The Ministry of Magic actually had some understanding of Rune Serpent's role within the Silver Spears, but their intelligence was nowhere near as detailed as Alan's. To them, this man was a highly dangerous criminal who possessed a specialized methodology capable of inflating a wizard's raw strength while keeping them under absolute control. Furthermore, the Silver Spears shared intricate ties with the Acolytes. The Ministry had previously received intelligence indicating that these remnants of the movement had coalesced into an independent faction and were showing signs of instigating another coup in Germany.
This geopolitical threat was their true objective in wanting to root out the organization. However, compared to Alan's safety, the mission was not deemed an absolute necessity.
Alan secretly grumbled to himself, *Now you're worried about my safety? Why didn't you react like this before?* These officials truly were remarkably pragmatic. Fortunately, Alan had long since seen through the power-holders at the Ministry.
It was indeed necessary to remain on guard against the old man sitting across from him. Although the Headmaster usually remained within the castle walls, he kept his finger firmly on the pulse of the wider wizarding world. For this reason, Alan had always been cautious in Dumbledore's presence to avoid arousing any suspicion that might prompt the old man to use his immense institutional leverage against him.
But things were different now. Alan's personal influence was expanding, and upon graduation, he would be free to operate without the constraints of a student.
"Regarding this matter, I have already discussed the parameters with Minister Bagnold. I'm not merely seeking the Silver Spears' location for Sirius's sake," Alan replied calmly, projecting total confidence in his own capabilities.
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded helplessly. "Although the Silver Spears have historically operated as a network of smugglers, their ties to the Acolytes are deep. There are definitive signs of them resurfacing now; the volume of capital they are moving is immense, yet the destination of these funds remains entirely unknown."
"When you arrive on the Continent, you must be careful of the Acolytes alongside your search for the Silver Spears. Even though the organization has officially disbanded, active cells remain operational," Dumbledore explained earnestly.
"Thank you for the warning, Headmaster Dumbledore," Alan replied with a polite smile.
In reality, his understanding of the Silver Spears' current internal politics was far superior to the Ministry's. The radical cells within the club intended to incite widespread chaos, but because they needed to preserve their anonymity, they rarely engaged in direct actions. Instead, they funded and manipulated local insurgent wizards to destabilize regional Ministries. This strategy was most severe in Germany. While open warfare hadn't broken out, a vast number of ordinary wizards had completely lost faith in their Ministry, resulting in the formation of various underground resistance cells. The club's radicals were actively financing these small factions.
"Let us move past these grim topics. I have observed your development for many years, and I am certain you have your own plans," Dumbledore said, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile, likely feeling he was being overly administrative. "Tell me, what are your immediate plans following graduation? Assuming, of course, the Silver Spears matter is resolved successfully."
"Once these issues are settled, I intend to focus entirely on commercial expansion and academic research. I also plan to travel; my recent trip to Egypt made me realize how much of the wizarding world I have yet to experience firsthand."
Remembering a specific item, Alan reached into his robes, pulled out a thick manuscript, and placed it on Dumbledore's desk. "On that note, this is a text I compiled at the explicit request of the Ministry. This is the initial draft. If you have the time, I would appreciate your thoughts on it—and it would be an honor if you would consider writing the preface."
"Oh? I didn't realize you were publishing a formal text. That is remarkable," Dumbledore praised, curiously pulling the manuscript closer to read the title inscribed across the leather cover.
Tactical Training Studies.
Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up. Using the term *Studies* in a title was a significant academic statement. It implied an ambition to establish an entirely new discipline. Intrigued, the Headmaster flipped open the manuscript and scanned the first heading.
Standardization of Magic Values.
Dumbledore found himself reading on, becoming increasingly engrossed until he had completely parsed the entire introductory chapter. When he finally looked up, he realized nearly ten minutes had passed. He had completely lost track of time while Alan sat quietly opposite him, wearing a faint smile.
"Forgive me, I became somewhat carried away," Dumbledore offered an apologetic smile, staring intently at the young man as if seeing him clearly for the first time. "Is the methodology described here entirely accurate?" He pointed toward the open page, specifically referencing the capability to quantify a wizard's precise magical reserves.
"It is. The contents of the text are fully supported by experimental data and rigorous testing; I have detailed the replication parameters within the appendix," Alan stated comfortably. "I have standardized a highly specific measurement methodology utilizing refined testing apparatus. I have designated this system as the Alan Wilson Magic Measurement Method."
"This is extraordinary. Do you fully comprehend the implications of this research? You have effectively filled a systemic void within wizarding academia," Dumbledore said, looking at Alan with genuine shock before glancing back at the cover. "With these metrics as a foundation, you genuinely possess the framework to establish a new school of magical thought."
"You flatter me, Headmaster. The text was compiled primarily due to a persistent request from the Auror Office. They operated under my tactical command during our previous engagements and concluded that organized tactical deployments yielded higher success rates than traditional dueling strategies."
"I simply integrated my existing training research into the practical manuals. The first half focuses on developmental studies, introducing parameters for measuring spell output and elevating magical sensitivity alongside the baseline tactical formations," Alan replied humbly.
In truth, following their initial joint operation, Mad-Eye Moody and Amelia Bones had been eager for Alan to provide standardized tactical training for the Auror squads. They recognized that as the designer of the tactical gear, Alan understood how to maximize the utility of the equipment. For Alan, compiling the data was a brilliant commercial opportunity; it functioned as an official product manual that would naturally drive the adoption of his merchandise.
When Alan initially drafted a few baseline operational protocols, Moody and Bones had been stunned. The concepts of coordinated hand gestures and strict squad formations completely revolutionized their understanding of magical combat. Consequently, they officially commissioned him to produce a comprehensive training doctrine for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Alan had agreed without much hesitation, but the manuscript had naturally expanded into a full textbook as he wrote. He had unhesitatingly attached his own name to every standardized metric—designating terms like the Alan Wilson Measurement Method and the Alan Wilson Sensitivity Exercises. Since the academic real estate was unclaimed, he saw no reason not to stake his claim. In the future, anyone utilizing these training protocols would technically be operating within his lineage.
He wasn't concerned that sharing these training methodologies would dilute his personal advantage. Magical progress relied on collective refinement, and these published chapters represented only his foundational research, not his core secrets. Simply understanding the underlying theory wouldn't instantly make a wizard powerful. For instance, while the exercises for elevating magical sensitivity were conceptually straightforward, they required absolute consistency during adolescence—a trait most young students completely lacked. Alan had nearly exhausted his patience just supervising Vivian's training routine.
Furthermore, codifying Tactical Training Studies would directly benefit his business network. He had deliberately included a section evaluating spell strength via his automated Humanoid Targets. If the textbook became a standard reference across global Ministries, it would serve as highly effective marketing.
He chose not to include the blueprints for the testing apparatus used to measure magical values. This restriction wasn't due to secrecy, but rather because the current methodology required a localized blood sample—a procedure the wizarding public was deeply suspicious of due to the threat of blood curses. Alan preferred to hold those tools back until he developed a non-invasive scanning array.
As Dumbledore listened to the explanation, his eyes brightened. As an Alchemy Master himself, he instantly recognized the profound academic weight of being able to precisely quantify magical reserves and spell output. This framework had the potential to alter the trajectory of modern magical research entirely. Looking at the young man across from him, Dumbledore realized he was looking at a future titan of academia, rendering his previous suspicions entirely irrelevant.