Hogwarts: Please Graduate Soon

Quirrell's mind had become muddled due to Voldemort's possession; having him attend classes posed a risk of exposure. To remain at Hogwarts, Voldemort was truly going all out. Although he was only teaching now and not using magical power, it was still a considerable burden for a fragmented soul that could barely manage to speak a few words.

Normally, Voldemort would conserve his energy by staying dormant when there was nothing to do. Fortunately, Quirrell's little stash had been thoroughly emptied, yielding quite a few precious materials and some tears from Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. This allowed Voldemort to regain some of his strength, making it manageable to endure this period.

"Defense is the core of everything," Quirrell— or rather, Voldemort— exemplified the mantra of loving one's work. Since he was the one teaching, there would be no room for any half-heartedness. If word got out, it would be a disgrace to the Dark Lord.

In an effort to stay true to Quirrell's character, Voldemort shared some genuine insights. "Survival is the most important consideration when facing danger. Defense is not just about countering the enemy's attacks with spells. Avoidance, or even retreating, is also a part of defense."

"Mr. Lawrence…" Quirrell suddenly called out, asking Wayne a question: "If a dark wizard blocks your path, what's the most appropriate course of action?"

Wayne stood up calmly and replied, "Analyze the opponent's intentions and compare the strength gap. If combat is unavoidable, then give it everything you've got."

Not fighting means going all out. A flicker of appreciation flashed in Voldemort's eyes. Indeed, he hated Wayne for forcing him into this position, compelling him to take risks by standing at the forefront. However, he would not disregard someone's talents due to personal grievances. Only by acknowledging the enemy's strength could one truly demonstrate their own extraordinary capabilities after defeating them. Voldemort practiced this himself.

He did not hesitate to showcase Potter's uniqueness, even referring to him as "the Boy Who Lived," all to prove that he could defeat the so-called Chosen One and shatter the chains of destiny. Ultimately, he failed. Because he did not fully understand Wayne's specific abilities, he believed that Wayne still fell far short of an adversary's level. Still, this did not diminish his admiration.

Reason, talent, means, charm—every aspect was top-notch. There were echoes of his own past brilliance.

"Very well said, Mr. Lawrence." Quirrell urged Wayne to sit down: "Before a battle, you must understand why you fight…"

"It's to survive and to defeat the enemy." A slight smirk appeared on Voldemort's lips, only to vanish quickly as he chose not to elaborate further.

Wayne observed the young wizards, fully captivated by Voldemort's discourse, and felt it was somewhat peculiar. What were they? Backup? Support staff?

They were meant to be Voldemort's personal disciples, all destined for Azkaban. Yet, one had to admit that Dumbledore's discernment was lacking. How could a teaching application for Defense Against the Dark Arts be rejected?