A clump of magic power blocked the needle atop [Poipole]'s head, causing its attempt to "say hello" to fail instantly.
Dark said, "Professor, if we can't find a good solution, I may have to resort to drastic measures."
Professor Kazel asked, "What drastic measures?"
Dark replied expressionlessly, "The same thing you just did—block its needle."
[Poipole] immediately began flailing its arms wildly. "Poipole, Poipole!"
After a while, Professor Kazel bribed [Poipole] with chocolate cookies and had it spray some pigment into a beaker for testing.
"I heard you're facing a sixth-year student this afternoon," he asked casually.
Dark was somewhat surprised. "Professor, how did you know?"
Professor Kazel smiled. "Professor Thompson told me."
"Professor Thompson?" Dark pondered. "Does he know student James Gardson?"
Professor Kazel said, "Not him. Another Potions professor knows him. James Gardson, was that his name? I heard he's that professor's disciple."
Dark said in surprise, "So he's a professor's disciple? Doesn't that mean my odds this afternoon are terrible?"
Professor Kazel smiled. "Do you need me to teach you how to make a few antidote Magic Spell Cards or Magic Potion Cards?"
Dark shook his head. "After this duel."
Antidote Magic Spell Cards and Magic Potion Cards would be useful no matter when they were made.
He needed to keep more of them on hand.
But for this afternoon's duel, he wanted to handle it himself.
Professor Kazel said no more. "Victor Gaude and Number One's soul separation experiment has reached a critical stage. You can go take a look."
Dark perked up at once. "When?"
Professor Kazel said, "Within the next couple of days. Are you free tomorrow morning? I'll take you there so you can learn the way."
Dark quickly said, "I'm free."
Professor Kazel nodded. "Once this experiment is over, it'll be our