To learn Apparition, you don't need to provide excessive identification documents; the true identity verification happens when taking the Ministry of Magic Apparition examination.
Therefore, when Sherlock signed up for learning apparition, he fabricated a simple false identity for himself.
"Yes, I remember it was during my sixth year. My head and body separated; luckily, a teacher from the Ministry of Magic was nearby and provided timely assistance."(TN: What? Must have had a really good healer)
Sherlock looked as though he were still traumatised.
Kavell waved his hand.
"You can rest assured here. Before coming, you should have already looked into my background. I have taught over a hundred adult wizards who successfully obtained their Apparition Certificates, and there hasn't been a single accident."
After some brief small talk, Kavell didn't waste any more time talking to Sherlock; he seemed like a decisive and efficient person.
"Alright, Watson, since you've already been exposed to Apparition instruction, you should still remember the Three D's, right?"
Naturally, Sherlock had already mastered all the theoretical knowledge before coming.
"Destination, Determination, Deliberation."
"Exactly. In fact, it's not just Apparition; practically all spells require this mindset, but it's just more pronounced with Apparition."(TN: Did anyone need a wand to apparate? I don't seem to remember that being in the books.)
Kavell performed a demonstration right in front of Sherlock.
"Apparate."
He brandished his wand, and his figure suddenly vanished from the spot. Then, accompanied by a sound like a whip cracking the air, the next second he appeared precisely inside a wooden hoop ten metres away.
He then used Apparition again, returning to Sherlock's side.
"Actually, just by watching, you won't grasp any techniques, young man. The most important thing about this magic is sensing it yourself. No matter how nervous you are, you must maintain your state of mind."
Kavell indicated that Sherlock could try it himself.
Sherlock had already memorised the incantation and the wand movement; the only thing lacking was hands-on practice.
The purpose of him spending money to attend Apparition classes was essentially buying insurance for himself, ensuring that if an accident involving Splinching occurred, someone would be there to help him recover.
Sherlock drew his wand and took a deep breath. Kavell was still emphasising the key points beside him.
"Remember! The Three D's! You just need to do it; don't be too nervous. Even if you Splinch, I can help put your body back together."
He focused on the location of the wooden hoop, confirmed his destination, and simultaneously determined that he would definitely arrive there. Sherlock then brandished the wand in his hand.
"Apparate."
The spell was cast!
He felt as though his body had been grabbed by something, pulling him in one direction.
Sherlock showed no panic; he remembered the "Deliberation" part of the Three D's.
He turned gently on the spot and then distinctly felt his body beginning to become insubstantial.
The next moment, it felt as though he had travelled across thousands of mountains and rivers, yet also as though he hadn't moved at all.
Once his turning motion was completely finished and he stood calmly on the spot, Sherlock found that he had instantly Apparated next to the wooden hoop.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Loud applause came from the spot where he had previously stood. Kavell looked at him with astonishment.
"I don't think anyone would be so bored as to joke with me using real Galleons. Judging by your performance, you don't look like a beginner at all!"
Sherlock looked at the wooden hoop beside him. His Apparition wasn't entirely perfect; the final landing spot was about a metre off from where he had intended.
"That's because your destination confirmation was slightly lacking. You can try again."
Kavell summarised the reason for Sherlock's mistake and told him to try again.
The second Apparition was perfect.
But after Sherlock instantly Apparated inside the wooden hoop, before the smile could fully bloom on his face, he couldn't help but clutch his waist and dry-heave.
Kavell fetched a cup of hot tea from inside the house and handed it to him.
"Now I believe you've just started learning Apparition. Some newcomers always find this sensation difficult to adjust to, but it gets better once you're proficient."
Sherlock took the hot tea from his hand, said thank you, and then asked,
"Does this kind of Apparition meet the standard?"
"Of course. Based on your performance just now, as long as you don't make a mistake during the examination, getting the Ministry of Magic Certificate will be easy."
"Under normal circumstances, how long does it take an adult wizard to learn this spell?" Sherlock asked casually, taking a sip of tea.
"Normally, it requires a month of continuous study. I met a very talented young man who only took three days. You, however, are an exceptional case among exceptions."
Kavell shrugged and said, "Young people like to hear compliments. Usually, after the wizards who come to me finish learning, I tell them they are rare geniuses just to make them happy. But you truly are the most astonishingly talented wizard I have ever seen."
Sherlock, of course, knew his own situation best.
He knew that his magical talent was not nearly that exaggerated; it was just that the Original Owner had already mastered this spell. His 'first time learning' was actually equivalent to picking up a rusty skill and polishing it until it was proficient.
Seeing Sherlock deep in thought, Kavell mistakenly thought he was worrying about the tuition fee, so he patted his shoulder and said,
"Don't worry. I originally charged you thirty-six Galleons, planning to teach you for a week. Since you mastered it in less than a day, you don't need to pay the remaining money. Why don't you stay and have lunch here?"
When Sherlock signed up, he paid twelve Galleons first. The remaining twenty-four Galleons were scheduled to be paid after the completion of the course and upon receiving the Ministry of Magic Certificate.
Sherlock could tell from Kavell's tone that he intended to befriend him by waiving the remaining tuition.
Naturally, he had no objections. After all, the person the other party was befriending was John Watson, which had nothing to do with him, Sherlock Cavendish.
For the rest of the time, Sherlock continuously practised Apparition, instantly Apparating back and forth across the lawn in front of the small house to perfect the technique.
Around noon, Kavell, who had finished frying steaks, called him into the house and placed two glasses of brandy on the table.
"I generally like to have a little alcohol with every meal. Feel free to drink if you want."
Sherlock had no intention of touching the alcohol. It wasn't that he didn't drink, but he wasn't accustomed to drinking with someone he had just met that day.
It was clear that although Kavell looked rough on the outside, he was a very outgoing person, and especially after drinking, he became more and more talkative.
"...Aurors nowadays are truly useless. When I was young, I was a dark wizard hunter fighting on the front lines. During the height of You-Know-Who's power, I even exchanged blows with those Death Eaters."
He downed the brandy in his glass in one gulp, then took the untouched glass belonging to Sherlock.
"Honestly, fighting the Death Eaters was the most dangerous time of my life. I almost died." He stretched out his hand, using his index finger and thumb to indicate a short distance.
"At that time, the Killing Curse was only this close to me. Luckily, someone pushed me away in time, but that person died later."
Kavell looked mournful.
"I didn't even know the name of the person who saved me; he just died like that in a battle."
Kavell was not only outgoing, but his alcohol tolerance was also quite poor. After downing two glasses of brandy, he initially seemed unchanged, but once the after-effects hit, his face turned red, and he quietly asked Sherlock,
"Have you heard about that recent incident at Hogwarts?"
Sherlock immediately narrowed his eyes and nodded subtly.
"I've heard something."(TN: Truly 'awesome' way to end a bloody chapter.)