"Hmm... very good. Looks like you really did read my book carefully." Kasenhis nodded in satisfaction, then reached out and took the book from Orlant.
"Let me see how far you've researched." As he spoke, Kasenhis pointed through the pages, marking out several important branches of magic that Orlant absolutely needed to understand thoroughly.
"Alright, these are the main ones. I didn't write much about the knowledge from the Thaumic Age in my papers, but since it's you, I think I can teach you this knowledge."
With that, Kasenhis pushed the Thaumonomicon back toward Orlant.
"Do you mind telling me why?" Orlant asked curiously.
"You're clear-headed, intelligent, and principled. To put it in the simplest terms, Maple is attractive enough, but after she used a Love Potion on you, you didn't lose your head like most young wizards your age would. You didn't forgive her, much less decide to start a real relationship with her."
"That alone shows that your mind is at least a whole level above most people your age."
When Kasenhis reached this point, he genuinely felt a sense of frustration.
A fifth-year junior was already this promising, while sixth-years Ron and Hermione were still messing around with all that nonsense.
The difference. The difference!
"Of course, that only proves that you're mature. More importantly, you have principles and you're decisive. Judging from how you immediately sent Maple Green to Azkaban, you're smart, decisive, and principled. Someone like you learning Thaumic Alchemy probably won't cause too much trouble."
Kasenhis proceeded to shower Orlant with Kasenhis-style praise and successfully kept him completely spellbound for the entire evening.
But that came later.
The next day...
"Hogwarts breakfast and Mrs Weasley's breakfast each have their own charm."
Kasenhis leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach contentedly.
At the long table, Snape had already left early to prepare lessons and make his PowerPoint slides. Slughorn was sitting beside Kasenhis instead, eagerly pouring him tea.
Looking at this sugar-coated bribe that practically cost nothing, Kasenhis didn't fall for it at all.
He picked up the tea, took a sip, and started to stand up.
The moment Slughorn saw that, he immediately stuck to him like a plaster.
"Why don't you just say what you want? We're good friends and colleagues. If you ask me directly, it's not like I won't tell you. If that's still not enough, I'll write you a book, alright?" Kasenhis said helplessly as he turned back.
Slughorn shook his head.
"The key to this type of potion is the interaction between all our ordinary ingredients and that red substance, producing all kinds of different effects. I already figured out that basic principle through experiments last night."
Kasenhis raised an eyebrow.
"Then you have even less reason to keep pestering me. You spent all night studying it. At this point, your understanding of this type of potion already exceeds mine."
"What I mean is that I didn't come to you because of Potions," Slughorn explained patiently.
"Then what is it? Can't you just say it plainly?" Kasenhis asked helplessly.
"I want to invite you to join the Slug Club. Perhaps you think this sort of behaviour is rather ridiculous, flattering someone only after they've already risen to a high position instead of investing in them while they're still unknown. It does seem somewhat... foolish... but you really have won me over with your talent," Slughorn said in one breath.
"Oh, that's all? I thought it was something serious..." Kasenhis breathed a sigh of relief. "Give me some time to think about it, alright?"
"No problem. How about you give me your answer at dinner tonight?" Slughorn said easily.
"No problem... bye."
Kasenhis watched Slughorn return to the Great Hall to finish the breakfast he hadn't completed, then headed toward the stairwell on his own.
Slughorn glanced back into the Great Hall and saw that Dumbledore had already finished eating and was about to leave.
Seeing this, he hurried over. After a few words and plenty of pleading, he finally managed to coax Dumbledore out of the castle.
His plan was very simple.
If Kasenhis wanted to ask about the Slug Club, there were only two people he would go to.
One was Dumbledore.
Dumbledore had been Slughorn's colleague for many years, even longer than Professor McGonagall had. The Slug Club had practically grown up right under his nose, so there were basically no secrets about it as far as he was concerned.
If Kasenhis went to Dumbledore to ask about it, would Dumbledore have anything nice to say?
Absolutely not.
So Slughorn needed to keep Dumbledore occupied here.
He didn't have any classes today anyway, and Dumbledore's job as Headmaster was even more leisurely.
If Kasenhis couldn't find Dumbledore, then there was only one other person he would ask about the Slug Club.
Snape.
If Snape found out that his good friend Kasenhis had been invited into the Slug Club, he would definitely spare no effort in praising the Slug Club from every possible angle.
Even if the club really did have a few unsavoury aspects, the flaws couldn't outweigh its merits.
For Snape, what was more tempting?
A few unsavoury matters, or being in the same club as his friend?
Obviously the second option.
The plan was perfect! Kekeke!
Meanwhile...
Kasenhis sat on the iron golem steps beside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom door, quietly waiting for Snape to finish teaching.
...
When the bell rang, Kasenhis opened his groggy eyes.
Without realising it, he had fallen asleep while sitting on the steps.
The instant he opened his eyes, all he saw was darkness.
Oh.
He had mistaken it.
It wasn't darkness.
It was Snape's black robes.
"Oh... you finally finished class. I've been waiting for ages."
Kasenhis yawned as he stood up, then stomped his feet to help his legs, which had already turned into television static with no signal, regain feeling faster.
"I already tried to speed things up as much as possible. Unfortunately, the young wizards are all extreme dunderheads, so I failed to achieve an early dismissal," Snape explained.
"I'm not blaming you. Actually, I came to ask you something," Kasenhis said, waving a hand.
"Alright, go ahead."
...
(～￣▽￣)～Read 12 Chapters ahead:
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