Chapter 7
After gaining a clearer understanding of his own abilities, Aisen's current goals—aside from entering Hogwarts—also included finding ways to gain practical combat experience. After all, turning theoretical strength into real strength was the best way to ensure his survival.
Conveniently, once at Hogwarts, he could also join the Duelling Club. For Aisen, entering Hogwarts had become an absolute necessity.
After sorting out his abilities, Aisen glanced again at the "Miracle Trait" column. Sure enough, he saw a new miracle trait listed there. He clearly remembered that just yesterday, this column had been empty. But when he woke up today, the number behind "Miracle Trait" had changed.
It seemed that miracle traits were indeed automatically granted one per year. However, the previous one had been used by Aisen to replicate the spellcasting trait. So, what should he do with this new one?
If miracle traits could be applied to living beings, Aisen would unhesitatingly replicate a house-elf's Apparition trait and integrate it into himself.
That way, he wouldn't have to painstakingly learn the highly difficult Apparition spell. Moreover, as far as he knew, important places like Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic had anti-Apparition jinxes that prevented Apparition. But house-elves' Apparition was unrestricted.
If he could truly succeed, Aisen's ability to preserve his life would undoubtedly increase dramatically.
But if miracle traits couldn't be used on living beings, then Aisen would have to find some magical objects to experiment with instead.
At noon, just after Aisen had finished eating, he heard a "tap-tap-tap" sound from outside the window. Turning his head, he saw an owl persistently pecking at the glass.
"It's finally here!" Aisen thought to himself. He cast Scouring Charm on himself, then flicked his fingers—without incantation—and the window opened automatically.
The owl flew in, circled twice above Aisen's head, dropped a letter, accepted a few Knuts from Aisen, and flew away.
Picking up the envelope, Aisen noticed the highly distinctive emblem on the back: a large "H" surrounded by a serpent, a badger, a lion, and an eagle. Opening it, a smile spread across his face.
Indeed, this was a letter from Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, informing him that he had been granted an interview for the position of Astronomy professor.
To Aisen's surprise, despite all the time he'd prepared, he'd assumed he would apply for the Muggle Studies professor position—yet it turned out to be Astronomy. However, for Aisen, teaching Astronomy shouldn't be a problem.
After all, from his memories of his previous life, Astronomy at Hogwarts was a compulsory course but didn't have much presence. Still, Aisen was quite satisfied with this outcome.
His main reason for entering Hogwarts wasn't truly to devote himself to being a professor, but to take the opportunity to learn the knowledge he wanted and make himself stronger.
The letter specified that Aisen needed to arrive promptly at 9 a.m. on July 15 via Floo powder to the Deputy Headmistress's office for the interview.
...
That morning at 9 o'clock, Aisen had dressed himself very sharply. In the guest room fireplace, he sprinkled a handful of Floo powder, shouted "Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress's Office!", and green flames erupted around him before he vanished.
In the Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress's office, Professor McGonagall was looking sternly at the documents in her hand.
"Bang—"
With a flash of green light from the fireplace, a young, energetic fellow stepped out.
"Greetings Professor McGonagall, I'm Aisen Turner, here to interview for the Astronomy professor position." As the scenery changed, Aisen knew he had arrived in the Deputy Headmistress's office at Hogwarts. He smiled, trying to appear as polite as possible.
"Hello, Mr. Turner. Please sit." Perhaps due to her usual teaching style, Professor McGonagall remained expressionless when facing Aisen. She gestured for him to sit, and a teacup on the desk quickly transformed into a chair.
No incantation, no wand—this level of Transfiguration was something Aisen could currently achieve as well. However, this might not represent the full extent of McGonagall's abilities. Observing this, Aisen sat down calmly, inwardly gauging his own strength.
"So, could you please share your views on Astronomy?" Professor McGonagall began questioning Aisen.
"Um, yes, Professor McGonagall. I believe that for the young wizards who had just arrived in Hogwarts, Astronomy is not a subject that can make them stronger or help them better master their magic..." Once the interview began, Aisen directly stated his opinion.
"Then why should young wizards take Astronomy, Mr. Aisen?" A hint of curiosity finally appeared on Professor McGonagall's face.
"In my view, studying astronomy can only help young wizards learn Divination more smoothly. But there's another point that I think is even more crucial." As McGonagall nodded, Aisen continued, "The more crucial aspect is that it can teach young wizards to feel awe!"
"Awe?" A trace of scrutiny appeared in Professor McGonagall's eyes.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall! You know, I lived in the Muggle world for a long time. After deeply studying Muggle society, I found that most wizards consider themselves superior and look down on Muggles. Because they can do magic, they become fearless. This attitude is clearly a little foolish.!" Aisen expressed his views.
"So, studying astronomy can teach young wizards awe?" Professor McGonagall seemed moved.
"Yes, exactly. I am a wizard too; I know magic is wondrous, a power beyond Muggle imagination. But clearly, we are not great—especially after deeply studying astronomy and understanding the universe, I realized this is the truth. Therefore, I hope to become an Astronomy professor to teach young wizards what awe truly means.
Only by understanding how vast the world truly is can they become more mature. Similarly, their exploration of magic might become more cautious. I believe this mindset is very important for young wizards."
Although he approached it from this angle, Aisen still wasn't entirely sure if he had convinced Professor McGonagall.
"Very well, Mr. Aisen. I understand your ideas. Now, follow me." From McGonagall's nod, it seemed Aisen had passed this stage.
He then followed Professor McGonagall out of the office, down a long corridor, and into the Headmaster's office. Aisen knew that Dumbledore was currently the most powerful white wizard in the world; his level of Transfiguration was beyond what Aisen could currently fathom.
The office was piled high with various books and alchemical items, with portraits of past Hogwarts headmasters hanging on the walls. Beside the desk, a phoenix was dozing.
"Ah, a young wizard! Hello there!" One of the portraits on the wall seemed to wake up suddenly, greeting him in a somewhat exaggerated tone, as if they were old friends.
Though he knew this was a former headmaster, Aisen didn't know which one, so he simply bowed politely before turning to the old man with a beard reaching his chest and wearing glasses.
"So, Professor McGonagall, What do you think about Mr. Turner here?" Dumbledore glanced at the spirited young wizard, then asked McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore. I think Aisen's understanding toward the way of teaching is excellent; there should be no issue with him teaching the young wizards." Clearly, McGonagall found Aisen's performance a little bit satisfactory.
"Very well. It just so happens that Professor Aurora has left due to personal matters." Dumbledore nodded, then looked at Aisen. "So, Mr. Turner, are you willing to teach Astronomy?"
"That would be my honor, Professor Dumbledore!" With the matter settled, Aisen finally showed a smile.
Leaving the Headmaster's office, Aisen finally breathed a sigh of relief. From now on, besides teaching young wizards astronomy, he could delve deeper into his own studies.
"Congratulations, then. Now I should call you Professor Turner!" Professor McGonagall, who had emerged a step behind, offered her congratulations.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall!" Aisen didn't particularly care about the Astronomy professor position.
As for teaching the young wizards, it was merely taking them to the Astronomy Tower to observe planets and stars. If possible, he could mix in some of his own thoughts during lessons.
After all, from what he'd learned from McGonagall, Astronomy class was only once a week, on Wednesday evenings.