Chapter 816: Kyle's Uncertainty
Chapter 816: Kyle's Uncertainty
Kyle was perplexed as to why the professors from Beauxbatons would inquire about their students' homework during their first encounter with a guest.
It was just a regular homework assignment; was it that important?
Alright, even if some professors took it very seriously, but taking a step back, wouldn't it be more appropriate to set aside such a minor issue when guests are present, especially those who have traveled from afar?
Even if it's just for show, shouldn't they at least greet the guest? In that regard, the professors from Beauxbatons were somewhat impolite.
More importantly, Kyle had never experienced such an awkward situation before.
He curled his toes uncomfortably inside his shoes.
Recalling his flustered response earlier, Kyle felt his face heating up in embarrassment, especially with Gaboury and Connor desperately trying to hold back their laughter. He wished he could turn around and leave immediately.
At that moment, he desperately wanted to use a Time-Turner to go back one minute and cover his mouth... or cover Connor's mouth, who had revealed the truth.
"Don't just stand there at the door. Didn't you tell Miss Delacour that you wanted to visit the Alchemy classroom?"
Fortunately, at that moment, Professor Viktor spoke up, breaking the awkward atmosphere, and this time he spoke in standard English.
Viktor turned and pushed open the door to the Alchemy classroom. "Come in."
Kyle immediately walked in with his head down, and Connor followed close behind.
She was surprised to find that the white smoke that had been visible from outside had mysteriously vanished upon entering the room, and the classroom was not only spotlessly clean but also devoid of any peculiar smells.
As if perceiving her thoughts, Professor Viktor explained, "A little trick to more intuitively assess the students' results."
He turned his gaze to Kyle and asked, "You're from Hogwarts, aren't you?"
"Sort of," Kyle replied. "But I've already graduated."
"So, you're the valiant champion who won the Triwizard Cup?" Viktor inquired, his tone conveying certainty.
"Yes, do you know me?" Kyle asked, intrigued.
"No, but I've heard about the grand event of the Triwizard Tournament, and with your age and Miss Delacour's attitude, it wasn't difficult to deduce your identity... As far as I know, she doesn't have many British acquaintances."
"He saved me," Gaboury chimed in with a playful smile.
"I've heard about that as well. The group of reckless Dark Wizards during the Quidditch World Cup," Professor Viktor said nonchalantly.
Perhaps it was his nature to seem indifferent to everything.
He turned his attention back to Kyle. "Normally, outsiders are not permitted here, even if you are a student of Hogwarts."
"Then why did you change your mind?" Kyle asked.
Viktor didn't answer directly but asked another question instead. "Have you ever read the 'Jade Annals'?"
"Of course not," Kyle shook his head. "To be honest, it's uncertain if such a legendary item even exists anymore. How could I possibly have read it?"
"Then how do you know the origin of the text above the classroom door?" Viktor pressed.
"I saw it in someone's manuscript, which coincidentally had the same phrase and cited its source. I didn't understand it at the time, but after studying ancient Runic, it made sense," Kyle explained.
"Runic?"
"Yes," Kyle nodded, not denying it.
"I see," Viktor nodded, muttering softly, "It seems that Olympe wasn't lying to me. She mentioned that a Hogwarts student had caught her fancy, and I thought she was joking."
"It's all because of Professor Dumbledore," Kyle said. "He brought me here, and..."
"No, it's not related to Albus," Viktor waved his hand, interrupting Kyle. "Few have the patience to delve into the tedious and complex ancient primitive Runic language. You're the third person I've met who has."
"Then who are the other two?" Kyle asked, his curiosity piqued.
Viktor didn't answer directly but instead reached out and patted the huge brass furnace next to him. "Do you know what this is?"
"Is this a test?" Kyle looked up.
"If you want to understand it that way... yes," Professor Viktor said bluntly. "This classroom doesn't welcome those who are uninterested in alchemy, regardless of who they are or their status.
"Studying primitive Runic might be for the sake of spells, but if you recognize this, it proves that you have indeed studied alchemy comprehensively."
"What if I say I don't know?" Kyle asked.
"Then I'd have to ask you to visit another place," Viktor said.
Connor immediately looked at Kyle anxiously.
"Well, I actually do know," Kyle shrugged, not bothering to ask further questions. "It's a Material Conversion Furnace. To be honest, this thing is quite rare."
"You mean rare?" Gaboury was the one surprised this time.
From the time she started learning alchemy until now, she had been using this furnace, assuming every alchemist had one in their possession.
Never did she imagine that Kyle would consider this item uncommon, and even Professor Viktor seemed to agree... Could it be some kind of treasure?
Gaboury wondered.
"What is this, then?
Kyle glanced at Gaboury and Professor Viktor, not continuing his sentence.
"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Professor Viktor said nonchalantly. "Traditional alchemists look down on this as a lazy and opportunistic gimmick, and they also disdain those who need instruments to assist in the alchemy process."
"Exactly, so that's why I said it's rare. Those with the ability to make it wouldn't bother using it," Kyle shrugged.
"But isn't it convenient?" Connor still seemed a bit puzzled.
"Let me put it this way," Kyle thought for a moment. "This thing is like... well, an automatic stirring cauldron. Does that make it easier to understand?"
"Oh, I get it now," Connor replied.
Stirring potions and adjusting the heat were crucial steps in brewing magical potions, or perhaps the most important steps... Anyone could toss ingredients into a cauldron.
The invention of the automatic stirring cauldron simplified these steps, turning potion-making into a simple "cauldron-throwing" game.
The inventor, Gaspard Shingleton, had also simplified the potion-making process and became a well-known figure in the wizarding world, appearing on Chocolate Frog cards and in textbooks.
However, those who truly loved potions or had some talent in the subject didn't think highly of this invention.
The automatic stirring cauldron could only brew a handful of common potions, and the final product was rather mediocre, barely meeting the minimum standards.
If the furnace in front of them served a similar purpose, then Kyle's meaning was clear.
"Not exactly," Kyle said. "Alchemy and potion-making are distinct."
Professor Viktor glanced at the brass furnace. "Learning alchemy requires a mastery of ancient Runic. It's a vast and complex language system. By the time students have a decent grasp of it, they're usually close to graduation, so you might wonder what's the point of offering this course."
"What if students become dependent on it?" Kyle asked. "Just tossing things into the furnace is much easier than bothering to learn ancient Runic."
"By the time they reach their fifth year, they'll realize that the use of conversion furnaces is not allowed in their graduation exams," Professor Viktor explained.
"Then that's not a problem," Kyle nodded.
For students, especially those in lower grades, some assistive tools were necessary. At the very least, they could get a head start on the process and lay a foundation for learning alchemy.
"Any other questions?"
"Actually, there is one more," Kyle said without hesitation. "If you have the time, that is..."
"There are no more alchemy classes today," Professor Viktor said.
Kyle's eyes lit up.
For the next few hours, Kyle didn't go anywhere else. He stayed and asked numerous questions.
From the choice of basic textbooks to the grading of difficulty levels and specific assessment criteria, some of his questions even went beyond the scope of alchemy, but Professor Viktor patiently answered them all.
He even retrieved a portion of the students' textbooks, from third to seventh year, and meticulously pointed out the key sections in each book.
Thus, the two discussed well into the evening.
Although Connor couldn't join the conversation, she wasn't bored, surrounded by a room full of novel curiosities, and with Gaboury's company.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened as night fell, and a few magic lamps lit up automatically, illuminating the classroom as bright as daytime.
Gaboury sat there idly, rubbing her stomach.
While Connor wasn't bored as this was her first time here, Gaboury felt differently. She had seen everything here countless times, and while it was interesting at first, as time passed, she grew increasingly bored.
More importantly, she was hungry.
Seeing that the two showed no signs of stopping, Gaboury finally got up and suggested, "Professor, Kyle, shouldn't we go eat first...?"
"Eat?" Professor Viktor looked up and glanced outside. "Is it that late already?"
"You're noticing that now...?" Gaboury mumbled to herself.
"Then let's go," Kyle rubbed his eyes. "I didn't realize it before, but I'm feeling a bit hungry now. I just hope the food at Beauxbatons is decent."
"I think you don't need to worry about that at all. This is France, after all," Professor Viktor said with a rare smile.
"Follow me. I assume Olympe has already prepared something," he added as he led the way.
As they left the classroom, Professor Viktor waved his hand, and a lift appeared to take them back to the first floor.
Similar to Hogwarts, the dining hall at Beauxbatons was also located in the Great Hall, but it was larger, and instead of the classic long tables, there were individual round tables elegantly set with tablecloths and cutlery, and each table had a lit candle.
Madame Maxime was seated at a large round table, and Viktor directed the two to sit to her left.
The people below whispered amongst themselves, wondering who these sudden strangers were and why the headmaster had waited for them for over ten minutes.
Only the boy named Gafar turned pale, never having imagined that the person he had mocked earlier was actually the headmaster's guest, and judging by the dinner arrangements, an esteemed one at that.
He now hoped that the British lad... the British gentleman wouldn't snitch to Madame Maxime, or else he'd be in for some serious punishment.
However, Gafar's worries were unfounded, as Kyle had completely forgotten about the incident.
At that moment, he was seated next to Madame Maxime, staring entranced at the dishes the waiters had brought out.
They were all classic French dishes.
French lobster bisque, French meat pie, Provencal stew, Burgundy beef, Marseille fish soup, and the most famous French foie gras...
Kyle took a bite of the foie gras and then tasted some of the beef.
He had to admit that, in this moment, some of his beliefs were wavering.
This was what fine dining was all about. The ingredients and cooking techniques were impeccable.
In comparison, what he had been eating before could only be described as miserable.
Kyle ate in silence, his head down.
Madame Maxime sipped her wine, a cunning and disdainful look in her eyes.
With Britain's sparse menu and cooking methods, even house-elves wouldn't be able to create anything impressive.
Perhaps France hadn't produced many famous wizards, incomparable ones like Dumbledore... but when it came to culinary skills, ten wizards from Hogwarts wouldn't stand a chance against one from Beauxbatons.
Not to mention, this was a feast that she had carefully prepared, usually only seen during the start-of-term banquet.
Kyle ate for half an hour before finally setting down his utensils. He leaned back in his chair, not wanting to move.
He felt a bit of regret. He should've just snacked on some dry food instead of coming to the dining hall. If he could choose again... well, he'd probably still come.
After tasting such delicious food, how could he resist?
"Gaboury." Madame Maxime smiled. "Please take Miss Prince to the guest room."
"No, no, that's too much trouble. We can find our way back on our own," Connor replied, waving her hands, as she was also feeling too full to move.
"It's just one room, what trouble could it be?" Madame Maxime said nonchalantly. "If you feel uncomfortable, I can ask Fleur to accompany you. She's been wanting to try out the school's guest rooms anyway."
Such service? Kyle instinctively looked up, but the next second, he lowered his head as if nothing had happened.
Thankfully, no one noticed him, and he felt like he had just saved his life. When one was too full, their brain tended to short-circuit.
Connor wanted to refuse, but Viktor said, "This was my suggestion, and Kyle and I may need to discuss some matters further. If it gets too late, it won't be convenient for you to return, so just stay here for the night."
"Yes," Gaboury chimed in. "You can leave after breakfast tomorrow."
Whether it was because of Viktor's words or the mention of breakfast, Connor agreed.
She glanced at Kyle and followed Gaboury out of the hall.
Kyle didn't move, waiting for Viktor.
In the afternoon, he had asked most of what he wanted to know, and even with the interruption, it wouldn't take long to finish the rest.
As a master alchemist, Viktor should have known, but from what he implied earlier, it seemed like they still had a long way to go.
However, Kyle didn't ask, and Viktor didn't explain.
"Then I won't disturb you further." Madame Maxime also excused herself.
Viktor nodded at her and led Kyle back to the alchemy classroom.
But this time, as soon as he entered, he waved his hand.
Red runes lit up on the walls, and the doors automatically closed and locked, the curtains drawing shut, sealing the room.
Kyle instinctively gripped his wand.
Although he trusted Professor Viktor, he maintained the necessary vigilance.
"Don't be nervous. What I'm about to tell you is something that others shouldn't overhear," Viktor said calmly. "There's no one else here now, and even if someone pressed their ear against the door, they wouldn't be able to hear our conversation."
"What do you want to tell me?" Kyle asked. "It's not related to alchemy, is it?"
Viktor turned around and asked seriously, "Has Albus Dumbledore used a Time-Turner to go back a hundred years?"
...
(End of Chapter)
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