Chapter 8
August 30, Hogwarts, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's Office.
"Jeffery, Camille, what do you think of this alchemical device?" Lucian softly called to his two assistants, who were studying independently, showing them the fruits of his labor over the past few days—two standard pistols, one silver and one black.
"Is this the Muggle weapon mentioned in history books, Professor?" Jeffery fell in love with the unique weapon almost at first sight. Camille's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.
"Yes, I've modified them using alchemy and runes. These guns don't require bullets; they have an embedded magic matrix and can cast the Impediment Jinx through firing." As he spoke, Lucian picked up the longer black gun, casually aimed at a corner of the room, and pulled the trigger.
With this action, magic flowed from his fingertips into the gun body, then quickly circulated back, stirring the magical flow within his body. The next moment, a transparent surge of magical energy burst from the muzzle, and where it landed, the ground suddenly deformed, forming a wall about one meter high.
"Is this using an alchemical device in place of a wand? Professor, can you change the embedded spell rune?"
"Compared to using a wand, this weapon seems a bit cumbersome... but it also has its advantages—"
"Indeed. Using this conductive weapon allows wizards who aren't proficient in spells to still use the magic within it." Lucian continued Camille's words, in reasonably good spirits.
"I'm planning to use them as prizes for outstanding students, so I haven't embedded complex spells. What do you think?"
"Very creative." Jeffery smiled scratching his cheeks, not voicing the desire in his heart.
"As expected of you." Camille smiled in flattery.
"Good—here." He tossed the black gun to Jeffery and the white one to Camille.
"These are the first batch of alchemical firearms I've made. I'm giving them to you. Your names are engraved on the gun bodies—I hope you like them."
The two belatedly turned the guns over and saw the lettering prominently engraved in silver patterns, clearly crafted with unique care.
"Tha—"
"Don't thank me yet." Lucian interrupted them. "This also counts as your new assignment."
"Camille, I want you to embed the most powerful spell you can manage into this long gun.
"Jeffery, since you apprenticed under me six years earlier than her, the difficulty will naturally be greater for you. You'll need to first dismantle the existing magic matrix, then do the same thing.
"Of course, as before, you two can work on this together."
"Yes, Professor." Jeffery solemnly put away the pistol, already planning to make a custom holster for it later.
At that moment, his eyes met Camille's. Her autumn-water-like gaze stared unblinkingly, containing an unspoken "contempt."
"..."
Jeffery suppressed the joy in his heart but couldn't help smiling.
He knew what Camille meant—these alchemical pistols were gifts for students, essentially toys. Getting excited over these toys was too immature.
But so what? was liking it a problem?
Moreover, he believed that whether it was the students at Hogwarts or those classmates far away from school, they would all love the Professor's invention.
September 1, the start of term.
Lucian woke up promptly at seven in the morning. By the time he stepped out the door, his two assistants were already sitting at the dining table, waiting to eat with him.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Good morning. Let's go—we'll have breakfast in the Great Hall."
This had been agreed upon earlier when he took them on a tour of the school. Since he had come to teach at Hogwarts, he needed to integrate into the environment here.
If he continued as before, shutting himself in his room all day conducting his own research, it would be somewhat inappropriate.
Moreover, Lucian's mindset had gradually changed since arriving at the school—he was trying to embrace a certain psychological shift.
It was early morning, and the students on holiday hadn't returned yet. Only a few faculty members sat scattered in the Great Hall, making it feel rather empty. When Lucian arrived, Professor McGonagall was hurriedly finishing her breakfast. Seeing him, she looked somewhat surprised.
"Lucian, you're up so early?"
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall. You seem a bit rushed."
Lucian sat down with his two assistants and quietly greeted the librarian, Madam Pince nearby—she was the person he had interacted with most during his school days.
"It's not too bad—this time of year is always a bit hectic. Dumbledore always plays the hands-off leader, and the house-elves have to prepare the evening feast for the new students. We're a little short-staffed."
If this had been during his student days, Lucian would have pretended not to hear such comments even if he did, but now... "Is there anything I can help with?"
He forked a piece of fried egg into his mouth. The house-elf Barton had appeared beside him at some point, serving a medium-rare steak while pouring orange juice for the three of them. "If you're willing, that would be wonderful."
Professor McGonagall looked at Lucian in surprise. Suddenly, she leaned in close and whispered: "In fact, Mr. Filch is responsible for the Great Hall's decorations and cleaning, but as you know, the work is too heavy and arduous for him. I'd love to find time to help him check for anything missed."
Filch was a Squib who couldn't perform magic. Heaven knows how he managed all the decorations alone and even replaced the burnt-out candles on the ceiling.
"I understand what you mean, Professor McGonagall. Leave it to me—I'll assist Mr. Filch with everything." Lucian nodded, signaling her to relax.
Personally, he held no ill will toward Filch—though the man's mindset was quite twisted, taking pleasure in corporal punishment for students.
But during his student days, Lucian had been a model student. Whether it was Filch patrolling for night wanderers or Hagrid managing the Forbidden Forest, he rarely interacted with them, so there were neither grudges nor friendships.
After enjoying a pleasant breakfast, Lucian took his two assistants and prepared to get to work. Suddenly, he felt the air grow chilly.
Snape—when had he arrived?
"Lucian." The corner of his lips curled into a mocking arc. "I never thought you'd actually become a Hogwarts teacher—ha! A reclusive freak. Just how are you going to teach your students?"
"A reclusive freak? You seem the least qualified to say that. Severus, you haven't been rehearsing this line ever since you went back last time, have you?" Lucian responded calmly. Snape acted as if he hadn't heard, suddenly stepping forward and murmuring in a low, oppressive tone, like a basilisk hissing in the dark.
"Let me guess—how will our great professor teach his students?
"I solemnly remind you: don't bring out those notes of yours that are so boring they could choke a troll to death. That bunch of little trolls with heads stuffed full of gillyweed won't be able to comprehend your intentions.
"Of course, you could always do as you did before—ignore everyone and immerse yourself in your own world. After all, that's what you've always done, isn't it?"
"Could you not get so close to me, Severus?" Lucian raised a hand to block him, his words carrying some disgust, as if he truly found Snape's current appearance repulsive.
Snape's mouth twitched, memories from the past flashing in his mind—"Team up with you to defeat James Potter and the others? What's the point? I don't have time to waste on you lot."
"Still the same."
This punk... always shutting people up with just a few words—whether it was Snape inviting Lucian to collaborate or James and the others extending an olive branch to him, It was always like this.'Why would someone like him agree to teach at Hogwarts? It clearly offered him no benefit.'
"Dumbledore doesn't understand you, but I do! Lucian, what have you been doing since graduation? What exactly is your purpose in coming to Hogwarts?"