Bang!
"What outrageous behavior!" Sifu slammed his desk, the thud echoing. "Fighting pupils on the first day—what does he think he's doing?"
"Professor, this Lideer is out of control!" Saiodo Luosiai fanned the flames. "He thinks the magical world's a Muggle school—no rules, no respect, not even for you."
Sifu shot him a cold look. Luosiai fell silent, not daring to speak.
Sifu's voice was icy. "Luosiai, his respect for me isn't your judgment. I'll decide."
"I've heard your story. I'll handle it. Go."
"Yes, Professor."
Laisi Zhasini, Luosiai, and Kasal Nuote left joyfully, envisioning Tangmu Lideer punished or expelled.
Sifu's expression didn't soften.
He'd seen arrogant pupils, but this bold, this early? New.
Even the Dark Lord hadn't acted so on his first night. Tangmu whipped three roommates.
Dengbuliduo's warning (Chapter 16) resurfaced. Sifu hadn't taken it seriously—now it hit hard.
This wasn't a typical problem pupil. Drastic measures were needed.
Sifu's eyes narrowed. He'd handle this personally, not letting Dengbuliduo play the good guy.
Today, Tangmu would learn whose territory Slymerin was.
Hogwarts had over 140 staircases, half mobile. A flight might connect the second and third floors, then shift to the seventh.
Good news: Stairs weren't fully random. Some changed at fixed times; others reacted to footsteps—stomp hard or thrice, they'd shift. Lucky steps could yield shortcuts.
Bad news: First-years Tangmu and Dafuni Gelingelasi knew none of this.
They experimented, stair by stair.
To avoid being late, they left early. But Tangmu kicked a step, and a third-to-fourth-floor staircase launched them to the castle's top. Huffing, they tiptoed down, appeasing the Staircase Gods.
After much struggle, they arrived just before class.
Tangmu swore: One day, I'll master these stairs and make them crazier. I won't suffer alone.
Grumbling inwardly, he entered the classroom with Dafuni.
A tabby cat with dark-ringed eyes perched calmly on the podium, eyeing the chatting pupils.
Tangmu glanced but didn't expose her. He knew who it was and walked further in.
"Lideer, over here!" Hemin Gelanjie waved, pointing to the seat beside her.
Tangmu approached; Dafuni, pouting, followed and sat.
Hemin leaned in, excited. "How's Slymerin?"
"Not bad. Everyone's… enthusiastic."
"Really? Don't they look down on Muggle-borns?"
"Didn't notice. My roommates are nice."
"…Okay." Hemin didn't press, patting her textbook. "I read this thrice last night. You?"
Dafuni snapped, "If magic came from books alone, why are there Muggles?"
Hemin raised an eyebrow. "I have magic, so books teach me. Pure-bloods think magic just comes to them?"
"We don't act greedy," Dafuni retorted. "Magic's ordinary for us since birth. Unlike you, country bumpkin."
She whispered the last bit, terrified Tangmu might hear and think less of her.
Tangmu was surprised. For a sheltered noble, Dafuni was sharp-tongued.
He sat expressionless, ears under siege.
"It's 8:55," he said.
Hemin blinked, realizing class loomed. The professor could arrive any second. She stopped arguing.
Dafuni turned, chatting softly with Tangmu.
The bell rang. No Milawa Maige.
Two boys burst in, panting.
"Thank Merlin—we're not late," Halili Butei gasped, clutching his knees, hurrying to a seat with Long Weisi.
"Those stairs are cursed," Long groaned, sweating, scanning the room.
No professor. He smiled. "We didn't need to run—she's late. First-day win!" he declared loudly.
His voice carried to the desk.
Tangmu looked at Long with pity.
He'd beaten his roommates, but Long dissed the professor—to her face.
A true Gryffindor.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," the tabby cat leapt off, transforming mid-air into Milawa Maige.
The class gasped.
Long's jaw dropped, face pale.
Maige shot him a cold glance, then swept her gaze across. "I'm glad nobody's late for their first lesson. I expect that standard. I won't be late."
"…I'm doomed," Long whispered, slumping like his future was ashes.
Halili inched his chair away, dodging early lightning.
[^1]: In the Wizarding World, Transfiguration, taught by Milawa Maige, involves changing objects' forms. Slymerin House, founded by Salai, values ambition and cunning, often tied to pure-blood lineage.