Everyone's expressions grew increasingly grave as they stared at Lockhart, waiting for an explanation.
Lockhart rubbed his blond hair in distress, leaving it looking like a tangled heap of straw. He slumped like a deflated balloon and said listlessly:
"All right, all right, this is the first time I've ever revealed my plans ahead of schedule! This is all confidential!"
Zhang Xiao had already edged quietly over to the desk, carefully searching for a black-covered notebook.
Unfortunately, although Lockhart's desk held plenty of notebooks, presumably drafts of his writing, there was no black Diary.
Meanwhile, Lockhart was wearily explaining his "plan":
"Halloween is almost here, and I'm preparing a new event to add a little... a little atmosphere to the occasion.
First, I'd write some exciting lines from my new book on the wall to pique the young witches and wizards' curiosity, then invite a few ghosts to play monsters..."
The longer Zhang Xiao listened to Lockhart's explanation, the more familiar it sounded. Wasn't this a standard publicity campaign for films and the like in his previous life?
No wonder the man had become a bestselling author. He had this whole business of building hype, keeping people in suspense, and setting the mood down pat!
"Come to think of it, Zhang had something to do with this idea as well."
Zhang Xiao froze. How had he gotten dragged into this? I've barely even spoken to Lockhart!
Yet as Lockhart continued, Zhang Xiao discovered... that there really did seem to be a connection to him!
His presence had sparked a keen interest in the East among many wizards. They had explored it out of curiosity and ultimately gathered a great deal of dubious information.
Lockhart was one of them. While searching for inspiration for a new book over the summer, he