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Like the Chamber of Slytherin, this was a hidden legacy, but not one of serpents and secrecy, it was the gift of Helga Hufflepuff, concealed within the ancient castle's walls.
Over centuries, it had borne many names, and the tale of its origins had faded into obscurity, until an unseen whisper of magic stirred the dust of time, allowing its past to resurface once more.
Ian had yet to uncover the true purpose behind the Room of Requirement's creation, but that did not deter him from exploring the mysteries of this chamber with unreserved curiosity.
[Ancient Alchemy Proficiency +4]
[Ancient Alchemy Proficiency +3]
[Ancient Alchemy Proficiency +5]
...
Beneath the dim glow of enchanted lanterns, arcane runes pulsed with a quiet, rhythmic light.
Intricate alchemical sigils and enchanted glyphs drifted weightlessly in the air, each one brimming with the wisdom of ages, forming an ever-shifting network of knowledge that stretched toward the unseen halls of learning.
The inscriptions sprawled across every surface of the chamber, their luminous patterns converging into a mesmerizing tapestry that would leave even the most esteemed alchemists breathless with admiration.
Ian was no exception. As he gazed upon the flickering symbols, he could almost see Helga Hufflepuff herself with her quill in hand, inscribing her accumulated wisdom into a place that, outwardly, seemed unremarkable.
This was no ordinary storeroom, it was her hidden sanctum, a treasury of knowledge left behind for those willing to seek it.
Countless enchantments were etched into these walls, including those responsible for alchemical wonders such as the Room of Requirement itself, spells so potent that many had since been classified as highly regulated magic.
[Undetectable Extension Charm (Level 0) 32/50]
Silently, Ian's personal panel shifted ever so slightly as he grasped the essence of the magic before him, knowledge absent from standard textbooks, protected by the traditions of the old wizarding families.
The Undetectable Extension Charm.
A marvel of spatial magic.
In any world, spells concerning space and time stood at the pinnacle of magical craft. It was no surprise that the ancient houses safeguarded such knowledge, not merely to control the lucrative trade of enchanted trunks and wizarding tents, but to preserve a deeper, more exclusive understanding, one that elevated them above the common spellcaster.
For them, such magic was not just a tool, but a mark of prestige, a birthright that defined their legacy.
"Thank you, founders. Thank you, ancestors. Thank you, Hogwarts~" Ian murmured in quiet reverence, sitting cross-legged amid the glowing texts and shimmering alchemical symbols, drinking in the knowledge that gleamed like constellations before him.
[Transfiguration Proficiency +3]
[Ancient Alchemy Proficiency +5]
[Undetectable Extension Charm Proficiency +3]
[Disillusionment Charm (Level 0) 4/50]
...
This was a method of learning unlike any traditional study, a process as intuitive as dismantling a finely crafted magical artifact to examine each of its enchanted components, granting those with the aptitude the ability to grasp its underlying principles.
Ian remained in the Room of Requirement the entire afternoon, wholly engrossed in its secrets.
If not for his promise to the younger students to hold a small lesson that evening on the Color-Changing Lumos Charm, he might have stayed all night, utterly lost in discovery, though, unlike Headmaster Dumbledore, he considered himself a responsible mentor.
"This will certainly help me get through Professor Morgan's alchemy assignments more quickly." With a lingering glance at the luminous formulas and magical engravings, Ian sighed before reluctantly departing, casting one final look over his shoulder at the wondrous chamber that had offered him a glimpse into the past.
The knowledge stored here was not something that could be mastered in a mere ten days or even a fortnight. Even with Ian's remarkable aptitude for comprehension and learning, whether he could fully grasp it within a year remained uncertain, after all, it was only natural, considering this Golden House was Helga Hufflepuff's magnum opus.
"Does that Professor Arthur King really believe someone can unravel all the mysteries of the Room of Requirement in just a year?" Ian muttered to himself.
He knew little about the obscure figures in wizarding history, let alone those who had never been mentioned in detail; he could only speculate that this particular professor might have once been a disciple of the legendary alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
Lost in thought about the wonders he had encountered in the Room of Requirement, Ian made his way back to the Ravenclaw common room, where he spotted a familiar young witch facing an all-too-common predicament: the scruffy bronze eagle knocker was being particularly uncooperative.
Cho Chang was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding students among the younger Ravenclaws, but when confronted with a subject she had never encountered before, she found herself stuck outside, the eagle head stubbornly knocking itself as if to emphasize its refusal.
Unfortunately, for complex magical riddles, simply knocking one's head against the problem would never produce an answer. Ian's arrival was a timely rescue for Cho, and with some reluctance, the bronze eagle finally swung open to admit them both.
"You can actually solve these riddles? Is there anything you can't do?" Cho asked in astonishment, her admiration for Ian growing, just as it had among many of the first-year students.
"Honestly, I was forced to learn! If I ever find out who enchanted that door to be this insufferable, I'll make sure they know that I am not to be trifled with!" Ian huffed, feigning indignation to avoid arousing the suspicions of his more perceptive peers.
A peculiar rumor had begun circulating through Ravenclaw about a "mysterious troublemaker," and some of the older students had even devised so-called "punishment spells" in anticipation of catching the culprit who had supposedly corrupted the bronze eagle knocker.
Ian had seen their handiwork firsthand, which was precisely why he had no intention of turning himself in, even for a reward.
"You're absolutely right! That person is truly despicable! He must be a dreadful menace, hiding away somewhere, relishing the thought of tormenting us!" Cho declared passionately, entirely convinced of Ian's innocence and sharing in his frustration.
"..."
Ian opened his mouth, but in the end, he wisely chose not to argue.
At first, he had only intended to share a little knowledge with the knocker, but who could have predicted that the enchanted eagle would develop an insatiable thirst for learning? It had reached the point where even topics Ian himself had yet to study were now being demanded of him, forcing him to research before he could provide a suitable answer.
"Please submit your tuition fees voluntarily. William, you handle the collection." With Ian's small evening class growing more popular by the day, he had even acquired a rather diligent, self-appointed treasurer.
The lesson proceeded as smoothly as ever, and as usual, everyone made steady progress. The more talented young witches and wizards had even begun altering the color of their wandlight with minor variations.
Before retiring for the night, Ian happened to catch William attempting to flick his wand's light on and off. The eerie green glow, paired with his vibrant green hair, created a rather unsettling effect.
Having witnessed Ian frighten someone once before, William muttered something under his breath, "Avada Crunching Big Melon", while striking an exaggerated pose that nearly made Ian burst into laughter.
Michael, on the other hand, rarely attended the "evening study sessions," so Ian was surprised to find him deep in concentration back in their dormitory, poring over a textbook by the dim glow of William's enchanted lamp. This was an unprecedented sight; normally, Michael was the first to bolt from class the moment it ended.
Unlike Ron Weasley, Michael's magical prowess even exceeded that of William. Not that William lacked talent, he was already comparable to Hermione among the first-years, but Michael belonged to that rare category of "study prodigies."
He had an uncanny ability to absorb everything he needed straight from class, rarely requiring additional study outside of lessons.
In the dormitory, one study tyrant and one study genius created a rather overwhelming atmosphere. Only Ian remained unaffected, as he found himself caught somewhere between the two extremes.
"What are you reading?" Ian noticed that the moment he returned to the dormitory, Michael hastily hid his book, looking comically guilty.
"Nothing... nothing." The young wizard's evasive gaze was all too obvious. He waited until Ian had washed up and gone to bed before sneaking the book out again.
Ian, newly proficient in the Disillusionment Charm, cast it upon himself and quietly slipped behind Michael, finally uncovering the mysterious reading material that had his dormmate acting so suspiciously.
(To Be Continued…)