In order to complete the Raven Task, Ryze was extremely active during Herbology class.
Throughout the lesson, whenever Professor Sprout asked a question, Ryze raised his hand almost immediately. His movements were quick and decisive, as though he were determined to answer every single question that appeared.
However, Herbology was not a subject where Ravenclaw students performed poorly.
On the contrary, most Ravenclaws had already previewed the textbook before the first class. Since the material in the opening lesson was relatively basic, nearly half the class raised their hands whenever Professor Sprout asked something.
Professor Sprout had a fair and methodical teaching style.
Instead of repeatedly calling on the same enthusiastic students, she rotated through the class and gave everyone a chance to participate. Every correct answer earned one point for the student's house.
By the time the class ended, Ryze had only been called on twice.
Two correct answers meant two house points.
Although he technically tied for the highest score, three other students had also earned two points each.
If Professor Sprout continued using this rotation method in the next class, Ryze might struggle to complete the Raven Task unless he got lucky.
For the moment, however, he had no idea how to make Professor Sprout call on him more frequently.
As the students began to take a short break, Michael, who had been observing Ryze all afternoon, finally leaned over.
"Do you like Herbology that much?" he asked curiously.
"I didn't see you this active during Charms class this morning."
Ryze sighed softly.
"Actually, it's because I'm not very good at Herbology," he replied.
"So I have to stay focused and keep pushing myself."
Michael blinked.
"Wait… that's a thing?"
He stared at Ryze with disbelief.
"Besides, how can you say you're bad at Herbology? I saw you raise your hand immediately every time the professor asked something."
He paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me you memorized the entire textbook before school even started?"
Ryze quickly shook his head.
"How could that be possible?" he said calmly.
"Where would I get that much energy?"
"At most, I've skimmed the book two or three times and marked some key points. My foundation is still weak in many areas."
He shrugged lightly.
"It's just that Professor Sprout tends to ask questions about the key points right after explaining the basics."
"That's why it looks like I'm always ready to answer."
Michael stared at him silently.
Not very good at Herbology…
Only skimmed the book two or three times…
Just remembered the key points…
Yet every time Professor Sprout asked a question, it happened to be something Ryze had memorized.
Michael felt that Ryze was obviously hiding something.
Unfortunately, he had no evidence.
After a moment, he sighed.
"Fine, whatever you say."
"Just keep it up. Try to earn a few more points for Ravenclaw."
But before Ryze could respond, a loud and mocking voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"Just an orphan bastard raised by Muggles… whose blood purity can't even be confirmed."
"No matter how smart he is, he'll still have to rely on the House of Malfoy for approval in the future."
"Otherwise, who would even recognize his identity?"
The voice was deliberately loud, clearly meant to attract attention.
Ryze didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Draco Malfoy.
At some point, the blond Slytherin had walked over with his two bulky companions and positioned himself close enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Michael frowned.
At first, he didn't realize who Malfoy was referring to.
But when Malfoy glanced directly at Ryze and made an obvious gesture toward him, the meaning became crystal clear.
Michael's expression darkened.
"What nonsense are you spouting over there?" he snapped.
"Slytherin's area is on the other side. If you're looking for trouble, go back where you belong."
Draco Malfoy spread his hands lazily, his expression full of arrogance.
"We're just talking about a lucky and pathetic bastard," he said dismissively.
"We didn't mention any names."
He glanced around with exaggerated innocence.
"Is this Ravenclaw territory or something?"
"It's break time. If the noise bothers you, maybe you should leave instead."
Behind him, the two large boys stepped forward menacingly.
Their broad shoulders and thick arms made them look more like bodyguards than students.
"Got a problem?"
It was unclear whether the speaker was Crabbe or Goyle.
To Ryze, it didn't really matter.
He had no intention of remembering the names of those two idiots anyway.
Michael hesitated slightly.
After all, Ravenclaw students were known for their intelligence and prudence. Carefully judging the situation before acting was practically a defining trait of their house.
But they were still teenagers.
And teenagers rarely backed down when their pride was challenged.
Michael glanced briefly at Ryze and the surrounding Ravenclaw students who were watching the scene unfold.
Then he snorted.
"Is it appropriate to disturb other people's rest?" he said coldly.
"If you don't want to get reported to the professor, you'd better go back."
At that moment, another student stepped forward.
Anthony.
The tall and broad Ravenclaw stood beside Michael, positioning himself between Malfoy and Ryze.
The message was clear.
They were standing with Ryze.
Malfoy watched them with undisguised contempt.
He scoffed.
Then he shook his head slowly.
"But that bastard seems to have some sense," he said casually.
"He knows who not to provoke in Hogwarts."
"That's good."
"As long as he behaves himself and doesn't try to use his status for personal gain, I might even consider writing him a recommendation letter in the future."
His lips curled into a smug smile.
"After I graduate, that letter could help him find a job at the Ministry of Magic."
"Come on, Goyle. Crabbe."
"There's nothing interesting here."
He turned as if preparing to leave.
But just as he took his first step, a calm voice drifted through the air.
"Oh… it's Little Dragon."
"I was wondering who it was."
"Your mother, Narcissa, is my cousin."
"We should have met at the entrance of Madam Malkin's shop at the end of July."
"Were you talking about me just now?"
Draco Malfoy froze.
His real name was Draco Malfoy, and the name "Draco" came from the constellation Draco.
Among family members and close acquaintances, he was sometimes affectionately called Little Dragon.
But never—
Never by someone like this.
Never by someone he had just insulted.
And certainly not by someone he considered a low-born bastard.
Malfoy slowly turned around.
Until now, Ryze had been facing away from him.
For the first time, Draco saw the boy's face clearly.
Ryze's expression was calm.
There was even a faint smile lingering at the corner of his lips.
It was as if Malfoy's insults had not affected him at all.
"What did you just say?"
Malfoy's voice grew cold.
"I'll give you one chance."
"Take it back."
He strode toward Ryze, his two lackeys following closely behind.
Compared to Crabbe and Goyle's towering builds, Ryze looked rather slender.
His physique was only average for his age, not much stronger than Harry Potter's.
Against the two hulking Slytherins, he seemed almost fragile.
The smile faded slightly from Ryze's face.
His expression became more serious.
He raised a hand casually.
"Don't worry about this," he told Michael and Anthony.
After all, he had already said earlier—
If Malfoy became impatient, he would deliver himself.
And now, that moment had arrived.
Ryze spoke slowly.
"Is this the refined upbringing of the noble House of Malfoy?"
"Shouting at your elders?"
Malfoy's eyes widened slightly.
Ryze continued calmly.
"As for my situation, I believe Cousin Andromeda already discussed everything with your mother a month ago."
"If the House of Malfoy has further objections, you can ask Cousin Narcissa or Cousin-in-law Lucius to speak with me personally."
He looked directly at Draco.
"Rather than having a junior like you wagging your tongue behind my back."
"That only makes me wonder whether the aristocratic education of the Malfoy family has completely failed."
After saying that, Ryze glanced around at the curious students who had gathered nearby.
He waved casually.
"It's nothing serious," he explained.
"Just a small family disagreement between me and my nephew, who's currently going through a rebellious phase."
"I'll write to my cousin later and suggest she strengthen the child's moral education."
"Sorry for the disturbance."
For a moment—
There was complete silence.
Then Draco Malfoy exploded.
"You filthy bastard—what nonsense are you talking about?!"
His face flushed red with rage.
"Crabbe!"
"Teach him a lesson!"
Being called an elder and then referred to as uncle in front of an audience was a humiliation Draco had never experienced in his life.
His anger instantly boiled over.
Crabbe, meanwhile, possessed the intellectual capacity of a troll.
In other words—
He didn't think.
The moment he heard Malfoy's command, he stepped forward and swung his massive fist toward Ryze.
And then—
BANG!!
A translucent barrier suddenly appeared.
Crabbe's fist slammed directly into it.
The sound echoed like metal colliding with steel.
"AAARGH!!"
Crabbe immediately clutched his hand and dropped to his knees.
His swollen fist throbbed painfully as he wailed in agony.
Ryze looked down at him with mild disdain.
"How barbaric."
"Solving problems with fists…"
He shook his head slightly.
"Are you really wizards?"
"Or just Muggles?"
Then his gaze shifted toward the stunned Draco Malfoy.
"But you're quite clever," Ryze added calmly.
"You knew to let your lackey attack instead of doing it yourself."
"From that perspective, your parents taught you very well."
He smiled faintly.
"Congratulations."
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