Chapter 6: The Library

"Ivan, how about after dinner, we go back to the dorm and play Wizard's Chess for a while?" On Wednesday afternoon, after the last class, Ron was munching on a chicken leg in the common room, speaking through a mouthful of food.

Ivan took his time finishing the last piece of steak, thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I'm heading to the library later. You and Harry can play."

Ron first shook his head in disappointment, then suddenly seemed to realize what Ivan had said. His chicken leg dropped to the floor. "Oh my goodness! The library? I thought there was only one person in the whole year who would go there!"

"Hermione?" Ivan mused. Only a few days after the term had started, the little witch who had been running to the library every day could only be our resident know-it-all.

"Exactly! Who else could it be?" Ron said with exaggerated disbelief.

At that moment, Harry suddenly tugged on Ron's shoulder. Ron turned to see Hermione, carrying a pile of books, sitting in the common room. Lowering his voice, Ron began to mutter about how much Hermione loved lecturing and how arrogant she seemed.

Luckily, perhaps due to the distance, Hermione didn't seem to notice, or maybe she didn't hear Ron's words. Harry, on the other hand, looked awkward as he listened, clearly uncomfortable with people gossiping behind others' backs. The other little witches, however, seemed quite intrigued by the conversation.

It must be said that in the few short days since school started, Miss Granger had already gained quite a reputation in the gossip circles among the younger witches due to her tendency to lecture everyone.

Ivan didn't get involved in the discussion about Hermione but wasn't exactly surprised by it either. After all, they were just eleven- or twelve-year-old witches and wizards. No one liked being lectured, especially by a peer.

"Ivan, what are you going to the library for?" Harry asked curiously.

Is it because we're no fun? Or maybe Wizard's Chess isn't exciting enough? Ron didn't say it out loud, but his eyes clearly conveyed that message.

It was like having a friend who always agreed to play video games after school suddenly telling you he was going to the library to study instead.

Ivan twitched the corner of his mouth. He wasn't interested in playing Wizard's Chess, but wanted to try something different and see if there were other ways to earn academic points.

It wasn't because Wizard's Chess was new and fun or anything.

"Don't you think the professors' assignments are getting harder?" Ivan asked, glancing at Harry. After a pause, he sighed. "If we don't work hard now, what will happen at the end of the semester?"

Ivan knew his talent was average and that his wand wasn't perfectly matched to him. As a result, his magical abilities were among the lower range of first-year students. To improve his professors' evaluations, his best option was to focus on knowledge.

Improving his knowledge base and answering questions in class might earn him some extra points.

"Ron, are you coming?" Ivan asked after finishing his meal and gathering his things.

Ron's magical talent was a bit better than his, but still only about average. Compared to Harry, the gap was quite apparent. And since Ron didn't put in much effort, he was destined to be the weakest in their trio.

So Ivan, with good intentions, asked him. Though he didn't expect Ron to agree.

As expected, Ron quickly shook his head. "What are you talking about? We've only just arrived, the final exams are still a long way off. What's the rush?"

"Alright then." Ivan didn't press further and made his way to the library.

"Watch, he'll be back in an hour at most. Otherwise, I'll eat the chessboard," Ron grumbled, making a bet.

The Hogwarts library contained the largest and most complete collection of magical books in all of Britain, and even Europe. From basic textbooks to complex dark magic and forbidden spells, it had everything.

Ivan was also stunned by the sheer number of books. The shelves stretched endlessly, each one stacked with up to a thousand books. It was far more impressive than anything he had seen in movies from his past life.

Perhaps because it was the beginning of the term, there weren't many students in the library. A few witches and wizards were scattered around the shelves or along the corridors, leaving the central reading area mostly empty.

*Ding, Library exploration discovered.*

The system notification in his mind snapped Ivan's attention back. He realized that the Hogwarts exploration task had increased by 5%. More importantly, with this addition to his academic points, he now had enough to redeem a "Study Master Experience Card."

Ivan's gaze unconsciously shifted toward the restricted section. He knew that the spells he needed, like the Soul Reaper and Brain Closure spells, were likely kept there.

"Child, are you looking for a specific book?" A soft voice came from the side, and Ivan turned to see Madam Irma Pince, the librarian, approaching.

"Yes, Madam, could you tell me where the books on Transfiguration are? Preferably something basic," Ivan replied, pulling his gaze away from the restricted section and addressing her.

"Follow me," Madam Pince led him to a shelf and handed him a book titled *A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration*. She paused for a moment before continuing. "You were looking at the restricted section just now. Unless you have authorization from a professor, you're not allowed to view or borrow books from there."

"I was just curious, I don't intend to go in," Ivan said casually, shrugging as he accepted the book.

He hadn't planned on accessing those dangerous books anytime soon. Given his current magical abilities, he wasn't ready to study such advanced spells.

There was still an entire semester ahead; he'd wait for the right opportunity.

After explaining everything, Madam Pince turned to leave, her duties still requiring her attention, especially keeping an eye on the older students who often tried to sneak into the restricted section.

Before she left, she reminded Ivan to keep quiet in the library.

Ivan settled into the reading area, not rushing to try out the Study Master Experience Card. Instead, he flipped open the book and began reading, intending to observe his regular learning pace first, then compare it with how much faster he could learn once the card's effect kicked in.

Before long, the only sound in the room was the turning of pages, occasionally interrupted by the faint noise of movement from other parts of the library.