Hogwarts was subtly changing.
In Charms class, Professor Flitwick was surprised to find that more and more students were eagerly asking how to cast Protego repeatedly to defend against attacks coming from different directions.
Even more students had exchanged unfamiliar spells from the "Exchange Catalog" and were pestering him for guidance.
"Professor Flitwick," a Ravenclaw girl asked, raising her hand, "if an opponent doesn't even say the incantation and uses silent magic for a sneak attack, how should we anticipate and defend against it?"
In Herbology class, Professor Sprout noticed a sudden surge in students' interest in Venomous Tentacula and Devil's Snare. Their questions had also become more practical. "If we're scratched by their thorns, which antidote works the fastest?"
"If Incendio isn't used properly, could a Severing Charm help us escape, or would it only provoke them further?"
Even during Professor Binns's History of Magic class, whispers began circulating as students discussed whether the common tactics of famous Dark Wizards in history were similar to those they encountered in the "Memory Projections."
This shift left the professors with mixed feelings.
On one hand, the students' enthusiasm for active learning was unprecedented. On the other, the real reason behind this thirst for knowledge weighed heavily on them.
A few days later, at a corner in the corridor, the short Professor Flitwick precisely "intercepted" Sagres, who was on his way to class.
"Sagres!"
Flitwick cried out, his tone full of excitement. "I absolutely must ask you! How exactly did that 'Memory Projection' the students have been talking about recently come about?"
Sagres stopped. He looked down at the excited Charms professor, his tone very calm. "A small application similar to the principle of a Pensieve, combined with advanced magical shaping. It aims to simulate certain… real crisis scenarios, so our students won't be easily taken down like goblins when they are out in the world in the future."
"Real crisis…"
Flitwick repeated the words, an astonishing gleam lighting up his eyes. "That's brilliant! A fantastic idea! Much better than simply pretending to practice! Can it perfectly reproduce opponents based on memory?"
"Only based on my perception, but it's realistic enough," Sagres confirmed briefly.
"What a genius concept!"
Flitwick was so excited he nearly jumped. "You must tell me the details! After class! Yes, after class, come to the staff room! You must come! I'm certain I'm not the only one interested!"
Without waiting for Sagres's reply, the small professor rubbed his hands excitedly and practically skipped away, muttering to himself.
After the day's classes ended, Sagres pushed open the door to the staff room as promised.
Quite a few people were inside.
Not only Professor Flitwick, but Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Snape, and even Professor Lupin, who usually paid little attention to such matters, along with Professor Binns, were all present.
All eyes instantly turned toward him.
"Sagres, come in quickly!" Professor Sprout waved gently. "Filius has already told us everything about that magical creation that can conjure Dark Wizards for students to fight."
"It's called Memory Projection, Pomona," Flitwick corrected, then eagerly turned to Sagres. "Quick, tell us, how exactly does it work?"
Sagres walked to the center of the room and concisely explained the principle. He omitted some of the more unnecessary details but made the core function very clear: extracting memories to construct a magical mirror image that replicated the original person's fighting style and thought patterns.
"A creation extracted from memory… Merlin!" Professor Sprout covered her mouth. "This method is unheard of. Can you create more different characters? I mean… not just Dark Wizards?"
"Theoretically, any subject with clear memories can be projected," Sagres said steadily. "Whether it's a Dark Wizard or any of you present. Of course, the prerequisite is that it must at least be a wizard or a humanoid creature."
This statement brought instant silence to the staff room, followed by an even louder burst of discussion.
"Us?" Flitwick's eyes widened even further. "You mean you can also create projections of us?"
"Of course, though only based on my perception," Sagres confirmed. "In fact, I was about to discuss this with all of you. It could serve as a high-difficulty target for students to challenge, or be set up as a 'guide' to provide assistance in certain situations. For example, a projection of Professor Flitwick skilled in various charms, or a projection of Professor McGonagall proficient in both offensive and defensive Transfiguration."
Imagining that scenario, the professors all seemed a little excited.
This meant their knowledge and fighting styles could be passed down in another form. More importantly, they could even guide multiple students at the same time.
"That's a brilliant idea!" Flitwick was the first to jump up in agreement. "I completely approve! You can include me. Let those rascals see what a true master of Charms looks like!"
"Mine as well," Professor Sprout said thoughtfully. "Perhaps we could create a scenario focused on protecting greenhouses and dealing with dangerous plants?"
Even the ghostly Professor Binns floated forward with interest. "What about me? Could I as well?"
Sagres looked at Professor Binns's ghostly form and hesitated for a moment. After thinking briefly, he said cautiously, "Combat roles might not work very well, but perhaps your projection could be added to certain instances as an NPC."
"What's an NPC?" Professor Binns asked, looking bewildered.
"You can simply think of it as a guide," Sagres replied. "In certain puzzle-oriented instances, your knowledge of History of Magic would be very useful."
"But the students aren't very willing to listen to my lectures during class," Professor Binns said, puzzled. "Will they really listen if it's in a different place?"
"Of course," Sagres said firmly. "You can even deliberately omit important pieces of knowledge."
"Then wouldn't they learn even less?"
"Quite the opposite. They will actively search for and gather the answers themselves."
The professors frowned at this, deep in thought.
This was Sagres's experience. Game experience was still experience.
Just as the atmosphere grew lively, Professor McGonagall pushed up her spectacles, her expression becoming unusually serious.
Her sharp gaze fixed on Sagres.
"Sagres, there is a very important question."
Her voice quieted the surrounding discussions. "The… 'wizard' Memory Projection you used before. Did you obtain his explicit permission to extract those memories and create his mirror image?"
At this question, the professors all held their breath. Only Snape let out a faint scoff, a smirk playing on his lips.
Sagres looked up and replied calmly,
"I don't know if he agreed, but he probably wouldn't object."
Snape gave another sarcastic "Hmph," and an eerie silence spread through the staff room.
Sagres's gaze swept over everyone, and he nodded slightly. "If there are no other questions, I still need to go select some 'materials.'"
After speaking, Sagres turned and left. The crackling fire in the fireplace illuminated the varied expressions on each professor's face.
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