Kayson did not hold back. Tiny Redstone blocks copied the Philosopher's Stone before him, recreating a counterfeit Philosopher's Stone at a one-to-one scale.
To him, Redstone, a substance that could practically be called an endless source of energy, was not too different from the Philosopher's Stone. Though it was not as powerful, at least the magical fluctuations it gave off were similar.
Satisfaction from Dumbledore +10 Satisfaction from Dumbledore +10
"I knew you wouldn't disappoint in the role of Alchemy professor." Dumbledore took the imitation Philosopher's Stone from Kayson's hand and said with a smile.
"Ahem. Is there anything else?"
"Make yourself at home."
"Alright... Honestly, I'm already regretting it," Kayson said bitterly.
"Which part?"
"Upgrading the Iron Golems."
"Oh... that certainly is." Dumbledore looked at the dark circles under Kayson's eyes and said with some amusement.
After leaving the office, Kayson called Hagrid over to continue their grand project of upgrading the school.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall, the instigator behind it all, was leisurely listening to jazz in her office.
It had to be said that upgrading Hogwarts's stone statues into Iron Golems was an enormous undertaking. By the time the entire school had been upgraded, it was nearly time for the term to begin.
On September 1, Kayson stood in his already renovated office, humming a tune as he rather vainly ironed the brand-new wizarding robes before him.
After all, it was his first day officially becoming a professor. A good image was essential. There were still half an hour before the young wizards arrived at Hogwarts.
He had plenty of time.
After polishing his leather shoes until they gleamed and changing into his new wizarding robes, he admired himself in the mirror... Something was missing.
He looked down at his empty chest.
"I'm missing a brooch."
That was easy for him.
A teardrop-shaped diamond the size of half a palm appeared in his hand.
Fine gold blocks and Redstone blocks wound around it, setting the diamond into a brooch that looked exceedingly valuable.
Once he had finished getting himself ready, Kayson hummed his tune as he arrived at the Great Hall and saw Professor McGonagall directing the preparations.
Professor McGonagall saw him as well, then glanced at the brooch on his chest.
"Not bad taste."
Affection from Professor McGonagall +10
Kayson scratched his head. He had never doubted his own taste, but why had Professor McGonagall specifically increased her affection for him?
He looked down at his chest. If the diamond on that brooch was ignored, the remaining two colors were red and gold... exactly Gryffindor's colors.
"Well, case closed."
For someone who had never been influenced by Gryffindor culture to instinctively choose Gryffindor's colors—even if they were only colors—was enough to make Gryffindor's head of house happy.
"Is there anything you need help with, Professor McGonagall?" Kayson asked.
"Not for now. Your most important task is to prepare your self-introduction later... Don't tell me you haven't even prepared a speech." Halfway through, Professor McGonagall suddenly realized something and immediately lowered her face as she asked.
"No, no, no. Of course I prepared one. It's ready."
After escaping Professor McGonagall's murderous stare, Kayson had some free time again and looked toward Hagrid, who was checking his equipment nearby.
He was studying a lantern that was not particularly bright. Perhaps there was something wrong with the wick, perhaps the glass shade was dirty, though it was more likely that an oil lamp simply had that little brightness to begin with.
"Hagrid, need some help?" A Fluorite block slowly appeared in Kayson's hand. He then wove a chain from miniature iron blocks, placing the Fluorite inside like a basketball net.
"This one's much brighter."
"I really don't know how to thank you. This will help me a lot. Do you want to come pick up the young wizards with me?" Hagrid carefully lifted the Fluorite Lamp and suggested.
Professor McGonagall, who had been directing everything, suddenly appeared between them. "I'm sorry, Hagrid, but not this year. Today is the most important day of Professor Kayson's career. He needs to remain presentable."
Hagrid smiled awkwardly. "Right, I didn't think of that."
Kayson also gave Hagrid a helpless shrug.
"Ahem, then that's that. I'll wait for you here."
"I will."
As Hagrid left the castle carrying the Fluorite Lamp, McGonagall circled Kayson once.
"Mm, good posture. It seems you've put a lot of thought into today."
Trust from Professor McGonagall +10
"Of course, of course."
As the two spoke in the middle of the Great Hall, Hogwarts's older students had already entered and taken their seats at their respective house tables.
"Go back to your seat. Remember, Kayson, today is the most important day of your life. Keep up appearances!"
"Of course... Professor McGonagall, honestly, you remind me a little of one of my high school teachers."
"What was that teacher like?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"He loved his students like his own children. I liked him very much."
"Thank you."
Affection from Professor McGonagall +10
Elsewhere...
"First-year young wizards! This way!" Hagrid stood atop a protruding rock and shouted.
"That's Hagrid! Let's go find him!" The instant Harry saw Hagrid, he grabbed Ron and ran over. Only after getting closer did Ron notice the Fluorite Lamp in Hagrid's hand, giving off a gentle glow.
"Cool! I've never seen a lamp like that before," Ron exclaimed.
"Haha, Kayson gave it to me. He's your Alchemy professor. Believe me, when you see his alchemy, your jaws will drop!"
"Oh, right, Harry, and you too, Weasley brat. Go find a boat, and remember, only four people to a boat!"
"Of course, Hagrid."
The two boarded a boat, and soon two more young wizards joined them. One was a round-faced wizard named Neville Longbottom, who looked rather timid.
The other was a witch with fluffy hair and a small face pale from the cold—Hermione Granger.
"I'm sorry, I overheard you talking with that giant professor earlier. I heard you mention the Alchemy professor. Do you know him?" Hermione asked curiously as soon as she got on the boat.
"Professor Kayson... He's a very kind, gentle person, and he can really make gold appear," Harry said after gazing up at the starry sky and recalling the memory.
"Cough, cough, cough! What? Harry, what did you say?" Ron, who had been staring at Hogwarts in the distance and imagining how he would spend the next seven years, suddenly began coughing uncontrollably.
"He can make gold! Real gold!" Harry said seriously.
"Merlin's beard, my mum! How rich must he be?" Ron said, his mouth hanging wide open.
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