Friday morning. The Ravenclaw common room was buzzing even before breakfast. Terry Boot, looking like he hadn't slept but radiating excitement, shoved a stack of parchment into Zhang Ming's hands.
"Master Zhang! I've compiled the lecture notes from this week! Please review them!"
Zhang Ming skimmed the top page: 'Fundamental Theories of Magic - Chapter 1: The Essence of Magical Energy'. The content was accurate, well-structured, and even included Terry's own insightful annotations.
"Excellent work, Terry," Zhang Ming said, genuinely impressed. "Your understanding is profound. Keep this up, and we'll have a proper textbook soon."
Terry's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Really? Thank you!"
The moment was interrupted as a crowd of students descended, all eager to share their progress from practicing the 'Guidance' technique overnight. The air was thick with excitement about the promised flying theory lecture that afternoon.
That Afternoon - The 'Aerodynamics of Magical Flight' Lecture
The common room was packed. Even Madam Hooch had taken a seat at the back, her sharp eyes fixed on Zhang Ming.
"First, understand the core problem," Zhang began, conjuring a shimmering hologram of a wizard on a broom. "Flight is about overcoming gravity and drag. Your broom provides lift and thrust, but the design… is a catastrophe."
He zoomed in on the rider's posture. "This prone position? It's like trying to fly while holding a door in front of you. The wind resistance is enormous."
Equations flickered in the air. "At a mere 30 meters per second, the drag force is equivalent to lifting a 50-kilogram weight! Most of your broom's thrust is wasted fighting this useless resistance!"
Gasps filled the room. They'd never thought of it like that.
"The solution is simple," Zhang Ming continued. "Reduce the drag. Method one: change the posture." The hologram wizard stood upright, adopting a streamlined stance. "Method two: improve the aerodynamics." The clumsy broomstick morphed into a sleek, enclosed design. "With these changes, speed could triple using the same amount of magic."
"TRIPLE?!" someone shouted.
"Based on strict mathematical models, yes," Zhang Ming stated calmly.
Madam Hooch shot to her feet, visibly trembling. "Mr. Zhang! Can you… can you design a broom like that? It would revolutionize Quidditch!"
"Of course, Madam Hooch," Zhang Ming smiled. "But I have a better idea."
He raised his hand. His personal flying sword, Soaring Cloud, materialized in a flash of light, hovering silently. It was a thing of beauty—sleek, lethal, and humming with contained power.
"Why improve the broom," he said, "when you can use a superior vehicle altogether?"
The sword darted through the air, not just flying, but dancing—looping, rolling, accelerating to blinding speeds and stopping on a Galleon. Then, it split into seven smaller swords that flew in perfect formation before merging back into one.
"This is a 'Flying Sword', a personal flight talisman. Its speed, maneuverability, and safety are orders of magnitude beyond any broom. And it's just one type of magical tool."
The common room was dead silent, every eye wide with awe.
"Furthermore," Zhang Ming said, making the sword vanish, "the principles behind it can be systematized and taught. Anyone with magic could learn to create similar devices."
A wave of excitement crashed over the students. "Really?!" "Can we learn?!"
"Certainly," Zhang Ming nodded. "But it will take time. You must first master foundational runes, alchemy, and energy control. All of this will be taught in the 'Science and Cultivation Research Club'."
"The official founding meeting is tomorrow night, seven o'clock, in the Room of Requirement. Everyone is welcome."
A chorus of agreements erupted. Even Madam Hooch raised her hand. "Mr. Zhang, may I… attend as well?"
"Knowledge has no age limit, Madam Hooch. You are most welcome."
After the lecture, Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached, their faces full of wonder. "That sword… is it really that much better?" Harry asked.
"See for yourself," Zhang Ming said. Soaring Cloudappeared, hovering at knee height. "Step on."
Hesitantly, Harry stepped onto the blade. It felt solid and stable. With a thought from Zhang Ming, it rose smoothly, carrying Harry on a silent, effortless lap around the common room. There was no wobble, no wind buffeting his face—just pure, graceful flight.
"Blimey!" Harry gasped, landing. "It's… incredible! I couldn't even feel the wind!"
"An integrated barrier deflects the airflow," Zhang explained.
"Can I have one?!" Ron blurted out, eyes shining.
"Patience," Zhang Ming laughed. "At the founding meeting, I'll announce the 'Core Member Custom Talisman Project'. Those who join the club and pass the assessments will receive a personalized flight talisman."
The trio's excitement was palpable. Even Neville, hovering nearby, gathered the courage to ask, "C-c-can I try to qualify too?"
"Of course, Neville," Zhang Ming said warmly. "Your potential is greater than you know."
Later, in Zhang Ming's Room
Alone at his desk, Zhang Ming reviewed the notes Severus Snape had given him. The [Myriad Celestial Mechanism] swiftly analyzed the 327 potion recipes.
[Analysis Complete]
[Recipes with Optimization Potential: 298]
[Efficiency Gains: 5% - 200%]
The 'Bat of the Dungeon' is skilled, but there's so much room for improvement,Zhang Ming mused, beginning to annotate the parchments with precise suggestions and theoretical bases.
His thoughts then turned to the club. He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment and began to design.
[Design: Beginner Flight Talisman - 'Gale Rider']
[Form Factor: 1-meter streamlined board]
[Materials: Oak base, Silver Runes, Dragonhide casing]
[Functions: Basic flight (150 km/h), Auto-balance, Emergency Shield, Lightweight (3kg)]
[Difficulty: Medium. Cost: ~50 Galleons]
Suitable for beginners,he thought, satisfied. Then he began a more advanced design.
[Design: Advanced Flight Talisman - 'Cloud-Splitter Sword']
[Form Factor: Traditional Flying Sword (1.2 meters)]
[Materials: Goblin-wrought Silver, Phoenix Feather Core, Dragon Heartstring Inlay]
[Functions: High-speed flight (500 km/h), Telepathic Control, Combat Mode (Energy Projection), Separation/Combination]
[Difficulty: Very High. Cost: ~5,000 Galleons]
This will be reserved for true core members,he decided, thinking of Harry, Hermione, and the others. A goal for them to strive towards.
He looked out at the starlit sky. Tomorrow, the club would be official. The first real step in changing this world.
[New Quest: Establish the 'Science and Cultivation Research Club']
[Objective: 30+ Members, 10+ Core Members]
[Current Progress: 63 Candidates, 6 Core Candidates]
[Reward: Unlock 'Group Cultivation' function.]
Meanwhile, in the Slytherin Dungeons
Draco Malfoy seethed in his bed, humiliation from the flying lesson burning him. Zhang Ming… I'll make you pay.He scrambled up and began writing a feverish letter to his father.
…His magic is abnormal! He's spreading dangerous ideas! Corrupting everyone! I think he's a Dark Wizard, a spy!
He sent the letter off with a school owl, a smug smile on his face. Wait until Father hears about this. The Ministry will expel you!
Unbeknownst to him, a wisp of spiritual energy from Zhang Ming tagged the letter as it flew away.
[Alert: Defamatory communique detected. Source: Draco Malfoy. Target: Lucius Malfoy.]
[Action: Allowed to proceed. Tracking marker applied.]
Back in his room, Zhang Ming smiled. Go ahead, tell your father. Let's see what the 'noble' House of Malfoy dares to do.
The stage was set. The founding meeting was tomorrow. A storm was brewing, and Zhang Ming was ready to meet it head-on.