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Chapter 210: Not Enough Places
🕑 Added 2025-06-29 03:35:35 +0000 UTCThe summer of 1998 was like any other. Ordinary people might not have noticed anything out of the ordinary. But in the magical world, hidden under the noses of the non-magical folk, it became an unusually intense summer.
This was the summer that Kamar-Taj finally announced that the university they had spoken of for years had officially opened!
This news sent waves of excitement through the students who had been waiting eagerly, especially those who had chosen to "repeat a grade."
It’s worth noting that many students deliberately chose to repeat a grade in order to participate in the Kamar-Taj University entrance exam. It was not uncommon to hear of students who had already been eligible to graduate but chose to stay behind for an extra year or even two or three.
The results were announced in July, and while the selection process remained strict, the opportunity was still incredibly competitive. Kamar-Taj only accepted around ten students per magical world, and with fewer than a thousand students overall, it was a challenging hurdle to clear.
Kamar-Taj used its mirror space and magic circles to generate enough magical power to accommodate the students, but these methods were not sustainable indefinitely. The sheer number of students that needed housing was too much for the system to handle all at once.
The reality was, even with a small student intake, there would still be thousands of students flowing in and out over the course of four years. This posed a logistical challenge that Kamar-Taj was struggling to manage, especially since Noah did not remember Kamar-Taj having this many people before.
Master Ancient One, however, dismissed the concern. While Kamar-Taj didn't have an overwhelming number of magicians, they were confident they could handle the influx of students for at least a year or two.
The first batch of students didn’t require a great deal of manpower because there were no older students to manage. For the first year, the focus would be on teaching them well, selecting a class leader, and setting up the magic academy for future generations.
The recruitment process for Kamar-Taj University was well underway.
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On the second floor of 221b Baker Street in Westminster, dozens of students dressed in various outfits sat together. Some were visibly distressed, while others wore more restrained expressions of happiness. Yet, the majority seemed somewhat somber, reflecting the feelings of a group facing the reality of moving on.
These students were members of the Mage Alliance that Noah had left behind at Hogwarts. Over the years, this small alliance had grown into a prestigious organization that all Hogwarts students admired.
After Noah's departure, the Mage Alliance didn't weaken; in fact, it flourished. His absence was attributed to his exceptional talent, and although he was no longer there, the legacy he left behind continued to thrive.
Evan, Kate, and others had managed to continue Noah’s work, ensuring that his glory lived on through their efforts. Now, as the organization grew, they had more students than ever before. Dozens had gathered in the attic, but the full membership had swelled to several hundred. There were graduates and current students, all sharing in the vision of the Mage Alliance.
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"In general, the admissions have mostly gone our way, but..." Evan began, turning to Kate who had raised a question. He nodded proudly at first but then sighed in exasperation.
"The competition was fierce. It's impressive that we were able to secure as many places as we did," he continued. "And to be honest, everyone tried their best on the exams, but we won't know the results until they are officially announced."
Kate was eager to know who among them had been accepted.
"Those who were admitted include me, Lance, Evan, Ernie, Hermione, Longbottom, Katniss, as well as Angelina and the Weasley twins, who chose to wait a year or two in the senior year."
After some calculations, Kate realized who his future classmates would be. Honestly, he felt a little sad. After all, they had spent so many years together. He couldn’t help but wonder what Noah had felt when he left.
Lance, noticing the melancholy in the air, interrupted with a sigh. "What’s with all the long faces? We’re just continuing our studies. Shouldn’t we be celebrating?"
Kate shot him a look. "It’s normal to feel sad. We've been together for years. Saying goodbye is tough."
"But," Lance added, "we should focus on the positives. We’ve had an amazing run at Hogwarts, right?"
Evan sighed. "But not everyone passed."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "Are you all idiots? If you go with that attitude, you’ll make Noah, who has been there for four years, want to quit!"
He paused for effect before continuing. "Look at Angelina and the Weasley brothers. They’ve chosen to study for an extra year or two, so why can’t we? If we keep at it, we’ll have another shot."
Evan and the others were momentarily stunned. He was right—if they could give it another try, why shouldn’t they? They hadn’t failed because they weren’t good enough; the competition had just been too fierce.
The character test, which had a significant weight in the exam, was something everyone understood well. Joining the Mage Alliance had given them an edge, and now, with more experience, they would surely do better the next time around.
Lance spoke up again, offering a reassuring thought. "And honestly, if you don’t make it, don’t worry. It’s not because you’re not good enough. Kamar-Taj just doesn’t have enough spots."
He leaned back comfortably. "Look at our parents. They didn’t have the chance to attend Kamar-Taj, but they did just fine. It’s the same for us."
Lance’s words seemed to lift the spirits of many members in the room. Noah had already shared how tough it was to gain entry to Kamar-Taj, and Lance now encouraged everyone to think of alternative paths if they didn’t get in.
The magic world, Lance reminded them, was full of jobs that needed to be filled. Not everyone could join Kamar-Taj’s elite ranks. There were still plenty of opportunities to make a name for themselves in other areas, such as becoming an Auror or joining the various magical departments.
Harry stood up, nodding. He hadn’t been accepted, not because he wasn’t good enough, but because there simply weren’t enough places. "I’m going to try again. This year, I’ll apply with Professor McGonagall and continue my studies at Hogwarts while interning as an Auror. And don’t forget, there’s always the Exorcist Office."
Ron quickly chimed in. "That’s right! I’m going to try again as well. I’ll apply to be an exorcist while continuing my studies."
The sense of failure lifted from the group. There was still hope, still a chance to try again, and if they didn’t succeed, they could still carve out a future in the magical world.
Lance’s reassurance seemed to spark new energy in the room, and the students began to look forward to their next steps, no matter where they led.
