"Did Dumbledore ever show you the Philosopher's Stone?" Nicolas Flal asked again.
"Yes, he did, and he even had counterfeit it once," Kasenhis replied with a nod.
"You counterfeited it? Oh! For him?"
"Yes... Do you want to hear his na? If you don't, I won't say it."
"There's no need—you don't have to say it. I already know who you an. How did you counterfeit it?" Flal's curiosity clearly piqued.
Kasenhis reached into his pocket and pulled out a chunk of redstone. "With this."
Flal took the redstone and weighed it in his hand, scrutinizing it closely. Finally, he let out a sigh of relief.
"It's just an energy block, after all. If you could make a Philosopher's Stone as easily as you make gold, I'd honestly need to find a rope and end it right here."
"Still, it looks close enough," Kasenhis explained. "You've made the real thing, so you can tell the difference, but most people wouldn't have a clue. It's very useful for baiting traps."
"Did Dumbledore ever tell you what he planned to do with the real Philosopher's Stone?" Flal inquired.
"No, he didn't, and I didn't ask."
"When he's done with it, you should ask him to hand it over to you," Flal advised.
"That's the Philosopher's Stone you're talking about. Why does it sound like cabbage coming out of your mouth?" Kasenhis asked, incredulous.
"Heh! Does Dumbledore know alchemy? The Philosopher's Stone can't show its true potential in his hands," Flal said matter-of-factly. "Besides, he has little regard for material possessions. From the way he ntioned you in his letters, it's clear he values you highly. Trust —he'll give it to you."
Kasenhis wholeheartedly agreed with the first point.
Dumbledore didn't understand alchemy at all—The fact that he appointed the clueless as a professor at that ti proves it.
But the latter part left him feeling a bit odd. He didn't doubt Dumbledore's indifference to external possessions—on the surface, at least.
But considering Dumbledore's penchant for extravagance, from his expensive robes and plush chairs to his half-moon glasses made of mithril and pure crystal, and the way he skimd off the salaries of new professors at the start of term, Kasenhis couldn't imagine the man giving away sothing for nothing.
The last ti Kasenhis had swiped two bottles of Dumbledore's prized liquor, he ended up dueling a dark wizard in the Forbidden Forest.
If he managed to pry the Philosopher's Stone out of Dumbledore's hands, who knows what price he'd have to pay?
"Trust ," Flal continued, "you'll need a Philosopher's Stone in your future. Even if it shatters into dust in your hands, that would still be a more worthwhile use than it sitting in so ornate box collecting dust or being used solely to brew immortality elixirs and perform petty tricks like transmuting gold."
"I understand… I'll convince Dumbledore," Kasenhis said with a nod. "Since soone as accomplished in alchemy as you holds in such high regard, I suppose I should at least live up to that expectation."
"How do you plan to ask him?"
"If Dumbledore refuses to hand over the Philosopher's Stone for free, I'll just wait until he's asleep and throw a sack over him," Kasenhis exhaled heavily as he spoke.
"Uh… honestly, there's no need for that, really," Flal quickly added.
"…" After a long silence, Kasenhis nodded. "I'll keep your advice in mind."
"That's for the best… though I know you'll likely let it go in one ear and out the other. Talented folks like you are always like that. Dumbledore was the sa in his youth, and that other one… never mind."
Flal trailed off, as if he had either forgotten or deliberately chosen not to say more. With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly walked away.
"I just hope my temperant doesn't turn out so peculiar in the future… must be sothing about studying alchemy," Kasenhis muttered to himself, watching the elderly alchemist wander off, his tone filled with harmless teasing.
The evening banquet wrapped up quickly.
The crowd wasn't exactly youthful—besides Kasenhis, the youngest person there was thirty-three.
This wasn't the sort of event to devolve into a wild party lasting until dawn.
People kept things simple: sipping drinks, nibbling on tiny cakes or snacks if they were peckish, and then dispersing.
Kasenhis followed an organizer to a suite prepared by the French Ministry of Magic. Upon entering, he had to admit it was impressively luxurious, almost reminiscent of a high-end Muggle hotel.
After a quick shower, he nearly dozed off in the bathtub. Barely managing to drag himself to the bed, he collapsed onto it, and within seconds, sleep claid him.
He was truly exhausted.
The next morning, Kasenhis was awakened by the arrival of breakfast.
Normally, he had a mild case of morning grumpiness—not to the point of snapping at people, but certainly not one to greet anyone with a smile, especially those bringing breakfast.
But then the staff presented him with an authentic French breakfast.
To be honest, when compared to this, the Hogwarts morning fare of dry bread, rock-hard bacon that might as well have been carved out of redstone, and flavorless, water-thin fried eggs seed laughably inadequate.
"...Does the French wizarding school happen to need an alchemy professor?" Kasenhis asked earnestly, looking up at the staff mber.
"Oh My! If you're truly interested, I believe Beauxbatons would gladly reassign their current alchemy professor to care for the Abraxans, just to warmly welco you. Shall I draft a letter to convey your interest?!!"
The Ministry staff mber produced a piece of parchnt and a quill, ready to write a ssage on the spot, leaning against the doorfra.
"Ah, no need for that, sir, truly. I was just expressing my admiration. And let say, I'm genuinely in awe of your French cuisine," Kasenhis hurriedly stopped the well-aning man.
It was only then that the staff mber seed to recall that Kasenhis was English. His expression softened into one of pity, as though suddenly understanding the culinary plight of his guest.
After a mont's thought, he retrieved another plate of breakfast from the cart and handed it over.
"Thank you, generous sir. May rlin bless you!"
Kasenhis stood at the door, holding two plates of breakfast, and watched as the "Breakfast Knight" gradually disappeared down the hallway. Only then did he return to the suite and begin to enjoy his al.
After finishing breakfast, he had to head downstairs.
The gathering of the Alchemy Association's full mbership this ti was no small feat, so the alchemy big shots had co up with a spur-of-the-mont activity: a group outing to explore the Muggle side of France.
Kasenhis found the idea refreshingly agreeable.
Since he was already here, he figured he might as well pick up so souvenirs for his students.
However, when he shared this thought and asked where the French Gringotts was located, he learned that the association was footing the bill for the entire outing.
They had already exchanged a massive amount of gold Galleons for French francs.
"Hmm... in that case, I guess I can pick up gifts for the professors too."
__________
(≧∇≦)ﾉRead two weeks ahead of WN:
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