On the other side, Cedric—after returning to the castle—didn't choose to report back to the Alchemy Office. Instead, he headed to the library to study on his own for a while.
After all, he had just dared to alter his professor's instructions. Marching back immediately? His heart wasn't that big.
Meanwhile, Kasen, halfway through teaching his class, simply told the students to study on their own. He sat quietly in the corner of the classroom with a cup of oolong tea, drinking alone.
Just like him, none of the students had any interest in continuing the lesson either, because as soon as this period ended, the Triwizard Tournament would officially begin.
"Professor, who do you think will win in the end?" one of the young wizards raised a hand and asked.
"The glory belongs to Hogwarts," Kasen replied casually.
"…Shouldn't we, uh, be getting hyped right now?" another student said.
"No, no, that would be too stupid. Let's leave it like this."
Class ended quickly. Kasenhis didn't stay in the room for even a single extra second and went straight to the Great Hall to wait for lunch.
After lunch, the Triwizard Tournament would begin.
In Kasen's eyes, Quidditch wasn't even as good as a sausage sold on the street. But the Triwizard Tournament was different. Tell him—which was more entertaining: watching a few broomsticks flying around in the sky, or watching magical beasts in a tournament?
Obviously the latter.
So this time, Kasen erupted with a level of passion someone like him normally shouldn't be capable of, sitting there with barely contained excitement as he waited for the Triwizard Tournament to begin.
Soon, lunch arrived.
The main dish was poached lamb ribs with chive sauce, one of Kasen's favorites. He didn't know if old Britain under the Union Jack considered it authentic cuisine, but to Kasen, it was absolutely top-tier.
After eating his fill, he leaned back in his chair and drummed his stomach with his fingers, producing noises reminiscent of a seal's mating call.
A while later, the Triwizard champions were summoned and began heading toward the exit of the Great Hall.
Cedric hurriedly raised both arms in a big Y-shape to greet Kasen. Kasen lifted an eyebrow in response.
Harry, with that thin alchemy pack strapped to his back and covered by a wizard's cloak, wanted to do the same—raise his arms like a big Y and cheer for himself loudly.
But he couldn't bring himself to.
Thankfully, Kasen didn't let Harry continue spiraling inward. At some point, he appeared beside him and tapped the alchemy pack with his knuckle.
"The Triwizard Tournament might not actually allow you to bring this thing in."
"Ah… then what should I do?" Harry asked, flustered.
"You're all entering in batches… and I still think the best way to get used to new equipment is to use it, not hunt for some so-called instruction manual." As Kasen spoke, he helped remove the pack from Harry's back. "You really never tried pressing both buttons at once?"
Harry blinked at him in surprise. "Press them… together?"
"You really never tried it?" Kasen set the alchemy pack aside, then pressed both of the floating buttons on Harry's wrist.
The next second, the alchemy pack flew to Harry on its own and latched tightly onto him. At that moment it didn't look like a pack at all—more like… armor.
"Then I press twice again?" Harry asked tentatively.
"Obviously," Kasen nodded.
Harry tried it, and instantly the armor receded like retreating tidewater, returning to the shape of a backpack.
"Poor Cedric put real thought into making this for you. You couldn't bother experimenting a little?" Kasen sighed.
"But professor… wasn't this made by you?" Harry asked.
"Mmhmm. I don't have that kind of free time," Kasen said, spreading his hands casually.
"Alright, professor." Harry gave a helpless little smile and headed outside with long strides.
"You three—what are you doing hiding over there?" Kasen called out, turning toward the corner where three young wizards had been stealthily spying on him the whole time.
"Um… I felt like listening to you two talk wasn't very respectful of privacy… right?" Hermione said shyly.
"Fine… but all the other champions have someone cheering them on. Do you think it's good for Harry to go alone?" Kasen said.
"You're right, professor." The three nodded immediately, then rushed outside.
Kasen, meanwhile, very naturally went to find his recently discovered eating companion—Professor Sprout.
A while ago, he had wandered into Professor Sprout's office and happened to taste the dried little fish she fried herself…
He fell in love instantly.
And this time, Professor Sprout approached him with an entire sack of dried fish floating behind her, plus various nuts, dried meats, and drinks.
"Great Head of House, I don't know how I'd survive without you!" Kasen said with an incredibly relaxed smile.
"I'm sure you could do just as well yourself. All of us Hufflepuffs have good kitchen skills," Professor Sprout said kindly.
"I suddenly realized something… Professor, why do you call Professor Sprout 'Great Head of House,' but the other professors you just call by name plus 'professor'?" a curious second-year asked, scooting closer.
"Because I'm a Hufflepuff," Kasen said with a smile.
"But my sister told me you were an apprenticeship wizard—someone who never studied at Hogwarts," the little witch asked in a soft, adorable voice.
"Who says you can't be sorted just because you didn't attend Hogwarts?" Kasen replied.
"Oh… Professor, you're really tall. Doesn't sitting on such a small stool feel uncomfortable?" the little wizard asked, pure concern flooding their tone.
"In reality… it's fine," Kasen shrugged casually.
Soon, nearly all the students had gathered in the stands. Kasen and his snack-buddy also took a seat in one corner, casually munching on treats while watching the match.
"Do you think this tournament is rigged at all, Kasen?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Hmm? Why ask me?" Kasen said, puzzled.
"Because Dumbledore always gives tasks to you young ones—you, Severus. But we older professors, he hardly talks to us. Maybe he thinks you all have more energy. You always seem to know more," Professor Sprout said.
"Oh…" Kasen raised an eyebrow and let his gaze drift to Karkaroff sitting at the judges' table. "If I had to say… yes."
"I knew it. Dumbledore would never be that well-behaved," Professor Sprout said with a laugh.
_________
(～￣▽￣)～Read 12 Chapters ahead:
Patreon: Dragonel