[215] Who Is Worthy

"No." Professor Ulysses shook his head, his face grave. "They are not yet worthy of the title of Archmage."

Hall fell silent. Ulysses had spoken in class about the power of runic magic. But now he said the curse casters weren't even archmages? Just how powerful did one need to be?

"To put it in terms you'd understand — the power to reshape landscapes, to make mountains tremble and seas boil."

Hall was stunned. That sounded beyond any wizard's limits.

"Professor... isn't that an exaggeration?"

Professor Ulysses's emerald eyes were serious — more serious than Hall had ever seen in class. "I'm not exaggerating at all. The fact that modern wizards can't do it doesn't mean the original wizards couldn't."

Hall found a benchmark. "The founders of Hogwarts?"

"They were powerful among their contemporaries, figures unattainable to you. But compared to true archmages..." Ulysses rarely let out a soft snort. "Don't overthink it. I wasn't mocking anyone — I was stating a fact."

Hall's lips twitched. That last sentence was entirely unnecessary!

None of the four founders were archmages?

"Well... what about Merlin?"

Professor Ulysses's green eyes revealed surprise. "You're quite imaginative. Merlin isn't just an archmage — calling him a god of magic wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Hall understood. Archmage power was above the founders but below Merlin.

"If that's the case, the dragon egg might have been obtained more than five hundred years ago. Helga Hufflepuff probably acquired it through other means."

His head ached. Then his eyes lit up. "Professor, when did you start teaching at Hogwarts? Do you know about Gryffindor's Chamber of Secrets?"

Helena hissed and flicked her tongue, making sounds Hall couldn't understand. He looked at Harry.

"Godric... the big bad guy... always bullying Helena, stealing her little apples and chicks..." Harry's expression was pained. Defaming his own house's founder felt wrong.

Hall stroked his chin. "Sounds like you two got along well?"

Helena lashed out at him with her tail tip. When did Snake become close to that guy?!

"Do you know where his room is?" Hall gently stroked Helena's scales. "After we find it, we'll cause trouble there."

The Gryffindor students stared at him in shock. Hall proudly raised his chin. He was a Slytherin — what was the problem?

Helena's hissing paused. She tilted her head, trying to recall. "Hiss~ I've been there. Hiss hiss~ I don't remember. Hiss~ Hiss~ So many."

Stolen story; please report.

Harry translated uncertainly. "Helena seems to be saying Mr Gryffindor didn't stay in one room — he changed locations."

"It's alright. No rush."

But Hall was anxious. He felt there were still secrets from the founders' era they didn't know. After learning none of the four founders were archmages, he glanced at his own magic level — only level 20. He'd thought it was high, but maybe it was nothing.

Modern wizards weren't as powerful as ancient ones. Take the most outstanding wizards of this generation: one white wizard, two dark wizards. Hall had already booked Voldemort's ticket to death. The remaining two were nearing their end. Where were the wizards to support the next era? Harry Potter? Hard to say.

Why could four outstanding wizards emerge in one era during the founders' time?

A word popped into Hall's mind — war. A bloody war. In the founders' era, wizards faced real war every day. The powerful founders stepped forward and established Hogwarts as a sanctuary.

Four hundred years later, things had stabilised. Wizards no longer faced bloodshed. But this era had its own war — a war for survival. Muggles were frantically exploring the world, their numbers many times the total wizarding population. The living space for wizards was being squeezed.

This war didn't shed blood — it was a silent war. Young wizards living in peace were completely unaware.

For a moment, Hall felt he could empathise with Grindelwald. His methods were extreme, but his goals were leagues ahead of Voldemort's.

"If only I could become a powerful wizard... a great wizard... or even..." Hall murmured.

"Hall, what are you talking about?" Ron blinked.

Hall smiled. "I've got an idea."

"What?! You've guessed where Gryffindor's Chamber is? Take me!"

Hall pressed him down. "Calm down. If you want to go, study your Charms properly."

Ron didn't argue. Compared to the other chambers, he couldn't resist Gryffindor's. "I can already imagine it! There must be a magnificent golden lion inside!"

Hall said nothing. It was Gryffindor being slandered, not him.

The second day after Hogsmeade, a new week of classes began. Draco ate breakfast while muttering to Hall about being abandoned the previous day.

"Eat more." Hall stuffed a small jam cake — Draco's favourite — into his mouth.

Draco snorted but devoured half the cake, chewing vigorously, his eyes fixed on Hall.

Hall grumbled about the schedule. "First class of the week and we're running into Gryffindor."

Pansy nodded in disgust. Draco frowned at the reminder.

Hall shrugged. "It's just Divination. Listen if you want."

He didn't have high hopes. Divination relied on innate talent. Professor Trelawney, sharing the surname of the famous Greek priestess, possessed an extraordinary prophetic gift inherited through blood.

The classroom was dimly lit with flickering candlelight. The atmosphere was undeniably immersive.

"I'm starting to regret choosing Divination," Hermione said, pushing Draco aside to sit next to Hall. He muttered a few words about the punch she'd given him, then moved to Hall's other side.

"I should have chosen Muggle Studies," Hermione continued. Professor Trelawney entered, placing a crystal ball and astrological cards on the lectern.

"Divination is a great subject. Today, let's try something new."

"A new tool? Reading the mist in a crystal ball or tea leaves?" Hermione nearly rolled her eyes.

Draco nodded in agreement.

"Who told you to be so honest?" Hall said. "If you can't understand, make something up. Read some books on prophecy analysis. Credibility aside, you can impress the professor."

Hermione was tempted but refused. She'd get twelve Outstanding O.W.L.s on her own.

Draco, however, was shamelessly tempted. "Tell me more?"

Hall sent the information via magic card. "Just Divination. Choose the corresponding Galleon package."

Trelawney had gotten down from the podium, shuffling a dirty deck of cards. She walked past students, reading.

"The Three of Hearts: Cupid descends." She passed Hermione.

Hall looked at Hermione suspiciously. She straightened her back, avoiding eye contact.

"The King of Clubs: A dark-haired young man, a chaotic thread of fate." She passed Harry.

"Eight of Hearts: Unexpected good fortune."

"Six of Diamonds: No violence."

She stopped in front of Hall. Her eyes met his.

"Oh —" Trelawney stepped back with an apologetic smile. "Perhaps I misread? These cards sound a bit strange. Don't worry about them."

Hall smiled. "I think you have a real talent for divination, Professor."

Hermione, Harry... those last two — were they about him? Could the divination relate to the Chamber of Secrets?