A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

“Many,” Felix said. “I’ve read many books that mention the four founders, but they are either unclear, contradictory, or only leave fragments that are completely useless.”

He gave an example: "Take Salazar Slytherin, for instance. Many people feared him, dreaded him, and called him a dark wizard... but what is the truth?"

"The truth?" Ms. Gray retorted. "What kind of truth do you want?"

"Of course, it's the truth as you see it," Felix said, looking at her.

The ghost seemed lost in memories. After a long pause, she commented with a touch of solemnity, "Salazar Slytherin was an exceptionally talented wizard, and he and his wife were very much in love..."

Felix: "???"

This was clearly not what he wanted to know, but it was a good start nonetheless, so he continued along the lines of her conversation, "There is indeed very little information about his wife, however, many people have mentioned that Slytherin was ugly and looked like a monkey."

The woman gave him a slightly haughty look. "That's a side effect of his research into magic. Slytherin was originally exceptionally handsome, but as he delved deeper into those... terrible areas, he became increasingly intimidating."

Felix suddenly realized, "So that's how it is!" He felt a sense of joy, as if he had solved an ancient mystery.

Ms. Gray continued her recollection: "He was always surrounded by snakes, wore a black or dark green robe year-round, and had an ever-present smell of blood. His eyes had also become, become very terrifying."

Felix speculated that Slytherin might have received bloodlines from some magical creature.

"—His personality became increasingly extreme, and his disagreements with others grew larger and larger… He had more than one argument, which even his best friend Gryffindor couldn't stand. But I must clarify that there was no fight between them; he simply left quietly, taking everything with him on a peaceful morning."

"He also left behind a secret room," Felix reminded her.

"Perhaps, but I've heard that Slytherin is not afraid to teach all sorts of cruel dark magic, but the other three strongly oppose it. So there are rumors that he secretly takes his favorite students and teaches them these terrifying things in secluded places."

So, the Chamber of Secrets was originally used for teaching? Felix thought, another mystery solved. However, according to his speculation, as the conflict intensified, Slytherin may have moved some of their particularly bloody research into the Chamber of Secrets as well.

In fact, Felix had secretly returned to the Chamber of Secrets and used Harry's Parseltongue speaking scroll to carefully examine the area, but found nothing except the pit where the Basilisk usually hibernated.

Lady Grey concluded, "But at least during his time at Hogwarts, he kept his original promise, protecting the entire school and its students with his life against all attacks. Unlike in recent centuries, Slytherin has completely changed..."

"What kind of attack are you referring to?" Felix caught the key point.

She floated around lightly, seemingly disdainful of Felix's ignorance, yet with a hint of triumphant excitement, and retorted, "You don't actually think Hogwarts was built peacefully and without incident, do you?"

Felix didn't react much; he simply made a "continue" gesture.

Ms. Gray said, "By today's standards, the vast majority of wizards at that time were dark wizards. They practiced an apprenticeship system, with one master mentoring three to five juniors. These people would travel from village to village, find promising newcomers, train them, and have them serve as their servants."

"The founding of Hogwarts, especially after the four founders spread the magic of the Pen of Acceptance and the Book of Admission to the British Isles, dealt a fatal blow to these wizards—they lost their source of servants forever and utterly."

"The Pen of Acceptance, the Book of Admission..." Felix murmured, having heard tales of these two magical artifacts.

It is said that the name of every junior wizard who enrolls can be found in the Book of Admission.

When a child first displays magical talent, the Pen of Acceptance attempts to record his name; but the Book of Admission has a stricter standard—only when these children have demonstrated sufficient evidence of their magical abilities will their names be included in the Book of Admission.

The sensitivity of the Pen of Acceptance, combined with the rigor of the Book of Admission, has enabled them to select qualified students for Hogwarts without ever making a mistake in thousands of years.

"The establishment of a new order is inevitably accompanied by the counterattack of the old forces," Felix remarked. He now understood almost exactly where Tom's vicious comments about Gryffindor in the diary came from.

The story from a thousand years ago continues—

"Some wizards recognized the efforts of the four founders and sent their children to Hogwarts; but others—those particularly radical dark wizards—lurked in the shadows and, when the founders were out or on holiday, repeatedly attacked Hogwarts professors and students, leaving their bodies in front of Hogwarts Castle." She shuddered.

"This naturally provoked a counterattack from Hogwarts, with Gryffindor being the most vehement. He took up his sword and wand and defeated one dark wizard after another who were extremely famous at the time. He even publicly declared that he was willing to accept any challenge, whether in the Muggle way or the wizarding way."

Felix listened with rapt attention, for how could the records on paper possibly depict that magnificent period of history?

"What about the other three?"

"They were doing the same thing, except that Gryffindor was the most famous. After a few years, some students graduated successfully, and their footprints were all over the world, spreading the fame of Hogwarts to the whole world, and not many people dared to provoke them."

Ms. Gray finished telling the whole story with pride and reminiscence.

Felix also benefited greatly, and he sincerely expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Ms. Helena Ravenclaw."

"No! Call me! This! Name!" the ghost in front of him suddenly said excitedly. Her transparent face seemed to become less transparent. Before he could speak, she passed through the wall and disappeared.

Felix: "..."

At the same time, a deep, hoarse voice suddenly appeared, saying, "Don't mention that name, it's taboo for her."

Felix turned around and saw a withered, pale ghost in front of him, wearing an ancient wizard's robe stained with silver blood and bound by a pair of huge shackles.

"Long time no see, Barrow."