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Chapter 819: Lockner's Gift
Chapter 819: Lockner's Gift
"Why are you holding your wand so low? Are you trying to give your enemies a pedicure?"
"And you, don't grip your wand so tightly. You're casting spells, not digging for potatoes."
"Relax, releasing magic isn't painful, and you don't need to strain your face. If you really can't do it, imagine you're conducting a concert. As a French wizard, you should have attended a concert before."
...
Admittedly, Kyle was quite shocked by what he witnessed on his first day.
Whether it was the teaching, the alchemy classroom, or the delicious food, everything was far superior to Hogwarts.
However, after witnessing the magical abilities of the Busbaron students today, he was equally astonished...by how poor they were.
Judging from the appearance of some students, they were probably in their third or fourth year, but their spellcasting skills were truly lacking...calling them mediocre would be a compliment.
After casting a spell, they would slam their wands on the ground. Even second-year students at Hogwarts wouldn't make such a rookie mistake, but here, it was a common occurrence.
Some students seemed to have a grudge against their wands, as if they wanted to crush them with their fingers.
Perhaps this was a matter of the professors' abilities.
Professor Filius Flitwick cared only about the students' hand gestures when casting spells. In one class, he would remind them at least three times, and if he spotted someone making a mistake, he would immediately correct them.
However, the professors at Busbaron didn't seem to have this habit, resulting in students holding their wands in all sorts of strange ways.
While it might not matter how a powerful wizard held their wand, you still needed to have that level of skill.
Even the Busbaron students made Kyle worry that they might hit themselves when casting spells.
He had thought this would be an easy task...but it turned out that the rent wasn't cheap at all.
Kyle spent two days in the Training Hall, speaking more than he had in the past two months combined. During this time, he didn't even have a moment to think about the Time Turner.
As for the Busbaron students...they must have received a reminder from Madame Maxim beforehand, as the situation from the first day didn't repeat.
No, it should be said that not only did no one oppose him, but more and more people came to seek his guidance. The Training Hall, which initially had only a few people, was now packed on the third day.
Kyle was surrounded by a large group, not even having a moment to take a sip of water.
Conna glanced at him and then left without looking back, showing no intention of helping.
It wasn't until lunchtime that Kyle finally had a chance to breathe, but the delicious food now tasted bland.
This won't do, he had to find an excuse in the afternoon...
"Aha, I knew it was you."
As he was thinking, someone suddenly sat down next to Kyle.
"Lockner?" Kyle exclaimed in surprise.
"Is that expression necessary?" Lockner asked, "Or did you not know that I work at Busbaron?"
"I know," Kyle nodded.
Lockner, a magical creature expert whom Kyle met a few years ago when he accompanied Newt to the Romanian Dragon Reserve.
They had even done business together, with Lockner paying a high price to purchase incomplete dragon scales and other materials from Kyle by weight.
At that time, Lockner's reason was to prepare for the alchemy classroom at Busbaron, and Kyle naturally knew he was there.
Moreover, during the Triwizard Tournament, Lockner had also appeared as a Busbaron professor for a period.
"Although I knew it before, I'm still surprised...well, I should say delighted."
"That's where you're wrong," Lockner said, slightly displeased. "Since you knew I was here, why didn't you come to find me after so many days?"
"I didn't have the time," Kyle spread his hands, "I'm almost tied to the Training Hall these days. I can only leave for a short while during meals and sleep."
He glanced at the time, "Speaking of which, I have to go there now."
"Oh, I know," Lockner, who had been serious, suddenly smiled.
"The news of a new professor guiding students in spellcasting in the Training Hall has spread throughout the school."
"I went to take a look this morning out of curiosity...but there were too many people, and you've changed quite a bit in these years. I thought it was you, but I couldn't be sure."
"But now I can," Lockner continued, "Helene has always wanted to find a more suitable professor for spellcasting class. She's been happy these past few days..."
Lockner seemed to realize he had said something wrong and suddenly closed his mouth. He looked at the time and said stiffly, "Well, it's about time. I have something to do, so I won't disturb you anymore."
As he spoke, he stood up, preparing to leave.
"Don't rush, Mr. Lockner," Kyle quickly grabbed him.
Although Lockner closed his mouth in time, Kyle still guessed some details he hadn't known before.
Firstly, the reason why so many people went to the Training Hall was probably because Madame Maxim was behind it. Although the students spread the news quickly, the number of people couldn't increase so suddenly.
And Maxim knew that she was exhausted these past two days, yet she was still happy?
Kyle narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Just like you said, I rarely come to Busbaron, so I should catch up with old friends. I even brought a bottle of good wine."
"Aren't you going to the Training Hall?" Lockner struggled to pull his arm back, but after several attempts, he couldn't succeed. Kyle seemed prepared and held on tightly.
"It's just half a day, it's no big deal. Besides, I have a valid reason. As a newcomer to the study of Magical Beasts, I should visit the experts in this field."
"How about this reason? Madame Maxim will definitely not refuse."
"But I have classes in the afternoon." Lockner stammered, "How about another day?"
"Today is Saturday."
"I don't like drinking."
"Then it's perfect. We can have a clear-headed chat about Magical Beasts." Kyle didn't give Lockner a chance to make excuses. He stood up and pulled Lockner towards the Great Hall.
"Mr. Scamander just revised the new edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them recently. There are some parts I don't understand, and I'd like to hear your opinion."
Lockner's heart ached.
Maxim had finally found a good worker who could slightly improve the Busbaron students' weakness in Charms. If Kyle found a reason to run away, she would never forgive herself.
The consequence might be getting crumpled into a ball and stuffed into a Quidditch Crate, personally participating in the next match.
And if you can't understand Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you can always ask Newt. What's he doing... he's just a Feline keeper, how dare he compare himself to a master like Newt.
"I..."
Lockner wanted to say something more, but Kyle released his arm at that moment, and his feet darted out of the Great Hall.
"Professor Lockner, I'll wait for you outside."
Kyle's voice echoed in the Great Hall, but he was already several meters away.
Lockner's face was as bitter as if he had eaten a pound of bitter gourd, never expecting Kyle to be so decisive.
You could say that from the moment he shouted those words, no matter where Kyle went or whether they were truly together, it didn't matter.
Because everyone would believe that they were together.
Lockner felt the originally bright ceiling become incredibly gloomy, as if countless storms were brewing, just like the mood of Madam Maxim tomorrow.
But there was no other way, he had to follow.
Regardless, he had to know Kyle's whereabouts.
Lockner ran out of the Great Hall and searched in the vast campus, finally finding Kyle standing next to the Magical Fountain.
"This is Mr. Nicolas' masterpiece, and he donated it to the school to commemorate his encounter with Lady Perenelle here."
Lockner approached and said, "This fountain is magical. Regular contact can beautify and heal minor injuries. You can let your beautiful girlfriend try it."
Conna, standing behind him, subconsciously reached her hand into the fountain upon hearing his words.
"Is it that magical?" Kyle also tried the fountain.
The water enveloped her hand like clouds, or like a morning breeze carrying dewdrops.
"Do you think Madam Maxim would mind if I took some?"
"She definitely won't mind." Lockner said, "But once this water leaves Busbaron, it becomes ordinary, losing its magical abilities.
"If you like it, you can stay. Madam Maxim won't mind either."
His intention was clear, wanting to keep Kyle by offering to stay.
"Never mind, I'll pass." Kyle smiled, "The rent here is too expensive."
Lockner looked at Conna again, preparing to approach her from a different angle.
He believed that any witch would want to try a beauty fountain that could improve their skin, even Fengnu would frequently visit this place during her school days.
But before he could say anything, Conna withdrew her hand from the fountain.
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"Ah... it's similar to a beauty potion." Conna played with the water with her fingers, "This gentle touch... perhaps I can try replacing Mint Leaf with Cloud Pod."
"Kyle, can you help me keep an eye out? These plants mostly grow near the nests of Cornish Pixies, and they're rarely found in France."
"No problem." Kyle said, "When we go back, I'll ask Fred and George to get some. They have their own herb connections."
Lockner's entire body went numb.
"Don't be surprised." Kyle looked at him and smiled slightly, "Conna is like this. When she encounters something new, she always thinks of potions. She's an expert in this field."
Lockner fell silent, his mouth twitching for a long time, "Never mind, aren't you here to discuss Magical Beasts? Come with me."
"I'd love to." Kyle said.
"I'm not going." Conna said, "I want to research this fountain more."
"Okay then.
"Kyle, I'll come find you later," Kyle said.
"Yeah."
The two of them then arrived at the south side of the fountain, where there was a wooden house that looked very simple and out of place among the grand mansions.
"Do you also live in a wooden house?" Kyle blurted out.
He didn't know if every researcher of magical creatures had the habit of living in wooden houses.
Newt was the same; his house in the Dorsetshire Forest was built by himself, and Kettledel and Hagrid also lived in wooden houses built on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"Is that strange?" Lockner asked, "We need to be as close to nature as possible so that the magical creatures in the wild can relax their guard, and a wooden house is the best choice."
"Come in, just don't step on the pods on the ground, they're the Feline's food."
Kyle also noticed that this place was like a large Feline breeding base.
On the trees, on the roof, in the yard... traces of them could be seen everywhere, adding up to about a dozen or so.
And this was just the visible part.
It's just that at this moment, they were all staring at Kyle, making a constant rumbling sound... warning him not to come closer.
"Usually, not many people come here, these little guys are very shy, and they're very alert." Lockner said, "But you should be fine."
As they were talking, a larger Feline suddenly jumped down from the tree and slapped one of the loudest ones. Then, with a leap, it gracefully landed in front of Kyle.
"Long time no see, Cheshire..." Kyle rubbed its chin, and the Feline immediately lay down comfortably, exposing its white belly.
No wonder Lockner would say that; he had a familiar Feline here.
This one was the same one they had met in the Dragon Reserve, and they had gotten along quite well at the time.
And to be specifically brought by Lockner, it must be an exceptional Feline, naturally able to intimidate its peers.
"Although I've already witnessed it, I still find it amazing. After all, Cheshire rarely gets close to other wizards." Lockner said, "You're one of them, and so is Mr. Scamander."
"It's my honor." Kyle rubbed Cheshire's chin again and took out a bag of Motra Rat jerky from his pocket, opening it to feed the Feline.
As long as it was a cat, whether it was a Kneazle, a Catamount, or an Owl, they all liked this, and the Feline naturally did too.
"Don't feed too much." Lockner's face fell, "My salary can't afford for them to eat this every meal."
"Is Busbaron that stingy with the professors?" Kyle said with a smile, "Why don't you come to Hogwarts, the salary there is pretty good."
"I have over thirty Felines here, no matter how much salary I get, it won't be enough."
"Then let's take them all." Kyle suggested, "Hogwarts will reimburse their food expenses."
If he could take back more than thirty Felines, this deal would be profitable no matter what.
But Lockner didn't respond to his suggestion, acting as if he hadn't heard it. He opened the door and walked inside.
Kyle followed, still holding Cheshire.
The interior of the wooden house was as simple as its exterior, with most of the furniture being homemade.
Lockner poured a cup of tea for Kyle.
The two sat facing each other and truly discussed topics related to magical creatures. Newt's new discoveries also piqued Lockner's interest.
"By the way."
"A few years ago, you mentioned you were going to search for a new magical creature. Have you found it yet?"
"It's rare that you still remember." Lockner smiled, "It's almost done, but these things can't be rushed. I still need to observe more details, but it's coming soon. Once the third generation is born, I'll be able to publish it."
"Don't forget to send it to me."
"Of course, after all, I promised a long time ago."
...
After that, the two of them chatted for a long time. By nine o'clock, it was almost time for their appointment, and Kyle needed to go to the alchemy classroom to check on it.
When Lockner saw Kyle off at the wooden house, Kyle reluctantly put down Cheshire, who was in his arms.
He truly liked Felines, and their big blue eyes were so beautiful.
"You can try to take it with you." Lockner's eyes twitched as he spoke softly.
"What?"
"I mean, if Cheshire is willing, you can take it with you." Lockner repeated, "This is also one of the reasons I wanted to find you."
"Why?" Kyle asked, surprised and a bit incredulous.
"I've learned about the situation on your side, the Dark Wizard, just hearing about it is terrifying." Lockner spoke softly, "Over a month ago, there was even a place where more than a dozen wizards died, I dare not even imagine it."
"And Felines... are magical creatures with strong perception abilities. When danger is about to arrive, they often sense it faster than wizards."
"Having Cheshire might help you avoid some dangers."
"Thank you..." Kyle said after a moment of silence.
"Just consider it a favor between colleagues." Lockner glanced at Kyle, "Just remember to bring Cheshire back."
"I will."
(End of Chapter)
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