"I see. I understand your thoughts."

Dumbledore's gaze swept over the parchment strewn across the bed, covered in numbers and charts. He rubbed his forehead wearily, letting out a sigh of genuine admiration.

"This is... arithmancy developed by Muggles?"

Having comprehended all of Elena's plans, a trace of respect appeared on the old wizard's face, not only for Elena but also for the people in another world who, like wizards, were exploring the domain of the divine.

Just now, after waking up, Elena had explained for the first time in detail the inevitable decline of the ruble and the inherent flaws in the Soviet system, as well as how Hogwarts, within this context, could legitimately seize huge amounts of wealth by exploiting the rules.

Although she was merely in the Slytherin student dormitory on the lower level of Hogwarts Castle, the girl's thinking seemed to soar above the dome, ingeniously combining various seemingly unrelated pieces of information.

Through a mass of seemingly meaningless numbers superimposed and calculated, from the British Isles to the American continent across the ocean, from the calm after the explosion in 1945 to the undercurrents of 1991, like precisely meshed gears, she confidently deduced the impending massive changes—no, even more frightening than prophecy, it was as if a high and mighty deity was moving pieces on a chessboard, leaving one feeling powerless.

From the moment the Galleons entered Hogwarts Castle, they wouldn't need to do anything else. Unlike any previous plans or schemes, this was an event starting directly from the outcome, requiring only a quiet wait for time to settle and clear the aftermath.

"Arithmancy? No, we call it science. Or rather, scientific deduction."

Elena shook her head gently, explaining in a slightly hoarse voice, the light in her eyes particularly bright.

The most fundamental difference between the magical world and the non-magical world wasn't the level of their economic system or technological power, but the difference in their social thinking. Perhaps there was an artificial barrier between magic and non-magic, but science and magic were never opposing equals from the start.

Ordinary people had a narrower view of the world than wizards from the beginning, but that wasn't a reason to prevent them from understanding it.

Science was the method by which non-magical humans understood the world. All the seemingly incredible magic was merely something that current technology couldn't explain.

In Elena's view, as long as it could be observed, it could be studied; as long as it could be studied, it could be influenced; as long as it could be influenced, it could be controlled and dominated—this was a universal fundamental law in both worlds.

"But, have you ever considered that whether it's science or arithmancy, there will always be accidents, what if it fails? Hogwarts might cease to exist because of your rash actions. Facing the worst-case scenario, what are your thoughts?"

Dumbledore reached out and carefully gathered the scattered drafts on the girl's bed, asking the last question.

This was also his most puzzling point: according to the oath's constraints, once Elena took such action, it would be equivalent to putting Hogwarts in danger, and the Unbreakable Vow's warning would be triggered to some extent before the final result arrived, no matter what.

"The worst case? Then just hand the castle over to the goblins, and then find a way to borrow another loan... The goblins, from the very beginning, can't destroy or harm Hogwarts at all."

Elena stretched, answering carelessly.

The girl patted the soft bed beneath her, threw back the covers, got out of bed, walked to the mirror in front of the window, and, while tidying her hair, said softly in a relaxed tone.

"Professor Dumbledore, I ask you, when exactly does Hogwarts count as gone? Is it when the ownership of the castle no longer belongs to us? No. Is it when the knowledge we impart has changed? Also no. Is it when the Ministry of Magic or another organization forcibly installs a headmaster or teachers? Of course not! It's when Hogwarts no longer cultivates and educates young wizards."

Elena turned around, her tender white toes playfully tugging at the thick, warm wool carpet, her lake-blue eyes looking out at the magical underwater scenery outside the lounge, smiling gently.

"Even if Hogwarts is destroyed by war, and the entire castle is razed to the ground, the Forbidden Forest ceases to exist, and the Great Lake dries up into a deep pit. As long as there is enough financial and human resources to allow Hogwarts to continue to pass on knowledge. Even if the magical world disappears, as long as human civilization still exists, Hogwarts will never disappear."

"Besides, if we really can't pay back the money, the goblins will be the most anxious. To prevent this loan from becoming a bad debt, they will spare no effort to help Hogwarts continue to exist for a longer period—mortgaging Hogwarts to obtain a loan has always been just a means, not the goal."

Elena winked playfully, saying with a smug look.

"How is it, Professor Dumbledore, do you feel like I'm very amazing! There's a Muggle term you can learn, called 'coasting to victory,' which is very suitable to describe the current situation."

The silver-haired little loli happily raised her fingers and shook them, revealing a pair of cute little tiger teeth, her delicate little face seemingly filled with the expression [Praise me! Praise me!]

"Indeed, it's an astonishingly ingenious idea. I have no more questions about this matter, and we will do our best to cooperate with your ideas."

Dumbledore clapped his hands lightly, nodding approvingly, and said softly with a smile, "Next, I think there are some other small issues that need to be discussed..."

The old wizard glanced at Elena, whose tail was almost wagging to the sky, his voice becoming more and more amiable.

"—About taking the Hogwarts title deed from the Headmaster's office without permission, and fraudulently obtaining the Headmaster's authorization to sign important contracts."

"Eh?!"

Elena's happy little face froze slightly, a strand of unkempt silver hair on her head suddenly popped up, and why did the atmosphere seem a little off?

"Oh right, what time is it now? I haven't sent a letter to Daddy Benitez to report my safety, he must be worried sick."

The silver-haired little loli patted her palm in a look of anxiety, and stomped on her little leather shoes, while loudly talking to herself, she ran quickly towards the entrance of the Slytherin common room.

Looking at Elena, who suddenly panicked, a hint of a smile appeared in Dumbledore's eyes, and he slowly pulled out his wand from his long sleeve, and pointed it lightly forward.

(→‿→)つ—☆……[Petrificus Totalus]

Elena felt stiff all over, and before she could fall to the ground, her whole body floated into the air, and finally landed on the soft bed in the dormitory.

"Professor Dumbledore, you actually cast a spell on a child who hasn't been to school! I must report you to the Ministry of Magic! You, such a powerful wizard, actually use magic to torture a child, where is your conscience?!"

Feeling the danger approaching, the silver-haired little loli, whose whole body was petrified, condemned loudly, while letting out a meowing sound like a kitten, she had a bad premonition.

"Sorry, please understand a little cheating behavior from an old man with inconvenient legs and feet. Next, I won't cast any more spells."

In Elena's peripheral vision, Dumbledore, with his silver hair and long beard, put away his wand in a leisurely manner, slowly walked to her side, and said slowly with a smile.

"According to Mr. Benitez, there is a more primitive Muggle education method, which can usually help a naughty child like Miss Elena realize their mistakes more effectively."

While speaking, Dumbledore rolled up the sleeves of his left and right arms, sat on the edge of the bed, and picked up Elena, placing her horizontally on his lap.

"Wa... Wait..."

Watching Dumbledore roll up his sleeves and raise his arms high, the silver-haired little loli instantly realized the fate that was about to come, shaking her head and struggling hard.

"Help, murder, Dumbledore has turned into a dark wizard..."

Smack!

"Ah!"

Tap, tap, tap...

Just then, a rhythmic knocking sound came from the door of the dormitory and the common room, and the voice of the house-elf Boli drifted in from outside.

"Professor Dumbledore, I have brought Mr. Benitez to the door."

Before it could finish speaking, the dormitory door was pushed open violently by Benitez.

"Elena, are you alright?" The man rushed in anxiously, and couldn't help but froze when he saw the scene in front of him, and asked hesitantly, "Um, Professor Dumbledore, what are you doing?"

"Daddy save me, save me!"

Finally waiting for a savior, the silver-haired little loli was so excited that she was about to cry, the old wizard's skinny hands were super painful when they hit her butt!

"I just learned that Miss Elena mortgaged the school this morning."

Dumbledore raised his head, explaining in a calm tone, as if nothing unusual had happened.

"The school was mortgaged before the school year even started?!"

Benitez felt a headache coming on, he finally knew what Elena meant by the big thing in her heart.

"I see, now hand Elena over to me."

After pondering for a few seconds, Benitez nodded, and before the smile on the girl's face could spread, he added woodenly in a deep voice.

"I'm stronger, it's easier for her to remember when I beat her."

Eh?! Eh eh eh?!

Elena's eyes widened in an instant, the script shouldn't be like this, she was a meritorious person! She was the most adorable and caring little padded jacket!

"Wait, I'm all for the good of the school, I didn't embezzle a single penny..."

Smack!

"Let me go, I know I was wrong, I guarantee there won't be a next time..."

Smack!

"Professor Dumbledore, you swore to protect me..."

Smack!

"Aww! Wuwuwu, sob sob sob... You guys are bullying me!"

Smack! Smack! Smack...

————

Still a three-thousand-word chapter, asking for recommendation tickets.

I originally wanted to fast forward directly to the train, but after thinking about it, I put it in chapter 41. Because on the one hand, I need to explain the Gringotts-Ruble plan, in general, as long as the goblins keep their promises, it's just a small profit rather than a loss.

On the other hand, the naughty child still needs to be educated, even if the result is good, the beating that should be received cannot be missed.

I'll eat a mouthful of food, and then try to code another chapter today... Store it up?

The reserve food was actually watching the show and didn't come to help, I might as well eat it.

————