Alchemical Toys

August 30, Hogwarts, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts' office.

"Qiao Weili, Jiamer, what do you think of this alchemical device?"

Li Wei softly called to his two assistants, who were studying on their own, and showed them the results of his work over the past few days—two standard-issue pistols, one silver and one black.

"Is this the weapon Muggles used, the one mentioned in history books, Professor?"

Qiao Weili had nearly fallen in love with the unusual weapon at first sight. Jiamer's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.

"Yes. I modified them with alchemy and magical arrays. These two guns don't need bullets. They contain magical power matrices and can cast the Obstacle Curse through firing."

As he spoke, Li Wei picked up the longer black gun, casually aimed it at a corner of the room, and pulled the trigger.

With that motion, magical power traveled through his fingertips into the gun, then swiftly flowed back, stirring the magic within his body.

The next instant, a transparent stream of magical power burst from the muzzle. Where it struck the ground, the floor abruptly warped into an earthen wall about a meter high.

"So this replaces a wand with an alchemical device? Professor, can you alter the embedded magical array?"

"Compared to using a wand, this weapon seems rather cumbersome. Still, it has its advantages—"

"Exactly. By using this kind of channeling weapon, even wizards who aren't proficient in spells can use the magic contained within it."

Li Wei picked up where Jiamer had left off, still in fairly good spirits.

"I plan to give these out as prizes for outstanding students, so I didn't embed any complicated spells. What do you think?"

"Very creative."

Qiao Weili smiled shyly, not voicing the longing in his heart.

"As expected of you."

Jiamer smiled and flattered him.

"Good. Then catch."

He tossed the black gun to Qiao Weili and the white one to Jiamer.

"These are the first alchemical firearms I've made. They're for you. Your names are engraved on them. I hope you like them."

Only then did the two turn the guns over and see the lettering highlighted by silver engravings. Clearly, considerable care had gone into them.

"Thank—"

"Don't thank me yet." Li Wei interrupted them. "This also counts as your new assignment."

"Jiamer, I want you to embed the most powerful spell you can manage into this gun.

Qiao Weili, you became my apprentice six years before she did, so naturally your task is harder. You must first remove the magical matrix inside, then do the same thing.

"Of course, just like before, the two of you may work on this together."

"Yes, Professor."

Qiao Weili carefully put away the pistol, already planning to make a custom holster for it later.

Just then, he met Jiamer's gaze. Her autumn-water eyes did not blink, and they held an unspoken contempt.

"..."

Qiao Weili suppressed the delight in his heart, but he still could not help smiling.

He knew what Jiamer meant—these alchemical pistols were gifts for students, practically toys. Getting so excited over toys was far too immature.

But so what? He simply liked them.

Besides, he believed that whether they were Hogwarts students or classmates far away outside the school, they would all love this invention of their professor's.

September 1, the first day of term.

Li Wei woke promptly at seven in the morning.

By the time he left his room, his two assistants were already seated at the dining table, waiting to eat with him.

"Good morning, Professor."

"Good morning. Let's go have breakfast in the Great Hall."

They had agreed on this when he had shown them around the school.

Since he had come to teach at Hogwarts, he needed to fit into its way of life.

If he still shut himself in his room all day conducting his own research as he had before, it would seem somewhat inappropriate.

Besides, Li Wei's mindset had gradually changed since coming to the school—he was trying to embrace a certain psychological change.

It was morning, and the students who had been away for the holidays had yet to return. Only a few staff members sat scattered throughout the Great Hall, making it seem rather deserted.

When Li Wei arrived, Professor McGonagall was hurriedly finishing her breakfast. She seemed somewhat pleasantly surprised to see him.

"Li Wei, you're up so early?"

"Morning, Professor McGonagall. You seem to be in a bit of a hurry."

Li Wei seated himself with his two assistants and softly greeted Madam Pince, the librarian beside them—back when he had attended school here, she had been the person he dealt with most often.

"It's not too bad—this time of year is always rather busy. Dumbledore always leaves everything to everyone else. The house-elves have to prepare tonight's welcome feast for the new students, so we're a little short-handed."

If he had still been a student, even if Li Wei heard something like that, he would only have pretended not to hear it. But now...

"Is there anything I can help with?"

He speared a piece of fried egg and put it in his mouth. At some point, the house-elf Barton had appeared beside him, serving a medium-rare steak while pouring each of the three of them a glass of orange juice.

"If you're willing, that would be wonderful."

Professor McGonagall gave Li Wei a somewhat surprised look.

Suddenly, she leaned closer to him and whispered,

"Actually, Mr. Filch is responsible for decorating and cleaning the Great Hall. But you know how it is—the work is far too arduous for him. I'd very much like to spare some time to help him fill in the gaps."

Filch was a Squib incapable of casting magic. Heaven knew how he managed to complete all the decorations alone and even replace the broken candles on the ceiling.

"I understand what you mean, Professor McGonagall. Leave it to me. I'll help Mr. Filch get everything done."

Li Wei nodded, signaling for Professor McGonagall not to worry.

Personally, he bore no particular ill will toward Filch—though the man's mind was thoroughly twisted, and he took pleasure in physically punishing students.

But Li Wei had been a model student during his school days. Whether it was Filch patrolling for students out after curfew or Hagrid managing the Forbidden Forest, Li Wei had rarely dealt with either of them. Naturally, there was neither grievance nor friendship between them.

After enjoying a pleasant breakfast, Li Wei took his two assistants and prepared to begin work when he suddenly felt the air turn somewhat chilly.

When had Snape arrived?

"Li Wei."

The corner of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.

"I never expected you to actually become a Hogwarts teacher—ha! How exactly is a reclusive freak like you going to teach students?"

"A reclusive freak? I feel like you're the least qualified person to say that."

"Snape, don't tell me you've been thinking about what to say ever since you went back last time."

Li Wei replied blandly, but Snape acted as if he had not heard him. He suddenly stepped forward and murmured in a low, oppressive voice, like a Basilisk hissing in the darkness.

"Let me guess. How will our master teach his disciples?

Let me solemnly remind you: don't bring out those tedious notes of yours, the kind that could choke a troll to death. Those little trolls with equally brain-stuffing cogongrass couldn't possibly understand your intentions.

"Of course, you can simply ignore everyone as you did before and immerse yourself in your own world. After all, that's what you've always done, isn't it?"

"Could you not stand so close to me, Snape?"

Li Wei raised a hand to block him, his words carrying obvious distaste, as though he truly found Snape's current appearance deeply off-putting.

Snape's mouth twitched, and memories from the past surfaced in his mind—"Join hands with you to defeat James Potter and the others? What would be the point? I don't have time to waste on you."

"Still the same..."

This brat. He always left people speechless with just a few words—whether Snape had invited Li Wei to work with him or James and the others had extended an olive branch to Li Wei.

It was always like this.

Why, then, had someone like him agreed to teach at Hogwarts? It clearly brought him no benefit whatsoever.

"Dumbledore doesn't understand you, but I do!"

"Li Wei, what have you been doing since graduation? What exactly is your purpose in coming to Hogwarts?"