"You idiot! Is your head made of pig?!"
The sharp, sarcastic voice rang out through the dream, filled with disdain and frustration.
"Life and Death Grass—I've explained it three times already! Are you truly incapable of grasping such basic instructions?!"
Daniel Fox winced as the figure berated him relentlessly, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"Well, Mr. Fox," the voice continued, dripping with mockery, "I must admit defeat. Your mere existence is an insult to the art of potion-making."
Outside the dream, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Fudge observed the scene through one of the glowing light spheres. McGonagall's eyebrows knitted together as she recognized the biting tone.
"Is that… Snape?" she asked, glancing at the figure inside the dream. Though the visage was unfamiliar, the voice and demeanor were unmistakably reminiscent of the Potions Master. Turning to Carter, she added, "I didn't know Snape was involved with Kamar-Taj's admissions."
Carter smiled faintly, sensing the question behind McGonagall's words. "You could say yes, and you could say no," she replied.
At their confused expressions, she elaborated, "This is a virtual construct—what we call a 'Mirror Avatar'—designed by Principal Lockhart using dream-world magic. As Kamar-Taj has limited professors and a growing number of students, we've adopted this innovative teaching method."
She gestured toward the sphere, where the Snape-like figure continued to lecture. "In this case, we modeled the Mirror Avatar after Professor Snape, an exceptionally skilled Potions Master. While it isn't truly him, it replicates his teaching style and expertise with remarkable accuracy."
Carter waved her hand again, conjuring more glowing light spheres. Within each, vivid dream scenarios unfolded: students learning spells, practicing combat, or cultivating magical plants.
"These simulations are designed to teach foundational knowledge. Real professors oversee the students' progress, guiding and correcting as needed. This allows us to efficiently educate large numbers while tailoring instruction to individual aptitude."
Dumbledore's sharp eyes scanned the scenes within the spheres. His expression grew thoughtful as he recognized familiar faces—not the real individuals, but simulations of Hagrid, McGonagall, and even himself, teaching various subjects.
"Fascinating," he murmured, though his lips twitched slightly at the sight of his own virtual likeness teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Carter, noticing his reaction, chuckled softly. "Rest assured, these avatars are merely tools for basic instruction. True mastery requires hands-on practice in real-world environments. The dream-world system simply ensures that every student begins with a solid foundation."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the assembled spheres. "Moreover, it allows us to assess each student's strengths and weaknesses in detail, enabling us to tailor their education to their unique potential."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, though a faint unease lingered in his expression. The efficiency of the system was undeniable, but the implications of such advanced magical constructs—and their reliance on dimensional energies—left him wary.
Inside the dream world, Daniel Fox stood in front of the Snape-like Mirror Avatar, his face red and tears streaming down his cheeks. He had endured a brutal barrage of criticism throughout the potion lesson, his confidence crumbling with each word.
"Maybe I really am hopeless," he muttered to himself.
He thought of his parents—his father, a brilliant doctor, and his mother, a proud academic achiever. Surely, some of their talent should have passed on to him? Yet here he was, failing miserably at his first attempt at potion-making.
Bella, observing his distress, floated gently toward him. "Mr. Fox," she said, her tone soft and reassuring, "your score for this lesson is 75. That's a good level."
Fox's head shot up, disbelief etched across his face. "I… passed?" he stammered. "Are you serious?"
Bella nodded. "Although your potion didn't succeed, your perseverance and ability to follow instructions—despite the, ah, challenging teaching method—demonstrate potential. Achieving 75 points is a solid result for a beginner."
Fox wiped his tears, relief flooding through him. A flicker of pride sparked in his chest. "So… I'm still in the running?"
"Yes," Bella confirmed, though her tone turned serious. "However, you must understand that passing this test only qualifies you to be considered for Kamar-Taj. Admission is not guaranteed. With over 2,000 students competing for limited spots, only the best will be selected."
Fox straightened, his earlier determination rekindled. "What's next? What do I have to do?"
Bella waved her hand, and a new array of glowing orbs appeared before them. Each sphere displayed a different lesson: magical plant cultivation, animal identification, alchemy, spell theory, and more.
"Your next task," Bella explained, "is to enter another dream sphere. Each will present unique challenges designed to assess your abilities further. Choose wisely, as every performance will influence your overall ranking."
Fox's eyes lit up with excitement. The system reminded him of his favorite video games, where he advanced through levels, collected achievements, and competed for high scores. "This is amazing!" he exclaimed.
He scanned the options, his gaze lingering on the orb displaying alchemy. Images of complex potions and enchanting processes swirled within. "I'll try this one," he said, his voice brimming with confidence.
Back outside, Carter turned to Dumbledore and McGonagall, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"Our admissions philosophy at Kamar-Taj is simple," she said. "We seek to cultivate exceptional talent—students who excel not only in magical ability but also in moral character and resilience. Every action, every decision, every interaction is carefully evaluated to ensure we select the best."
McGonagall frowned slightly, sensing an edge to Carter's emphasis on "moral character." She couldn't help but recall the troubled history of Hogwarts graduates, some of whom had become infamous dark wizards.
"Ms. Carter," she interjected, her tone firm, "about the earlier test where students were told they must sever ties with their families—how do you justify such a requirement?"
Carter's expression remained composed as she replied, "That scenario is part of our psychological evaluation. It tests a student's emotional resilience and decision-making under pressure. However, it is not a strict requirement. In cases where a student demonstrates exceptional ability and strong family bonds, we consider alternative solutions."
She added, "Conversely, a student who eagerly severs ties without hesitation may exhibit a lack of empathy—a trait we deem undesirable."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, though his frown deepened. The methods were thorough, but there was something unsettling about their precision.
Just then, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
"Principal Dumbledore," the voice said warmly.
Turning, Dumbledore found himself face-to-face with none other than Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Welcome to the dream world," Lockhart said, spreading his arms theatrically. "I've been eagerly awaiting your feedback on my latest masterpiece!"
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