In the blink of an eye, it was time for the club's next training session.
More than a hundred young witches and wizards gathered inside the newly renovated classroom.
Once everyone had arrived, Penelope began handing each student a placement assessment form.
"Since the number of students joining the study group—no, the club—is now much larger, we've decided to divide everyone into different classes. Each class will follow a different training plan based on your spellcasting ability and learning goals."
"Please fill out this assessment form first. Afterward, follow Miss Sherry to complete the practical evaluation. Your results will determine which class you're assigned to."
According to Lewis's plan, the club would initially be divided into three classes.
The first class would focus exclusively on teaching the Patronus Charm, which had been the original reason for establishing the study group.
The second class would teach basic dueling magic, including the Disarming Charm, Stunning Spell, Shield Charm, Binding Spell, and similar spells. Its purpose was to give students practical self-defense skills, effectively replacing the old Duelling Club.
The third class was the advanced division—and the true objective Lewis had envisioned when expanding the study group into a full-fledged club.
Here, he intended to teach his unique magical theories—the Arcane Magic System—along with Arcane spells.
To accommodate this, Lewis even arranged a completely separate class schedule for the advanced division.
Only students who completed the courses in both the first and second classes would be eligible to enter it.
Anyone capable of passing those two courses would possess both outstanding talent and dedication.
Those students would become the core members Lewis intended to cultivate.
After all, spells like the Patronus Charm, Disarming Charm, and Shield Charm were well-known, standalone spells taught throughout the wizarding world.
Arcane Magic, however, was an entire magical system capable of endless growth.
And only Lewis could teach it.
As a result, the club's core members would naturally develop a much stronger sense of loyalty toward both the organization and Lewis himself.
Learning Arcane Magic would fundamentally deepen their understanding of magic.
Meanwhile, the countless Arcane spells in Lewis's possession formed an enormous treasure trove that would continually entice them to study further.
Once someone stepped onto that path...
There would be no turning back.
That kind of loyalty and dependence could easily last a lifetime.
Through this method, Lewis could establish an entire community bound by shared interests.
Whether those talented witches and wizards eventually entered the Ministry of Magic or pursued other careers, they would expand Lewis's influence from every direction.
After all...
Neither a floating city nor an interdimensional gate could ever be built by one or two people alone.
The assessment itself was simple and proceeded quickly.
In less than half an hour, all one hundred-plus students had been assigned to their classes.
The first class had the largest enrollment, with roughly eighty students.
Lewis further divided them into four parallel groups.
The second class attracted a little over fifty students interested in learning dueling magic.
Most were members of the original study group, though some newcomers had joined specifically because they preferred practical combat magic.
They were divided into three groups.
The third class had the fewest students—only a little over a dozen.
However, they were unquestionably the most capable.
Most were sixth- and seventh-year students.
Many of them would almost certainly join the Ministry of Magic after graduation.
If Lewis's teaching proved successful, they would naturally become Gianna's supporters within the Ministry.
"Now that everyone has been assigned to a class," Lewis announced, "I hope you'll study diligently and help one another."
"Every class will hold periodic group competitions, similar to the House Cup."
"The group showing the greatest improvement will receive a special reward from me."
"Each group will have one teaching assistant and one group leader."
"The assistants for the first and second classes will come from the third class."
"Group leaders will be elected from within each individual group."
"As for the third class, Miss Sherry will serve as the teaching assistant."
"The group leaders are responsible for working together with the assistants and helping guide their teammates' learning."
"The current assistants and group leaders are only provisional appointments."
"We'll determine the permanent positions based on everyone's future performance."
By encouraging both competition and cooperation while assigning greater responsibility to outstanding students, Lewis had borrowed one of Hogwarts' best traditions.
None of the young witches and wizards had any objections.
Penelope picked up another stack of forms and announced loudly,
"Next, I'll announce everyone's class assignments."
"Once you know your group, feel free to introduce yourselves to your teammates."
"Official lessons will begin in fifteen minutes."
While Penelope announced the groupings, the students took the opportunity to explore the newly renovated classroom.
"Look at all these books!"
One Ravenclaw student stared excitedly at the shelves lining the walls.
"How did they gather so many?"
Hestia Carrow from Slytherin ran her fingers across the spines of the thick leather-bound volumes alongside her younger sister.
"The Standard Book of Spells..."
"Curses and Counter-Curses..."
"Defensive Magical Theory..."
"The Dark Arts: A Guide to Self-Protection..."
"Fighting Fire with Fire..."
"Wow..."
She turned excitedly toward her sister.
"Flora! This is incredible! Everything we wanted is here!"
"If we'd actually listened to those blockheads back in Slytherin, we'd have missed all of this!"
Apparently, Slytherin House had experienced fierce internal disagreements over whether joining Lewis's club was a good idea.
Ironically, if these same books had been assigned by professors as homework, few students would have shown this much enthusiasm.
"Our old classroom didn't have any of this!"
Steve Cornfoot excitedly examined the Sneakoscopes, Secrecy Sensors, and various magical devices displayed on the tables.
"These will be useful when practicing the Stunning Spell."
Kevin Entwhistle nudged one of the practice cushions with his foot, grinning.
Nearby, Parvati Patil from Gryffindor was introducing several younger students to a wooden training mannequin.
"Last year, Lewis taught part of our Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons using this."
"Can you believe it?"
"Not only is this dummy nearly impossible to damage with ordinary spells, but it can actually dodge incoming magic on its own."
Meanwhile, Cho Chang carefully studied the runes carved into the bookshelves and display stands, trying to decipher their purpose.
After several failed attempts, she finally turned toward the shopkeeper who had apparently delegated everything to everyone else.
" Lewis, what do these runes actually do?"
"They're part of an Anti-Spell Barrier," Lewis explained.
"If a spell accidentally hits the shelves, the barrier activates automatically."
"It prevents stray spells from destroying the classroom during practice."
The lively discussions didn't last long.
Soon, Penelope finished announcing all the class assignments.
The room gradually quieted down.
She distributed the training schedules Lewis had prepared, allowing the teaching assistants and group leaders to organize their respective groups.
Many students still hadn't mastered even the most basic fundamentals.
They simply weren't ready for advanced magic.
Some first-years were still practicing the Levitation Charm over and over, using it to perfect the wrist movement required for spellcasting.
Even many older students struggled with the Disarming Charm.
Some could only force their opponent back a few steps instead of knocking away the wand.
Others couldn't even hit the target.
The classroom soon filled with overlapping chants and flying spells.
Misfired magic shot in every direction.
Whenever a stray spell struck one of the bookshelves, the Anti-Spell Barrier activated instantly, absorbing the impact.
By comparison, the Patronus class on the opposite side of the room was far more orderly.
Then—
The classroom door suddenly opened.
The moment everyone saw who had entered, the room fell completely silent.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!"
Excitement spread across countless young faces.
So the Headmaster really did support their club this much?
"Ah, it's wonderful to see all of you studying magic with such enthusiasm."
Dumbledore smiled warmly and waved to the students.
Then he turned toward Lewis.
"Mr. Green, would you mind if I interrupted your lesson for a moment?"
"I was wondering whether you'd be willing to have a little chat with an old man like me."
As he spoke, he gave Lewis a playful wink.
Quite a few students couldn't help laughing.
Lewis smiled and nodded in return.
But deep down...
He knew things weren't nearly as harmonious as they appeared.
What was coming...
Had finally arrived.
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