Essay

"Looks like I really can't underestimate them."

Kayson held the Enchanting Table in front of him, looking it over from every angle. He casually picked up the quill on the desk, pulled the book off the Enchanting Table, and replaced it with a Runic Magic Book copied from the library.

After studying it for quite a while, he successfully selected an enchantment that would keep the quill's ink from ever running dry.

"Damn, damn. I only need to provide the results, while the students get the principles as homework. How is that not a mutually beneficial arrangement and double the progress?"

Kayson was astonished by the talent of Hogwarts' young wizards and, without hesitation, marked the fourth-years' regular assessment with an O.

So...

"So I remember some poet once said, 'Do not go gentle into that good night.' Please forgive me, I have no idea what that sentence actually means, because my literary standards are honestly pretty poor. Still, I think it can be changed a little."

"Do not enter the examination room overly prepared. So, seventh-years, today is our first meeting. Please answer the alchemy exam papers in front of you."

"To put it bluntly, although I haven't been in the business long, I do have a tiny bit of fame in alchemy circles. An exam paper that earns an O from me carries quite a bit of weight."

Kayson showed none of the friendliness he had displayed toward the third- and fourth-years. Instead, he wore an indescribable smile known as exam-oriented education.

"Forgive me. I would also very much like to show you the wonders of alchemical creations, but you're already seventh-years, aren't you? If I remember correctly, you have N.E.W.T.s to take, so don't blame me."

As Kayson's words fell, the young wizards below did not let out much wailing. They merely pulled out their quills and began scribbling furiously.

Kayson did not sit idle either. From the storage ring he had handcrafted using a small Ender Chest, he took out the fourth-years' assignment: that small Enchanting Table.

He then took out a stack of parchment. The draft was already composed in his mind; all that remained was to write it down.

More than ten sheets of parchment recorded a paper on the profound principles behind the young wizards' replicated Enchanting Table. He decided to mail it, together with the imitation Enchanting Table, to the European Alchemy Exchange Association. Their alchemy journal had always stood at the pinnacle of the field.

Moreover, they were more than happy to publish innovative alchemical results developed by talented young wizards.

All he needed to do next was have the fourth-years sign their names on the paper during their next class. Then, as a professor who was not exactly the most responsible, he could be said to have made a small contribution to his students.

Very soon, the exam papers were handed in. Kayson did not grade them immediately. Instead, he checked his watch. Five minutes remained.

He could not continue the lecture, but he could give them a little preview of the next class.

"Hogwarts' newly upgraded Iron Golems—some people like to call them Iron Knights. Have you seen them?"

The seventh-years no longer possessed that clear-eyed stupidity. In its place was the foolish shrewdness and impatience of those about to leave the ivory tower and enter secular society.

At a time like this, as their professor, Kayson did not choose to make them keep delving into so-called magical truths or alchemical mysteries. Besides, he did not believe that in the hectic period of seventh year, they could achieve much in just one year.

He decided to give them a more practical graduation gift.

Cram-school education, along with résumés that would make their futures bright.

Researching Iron Golems would be a fine beginning for them.

Thinking this, Kayson flipped Iron Blocks and pumpkin heads through the air in his hands, and Iron Golems appeared on the podium one after another.

"Take one each. Bring it back and study it yourselves. When class begins next week, I want a detailed analysis of their principles. It would be even better if you can make an imitation."

"Anything you want to say?" Kayson asked, tapping the golden lectern before him.

"No."

"Very good. Class dismissed."

Soon, the break ended, and the fourth-year young wizards returned to the classroom.

Once all the students had arrived, Kayson picked up the paper he had written on the lectern. Calling it written was a stretch; he had simply taken the best parts of the students' papers and stitched them together.

"Now line up according to your contributions to making this Enchanting Table. Sign your names here. At the same time, I need your full personal information. After signing, return to your seats and write it on a blank piece of parchment. Hand it to me after class," Kayson said, pointing to the authorship section of the paper on the lectern.

"Um, Professor, what is this for?"

Cedric asked somewhat doubtfully.

"This is a paper I wrote based on your assignments and results. I'm sending it to the European Alchemy Exchange Association. You are all authors of this paper, so naturally your names must be included," Kayson explained.

"But Professor, this is your achievement. We only..." Honest Cedric said hesitantly.

"If I tell you to write, then write. Why are you talking so much nonsense? Listen carefully: rank yourselves according to your contributions to making this Enchanting Table."

"Then Professor, which contribution is greater: providing the raw materials, or designing and assembling it?" a Ravenclaw young wizard asked, raising his hand.

"Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice. Without some rich patron throwing money around, where would you get the peace of mind to research alchemy? But as for the exact order, you'll have to work that out yourselves."

"OK."

After a burst of chatter, the young wizards quickly formed a line and signed their names in the paper's authorship section one by one.

After class, Kayson placed the paper and the young wizards' personal information into an envelope and headed toward the owlery.

"You should still buy an owl of your own when you have the time. You would like these clever and loyal little messengers." Outside the owlery, Dumbledore leaned against the railing and looked toward the distant Quidditch pitch, where the Gryffindor team was training.

"I'm not someone who stays interested in things for long. I might get tired of an owl one day. What then, throw it away?" Kayson answered with a shrug.

"You possess a rare sense of responsibility," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Mm-hm. Perhaps."

"What is that?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the thick envelope in Kayson's hand.

"A paper written by the students, about that Enchanting Table. I'm sending it to the European Alchemy Exchange Association. It will count as another entry on their résumés."

"Hogwarts once lost an exceptionally outstanding student. Fortunately, it has now welcomed an equally outstanding professor."