Mr. Smile Kicked a Steel Plate

Inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, Kyle and Lockhart engaged in a question-and-answer session, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Furthermore, Lockhart would meticulously write down Kyle's answers; anyone who didn't know better would think he was working part-time as a journalist.

In about half an hour, a thick stack of parchment had accumulated on the table.

"Truly remarkable..." Lockhart exclaimed, "This is the first time I've ever seen such an outstanding young wizard as you. To have such incredible experiences at such a young age, you must have many interesting stories to tell."

Before arriving at Hogwarts, all he knew was that Kyle drove away a Werewolf at St Mungo's's and was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, for it.

To be honest, Lockhart was very dissatisfied at the time, feeling that the Order of Merlin was being very unfair.

He painstakingly stole so many stories, helped an entire village escape the scourge of Werewolf, and drove away the vampires that wreaked havoc everywhere... but in the end, he only received a third-class medal.

Why is Kyle level two just because he defeated a Werewolf? Is it because he has powerful backers?

So Lockhart's first impression of Kyle was that he was a lucky kid... If he had also known Dumbledore and the headmaster of St Mungo's's, Sacia, he would certainly have received the Order of Merlin, Second Class.

However, since becoming the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lockhart's understanding of Kyle has become more comprehensive.

He learned from several older students that the Fantastic Beasts incident that shocked the entire British Wizarding World two years ago was also related to Kyle.

He was only a first-grader at the time when he was captured by the infamous dark wizard Oren and taken to the Forbidden Forest, but he miraculously escaped in the end.

Lockhart was also very interested in this experience and wanted to know what happened in the Forbidden Forest... If there was still time later, he wanted to talk a little more.

"It's not much of a story, just that I encountered a few more troubles than the average person," Kyle waved his hand, looking like he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"I've suddenly discovered another virtue of yours: humility."

Lockhart smiled. "Then let's go back to the Chamber of Secrets."

"Where were we... Oh, the Hogwarts Founders... I bet they taught you a lot of powerful spells, or ways to become stronger."

Lockhart looked at Kyle and casually asked, "Would you like to share something with me...? I know this might be a bit much. But just tell me a name... just to satisfy my curiosity."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Professor."

Kyle shook his head. "Forget about powerful spells, they didn't even teach me a single Wand-Lighting Charm."

"Is that so...it seems you're not willing to share these things with me." Lockhart sighed. "Of course, I understand."

"It's true, no." Kyle looked him in the eyes.

"Learning any spell requires a gradual process. Generally, only those ignorant and fraudulent wizards would produce a secret manual and claim that mastering it will make them invincible."

Lockhart flipped through the parchment on the table.

"Yes, you're right."

He glanced out the window, then stood up and said, "Let me think. I've asked everything I needed to ask. Oh, right, there's one more small matter."

He drew his wand and aimed it at Kyle.

"I'm truly sorry, child, but I have to cast a Memory Charm on you. My book doesn't allow anyone else to steal the spotlight..."

At the same time, Kyle was also holding his wand.

"So, Professor, is this how all your previous stories came about?"

"You don't seem surprised at all," Lockhart asked.

"Nothing to be surprised about." Kyle shrugged. "Your performance in class... doesn't seem like that of someone who can ward off Werewolf."

"Yes, you're right. I am that good-for-nothing liar... idiot... moron... that's what you all call me behind my back, I know that."

Lockhart readily admitted it.

"But I have a lot of work to do too. I have to track down these people and ask them how they did it... Oh, just like I asked you earlier. Then I have to cast a Memory Charm on them so they will completely forget this memory."

If I have anything to be proud of, it's my Memory Charm.

As he spoke, Lockhart took out an exquisite notebook.

"This contains my understanding of the Memory Charm and some insights from my experience..."

He tossed the notebook to Kyle. "Consider this a small compensation; I don't have anything else to offer."

Kyle gripped his wand tightly in one hand, his gaze fixed on Lockhart.

"Alright..."

"Professor," Kyle suddenly said, "I have one last question."

What I just said, all the professors know, including Dumbledore... You can't just erase all their memories, can you?"

"I have my own way." Lockhart seemed unwilling to continue. "Say goodbye to your memories."

"Forget everything..."

Kyle flicked his wand slightly, and the floor beneath Lockhart's feet suddenly rose, causing him to sway involuntarily. The Memory Charm also landed on the ceiling.

"Professor, you..."

Suddenly, another Memory Charm shot over.

Kyle quickly raised his wand.

"Protego!"

The spell was reflected back and landed squarely on Lockhart.

With a dull thud, Lockhart crashed heavily to the ground.

"Ouch!" he cried out in pain, clutching his stomach and curling up there.

"Nonverbal Spell, perhaps with the addition of staffless casting... You've got some serious talent, Professor Lockhart."

Kyle shook his head, picked up the notebook, and said, "If you were to launch a sneak attack, it would be quite troublesome... although I never intended to give you the chance to do so in the first place..."

"Bang!"

Just as Kyle picked up his notebook, the office door was suddenly kicked open.

Professor McGonagall burst in, followed by... a group of Hit Wizard?

Kyle had seen the leader before; it was Had, the captain who dealt with Oren last time... He heard that Had is now the head of the Hit Wizard' office.

"Gilderoy Lockhart, we've discovered that you've been altering other people's memories and fabricating their experiences to resemble your own. We're taking you back to the Ministry of Magic for further investigation..."

Had pulled out his wand as soon as he entered the room.

But he soon realized that something seemed off in the office.

There appear to be signs of a battle here.

A little wizard is still holding a wand... It's that kid from two years ago, I think his name was Kyle.

Lockhart, whom they were looking for, was lying on the ground, staring blankly at everyone...

"Who are you? Who is Lockhart... and how did I get on the ground?"

This... Had was a little confused for a moment.

What happened here?

"He just tried to use Memory Charm on me, sir," Kyle explained, "But the spell bounced off."

"It's that despicable trick again."

Professor McGonagall was both shocked and furious. She first asked Kyle if he had any questions, then glared angrily at Lockhart, "You actually tried to use it on a student? You brought it on yourself..."

"I brought this on myself, didn't I?" Lockhart asked, blinking.

However, he looks much cuter now than before.

"It seems there's been a slight mishap here."

Had waved his hand, and immediately someone went to Lockhart's side to check him over.

A few minutes later, the Hit Wizard stood up and nodded to Had, "Memory damage, and severe loss... Yes, it was indeed caused by the Memory Charm."

They then examined the two men's wands.

"Sorry, child, it's just a routine matter," Had explained to Kyle. "It's just a very simple little spell, I assure you it won't affect your wand in any way."

"Of course, I understand." Kyle nodded and raised the hand holding the wand.

Had also raised his wand.

"Prior Incantato!"

Between the two wands, a transparent shadow emerged, looking like a wall made of gray mist.

"It is indeed the Shield Charm."

Meanwhile, Lockhart's results also came in.

One of the Hit Wizard handed Lockhart's wand to Had and whispered, "Memory Charm!"

"Looks like our Mr. Smiling has met his match this time." Had scoffed, not at all surprised that Kyle was able to turn the tables on Lockhart.

One is the youngest member of Order of Merlin, and the other is an incompetent fraudster who only knows the Memory Charm; this outcome is to be expected.

"Should we take him back to the Ministry of Magic for trial?" someone asked. "He has almost completely lost his memory; even if we take him back, we won't be able to conduct a proper trial..."

"What a hassle, why did it have to be Memory Charm?"

Had thought for a moment and said, "Let's send him to St Mungo's's first and wait for his memory to return."