HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

Kasen didn't hold back. Using tiny Redstone blocks, he meticulously recreated an exact replica of the Philosopher's Stone in front of him—his own "bootleg Philosopher's Stone."

Redstone, a material he considered a near-infinite energy source, seemed pretty similar to the Philosopher's Stone.

While its effects weren't as powerful, the magical aura it emitted was close enough.

[+10 Satisfaction from Dumbledore]

[+10 Satisfaction from Dumbledore]

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint in your role as the Alchemy Professor," Dumbledore said with a smile, taking the replica stone from Kasen's hand.

"Mm-hmm. Anything else?"

"Feel free to go about your day."

"Alright… Honestly, I already regret it," Kasen said bitterly.

"Regret what?"

"Upgrading the Iron Golems."

"Oh… That is understandable," Dumbledore said, chuckling as he noticed the dark circles under Kasen's eyes.

After leaving the office, Kasen called for Hagrid to continue their grand campus upgrade project.

Meanwhile, the instigator of all this, Professor McGonagall, was sitting leisurely in her office, enjoying some jazz music.

It must be said, upgrading all the statues at Hogwarts into Iron Golems was an enormous project. By the time the upgrades were complete, it was nearly the start of the school year.

...

On September 1st, Kasen stood in his freshly redecorated office, humming a little tune as he smugly ironed his brand-new wizard's robes.

After all, this was his first official day as a professor, and a polished appearance was essential. There were still thirty minutes before the students arrived at Hogwarts.

Plenty of time.

After polishing his leather shoes to a mirror-like shine, donning his pristine robes, and admiring himself in the mirror… something still felt off.

He glanced down at his empty chest.

"Missing a brooch."

That was an easy fix for him.

A diamond the size of half his palm appeared in his hand.

Using tiny golden and Redstone blocks, he embedded the diamond into an opulent brooch that looked absolutely priceless.

Once everything was ready, Kasen hummed his way to the Great Hall, where he found Professor McGonagall directing the final touches of the decorations.

McGonagall spotted him, then her gaze fell on the brooch pinned to his chest.

"Good taste."

[+10 Favorability from Professor McGonagall]

"..." Kasen scratched his head. He didn't doubt his own taste, but why did Professor McGonagall specifically warm up to him over it?

He looked down at his chest. That diamond brooch—if you ignored the diamond, the remaining colors were red and gold... exactly the colors of Gryffindor.

Well, mystery solved.

For someone who had never been influenced by Gryffindor culture to unconsciously choose Gryffindor's colors, even just as an aesthetic choice, was enough to delight the head of Gryffindor.

"Anything I can help with, Professor McGonagall?" Kasen asked.

"Not for now. Your most important task is to be ready for your introduction later... Don't tell me you haven't prepared a speech," McGonagall said, her tone dropping ominously as realization dawned.

"No, no, of course I've prepared it. Definitely prepared," Kasen quickly replied.

Escaping McGonagall's piercing gaze, Kasen finally had a moment to relax. He noticed Hagrid nearby, checking his equipment.

Hagrid was inspecting a not-so-bright lantern. It could've been the wick, the dirty glass cover, or simply the fact that kerosene lamps aren't very bright to begin with.

"Hagrid, need some help?" Kasen asked as a Glowstone block slowly materialized in his hand. He crafted a small iron frame around it, resembling a basketball net, and enclosed the Glowstone inside.

"This should brighten things up."

"Don't know how to thank you, this'll be a big help! Say, want to come along with me to pick up the first-years?" Hagrid asked, carefully lifting the Glowstone lantern.

Professor McGonagall, who had been overseeing the arrangements like a general commanding her troops, suddenly appeared between the two. "Sorry, Hagrid, but today's not possible. Today is one of the most important days in Professor Kasen's career. He needs to maintain his dignity."

Hagrid gave an awkward chuckle. "You're right, I didn't think of that."

Kasen shrugged helplessly at Hagrid.

"Mm-hmm, so that's that. I'll see you later," Kasen said.

"You will," Hagrid replied, heading out of the castle with his Glowstone lantern in hand.

As McGonagall walked around Kasen, inspecting him like a drill sergeant, she gave a satisfied nod. "Good posture. Looks like you've put some effort into today."

[+10 Trust from Professor McGonagall]

"Of course, of course," Kasen replied.

While the two stood in the middle of the Great Hall chatting, the returning upper-year students began filing in, taking their seats at their respective House tables.

"Go to your seat now, Kasen. And remember, today is an important day for you. Keep your composure!" McGonagall instructed.

"Of course… Professor McGonagall, to be honest, you remind me of one of my teachers from high school," Kasen said with a small smile.

"Which teacher? What were they like?" McGonagall asked, curious.

"Loved learning as much as they loved their students. I quite liked them."

"Thank you."

[+10 Favorability from Professor McGonagall]

...

Meanwhile...

"First-years! Over here!" Hagrid called out, standing on a large, jutting rock.

"That's Hagrid! Let's go find him!" Harry exclaimed, dragging Ron along. When they got closer, Ron noticed the softly glowing lamp in Hagrid's hand.

"Cool! I've never seen a lamp like that before," Ron said, awestruck.

"Haha, this was a gift from Mr. Kasen—your Alchemy professor. Trust me, when you see his alchemy, it'll absolutely blow your minds!" Hagrid replied with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, right, Harry—and you, Weasley troublemaker—find yourselves a boat. Remember, only four to a boat!"

"Got it, Hagrid!" they replied.

The two climbed into a boat and were soon joined by two other first-years: a round-faced boy who seemed rather shy, Neville Longbottom, and a bushy-haired girl whose cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, Hermione Granger.

"Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing you talking to that giant professor earlier. Did I hear something about an Alchemy professor? Do you know anything about him?" Hermione asked eagerly as soon as she sat down.

"Professor Kasenhis... he's a really nice and gentle person, and he can actually create gold," Harry said, gazing up at the starry sky with a hint of nostalgia.

Cough, cough, cough! "What?! Harry, what did you just say?"

Ron, who had been daydreaming about how to survive the next seven years while looking at Hogwarts in the distance, suddenly snapped out of it and asked in disbelief.

"He can create gold! And it's the real deal!" Harry said seriously.

"By Merlin's beard... by my mum! How rich must he be?!" Ron exclaimed, his mouth hanging open and refusing to close.