In the last moments before the start of school, Karl had been bored out of his mind, researching and writing papers.
Cat Mom had said at the time that he could be as outrageous as he wanted, but when it came to the review, it was a completely different story.
Karl felt that even a journal editor would have approved the draft, but Cat Mom still found a pile of errors for him to revise.
"Minerva! Didn't you say I could make it up however I wanted based on myths and legends?"
He finally managed to use a back door, so why did it feel harder than a normal submission?
"I told you to make up conjectures, not a paper," Professor McGonagall spread her hands innocently, "Child,
You need to understand that people are more willing to believe truths they deduce themselves than to be told directly by others."
"So?"
"So your paper content must be of a good standard, and then slowly incorporate some conjectures about multi-form Transfiguration theory into it. This way, readers will accept such novel conjectures while acknowledging the paper's content, achieving a subtle effect."
"Really? I remember you didn't say that at the time!"
"Then you must have remembered incorrectly."
Karl: (...)
He said it as if it were true! You clearly just wanted to punish me!
I'm so stupid! Really! How could I dare to believe Cat Mom would go easy on me when reviewing a paper?
Professor McGonagall gave Karl a kind smile, "What? Do you have a different opinion?"
"No!"
Karl shook his head tearfully. How could he have an opinion? He had written enough, not lived enough.
"Here, this is an article I wrote. Although it's not a paper, you can refer to it. Just follow this method."
"Oh, I see."
Taking the manuscript paper Professor McGonagall handed over, Karl began to study it carefully.
This was undoubtedly a high-level Transfiguration theory, perfectly demonstrating the author's Transfiguration attainments.
At the very end, Cat Mom naturally included a vision for the future of Transfiguration and a conjecture about whether bloodline would affect Animagus.
Karl:...
Well, it certainly looks good.
Meeting the Kitten's admiring gaze, Cat Mom showed a big shot's smile, "For the next article, I plan to discuss the various forms of Animagus and the unreasonableness of multi-form Transfiguration."
Karl scratched his head in confusion, "Why unreasonableness?"
"Because then people will refute it and help us propose its reasonableness."
Karl: O||
I'm convinced! As expected, the older the ginger, the spicier it is! I'm still too green!
Tuesday, September 1, 1992.
The annual start of school at Hogwarts.
Karl went to the school gate as promised to welcome his friends and good friends.
There was no other way; Hogwarts was his territory, so he had to fulfill his duties as a host.
It wasn't that Karl was overconfident, but Dumbledore and Grindelwald hadn't returned yet.
These past few nights, he and Nicolas Flamel had been using the Phoenix relief book to contact Dumbledore, but they hadn't received any response.
"What's going on? Did these two old men elope? No way!"
Karl didn't think they would encounter danger. Not to mention that the Cloud Sea Skybridge was already broken, even if they encountered the Tuatha Dé Danann, it would be difficult to stop Dumbledore and Grindelwald working together.
Thinking about the half-health Dumbledore's Fire God's Path, although the old man seemed not very useful, he was actually tougher than anyone.
Who is the strongest fighter in all of Hogwarts?
Of course, it's Albus Dumbledore! Could it possibly be me?
"It's probably some important discovery, which is why they've been delayed until now."
Karl reluctantly convinced himself, then threw the stone he had crushed into dust aside.
Just then, Thestrals were already pulling carriages, filled with young Wizards, like little piglets.
Seeing this scene, Karl suddenly felt a sense of joy similar to a harvest.
"Long time no see, Karl! Did you have a fun holiday?"
Hannah, the Iron Hat King, came over with her little companions, Susan, Justin, and Ernie, happily greeting Karl.
"Not bad, how about you all?"
Karl's gaze was drawn to Hannah's pigtails, and he subconsciously thought of cockroach antennae.
"A perfect holiday!"
The four little ones surrounded Karl, curiously asking him questions.
"Karl, do you know this term's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor?"
"Gilderoy Lockhart! I've read his books! He's truly a brave and amazing Wizard!"
"You're both authors, so do you already know each other?"
"My mom really admires him! She even told me to get an autograph from Professor Lockhart!"
Karl:...
If you're going to talk like this, then I don't want to continue the conversation.
"Although I don't know Professor Lockhart, he is definitely an outstanding and great Wizard, so you must all study hard and listen carefully in class."
Watching the four little ones he had encouraged walk away, Karl could only hope they wouldn't be disappointed.
"Cedric, what happened to you?"
Karl looked at Cedric, who was sitting in a wheelchair, almost mummified by bandages. Was he performing some kind of performance art?
"He was practicing flying skills a few days ago and crashed into a tree. It's not a very serious injury, he'll be fine in a few days."
After hearing Summers' words, Karl was speechless. Among the nine ways to beat Harry, there wouldn't be a direct collision, would there?
Then I can only recommend the Iron Mountain Lean to you.
"I just wanted to try the Ouroboros Movement while flying at extreme speed, and the result is—"
Karl directly ignored Cedric's remaining words and turned to walk towards Nina and Cho,
Still talking about the Ouroboros Movement, huh? Why didn't you crash and die? Get lost!
"Auntie? Why do you look fatter again?"
Cho: (...)
The smile on her face instantly froze. Why wasn't it you who crashed into the tree!
Nina glared at Karl reproachfully. It was only because this bad guy was strong; otherwise, he would sooner or later be put in a sack and bludgeoned.
"Where's Sion?"
"He's doing great. I'll go with you to take him home tomorrow, but are you only asking about Sion?"
Seeing the little girl pretending to be displeased, Karl smiled slightly, "Of course not! I also want to ask if you missed me?"
Hearing this, Nina's fair cheeks immediately flushed, "Mm—actually——"
"I was talking about Crow Wu."
Nina: (—) She raised a hand and punched Karl, then pulled Cho and left. Continuing the conversation would likely make her die of anger.
"Hey? Leaving already? I was just teasing you!"
Watching the two leave, Karl was about to catch up when someone grabbed him.
He looked back and saw it was Senior Judy.
"Had a fun holiday? Where's your manuscript? Huh? Look me in the eyes and answer me!"
Karl: (⊙⊙)
Oh no! He was so busy writing papers that he forgot about it!
After being hounded offline and scolded by Senior Judy, Karl promised to submit the manuscript before Halloween.
Only then did he save his life from her hands.
Merlin's yoga pants!! So scary!
After returning to the Castle, Karl did not go to the Great Hall but went to Cat Mom's office first.
"Minerva, the start-of-term feast is about to begin, and Albus and the others aren't back yet—Holy crap!"
Under Karl's stunned gaze, Dumbledore and Grindelwald, covered in dust and with torn clothes, were smiling at him.
"You two—what happened? Did you fight the Tuatha Dé Danann?"
"Cough! There was a small accident!"
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