"I can do it, so I did." Vid retorted, "Is there any harm in helping my classmates improve their magic spell skills by a few points?"
Hearing his words, Grindelwald's tone was unexpectedly softer.
"Don't be so prickly, child. There's no harm in listening to advice from seniors. You chose to do this out of emotion, but you also need to think about it rationally: what can it bring you."
Vid sat by the window, the storm raging outside, raindrops lashing against the glass like the hum of a pipe organ.
He lowered his head, playing with the quill in his hand, hearing Grindelwald's voice in his ears.
"If you agreed because you couldn't refuse someone's plea, then I advise you not to waste your time on those mediocre folks."
"If it's to cultivate followers and pick out truly valuable individuals, then setting such moderate challenges is quite appropriate. Those who persist will surely become excellent wizards."
"Accordingly, pay special attention to your teaching methods and behavior. You not only need to cultivate their magic spell skills but also learn to shape their way of thinking, balancing grace and punishment. You shouldn't help selflessly nor be too cold."
"But if you genuinely just want to help..."
The elderly voice on the other end seemed to chuckle, as if mocking his naivety, but then he said:
"Then you need to do it thoroughly, not halfway. This kind of approach wastes time and energy, and no one will be grateful."
"Have you figured it out? Time is a very precious resource. Don't spend it on meaningless things, and if you decide to do something, make sure it serves a greater goal."
After ending the call, Vid seriously pondered for a long while about why he took on this troublesome task.
Perhaps it was because he was not the 'boy who lived,' and because of his interference, Harry didn't experience repeated misunderstandings and doubts as in the original story. Overall, Vid felt that most of the school's students got along fairly well.
Including Slytherin, after Draco Malfoy stopped instigating trouble, the Slytherin students mostly just didn't like to bother with others, occasionally making sarcastic remarks behinds people's backs emphasizing their noble bloodline, which Vid didn't see as a major conflict.
Compared to the death he had faced or the pain Mabel once experienced, the schoolmates' squabbles seem trivial.
Moreover, in Ravenclaw College, Anthony was a very enthusiastic person. Since enrollment, he had been considerate to Ravenclaw students including Vid, often reminding everyone of mundane things like what class assignments were due or what to bring for the next class.
So when he asked for help, Vid inclined to agree.
At that time, he had a vague thought—contemplating the upcoming league, considering if team projects of three or five were set, then he'd need suitable teammates, so why not start observing and cultivating now.
Therefore, he agreed to help with magic spell tutoring. With the Time Turner, he had ample time to handle errands.
But after the call ended, Vid's thoughts shifted a bit.
...
"Your advice is good."
Facing Michael's query, Vid said, "But we can first trust Anthony's judgment in selecting people, and also clearly define boundaries and set tutoring rules to reduce trouble, rather than rejecting from the start with unduly difficult conditions."
"Getting up at five isn't such a challenging condition." Michael muttered, "I remember a period when you got up every day at four something."
He was referring to Vid's Animagus practice period, chanting spells with sunrise and sunset.
"I have more time, but others don't."
Vid objectively said, "Although I have many classes, others also have a hectic schedule. People generally spend more time on the same courses and assignments."
"Including you, after entering fourth grade, the study pressure increased, making it hard to sleep early. If one must get up at five, when do they rest? This isn't beneficial to the body."
Michael was silent for a long time, and on the way to Magic Potion Class, he suddenly asked, "Vid... sometimes... have you ever felt... that I am a bit like a Slytherin?"
He stammered, his tone unusually uncertain.
"No." Vid smiled and said, "You're just thinking from my perspective. As I said earlier, I actually think your idea is good. If someone coerced me into helping, I would do as you said."
He paused in his tone, then said, "But if I choose to do this, I should approach it from wanting to do it well. Then even if it doesn't last long, there's no regret."
...
"He's too deeply influenced by Dumbledore." Grindelwald turned to the person beside him and said, "So he definitely tries to do well whatever he commits to."
Antoine hesitantly asked, "Isn't that good? You'd prefer he learns to cultivate followers?"
Faced with such a straightforward question, Grindelwald fell silent.
He held a prophetic ball, thin fog swirling inside.
After a while, Grindelwald finally said:
"When I was young at Durmstrang, I had no friends or students there I could call opponents, nor did I need flattering supporters... When I left school, my classmates were celebrating."
"That fool Voldemort was another kind of stupidity; at Hogwarts, he recruited by fear to maintain loyalty. Now... would he dare seek help from those old friends?"
"Dumbledore..." Grindelwald paused, then said, "I heard he once had a few close classmates, but those idiots couldn't keep up with him or understand his thoughts."
He turned his head, gazing into the distant dark night.
"Vid now chooses another approach: not creating servants or gathering believers but... companions who can journey together."
"Before the results are known, it's too early to say if it's right or wrong... But as long as he doesn't persist in walking alone or get lost in self-appreciation, he has a chance to go further."
"Failures are inevitable. Good or bad results will teach something. A true leader cannot always stand atop gazing down."
"But... silently and selflessly offering without return is truly foolish."
Grindelwald patted Antoine's shoulder, saying, "Remember to remind those naive kids to be grateful, not to let them think they can get benefits without offering something."
Antoine smiled and said, "I understand."