Chapter 32: Serial Questions (Patreon)

Ravenclaw College is a prestigious institution known for its focus on erudition and talent.

When Maca was first sorted by the Sorting Hat, Ravenclaw seemed to be the college he considered initially. This suggests that he does have some affinity with Ravenclaw.

However, upon careful consideration, he realized that he needed to establish some connections first. In case someone inquired later, he wanted to have an excuse prepared.

Moreover, he also wanted to pave the way for Luna before she enrolled.

Out of all the individuals in Ravenclaw, there was one person who intrigued Maca the most—Ms. Gray, the ghost of Ravenclaw Tower. Ms. Gray possessed a wealth of knowledge about Ravenclaw Academy due to her long tenure at Hogwarts.

Ms. Gray, whose real name is "Helena Ravenclaw," was the actual daughter of "Rowena Ravenclaw." She stole her mother's golden crown but met her demise at the hands of Barrow, who was secretly in love with her. Despite her unfilial and unrighteous act, she remained a simple and vain person.

If Maca wanted to uncover some secret information about Ravenclaw Academy, it was evident that starting with Ms. Gray would be the most appropriate course of action.

Maca had read several books about the founders of Hogwarts, including Ravenclaw, during his time at school. In all honesty, among the four founders, Ravenclaw and Slytherin were regarded as having the highest magical accomplishments.

Unlike Salazar Slytherin's practical inclinations, Rowena Ravenclaw was a true theoretician.

As a magical scholar, Ravenclaw dedicated her life to theoretical research, which aligned perfectly with Maca's own pursuits.

"Ms. Gray—Ms. Gray, please wait a moment!" Maca asked the portly ghost of Hufflepuff, known as the Fat Friar, to inquire about Ms. Gray's whereabouts and diligently followed the indicated path.

Helena possessed her mother's looks and had been a beautiful woman with long curly hair. Even as a ghost, she maintained her youthful appearance, although slightly translucent. However, this did not bother her.

"Ms. Gray, could you spare a moment?" Maca noticed that people didn't seem too willing to engage with others.

Finally, after repeated calls, Helena managed to halt. She turned around, hovering a few inches above the ground, and regarded Maca with a cold expression.

"Beautiful Ms. Gray," Maca stood up and gracefully executed an old-fashioned salute, "I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time. There is something I believe is necessary to discuss with you."

Helena stared at Maca for a moment and then nodded with a somewhat condescending look.

Maca once again inclined slightly, expressing gratitude. He acknowledged that his actions might appear comical, resembling those of a young child. However, he knew that Helena was a woman who appreciated respect, and his gestures might earn him some goodwill.

"Here's the deal," Maca began, reciting the prepared speech. "While I was perusing the library books, I stumbled upon some accounts about Ravenclaw Academy, and yes, I am aware of your true identity."

Maca spoke while observing Helena's expression. When he noticed her slight frown but absence of rejection, he understood it was a positive start.

"And concerning you, I happened to overhear some past events from Nearly Headless Nick..."

"I don't believe you made the wrong choice," Maca proceeded cautiously. "The pursuit of truth and glory is an inherent nature that every individual should possess; it represents wisdom and an unparalleled quest."

"Oh, really?" Helena let out a sudden soft laugh. "You think I would say that?"

Maca flinched in response. It was something he hadn't anticipated.

"Yes, you are correct," she continued. "I have always believed so, but unfortunately, I've heard similar things once before."

"And I don't particularly wish to hear them again." Helena cast aside her smile, adopting a cold gaze towards Maca.

"Heard it once? Who said—" Maca suddenly realized he had missed something.

"I'm unsure where exactly you learned about that matter, but I assure you, there is nothing about it in the library—"

"Was it Tom Riddle?" Maca interjected.

Maca hadn't given much thought to how Voldemort had discovered the golden coronet back then. But now it appeared that Voldemort feared someone like him had chosen Helena as a breakthrough.

Helena gazed at Maca, unaware of how he had deduced that. She was supposed to be the sole individual privy to that knowledge.

"Ms. Gray, what I wish to express is vastly different from that person," Maca's tone shifted from gentle to intense.

"Tom Riddle merely used flattery to acquire the golden crown, but I am different," Maca asserted. "I genuinely believe that your actions are deserving of every wizard's admiration. I, on the other hand, have no desire for the golden coronet; I simply wish to cross paths with a beautiful and wise woman like yourself."

Maca could discern a slight change in Helena's expression, a recognition of the flattery.

"I want you to know that a friend of mine will be attending school next year. I believe she will be sorted into Ravenclaw due to her comparable beauty and intelligence, akin to yours," Maca decided to seize the opportunity and continued complimenting Helena indirectly. "You, being the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw, clearly embody the qualities necessary for admission to Ravenclaw Academy."

This half-hearted compliment undoubtedly impressed Helena, though it sent shivers down Maca's own spine.

She smiled faintly and condescended, "You make a valid point, but my past experiences prevent me from trusting you."

"Unless..." she trailed off, her mood seemingly uplifted.

"Unless?" Maca echoed, feigning curiosity.

"Unless you can make your way through the bronze eagle doors of Ravenclaw's common room tonight," she smiled. "My mother used to say, 'Ingenious minds possess the greatest power,' and I'll be waiting for you in the common room."

With that, Helena rose, still smiling, and floated away.

"I don't think you've faced enough challenges!" Maca glanced at her receding figure, unable to help but shake her head in disbelief.

The entrance to Ravenclaw's common room sat atop a spiral staircase on the castle's western side. There stood a worn, wooden door adorned only with an eagle-shaped bronze door knocker.

Late into the night, two sudden knocks reverberated through the air. As the sound echoed, a figure material

ized at the door.

The beak of the eagle on the bronze door knocker opened, and a soft, rhythmic voice emerged.

"Where do the deceased disappear?" "Into oblivion."

Maca quickly responded after a moment's thought, yet the door remained shut.

After a brief pause, the voice of the eagle spoke again.

"What is born from nothingness?"

"Isn't it just a single question? Could it be that Helena has done something?" Maca contemplated darkly, refocusing his thoughts for a moment.

"From nothingness, all things emerge."

"What is the truth in the entire world?" After a brief pause, a third question emerged.

Maca pondered carefully, his brows gradually furrowing.

These questions were clearly a progression of profound exploration, unlike the typical queries posed to students. For the first time, Maca felt his mental capacity being slightly inadequate.

After contemplating for a considerable time, he formulated his answer, though uncertain of its correctness.

"Matter impels appearances, spirit governs principles."

However, the relentless hawk-like voice persisted and posed a fourth question.

"Which will perish first, matter or spirit?"

Oh, come on! Who can possibly answer such a question? One can only speculate in the realm of plausibility!

"A cycle of interdependence, coexistence, and mutual destruction!"

Maca surmised that he must have worn a perplexed expression.

Suddenly, the eyes of the bronze eagle on the door ring flickered, and it took flight, perching on Maca's shoulder.

"That tattered hat rarely bestows its judgment, you kid isn't a bad candidate."

The voice remained the same as before, but now it carried a livelier tone, devoid of lethargy.

"Uh, may I inquire... who are you?" Maca felt a sense of confusion, wondering about this peculiar encounter.

"Me? I am a key entrusted by Royna, a guide for the chosen ones." The bronze eagle preened its feathers with its beak, and then spoke, "You have passed the preliminary test and earned access to Royner's chamber. Now, are you prepared?"

"Prepared?" Maca hesitated, "No, I'm afraid I'm not... yet."

The bronze eagle flapped its wings, landing on top of Maca's head, and with a mocking smile, it uttered, "I was merely asking."

Maca felt a whirlwind sensation, as if his body was being inverted and compressed. This must be the feeling of a phantom shift. However, he did not experience the overwhelming pressure and suffocation he had encountered in the past when his entourage led him to materialize.

Just moments later, a sudden light blinded his eyes, and he realized he had indeed arrived in an entirely new location.

"The space within Hogwarts is fortified by Rowena, and no one can enter here without my presence." The bronze eagle quacked, wearing a smirk.

Maca nodded, his gaze continuously scanning the towering bookshelves neatly arranged before him.

The room was not overly spacious, certainly smaller than Slytherin's secret room. Maca roughly estimated that it was at most half the size of a library.

However, apart from the central desk and a reclining chair, nearly all the available space was occupied by an enormous bookshelf reaching the ceiling.

Here, a distinct and potent aroma of ink permeated the air, putting Maca, who had been on guard until now, at ease. He couldn't help but relax.