Kael, who was studying the golden symbols, turned his head and looked in the direction of the voice, only to notice that he was not the only one in the hall; two other people were sitting together, chatting leisurely.
The person who spoke was McPhail, who had delivered the Merlin Order Medal to Hogwarts just a week ago.
Speaking with him was a tall witch... Saying it like this seemed somewhat euphemistic.
Even sitting down, she was about two or three meters tall. McPhail, already considered outstandingly tall, looked like a child next to her.
Kael had only ever seen one person with a physique comparable to this witch, and that was Hagrid; they were almost the same height.
But unlike the rugged Hagrid, this woman had a very handsome face, with large black eyes and a sharp nose, her hair tied back into a shiny knot at the nape of her neck.
She wore a delicate peacock blue satin robe, and her neck and chunky fingers were adorned with many exquisite Opals.
When Kael looked over, she was handing two Galleons to McPhail... those Gold Coins looked like tiny soybeans in her hand.
"Fleur just doesn't understand the Magic Stone Fragment."
She said in a low voice, "And finding clues is also a sign of wisdom."
"Ha..." McPhail didn't argue, he just accepted the two Galleons with a hint of pride.
"Don't mind it, child; Olympe meant no harm."
An elderly man, his hair all white, approached Kael and spoke gently, "In fact, we all know that your choice is the most correct one, indeed.
After using the Portkey, the magic power in those fragments will completely dissipate, turning into a useless stone over time."
The old man wasn't dressed as formally as the others; instead, he was dressed very stylishly.
He wore a light blue floral shirt, orange beach shorts, and large tea-colored frog sunglasses.
This look... all that's missing is a water gun.
"Mr. Nicolas Flamel."
"Oh, I'm pleased you can recognize me," Nicolas Flamel smiled and extended his hand, "Just call me Nicolas, that's what everyone does, it makes me feel much younger."
For Nicolas Flamel, over six hundred years old, a hundred and twenty and twelve years were no different in his eyes.
"Ni...colas." Though Kael found it a bit awkward, he went along with it and nodded, shaking his hand lightly.
Kael's touch was very gentle, as if touching a piece of tofu... Nicolas Flamel wasn't much sturdier than tofu now.
At this point, others also approached.
"Nice to see you again, kid."
McPhail walked in front, laughing as he said, "Welcome to Paris, this is Nicolas's residence. Let me introduce you, this is Ms. Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
Upon hearing that you were coming to Paris, she specifically traveled from her private estate in the Pyrenees Mountains to be here.
Kael lifted his head, trying his best to look her in the eye and said, "It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Maxime."
"Hello, child." Maxime glanced at Kael, "Are you interested in transferring to Beauxbatons?"
Kael was somewhat taken aback, not expecting such a direct hit from her.
Then he lightly shook his head, "Hogwarts is pretty good, and all my friends are there."
"That's really a pity," Maxime pondered, "But if they are willing, they can transfer to Beauxbatons too..."
"Hey, Olympe, that's not fair."
McPhail objected, "This kid clearly prefers studying at Hogwarts."
Well, taking advantage of Dumbledore's absence to poach the wallflower is one thing, but to poach a whole bunch of them? It's easy to imagine, those who become friends with Kael must be quite exceptional students too.
If she were to succeed, Dumbledore would probably rush to Paris overnight... oh, and Minerva too.
"It's up to his own will, Dugald."
Maxime looked again at Kael, "What do you say, child, are you willing to transfer? I assure you, you'll enjoy your time at Beauxbatons, with even better professors than Hogwarts, and you'll make new friends."
"Uh..."
Kael paused briefly, pondering how to refuse without being impolite.
Hogwarts still had such a massive Basilisk waiting for him to take over, one of the great four founders, Slytherin's precious legacy—how could he possibly transfer to another place?
Does Beauxbatons have a Basilisk?
No! There's only a worthless Crystal Astronomy Tower there.
"Sorry, I..."
"No rush to refuse, child..."
Maxime's eyes flashed a hint of slyness, "My offer stands until you leave here."
McPhail seemed to have thought of something, exasperatedly saying, "Oh damn, I completely forgot about that Veela-blooded girl, no wonder you brought her too!"
Maxime remained silent, smiling.
He leaned close to Kael and whispered, "Kid, did you bring any Bafe Awakening Potion or Awakening Potion?"
"No," Kael shook his head. Principal Cecily previously supplied him with potions covering almost all common types, but notably, she didn't include Bafe Awakening Potion or Awakening Potion.
And he generally had no use for these two potions, so he'd naturally not carry them around.
"Oh... that complicates things. Here, let me show you around nearby..."
"Dugald!" Maxime smiled as she looked at him, "You can't make decisions for him, even if Dumbledore were here, he wouldn't take this child away!"
"But he's not here!"
McPhail glanced at Kael, then at the smiling Maxime, frustratingly scratching his hair, "Merlin's beard, I shouldn't have come today!"
"Dugald, I have potion materials and a cauldron here for you if you need them," Nicolas said with a smile.
He had been watching from the side, never intending to intervene, now with a look of relishing the spectacle.
McPhail sighed, "That's the best I can do, hope it's not too late..."
"I shouldn't have come today!"
He complained once more, then looked again at Kael, seriously advising, "Until I return, child, you must remain clear-headed, no matter what you see. Staying sharp is crucial."
With that, he hurried towards the room at the back of the hall.
Maxime didn't stop him.
Because just then, a girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the hall.
She was also wearing a peacock blue satin robe, her silver hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall.
Her azure eyes were more beautiful than the enchanted ceiling and carried a kind of indescribable charm.
Maxime became even happier, she stepped forward and took the girl's hand, bringing her before Kael.
"Let me introduce you, Fleur Delacour, Beauxbatons's most outstanding student."
"Oh no, oh what have I done..." McPhail covered his face with his hand, mumbling, "Albus, I'm sorry..."
Nicolas had settled in the best viewing spot, somehow with a fresh bucket of popcorn at hand, ready to enjoy the show.
Unexpectedly, Kael didn't show the daze or infatuation they anticipated, but calmly extended his hand:
"Nice to meet you, you can call me Kael."
...