Go to class – the library – do your own research.

After the conversation with Dumbledore in the headmaster's office, Zuo Si returned to a very regular but boring life in the eyes of other students.

After all, these children who grew up in a peaceful environment with almost no survival pressure and threats seriously lacked the motivation to learn, and are also unable to comprehend the joy of exploring the mysteries of magic.

In addition, the various homework assigned by professors took up a lot of entertainment time, causing complaints from first and second year students.

Most of the assignments were completed by copying from each other.

Of course, the professors at Hogwarts are well aware of this.

The purpose of assigning homework is actually just to deepen the little ones' memory of certain knowledge and to select those outstanding elites who are truly talented and smart.

Among the first-year students, Zuo Si and Hermione are the only two selected so far.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the two would be called to the offices of different professors to receive additional tutoring with senior students.

Hermione's main focus was Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration, while Zoth's main focus was Professor Filius Flitwick's Charms and Snape's Potions.

After each class, they would find time to sit together and exchange notes, passing on to each other what they had learned.

Especially Zuo Si, who had already become a great wizard, could always come up with some unique insights that made Hermione's eyes light up, and even gradually developed a trace of admiration for him in her heart.

But soon, this peaceful life was disrupted with the arrival of the owl messenger.

Because these owls bring two things to the table that grab everyone's attention.

One is the latest model of flying broom given to Harry by Professor McGonagall - Nimbus 2000;

The other was the front-page headline of the Daily Prophet, a book that taught wizards how to make magic scrolls that could store spells had been published and was currently being tested by the top wizards of the two major organizations, the International Confederation of Wizards and the Wizengamot.

If approved, the inventor would immediately gain unparalleled fame and wealth.

The person who recommended this book was Albus Dumbledore, the chief wizard of the Wizengamot, president of the International Confederation of Wizards, and known as the greatest wizard of our time.

As for the author's name "Sos", it is printed in large bold font in the most conspicuous position next to the title.

"Sos, please come to the principal's office later. Reporters from the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly want to do an exclusive interview with you."

Just when the little wizards were attracted by the huge long package in Harry Potter's hand, Professor McGonagall suddenly came over and informed them in a low voice.

"Can I refuse?" Zuo Si asked without raising his head.

At this moment, he was trying to cast the most complicated Patronus Charm on a piece of sheepskin without using a wand. He had to maintain a high level of concentration, so he was completely and undisguisedly disgusted by this boring thing.

Professor McGonagall smiled and replied, "I'm afraid not. Because this thing you invented is too amazing.

In particular, those original magical symbols that can store spells have attracted widespread attention in the International Confederation of Wizards and the Wizengamot.

Even those old wizards who have lived for hundreds of years and are highly respected hope to meet you.

What's more, giving interviews can help your book sell better.

If I remember correctly, you no longer have the money to carry out those expensive studies, right?

As long as you meet these people and convince them, you will not only get a lot of funding, but also increase your influence in the wizarding world.

In addition, as a student of Hogwarts, you also have the responsibility to win more honor for the school.

In fact, it was Professor Snape who should have told you this.

But he is busy with another matter right now, so he can't get away for the time being."

"Okay, I know..."

At the moment when Zuo Si was distracted and talking, the magic power he controlled suddenly went out of control without any warning.

moment!

The scroll on the table suddenly burst out with a burst of energy.

boom!!!!!!

I saw a silver light that blew away everything around, including tables, chairs and people. At the same time, in less than a few seconds, it quickly condensed into the shape of a giant dragon in the center of the hall, and then quickly dissipated without a trace.

Fortunately, these impacts did not cause any injuries to students. Everyone was just startled by the sudden energy impact.

Professor McGonagall, who was still in shock, quickly straightened her glasses that were almost knocked off and warned, "Don't conduct such dangerous experiments in crowded places such as the hall and the common room in the future. I will apply to Headmaster Dumbledore later to give you a special room."

"Thank you so much. This way, I can free myself to try more dangerous things." Zuo Si said as he threw away the discarded scroll.

"More dangerous?!"

Professor McGonagall keenly grasped a key word.

"Please don't worry. I won't blow myself up, nor will I blow the school up. There's someone else you should be worried about instead of me."

After saying that, Zuo Si glanced meaningfully at Neville Longbottom not far away.

Before Professor McGonagall could react, the little fat boy exploded the pot of potion in front of him.

The boiling hot and highly corrosive unknown black liquid splashed everywhere, and large blisters and cysts immediately appeared on the skin of any student who was touched by it.

For a moment, the entire hall was filled with the cries of students who had accidentally been hit, as well as the screams of those who were frightened.

Professor McGonagall ignored Zuo Si and walked straight forward to clean up the dangerous liquids and medicine pots, and then worked with other professors to send the injured to Madam Pomfrey for treatment.

If nothing unexpected happens, the hospital will be crowded again tonight.

"Alas - what a sin."

Zuo Si couldn't help but sighed slightly.

This is the fourth time Neville has made such a big noise since the start of school.

Perhaps it was because he witnessed his parents being kidnapped by the Death Eater, Bellatrix, when he was young, and tortured with the Cruciatus Curse until their sanity collapsed and they went completely insane, so his magic power got out of control more easily than other children of his age.

Coupled with his forgetfulness, he often forgets what he did in the previous step and what he should do next when making potions.

As a result, every time he tried to mix a potion, Neville's pot would unexpectedly become a huge safety hazard.

But for the sake of good grades in Potions class, he had to practice privately again and again.

Zuo Si was actually quite sympathetic to the experience of this little fat boy.

Because facing such parents all day long, the pain and fear he has to endure is even greater than that of Harry Potter who completely lost his parents.

It's a pity that he doesn't have any good way to deal with this kind of mental and spiritual trauma.

I guess only the wishing technique, which is said to be omnipotent, can play some role.

But the problem is that the mechanism of the wishing spell is very complicated, and it even contains many things that even the caster himself cannot be sure of.

Until these secrets are figured out, Wish can't even be made into a Planeswalker card.

Therefore, Zuo Si did not dare to use the wishing spell outside the multiverse where Faerun was, and he did not intend to summon any creatures from other dimensions through spell magic, for fear of attracting gods, demons, devils, celestial beings and other messy things.

Just as he began to pack up and prepare to leave the first floor hall, Hermione took advantage of the chaos and slipped over from the table where the Gryffindors gathered next to him, holding a copy of the Daily Prophet in her hand.

"Congratulations! It seems that it won't be long before you become the most famous student in the whole Hogwarts." The girl gave her blessing with a slightly emotional tone.

Because Zuo Si had hardly made any effort to rest or have fun since the beginning of the school year, she had seen it all, and in her heart she only admired him and not a bit of jealousy.

After all, the situation in this world that is least likely to make people feel jealous is when the other person is smarter, more talented, and works harder than you.

It is only natural that such people will eventually succeed.

"Why, are you envious?" Zuo Si asked in a half-joking tone.

Hermione shook her head slightly. "No, I'm just a little disappointed in myself. How come you, a student from the same Muggle family, can learn and understand so much complex knowledge and spells so quickly, and even create things like magic scrolls based on them? But I can't even understand Professor McGonagall's special tutorials in Transfiguration on Saturdays and Sundays."

Zuo Si responded in a low voice: "The differences in intelligence and talent between people are huge, and there is no such thing as fairness.

You have to understand this first, and then turn around and look at the other first-year students.

Whether it is Malfoy or Harry, who is hailed as the savior, or the little wizards born in pure-blood families, and their performance in school.

Haven't you surpassed them by a lot? Please remember, Miss Granger, wizards from Muggle families are essentially no different from those from pure-blood families. They all have some special power in their blood and souls.

The simplest way to pass on this power is to pass it on to your children through the birth of offspring.

But there are exceptions to everything.

Some wizarding families give birth to children called Squibs, who are unable to cast spells and have no magical talent.

Squibs are usually considered a disgrace by pure-blood families, and are eventually ostracized and expelled, and can only struggle to survive by integrating into the Muggle world.

The children they had with Muggles, as well as their descendants, are one of the main sources of Muggle wizards.

The reason why you received the admission letter from Hogwarts means that you have wizard blood flowing in your body, and it has been fully awakened, no worse than anyone else.

Also, I have another suggestion for you.

That is, don't give up what you learned in the Muggle world just because you entered the wizarding world.

Because being able to observe, analyze and draw conclusions from different perspectives is itself an incomparable advantage.

If you can combine science and magic, you can also create inventions that will amaze wizards like me."

"Combine science and magic?!" Hermione's eyes lit up when she heard this.

"That's right. Although these two systems seem to have nothing to do with each other at first glance, and wizards even reject technological products to some extent, Hogwarts' ban on all Muggle technological products is the best example. But what if you can use magic and spells to achieve similar effects as technology? Don't forget, the wizarding world today doesn't even have a decent communication device and is still using primitive and backward owls to send letters." Zuo Si hinted in a slightly playful tone.

"Phone? Communication? Damn it! Zuo Si, you are such a genius! Why didn't I think of that..."

Hermione seemed to have opened the door to a new world and looked extremely excited.

You have to know that it is now 1991, and fixed-line telephones have become widely popular in the Muggle world, and mobile phones are also gradually becoming popular.

So she is very aware of the importance of the communications industry and the wealth and influence that can be brought by developing this field.

"It's just that the authorities are too confused. You are very smart and capable, so please don't waste your talent."

After saying this, Zuo Si turned around and prepared to leave.

But before he could take a few steps, Hermione called him from behind.

"Wait! I have something else to tell you."

"Hmm? What's that?"

Zuo Si subconsciously stopped and showed a puzzled expression.

He didn't remember anything worth paying attention to in his first year except the Philosopher's Stone and Quirinus Quirrell possessed by Voldemort.

"It's about the night when Malfoy and Harry dueled. We were so panicked that we accidentally broke into the restricted area on the fourth floor and ended up encountering a big dog with three heads. Harry said that Hagrid had taken something very important from Gringotts before school started, and it was very likely that he had left it inside, guarded by the big dog."

Hermione didn't hide anything and told him everything she knew.

After all, compared to the unreliable savior and that stupid Ron, she was more willing to believe in Zuo Si's wisdom.

"Since you already know the whole story, why don't you just ask the gamekeeper Hagrid? He lives not far from the castle." Zuo Si gave a straightforward solution.

Because in this matter, the traces of Dumbledore's manipulation and interference were too obvious.

The first thing was that Hagrid, who went to pick up Harry, was responsible for retrieving the Philosopher's Stone, which was weird from the inside out.

Although the loyalty of this half-giant is unquestionable, his thick nerves and careless character make him unsuitable for such secretive work, especially with a child who speaks too much.

It was as if they were deliberately telling Harry Potter that a treasure had been taken from the Gringotts vault and placed in Hogwarts Castle.

At the same time, it also attracted Voldemort and Quirrell who was possessed by him.

Secondly, when Harry and others discovered that the Philosopher's Stone might have been stolen, both Snape, the suspect, and Dumbledore, who "happened" to be unable to find anyone, disappeared at the right time.

It's just bullying because children have a simpler way of thinking and rarely doubt the professors they respect, otherwise they would be exposed in a minute.

Finally, at the end of the semester when the house cup awards were presented, Dumbledore showed his blatant and undisguised favoritism and encouragement.

Obviously, if the sudden opening of the Chamber of Secrets in the second semester could be explained by chance and coincidence, then the Philosopher's Stone incident in the first semester was 100% a test prepared by Dumbledore to train Harry to fight Voldemort.

A lot of thought went into making him meet Voldemort in a weak state, and into cultivating his brave and fearless character.

"Go ask Hagrid directly? Are you sure he will tell us the answer?" Hermione said with strong doubt in her tone.

Zuo Si smiled and explained, "From what I know, Hagrid is not a very careful person who can keep secrets. Even if he doesn't tell you the truth, he will at least reveal some information inadvertently. With this information, plus your intelligence, it shouldn't be difficult to find the answer. Well, I have other things to deal with, so let's stop here for today's communication."

"Good luck!"

Hermione obviously knew that Zuo Si was going to be interviewed by the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. She waved goodbye vigorously with a faint smile on her face.

"Thanks."

Zuo Si bowed politely, then turned around and walked straight to the headmaster's office under the gaze of many senior students, especially those from Ravenclaw.

As soon as he left the first floor hall, Penelope Clearwater, the head girl of Ravenclaw College, came up to Hermione and asked with interest, "Are you familiar with Thors?"

"I'm not familiar with him, but I've received his guidance a few times. What's the matter?" Hermione raised her head and looked at the other person vigilantly.

"No, nothing. I just want to know more about this eccentric genius. I really don't know what the Sorting Hat did to assign a new student who is so suitable for Ravenclaw to Slytherin."

When saying this, Penelope Clearwater's tone revealed strong dissatisfaction and regret.

Because what she saw was Zuo Si deliberately displaying wisdom, talent and ability far beyond his peers, so she naturally felt that such a freshman should belong to Ravenclaw College.

They did not realize that hidden behind these disguises were traits that were more in line with Slytherin House, such as insidiousness, cunningness, and good disguise.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know much about Soth, so I can't give you any answers."

Hermione seemed to have sensed something and decisively chose to end the conversation with the female head of the "House of Eagles" and quickly retreated back to the territory of Gryffindor College.

Not long after she ran away, Gemma Farley appeared with several Slytherin senior students and taunted her in a provocative manner: "Penelope Clearwater, what do you want to do with the genius of our college by asking around for information?"

"What does it have to do with you?"

Penelope Clearwater asked back without showing any weakness.

In the blink of an eye, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students quickly moved closer to the female prefects of their respective colleges, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Since the professors had just sent the injured students for treatment, there was no one in the entire hall who could stand up and stop the situation from getting out of control.

"Humph! Of course it matters. Soth was sent to Slytherin by the Sorting Hat, and he will always be a Slytherin. Please control yourself and stop trying to seduce our genius like a bitch in heat."

"No matter what I do, I am still a hundred times better than a piece of trash like you who offered yourself up but got rejected. Oh, I almost forgot, when you confessed your feelings to someone before, you even scared the other person so much that he ran away."

Penelope Clearwater was no pushover either, and she sneered back.

"What did you say?!!!!"

Gemma Farley's face quickly turned red when her dark history was exposed in public, and the ferocity revealed in her eyes seemed as if she wanted to eat the other person alive.

The Slytherin students following behind her even drew their wands and prepared to take action.

The Ravenclaws behind Penelope Clearwater were not to be outdone and drew their wands to fight.

However, just when Gemma Farley was about to strike first, she suddenly discovered that many Gryffindor students stood on the side of Ravenclaw.

The leader was none other than Percy Weasley, the perfect.

It was obvious that when two houses fought against one house, Slytherin would suffer a great loss no matter how you looked at it.

What's more, those following Gemma Farley were not all students from Slytherin House, but only about half of the half-blood wizards who were ostracized by the pure-blood faction.

So after weighing the pros and cons, she quickly calmed down, glared at Penelope Clearwater fiercely, and after a full minute she said to the others: "Let's go!"

In the blink of an eye, the number of Slytherin students in the hall on the first floor was reduced by more than half.

Finally, those who were left chose to keep a low profile.

After all, the "little snakes" are all very good at judging the situation, and they will never be like the "fools" in Gryffindor who rush forward to die even though they know they can't win.

After the crowd gradually dispersed, Percy pulled Penelope Cleves to a corner and asked, "What happened just now? Why did you have a conflict with Gemma Farley?"

The former explained without hesitation: "Nothing, I just want to see if I can win over the genius that Professor Flitwick said is comparable to or even surpasses Headmaster Dumbledore to our side.

After all, he never had the slightest sense of identification with Slytherin House from the beginning to the end, and was even unwilling to talk to any Slytherin student.

Besides, have you read the latest Daily Prophet? Thors will soon become a celebrity in the world of wizarding circles.

It won't be long before the things he invented become an indispensable part of wizards' daily lives.

The Ministry of Magic and well-known schools in some countries even plan to customize a complete set of corresponding teaching materials.

So if nothing unexpected happens, Soth will likely lead the entire era.

Whether you want to make a career in the Ministry of Magic after graduation or stay in school to become a professor, it is very necessary to have a good relationship with him.

It's a pity that Gemma Farley, that bastard, wanted to have it all to himself and excluded the other three of us."

"Do you think Soth will be helpful to our careers after graduation?" Percy's eyes flashed with a strange light.

"That's right. This is almost an established fact. He should be in the headmaster's office right now, accepting exclusive interviews from well-known media including the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. This is a treatment that only those who have received or are about to receive the Order of Merlin can get. Damn it! Professor Flitwick called me, I have to rush over immediately, we can talk about this matter slowly later."

After saying this, Penelope Clearwater immediately turned around and ran towards the stairs leading to the second floor.

…

At the same time, in the principal's office, Zuo Si was communicating with an old man who looked very old but whose eyes were full of wisdom.

He was none other than Dumbledore's good friend, Nicolas Flamel, who had lived for hundreds of years through the Philosopher's Stone.

There is no doubt that the reason why this alchemist who has a huge influence all over the world came all the way here is that he is interested in the manufacturing technology of magic scrolls.

After all, he had tried to make a magic storage device when he was young, but it was too expensive and ultimately could not be popularized. He could only sell it to those pure-blood families who were not short of money, or keep it for his own entertainment.

However, Zuo Si's technology not only successfully solved the problem of spells being difficult to store, but also minimized costs, so that even poor wizards could benefit from it.

In addition, those original magic runes also opened Nicolas Flamel's eyes.

However, this master alchemist did not know that the runes used by Zuo Si were actually directly copied from the rune system of the continent of Faerun, and then slightly improved according to the characteristics of different spells.

Having read the opening chapters of the Netheril scroll, he understood the nature of magical power far better than any other wizard in the world.

In fact, the reason why there is no popular magic storage device in this world lies in the invention of the magic wand.

With a magic wand, wizards have a tool that can simplify the process of casting spells.

However, spells and magic that have been castrated and simplified are difficult to form a stable structure independently. Often, the spell is successfully released under the guidance of the wand after it is recited.

Therefore, if you want to make relatively cheap spell storage items, you must first trace the origin of the spell, find its most important core part, and then expand it and make the spell model stable.

This makes it possible to store spells cheaply.

Complicating a simple spell is something that almost no wizard would think of.

"I see! We were wrong from the beginning, and we kept exploring in the wrong direction, so we could only get wrong results. But you are different. You found the right direction from the beginning."

Nicolas Flamel couldn't help but sigh after learning the truth.

Zuo Sishen nodded in agreement: "Yes, most wizards have fallen into a misconception of thinking.

In fact, in the Muggle world, when people conduct technological research and development, unlike wizards who conduct targeted research, they often adopt a trial and error method.

That is, don't try to find the correct answer right away.

Instead, we keep trying to find out the mistakes that don't work, until more and more options are eliminated and fewer and fewer options are left that may be correct.

The reason why the magic world has not been able to solve this problem for thousands of years is that there are too few people willing to develop new spells and magical technologies, and there is no decent communication between them.

I think it's time to abandon those outdated ideas of the past. It would be best if organizations such as the International Confederation of Wizards or the Wizengamot took the lead in setting up a special agency to be responsible for timely sharing of cutting-edge research progress in the wizarding world and to give some financial and honorary encouragement to those creative wizards.

Only in this way can the lack of vitality in the magical world not become a stagnant pool of water like it is now.

As an alchemist who has lived for more than 600 years, you should be able to feel the rapid development of the Muggle world in the past two or three hundred years.

In contrast, the wizarding world has not changed significantly from hundreds of years ago."

After listening to this speech, Nicolas Flamel's old face showed a faint smile, and he said in the tone of an experienced person: "I have to admit that you are as smart and sharp as Albus described, and you have a completely different way of thinking from most wizards.

In addition, the existing drawbacks in the magic world are also clearly seen.

But the problem is that it is not easy to change the wizards' ideas.

Moreover, due to the Statute of Secrecy, many wizarding families have long been seriously disconnected from the Muggle world, and they know nothing about the changes and developments in the Muggle world.

“That’s why changes need to be made.

After all, any miracle is created by humans.

It’s like everyone didn’t think you could create the Philosopher’s Stone, but you slapped those wizards in the face with your actions.

More than six hundred years later, where are those guys who laughed at you?

So do your own thing, ignore the words of those fools, and use your success again and again to prove to the entire wizarding world who is right."

Zuo Si concluded bluntly.

Just as Nicolas Flamel was about to say something, Rita Skeeter, who had been waiting for a long time, finally couldn't help but interrupt and said, "Sir Flamel, you have taken up a lot of your time. It's time for me to take my turn. You know, wizards all over Britain and even the world are looking forward to seeing the exclusive interview on the front page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow."

Nicolas Flamel merely frowned subconsciously at this vulgar and extremely disrespectful behavior, but did not say anything. He immediately stood up and nodded to Zuo Si, then stood up and walked out of the principal's office.

His long lifespan has allowed him to meet many different kinds of people, and he also possesses tolerance and patience that ordinary wizards do not possess.

When the alchemist left, Rita Skeeter said impatiently, "Hello, Soth. In order to let more wizards in the magic world know you, I will ask some questions. I hope you can answer them all."

"Sure. But it's best not to involve personal privacy, otherwise you will bear the consequences at your own risk."

Zuo Si unceremoniously gave the woman in front of him a warning.

Because he himself has no good feelings towards the creature called "reporter".

If it wasn't for Professor McGonagall's request, I wouldn't even waste a second on such boring things.

Rita Skeeter obviously noticed the boy's undisguised disgust and impatience towards her, but she didn't take it seriously. She immediately took out a small notebook and asked, "I heard from the first-year students at Hogwarts that you attacked your classmates with a sleeping spell on the first day of school? And there are rumors that you had a fierce conflict with more than half of the students in the Slytherin common room? Does this mean that you have a serious tendency towards violence in your subconscious mind?"

"What? Do you want to portray me as someone who comes from a Muggle family and is full of hostility and even hatred towards the magical world and wizards?" Zuo Si raised the corner of his mouth and revealed a dangerous smile.

"No! I just think the public has the right to know the real you."

Rita Skeeter argued as she controlled the shorthand quill to scribble gibberish on the sheepskin.

Maybe she thought Zuo Si was young and easy to bully, or maybe it was because she always succeeded in bullying other interviewees, so she showed her strong style as always, trying to dig out more "black material" to put in the report to attract attention.

After all, the wizards' means of communication are originally quite primitive and backward, so it is easier to manipulate public opinion in the wizarding world than in the Muggle world.

It’s a pity that Rita Skeeter chose the wrong person this time.

"The most real? I think the most eye-catching is a more appropriate description. I'm very curious, aren't you afraid of retaliation when you make up stories about others? Or do you only dare to provoke wizards who won't retaliate against you, or dare not retaliate against you?"

Zuo Si sneered and revealed the other party's past.

To be honest, he really couldn't understand how this woman had managed to survive to this day given her behavior.

You know, in the UK, there have always been quite a large number of so-called "dark wizards".

This can be seen by looking at the booming shops in Knockturn Alley.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, instead of focusing on me, let's talk about you. For example, your unusual friendship with Miss Hermione Granger, a first-year Gryffindor student."

Rita Skeeter obviously did not learn her lesson. Instead, she wanted to lead Zuo Si into the pit of gossip and scandals again.

"Haha, you really are a stubborn person. In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless. After all, having a good reputation is very important to my next plan."

After confirming that there was no one else in the principal's office and that even the portraits of past principals had disappeared, Zuo Si immediately released a ball of scorching flame at the shorthand quill and parchment, burning them to ashes.

After doing all this, he reached out and grabbed the annoying woman's neck, and with terrifying strength, he pushed her against the wall behind him.

Bang! The violent collision instantly knocked Rita Skeeter's glasses off her face. Her face turned red because she couldn't breathe. She struggled desperately to pry open the clamp-like hand on her neck.

But unfortunately it was all in vain.

Because Zuo Si's strength attribute had already skyrocketed to thirty-one points after he devoured the old blue dragon.

Not to mention a mere female reporter who is powerless, even a half-giant as powerful as Hagrid would be suppressed in an instant.

"What...what are you going to do? Let me...let me go!" Rita Skeeter shouted in horror.

"What, are you scared now? I have warned you more than once before, but you turned a deaf ear to me. Now, are you ready to bear very serious consequences?" There was a chilling light in Zuo Si's eyes.

"No! No! No! No! Don't do this! If you kill me, not only will you be expelled from Hogwarts, but you will also be wanted by the entire wizarding world. You are a genius with a bright future. There is no need to do this. I swear, as long as you let me go, I will never mention it to anyone, nor will I write any interview content that is unfavorable to you."

Rita Skeeter was visibly frightened, shaking uncontrollably.

She couldn't believe it even in her dreams. This first-year student from a Muggle family actually planned to kill her in the principal's office at Hogwarts just because he made up a little fake news.

This kind of cruel, cold-blooded attitude that does not take human life seriously is no less than that of Voldemort.

"Sorry, it's too late. Don't worry, I won't kill you because it's not worth it. But the death penalty can be spared, but the living crime cannot be escaped."

As he spoke, Zuo Si took out his wand, pointed it at Rita Skeeter, and slowly recited a spell.

"Drill-heart-and-dig-bone!"

The next second...

An indescribable pain made Rita Skeeter open her mouth like a madman and let out a heart-wrenching howl.

But just when he was about to make a sound, he suddenly realized that no matter how much he shouted, he couldn't make even the slightest noise.

Zuo Si stretched out a finger and gently placed it on his lips, silencing them. He whispered in his ear with a devilish voice, "Shh! Don't make such a loud noise, it will disturb others. In the next half hour, I will teach you a lesson called price. Don't worry, I will not cast the Cruciatus Curse for more than ten seconds each time, and I will reserve time for rest. I will never let you go crazy because of it."

Hearing these words that were more desperate than death, Rita Skeeter's eyes suddenly revealed pleading.

You have to know that the power of the Cruciatus Curse is simply not something that a normal person can stand.

Even just a few seconds made her feel that life was worse than death, not to mention the torture that lasted for half an hour.

If she could do it again, she swore that she would never provoke this extremely dangerous little villain in front of her, and she would not choose to come to Hogwarts for this interview.

But the hard-hearted Zuo Si ignored the other party and repeated the Cruciatus Curse for ten seconds every two or three minutes on average. He also tried to add different degrees of malicious emotions to observe the strength of the spell.

After just five times, the woman's will and psychological defenses completely collapsed. At the same time, her body began to lose control and she began to sweat profusely. Her two bloodshot eyes looked extremely scary.

If possible, she even hoped that the other party would cast an Avada Kedavra on her to end it all.

I guess in Rita Skeeter's mind, Zuo Si's horror has surpassed Voldemort.

Because the latter, at least when he first entered school, had not yet shown such terrifying talent, strength and ruthless cruelty.

When half an hour was over, Rita Skeeter collapsed on the ground like a lifeless corpse. Not only were her clothes soaked with sweat, but there was no life in her eyes at all.

"Clean it up!"

Zuo Si simply waved his wand and cast a cleansing spell to restore everything to its original state, at least on the surface.

Following that, he cast a resuscitation spell on the half-dead woman in front of him.

After a few seconds, Rita Skeeter suddenly got up from the ground, curled up into a ball and shivered as if she had just woken up from a nightmare.

"Tell me, do you understand what the price is now?" Zuo Si asked expressionlessly.

"Understand... Understood! Please, don't torture me anymore. I promise that I will obey every order you give me like the humblest house-elf." Rita Skeeter begged incoherently.

"Very good! Remember, if you try to tell anyone what happened today, I will find you immediately and torture your soul for a thousand years, ten thousand years, until the end of time, using a method more painful than the Cruciatus Curse."

After saying that, Zuo Si raised his wand and pressed it against the opponent's chest, and a hot red light spurted out from the front end.

The pungent smell of burning quickly filled the principal's office.

In the blink of an eye, a mysterious symbol was successfully imprinted on the surface of the skin.

Under normal circumstances, such pain would definitely make Rita Skeeter scream.

But now, she, who had just experienced the torture of the Cruciatus Curse, had no reaction at all, as if she had completely lost her sense of pain.

Obviously, the magic mark left by Zuo Si can control Rita Skeeter to some extent.

Although it would definitely be safer to make it into a card, he didn't want to put such a thing that made him bored just by looking at it into his collection.

(End of this chapter)