HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

In an instant, the young wizards surged forward like a tidal wave.

Kasenhis's expression shifted immediately as he debated whether it would be considered rude to just teleport away on the spot.

That moment of hesitation was all it took—he was trapped.

The students swarmed around him, chirping excitedly. Even Lupin, who had been watching, was a little stunned.

However, his moment of distraction lasted only a second. He remained by Kasenhis's side, though his gaze subtly shifted toward a small, familiar figure in the crowd.

"Professor Kasenhis, I really didn't expect to run into you here!" A tall, red-haired man approached, placing a firm hand on the heads of the Weasley twins while politely addressing him.

"Uh… hello?"

"Hello, hello! I'm Arthur Weasley. You've taught these two Weasley boys. I truly appreciate all the guidance you've given them!"

"Ah! It's nothing, really—it's their own talent at work…"

Watching this scene, Draco Malfoy, who had originally intended to approach Kasenhis, suddenly stopped in his tracks—as if he wanted to avoid anything and anyone associated with the Weasley family at all costs.

Meanwhile, outside the bookstore, Lucius Malfoy reflected on his real reason for coming here. His mission was complete, and he had successfully slipped that Dark magic notebook into the Weasley family's hands. A sinister smile curled on his lips.

Back inside, Gilderoy Lockhart, who had been performing a grand stage play atop a table, finally noticed that his fanbase had suddenly shrunk by about seventy percent—leaving behind only a few clueless first-years.

At that moment, Lockhart lost all interest in continuing his performance.

Instead, he strode towards the crowd that had stolen his audience, determined to see for himself who dared to outshine him.

Meanwhile, Kasenhis, who was struggling to fend off an onslaught of gossip-fueled questions from the young wizards, suddenly noticed a hand reaching out toward him.

Instinctively, he grasped it, looking up.

What the.. why is this guy showing all his teeth like this?

"And you are…?"

"Me? I'm Gilderoy Lockhart! The best-selling author of the wizarding world..."

Kasenhis was forced to endure an endless stream of self-promotional nonsense, until finally, he managed to catch a single useful piece of information.

A Third-Class Order of Merlin.

"Yes, my Third-Class Order of Merlin! It was awarded to me three years ago for saving a poor werewolf! That werewolf, what was his name again...? It was…"

Lockhart's momentum faltered as he completely forgot the name—which made sense, considering he had never actually done any of it himself. And since he hadn't bothered to make up a name in his books, there was nothing for him to remember.

But just as the situation threatened to turn embarrassingly awkward, he had a stroke of genius—a move worthy of Conan Doyle's greatest detectives.

Casually, his eyes darted down to a crumpled, footprint-covered newspaper on the floor.

"Oh, right! That werewolf was none other than Remus Lupin! I even taught him an alchemical method to remove the werewolf curse!

Imagine my delight when I read the newspaper this morning and saw that a certain alchemist had used my very method to cure him!

I was overjoyed! A dear friend of mine has finally received the bright future he deserves!"

As Lockhart continued his endless self-praise, internally, he was already plotting his next move.

Tonight, he would track down that werewolf wizard and the so-called alchemist, cast a quick Obliviate on both of them, and erase their memories.

After all, if they forgot everything, he could swoop in and claim to be the true mastermind behind the enchanted book therapy. Maybe even get another medal out of it!

Meanwhile, Kasenhis and Lupin exchanged glances.

Both of them could see the same thing in each other's eyes— utter confusion.

And it wasn't just them.

The crowd of young wizards surrounding Kasenhis fell into a synchronized silence.

Some even subtly shuffled away from Lockhart.

Because ever since last year, when Professor Kasenhis absolutely annihilated Quirrell on the dueling stage, sending him to the hospital wing for half a semester, they had all learned one crucial lesson.

Professor Kasenhis was patient and kind.

But he definitely had a limit.

And when he got angry, it was terrifying.

Among the sea of students, four seemingly unremarkable young wizards were already reaching the same conclusion.

Two of them had even discreetly drawn their wands, wondering which spell would provide Lockhart with the most enlightening, double-dose "Heroic Experience".

Meanwhile, the victim of this absurd fabrication, Kasenhis, turned his gaze toward the oily, smug wizard before him.

Hmm… this isn't just any ordinary idiot.

This one requires special treatment.

Perhaps something more immersive—like burying him underground for a few days?

Who knows? Maybe by autumn, they'd have a whole harvest of mini-Lockharts.

…Actually, never mind. That was unnecessary.

Unlike the polite and composed Kasenhis, Lupin, on the other hand…

He was a man of action.

Almost instantly, without any hesitation, a powerful surge of magic erupted from Lupin, pinning Lockhart against the wall.

"I am Remus Lupin," Lupin stated, his voice cold and sharp. "When, exactly, did we ever meet?"

The crowd of young witches and wizards, who had been watching intently, finally let out delighted smiles.

Ah, yes. This was the moment they had been waiting for.

Satisfying~

Lockhart's face twisted in shock.

"Y-you're Remus Lupin?"

Lupin nodded calmly. "Not only that—but when exactly did you teach me the enchanted book therapy? Three years ago, was it? Did enchanted books even exist back then?"

The Weasley twins, grinning ear to ear, chimed in for support.

"Three years ago, Professor Kasenhis was still following his old mentor around."

"Maybe he invented it early and just... forgot to tell everyone?"

"Wait, wait, wait—!" Lockhart frantically waved his hands, his usual confident smirk melting into full-blown panic.

"I misspoke! I misspoke! I meant to say that I told the alchemist about it! I got confused—that's all!"

The crowd immediately turned their gazes to Kasenhis, their eyes full of expectation.

And Kasenhis, feeling mildly embarrassed, scratched his chin and casually strolled forward.

As he did, he activated his enchanted monocle, casually scanning Lockhart.

[Human] [Magic]

Tch.

Unfortunately, not a cockroach.

This guy is actually human?

Unbelievable.

Weird. Very weird.

Kasenhis cleared his throat. "Ahem, yes—I'm Kasenhis. I'm that alchemist you were talking about."

Lockhart's smile shattered like a glass window hit by a Bludger.

A wave of existential dread crashed over him, the kind that screamed:

"Welp, guess this is the end for me."

"I—uh—this is all just a misunderstanding..." Lockhart gulped, forcing an awkward, trembling smile.

"Would you—uh—believe me if I said it was just a joke?"

Kasenhis nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm… You know what? You're absolutely right…"

Lockhart's shoulders visibly relaxed.

"…This is just a misunderstanding…"

And then—snap!

With a casual flick of his fingers, a diamond shovel materialized in Kasenhis' hand.

Then, with another lazy wave, a group of students eagerly gathered around.

Kasenhis grinned. "Alright, listen up."

With a smooth motion, he summoned a whole stack of diamond shovels and distributed them among the students.

"Take these," he said, still smiling. "Find a nice, quiet spot."

Students: "Yes.."

Kasen: "Then dig a hole."

Students: "Okay!"

Kasen: "And bury him for a bit. Let him reflect on his life choices."

Students: Kekeke~

The students exchanged looks, their grins slowly morphing into something truly sinister.

Then, in unison, they all snatched up the shovels.

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

_______

(づ￣ 3￣)づRead two weeks ahead:

P@treon: Dragonel