhang lowered her voice and added, "Well, they also want to steal the spotlight themselves. You earned points for the college today, and the prefects specifically praised you tonight."
Unexpectedly, he missed the moment of socialization.
Ian felt a bit regretful.
"Where's the prefect? The prefect? Next time when praising me, I hope to choose a time when I'm there, thank you." Ian couldn't find the two prefects.
But he caught the attention of other little wizards.
"It's Prince! Oh my, your performance in Magic Potion Class today was amazing; even Snape couldn't do anything with you. Will you be free to teach us how to make the Boil Potion?"
"Yeah, yeah, your Boil Potion feels better than the ones sold in the store. My sister, who often gets boils on her butt, consumes a lot of bottles every year."
"Shut up! You fool! Even if mom comes, I'm going to kill you today!"
...
Several little wizards who had attended classes together earlier were now actively speaking to Ian. In Ravenclaw, as long as your academic performance is good, you will definitely earn the goodwill and admiration of your classmates.
There might be competition among the students.
But smart people choose to learn from the smarter ones, instead of seeing them as oddities.
"Of course, no problem; when there's free time, definitely." Ian, with Snape's Advanced Potion Making clamped under his arm, just wanted to return to his dormitory and study hard.
Michael and William were not in the common room; they must be secretly working hard to get stronger and might catch up with him one day!
Feeling a sense of urgency, Ian quickened his pace.
However.
At that moment.
"At home, my mom always told me that learning knowledge always comes at a price. Can I subscribe to your future Magic Potion Class notes with one Golden Galleon?"
Perhaps knowing Ian's background, a rich little wizard cautiously probed, inadvertently opening a Pandora's box.
"I only have five Silver Sickles."
"I have seven Silver Sickles; my mom will send me pocket money again next month."
"Money can't buy knowledge, but I have five boxes of Chocolate Frogs; I just want to learn the standard ratio for the Boil Potion."
"My pocket money is already used up, but I can steal my sister's pocket money... Oh, sister, why are you hitting me, anyway you only like saving money instead of spending it."
...
Seven or eight first-year Ravenclaw little wizards gathered in the dormitory area, and even the older students couldn't help but lift their heads in excitement.
Before those older students could say they were also willing.
"You're all good brothers and sisters; there's no better day than today; I have free time today. Come on, I'll give you all an extracurricular lesson, just slip me a Silver Sickle for the effort."
Ian stopped, turned around on the spot, and walked back to the common room.
He should have discovered this business opportunity earlier.
No matter where you are, tutoring is a business that brings in considerable income. Ian quickly scanned the money the little wizards took out and chose a long-term, continuous income model.
Monthly card, weekly card, daily card... none of them match the pay-as-you-go model; those who get it, get it.
"Only a Silver Sickle? My goodness, I'm ashamed for ever being jealous of you!"
"Thank you, thank you, you're such a good person!"
"What to do, I only have Chocolate Frogs..."
...
Ian collected a Silver Sickle from each of them, and from the slightly embarrassed boy, a box of Chocolate Frogs. He also promised to let him attend five future classes.
"To be honest, my whole family are Master of Magic Potions; high-quality potions run in my veins." Ian's words made those eager senior students sit back down.
"Just Boil Potion for now; tomorrow I can explain other potion-making details, break them down for you, explain in detail. Tomorrow, too, is only a Silver Sickle!"
"Don't worry, since I've taken your money, I will definitely bear the responsibility of teaching everyone, not just passing, but everyone will be as a dragon in Magic Potion Class in the future!"
The fire crackled in the fireplace.
Details on potion concoction started unfolding.
This was clearly just the beginning.
The night of Hogwarts' new semester.
Ian Prince and his initial followers.
For the first time.
Gathered together.
...