Professor McGonagall's words didn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm.
Ron, for example, was very excited. "That's enough! Just feel my inner self before bed every day, and I won't need a wand. That's so cool!"
He closed his eyes and made grasping motions with his hands, as if controlling something invisible.
Professor McGonagall poured cold water on him again.
"In fact, only Europe and America rely heavily on wands. The casting mediums used in other regions aren't always wands. For instance, Uagadou School of Magic in Africa. Their students use hand gestures as casting motions, with their own hands as the medium."
"Mr. Weasley, if you truly want to get rid of your wand, you'd be better off ordering textbooks from Uagadou. It would be much faster and more useful than books from the Introspection School."
"Furthermore, constantly correcting pronunciation, writing essays, waving a wand, and feeling the rhythm between your own magnetic field and the Earth's magnetic field during casting is, in itself, a form of training."
"So, Mr. Granger. Instead of rubbing your hands like a fly, you should practice casting a few more times."
Fine, you're just not going to let me off the hook, are you?
How did I offend you?
Basil had black lines dropping down his forehead (anime sweatdrop).
The "Introspection School" McGonagall mentioned gave Basil a sense of déjà vu—it sounded like meditation in fantasy novels.
In fantasy novels, mages and wizards had methods to train their mental power.
Some looked inward for power, like the Introspection School.
Others visualized powerful artifacts, celestial bodies, or magical creatures to elevate themselves.
Honestly, as soon as he got Riddle, he specifically asked him.
Are there similar methods?
But the answer was no.
All wizards grew stronger by casting spells incessantly and learning harder new spells.
Voldemort's self-transfiguration and Horcrux creation to split/purify his self, and Dumbledore's immersion in the philosophy of Love, were not mainstream.
But these two "non-mainstream" wizards became Grand Wizards.
This Introspection School was also non-mainstream in the wizarding world.
Maybe...
So, after class, once the other students had left, Basil blocked Professor McGonagall.
"Could you tell me more about the Introspection School? I want to understand it. Understand why simply gazing inward can grant abilities that activate with a thought, like the talents of magical creatures."
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ruffle Basil's golden hair. "For you, I can make a recommendation. At least you won't let the content delay your studies."
She waved her wand elegantly.
A piece of parchment and a quill filled with ink flew out of the classroom.
The quill danced across the paper, leaving behind elegant handwriting and a signature:
> The Universe Within the Body
> Throw Away Your Wand, Be Free
> Legendary Wizard — Benjamin Morden
> Minerva McGonagall
"Books on the Introspection School are in the Restricted Section. This was a decision made by Headmistress Dilys Derwent in the 17th century. Because the school was very popular at the time, causing a large number of students to refuse to study properly."
At this point, Professor McGonagall adjusted her square glasses, her gaze becoming stern.
"So, Basil. I hope you will not share these books with your classmates. Especially Mr. Weasley."
Basil nodded repeatedly.
Seeing him nod, McGonagall continued, "The last of these three books leans more towards autobiography. Hmm, like Lockhart's books. You have to learn to ignore the large paragraphs of self-aggrandizement."
As she handed the parchment to Basil, she hesitated.
"Basil, you can read the last book carefully, following my hint."
"You will need it next term."
"Need it next term?" Ron repeated.
After McGonagall and Basil parted ways, and she returned to her office/bedroom on the second floor...
Ron, Harry, and Hermione jumped out from Classroom 11.
They had heard the entire conversation.
McGonagall's last sentence made them extremely curious.
Even Ron, who had essentially been singled out for criticism, forgot to complain.
Looking at the three faces filled with question marks...
Basil shrugged. "I happen to know about this. But it's just hearsay. Don't spread it around."
Harry and Hermione instantly stared at Ron.
Ron nodded reluctantly.
Influenced by Basil, he had become quite a blabbermouth who loved gossip.
Basil continued, "You know that no one can stay in the Defense Against the Dark Arts post for more than a year."
"So, often, after finding a new DADA teacher, the school finds the next target a year or even two years in advance."
Hermione's hand shot up (swish!). (Ron and Harry exchanged looks of disgust). She loved answering first.
"I know! Gilderoy Lockhart! In fact, I've wanted to buy his books for a long time. They are bestsellers. But unfortunately, I've spent almost all my exchanged Galleons."
"I planned to buy them next year anyway. Which one is the textbook?"
"Which one?" Basil sneered. "All of them. Break with a Banshee, Gadding with Ghouls, Holidays with Hags, Travels with Trolls, Voyages with Vampires, Wandering with Werewolves, Year with the Yeti. Seven books in total. 5 Galleons each. That's 35 Galleons."
"35 Galleons!" Ron sucked in a breath of cold air, looking like he was about to faint.
"Is that expensive?" As the daughter of middle-class dentists, Hermione looked confused.
"Very expensive!" Harry, a true rich kid who had lived in poverty, nodded empathetically.
Ron's face flushed red. "Next year, our family will have 5 kids at Hogwarts. That adds up to (Basil interjected: 175 Galleons!) 175 Galleons! Usually, second-years only need to buy The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2. Even if the DADA professor wants to make a quick buck as usual, they only assign one new book. That bastard Lockhart is too—"
Ron sighed.
"Although I know we aren't that poor (referencing Chapter 25). But my parents really don't have the habit of saving. I don't know how they'll get that much money."
Hermione still didn't quite understand.
She pointed out bluntly, "Expensive textbooks are normal. Harry, you went to Muggle school too, right? In fact, pick any bookstore, and books cost at least tens of pounds. Renting is about 10 pounds. In Muggle schools/universities, textbooks cost about 450 to 600 pounds a year. That's 50 to 120 Galleons a year. Not to mention extra reading books if you want to study well."
"Actually, wizarding books are cheap. And one book lasts for several years. Like A History of Magic, we use it for all seven years."
Ron was furious.
He knew he was right (in the context of his world), but he didn't know how to refute her. He just stiffened his neck and looked at Hermione unconvinced.
Tight rationality restrained him from cursing.
Basil stepped up. "Hermione, why don't you look at how much other books in the wizarding world cost? Compare Lockhart's prices to those?"
"Expensive is expensive. In fact, broadening the view globally... textbooks in the UK and US are considered ridiculously expensive. Students from ordinary families can only go to university by taking out loans."
"The wizarding world isn't as ridiculous as the Muggle world in that regard. Clearly, Gilderoy Lockhart is cashing in. Raking in money hand over fist."
"I don't know what Dumbledore is thinking."
---