Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 158 The Reclaimed Time Converter

To be honest, Ike underestimated his current popularity at Hogwarts.

After Cedric's explanation, everyone agreed that Ike should become a champion of Hogwarts. As they entered the Great Hall, even the Slytherin students cheered for Ike.

Ike smiled and waved to the little snakes, speaking warmly to everyone who encouraged him.

Although in the past, Ike was known as a loner who always seemed aloof, no one ever thought he was unapproachable.

Treating everyone who expresses kindness to him with kindness is one of Ike's little principles of conduct.

"Indeed, you are more suited to be the champion of Hogwarts than I am." Cedric hugged Ike under the watchful eyes of the crowd. "I think you will win the final trophy for us."

"You've given me a real problem." Ike patted Cedric on the back as if in retaliation.

"But that's not a difficult thing for you," Cedric replied with a smile.

"Of course."

Ike was very confident. If the events of the competition did not change, he did not think he would lose to anyone in those three events. On the contrary, he was eager to try.

He also wanted to know where his current level of magic stood, and how far he was from reaching the ceiling of magic like Dumbledore and Voldemort.

Amidst laughter and chatter, Ike finished his breakfast. After chatting with everyone for a while, seeing that Hermione hadn't returned yet, Ike headed straight to the library.

But as soon as Ike stepped into the second-floor corridor, he encountered Professor McGonagall coming towards him.

"Mr. Streid, I was just about to look for you." Professor McGonagall seemed to be in a good mood and beckoned me to her office. "There's something I need to tell you."

Ike obediently followed Professor McGonagall into her office and sat down in the chair. He asked, "Professor McGonagall, is there anything I can help you with?"

"It's like this," Professor McGonagall said, adjusting her glasses with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

"Since you have now become a Hogwarts champion and need to participate in the tournament, for the sake of fairness, I may have to revoke your right to use the Time-Turner."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall." Ike obediently took the time-tamper from his neck and placed it on Professor McGonagall's desk.

"I hope you understand, Ike," Professor McGonagall said as she put away the Time-Turner. "For some... reasons, Hogwarts is under a lot of pressure right now, and we need to make the competition as fair as possible."

"I understand, Professor," Ike said with a smile. "Besides, as a warrior, I have the privilege of not taking final exams, so I can selectively relax my studies on some elective courses for a while."

"Of course, next year, I hope I can still get the right to use the Time Converter, and I also want to challenge myself to get all twelve OWL certifications."

"Oh, if you persist next semester, you will get it." Professor McGonagall seemed quite satisfied; well-behaved students are always well-liked.

Ike was actually prepared for the time-twister to be taken away. The Ministry of Magic would never allow such a cheating artifact to remain in his hands. Even if cheating was a tradition in the Triwizard Tournament, it couldn't be this blatant.

Moreover, Ike no longer needs the Time Converter as much. His magical strength has been stuck in a bottleneck for a long time. Until he finds a way to advance to LV7, the Time Converter only allows him to have more time to brew potions and earn extra money.

But now it's good. With the school's special permission, apart from compulsory courses like Transfiguration, Charms, and Potions, Ike has a lot more free time, which is a rare moment of relaxation.

This is the first time in four years, and I was quite unaccustomed to it at first.

In contrast, Harry's days were much harder.

As the snakes, led by Malfoy, gave increasingly grand speeches, Harry's reputation plummeted, with some even feeling it was a preferential treatment given to his "savior" status.

Moreover, even within Gryffindor, Harry's core group, some people have begun to question him.

Some people even said that even Ron, Harry's sidekick, had distanced himself from him!

"Those two are just like little kids!" Hermione was angry and annoyed by the situation.

"One person wants an explanation but isn't given the chance; the other wants an explanation but doesn't say it at all..."

"Boys are all such childish fools!"

After saying that, he glared fiercely at Ike.

"I'm different," Ike retorted, shaking his head.

"I'm even more naive than they are."

"Hmph! At least you have some sense." Hermione's mood improved somewhat.

"By the way, did you make any preparations beforehand?"

"What are you preparing?" Ike asked.

"A competition, what else could it be?" Hermione suddenly became interested and took out a thick book from her backpack and started flipping through it.

"I looked at the competition events of the Triwizard Tournament over the years and found that every edition has a challenge against dangerous magical creatures." Hermione took out her quill and started writing in her notebook.

"Hippogriffs, griffins, thunderbirds, eight-eyed spiders, and chicken-headed serpent-tailed monsters—they appear in every generation except for the three previous ones."

"Therefore, I think it's very necessary to learn how to deal with those dangerous magical creatures in advance."

As she spoke, Hermione placed a book that Ike was very familiar with in front of him.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you know I've seen it many times." Ike still took it. "But I think what you said makes a lot of sense, it's good to review it."

"Of course," Hermione said happily. "However, I don't really know anything about the other two competitions; they're different every year."

"And how do you improve logical thinking and reasoning skills?"

"How about you take a look at Sherlock Holmes? I can ask Mom to send you a set, and also 'Murder on the Orient Express'!"

"Alright, Hermione," Ike interrupted the eager Hermione. "Trust me, these things are no match for me."

Thinking about what Ike had done, Hermione nodded subconsciously.

"Okay, you're right."

"If it's you, I think there's really nothing that can stump you."

"But there's one thing I hope you'll promise me."

"What is it?" Ike asked, puzzled.

"Win it!"

"Of course," Ike laughed, "Krum and Fleur are no match for me!"

"Don't get too cocky, Ike," Hermione laughed.

"They're two or three grades ahead of you!"

"But I also beat Moody's, didn't I?"

"That's true..."

(End of this chapter)