Chapter 202: A Vision of Academic Specialization
"Take alchemy, for example," Ryan explained. "How many wizards in France do you think dare to call themselves alchemists?"
"The total number of wizards in France is only a few thousand," Maxime mused. "But it's been a long time since we've had a truly outstanding alchemist. So, basically, anyone with a bit of research under their belt dares to claim the title. Maybe five or six hundred in total."
"For those people, their alchemy can probably only be described as... dabbling," Ryan said. "Because the field of alchemy is too vast. Very few wizards have enough talent to explore and master it deeply. The vast majority of 'alchemists' are just scratching the surface.
"If we treat alchemy as a major field, a major discipline, we can derive various smaller, specialized fields from it. For instance, based on the Magi-Metal Wizards' request, I call the subject they wish to learn 'Magical Runology.'"
"That is true. These people aren't without talent; their talent just isn't strong enough across the board. If we break alchemy down, everyone can better utilize their specific strengths." Combining this with the Magi-Metal Wizards' desire to learn spell inscription, Maxime formed a rough concept in her mind of how broad the previous classifications had been.
Thinking about it, she suddenly realized that, as Ryan said, these broad classifications seemed reasonable to young students. But for those aspiring to deep research, they were too vast, too broad, leading to an incredibly high barrier to entry and demanding exceptionally high talent.
Those five or six hundred self-proclaimed alchemists in France were actually already walking the path of specialized disciplines. Their works all had strong personal styles, meaning they excelled in different methods, techniques, and content. They just lacked a clear theoretical framework.
What if they had a clear theoretical framework and guidance?
As the Headmistress of Beauxbatons and a pivotal figure in the French wizarding world, Madame Maxime never lacked keen intuition. She immediately realized this was an event even more significant than the birth of Magi-Metal Wizards.
Unfortunately, she could only be a cheerleader for this cause, as she lacked the capacity to shoulder it alone.
The figures who could truly determine the direction of the global wizarding world were the young man before her and the "elderly dream team" behind him.
Maxime's expression shifted slightly—a change so subtle that even Fleur, who knew her well, thought the Headmistress was merely surprised by Ryan's remarks.
Truly sharp... Ryan saw from Maxime's face that she had already thought through the causes and consequences of this matter. He said sincerely, "It is a loss for the French Ministry of Magic that you do not run for Minister."
Fleur felt that Ryan had different standards for different Headmasters. She said coquettishly, "Didn't Headmaster Dumbledore also refuse to run for British Minister of Magic?"
As soon as she said this, she noticed both the Headmistress and Ryan laughing.
However, she didn't know what was wrong with her words. Dumbledore and Maxime were both Headmasters; why did Ryan only regret that Maxime didn't run for Minister?
"I've discovered a small flaw in Fleur. It might be a flaw shared by all ordinary wizards in the magical world."
"What?"
"You know too little about wizards." It wasn't Ryan who answered Fleur's question, but Maxime.
She didn't explain in detail to Fleur, only offering a single sentence: "Some people's fire can only light firewood; some people's fire can ignite Paris. Wizards are different from wizards."
Ignite Paris... Fleur seemed to recall horror stories she had heard as a child. In those stories, there was always a villain who took the title of Dark Lord and performed feats beyond a wizard's imagination.
She looked at Ryan and saw him nod slightly at her, as if confirming her thoughts.
In that instant, even knowing nothing of the past events, even barely knowing the name Grindelwald, Fleur felt as if her heart were being squeezed by a powerful hand.
"Don't worry, that's all in the past." As someone skilled at caring for friends and protective of his own, seeing Fleur's face turn slightly pale, Ryan instinctively offered her a piece of Honeydukes Sherbet Lemon. "Besides, we are here now."
We are here... Fleur was actually a little disappointed with this sentence. she had hoped to hear Ryan say "I'm here for everything" or "I am here."
But what he said was already quite nice. As for other words... they could wait until their relationship deepened.
"Then I'll count on you." A smile bloomed on her slightly pale face as she took the candy and put it in her pocket.
Ryan gave her an 'OK' sign, then turned to Maxime, who was raising an eyebrow. "Regarding the issue of subdividing fields, I'll return to Hogwarts shortly to discuss it with Mr. Dumbledore. Regardless, this matter needs his nod."
Integrating the existing disciplines of the world naturally required the greatest wizard of the century to preside over it. Otherwise, it wouldn't convince the masses, nor could it integrate the power of the entire wizarding world.
Because neither Ryan's nor Maxime's names would necessarily be recognized by outsiders. The influence of their reputations covered Europe at most, but the wizarding world was far larger than just Europe.
"Give my regards to Dumbledore," Maxime said.
"Of course. See you the day after tomorrow, then." Ryan remembered his alchemy class was in two days. He waved goodbye and left with a flourish.
After Ryan left, Maxime patted Fleur, who, though tall, seemed petite next to her. "I feel more and more that communication and exchange between schools is necessary. Hogwarts has far surpassed us and Durmstrang. The most obvious point is that many Hogwarts students have already made names for themselves throughout the wizarding world, while our two schools have not. Perhaps Viktor Krum counts as half. I plan to discuss with Headmaster Dumbledore about sending exchange students to each other's academies for communication."
Viktor Krum, whom Maxime mentioned, was a somewhat famous Quidditch player from Durmstrang. Due to his outstanding talent and superb skills in several inter-school matches, he had been selected for the Bulgarian National Team. He was considered a supernova of Quidditch and a future superstar, gaining some fame.
Fleur understood the Headmistress's look. She felt the Headmistress wanted her to lead the team to Hogwarts, and she also believed that currently, only she in Beauxbatons could properly lead such a delegation.
Not to mention Madame Maxime had used "someone else's child" as a comparison.
She pursed her lips. She had always believed magic was synonymous with elegance, nobility, and power. A confrontational game like Quidditch, mixed with intense physical exertion by big brutes, didn't fit her aesthetic. And Viktor Krum was the brute among brutes.
But speaking of going to Hogwarts as an exchange student...
She hesitated. Since the Communicator became popular, she had bought one. Once she got it, she made friends from all over the world, as everyone with a Communicator was frantically adding random friends.
Her friends list included several Hogwarts students.
In their initial chats, she was very curious about the ancient castle renowned throughout Europe for a thousand years. So she asked about the castle's structure, food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
However, based on the photos sent by her online friends, she had zero affection for the ancient castle of Hogwarts. It was dark, damp, and the decor was extremely outdated—the overall decorative atmosphere was a product of centuries ago.
Compared to the palace of Beauxbatons, which kept pace with the times and was magnificent, Hogwarts was far inferior in terms of aesthetics.
Especially since she had an online friend from Slytherin House at Hogwarts. This friend sent her photos of the Slytherin common room. After seeing them, Fleur felt it looked like the dungeon of some gloomy ancient castle. And living inside weren't students, but vengeful spirits, slaves, piles of bones... with countless wails and screams echoing under the eerie green light and the hissing of snakes.
"What do you think?"
Madame Maxime asked, not believing Fleur would refuse.
~~~
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