Thesis

"Can't underestimate them, huh."

Kayson held the Enchanting Table in front of him, looking it over. He casually picked up the quill on the table, then took the book off the Enchanting Table and replaced it with a Runic Magic Book he'd copied from the library.

After studying for a while, he successfully selected a spell for perpetual ink and enchanted the quill.

"Amazing, amazing. I just need to provide the results, and the students can work on the principles as homework. Isn't that a mutual effort, leading to double progress?"

Kayson was shocked by the talent of the young wizards at Hogwarts and unhesitatingly gave the fourth-year students an 'O' for their regular assessments.

So...

"I remember some poet saying something about not going gently into that good night. Please forgive me, I don't actually know what that means because my literary skills are truly lacking. But I think it can be slightly altered."

"Don't walk into an exam unprepared. So, seventh-year wizards, this is our first meeting. Please answer the Alchemy exam paper in front of you."

"To put it bluntly, although I haven't been in this field for long, I still have a bit of a reputation in Alchemy circles. The 'O's I give your papers are quite valuable."

Kayson showed none of the friendliness he displayed to the third and fourth-year students. Instead, he wore an indescribable smile that could only be described as the smile of exam-oriented education.

"Forgive me, I'd love to guide you through the wonders of Alchemical creations, but since you're already in your seventh year, and I recall you have a final wizarding level exam coming up, so don't blame me."

As Kayson finished speaking, there weren't many groans from the students below. They simply took out their quills and started writing furiously.

Kayson wasn't idle either. He took out the fourth-year homework, a small Enchanting Table, from the storage ring he'd crafted himself from a small Ender Chest.

He also took out a stack of parchment. The drafts were already prepared; only writing them down remained.

Over ten sheets of parchment meticulously recorded the students' profound theoretical arguments on replicating the Enchanting Table. He decided to mail the replicated Enchanting Table along with them to the European Alchemy Exchange Association. Their Alchemy publications were always at the pinnacle of Alchemy.

Moreover, they were very willing to include innovative Alchemical results researched by gifted young wizards.

Next, he just needed to wait until his next class with the fourth-years to have them put their names on the papers. This way, he, as a not-so-responsible professor, would have made a small contribution to his students.

Soon, the exam papers were handed in. Kayson didn't start grading immediately. Instead, he glanced at his watch; there were five minutes left.

He couldn't continue lecturing, but he could give a small preview of his next class.

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

The seventh-year wizards no longer possessed that pure innocence. Instead, they had a foolish shrewdness and restlessness, like those about to leave the ivory tower to face the mundane world.

At this time, as their professor, Kayson didn't choose to let them continue delving into the so-called truths of magic or the mysteries of Alchemy. Nor did he believe that in such a restless seventh year, they could achieve anything significant in just one year.

He decided to use a more practical method as their graduation gift.

Rote learning, and a resume that would illuminate their future.

Researching Iron Golems was a good start for them.

As Kayson thought this, iron blocks and pumpkin heads flew around in his hands, and Iron Golems appeared on the podium.

"Take one each and study them. Next week in class, I need a detailed analysis of their principles. It would be even better if you could create replicas."

"Anything you want to say?" Kayson asked, tapping the golden podium in front of him.

"No."

"Very good, class dismissed."

Soon, the break time passed, and the fourth-year wizards returned to the classroom.

Once all the students were present, Kayson picked up the thesis he had written on the podium. To say he wrote it was an exaggeration; it was more like he compiled the best parts from the students' papers from under the podium.

"Now, according to your contributions in making this Enchanting Table, line up in order, sign your names here. I also need your complete personal information. After signing, return to your seats and write it on a blank piece of parchment. Hand it to me at the end of class," Kayson said, pointing to the signature section of the thesis on the podium.

"Uh, Professor, what is this for?" Cedric asked, a little confused.

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

"But Professor, this is your achievement. We only..." The honest Cedric hesitated.

"Just write it if I tell you to. Stop with the nonsense. Listen carefully, line up according to your contribution in making this Enchanting Table."

"Then Professor, who contributed more: providing raw materials or designing and assembling?" a Ravenclaw wizard asked, raising his hand.

"A cook can't make a meal without ingredients. Without a generous benefactor splashing the cash, where would you find the peace of mind to research Alchemy? However, the specific order is up to you to figure out."

"OK."

The young wizards chattered amongst themselves and soon lined up, signing their names on the thesis signature section in order.

After class, Kayson put the thesis, along with the students' personal information, into an envelope and headed towards the Owlery.

"You should buy your own owl when you have time. You'll like these clever and loyal little messengers," Dumbledore said, leaning on the railing outside the Owlery and looking towards the Quidditch field in the distance, where the Gryffindor team was training.

"I'm not someone with many hobbies. I might get tired of an owl one day and just abandon it," Kayson replied with a shrug.

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

"Mmm, perhaps."

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

"The students' papers about that Enchanting Table. I'm sending them to the European Alchemy Exchange Association; it'll add to their resumes."

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