Kael was quite surprised by Dumbledore's words.
Only students who have made significant contributions to Hogwarts can receive the Special Contribution Award to the school, the highest personal honor for young wizards during their school years.
Fifty years ago, a certain infamous noseless wizard, the originator of the Defence Against the Dark Arts curse, Mr. Tom, also won this award in his fifth year.
But now Kael is only in his first year, a whole four years earlier than him.
From this perspective, Kael could very well point at the other person's nose... or upper jaw, and say with ease, "You're such a loser."
What would happen after he said that, though, is another story.
"Thank you for your remarks, Headmaster," Kael said with a smile.
He wasn't thanking for the Special Contribution Award, but for what Dumbledore had just said.
Especially the words "noble spirit" within it...
No wonder Old Dumble can be the headmaster; he could see his inner qualities at a glance.
Can't help but admire.
"You deserve it, well-deserved," Dumbledore said with a blink. "Very few have the courage, as first-years, to face two adult wizards alone, let alone defeat one.
The Board of Governors unanimously agreed that awarding you the Special Contribution Award is the best decision I've made this year."
They were probably afraid of trouble, Kael thought to himself, he really didn't think the Board of Governors considered so much.
Unlike Dumbledore, who is devoted to the school, they care more about their own interests.
If Kael had really died in the Forbidden Forest, it wouldn't be long before the entire magical realm knew that the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts was killing students.
Even if Hogwarts didn't close, there would be a lot of trouble, and the Board of Governors naturally didn't want such things to happen.
Fortunately, Kael was fine.
They're probably just using this Special Contribution Award as a way to appease Chris and Diana.
But Kael couldn't care less about their thoughts; he was at least very pleased with the current outcome.
"Headmaster, there's one more thing."
"Go ahead and ask."
"What about Hagrid? I noticed he wasn't in the house at the time."
"In fact, Hagrid was the first to be attacked yesterday," Dumbledore explained. "Oren tricked him into drinking undiluted Swooping Evil venom, then hid him in the Forbidden Forest after he fell unconscious."
"And Hagrid now...?"
"Don't worry Kael, Hagrid's health is better than an average wizard, he won't be in any life-threatening danger."
Dumbledore reassured, "And I've also obtained a method from Newt to remove the Swooping Evil venom, so he'll be back from St Mungo's soon."
Kael heaved a sigh of relief, nearly forgetting that Hagrid was a half-giant with high resilience and defense.
Also, Swooping Evil venom is peculiar; drinking it isn't as severe as it being spilled on you.
"Headmaster, I have one last question."
"Go ahead."
"That witch..." Kael said, "Why was she hiding beside Conna?"
"Ah, I've been wondering when you'd ask about this,"
Dumbledore said. "I'm sorry, Kael, I can't tell you much due to its connection with the Prince family. I can only say that witch had ill intentions and her target was a key."
"A key?"
"Yes, indeed, a key to a Gringotts Vault," Dumbledore said mysteriously. "Her identity is quite special, and as long as she gets the vault key, she can legitimately take away the entire inheritance left by Conna's family."
Kael frowned, the word 'inheritance' instantly provoking a thought.
He looked at Dumbledore but received no response.
Dumbledore apparently didn't plan to continue the topic; he placed a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans by the bed with a smile, "Alright, you've asked enough questions. I suggest you start enjoying these sweets. I noticed there's a limited edition mint cockroach cluster in there..."
"If you like, I can gift them to you," Kael sincerely offered.
It wasn't a lie; he genuinely wanted to give away those cockroach clusters.
But Dumbledore declined.
He stood up, "In closing, I must ask for your forgiveness. Due to some matters, I wasn't at the castle yesterday, leading to my failure to appear in your most dangerous moment; it's my dereliction as Headmaster."
"It's okay, no need to worry."
...
Kael didn't stay long at the Hospital Wing; shortly after Dumbledore left, Madam Pomfrey agreed to his discharge request.
Thanks to his usual good relations, as soon as Kael returned to the Hufflepuff common room, he was surrounded by a group, having to respond to their concern one by one.
An hour later, back in that familiar abandoned classroom.
"Kael, I heard you took down an adult wizard?!"
Fred was impatient as soon as they met, "Is this true?!"
"Don't even think of denying," George said, "When the Beaters left the Forbidden Forest, someone heard their conversation. The witch Professor McGonagall brought back was beaten like that by you."
"..."
Do the Beaters have such low confidentiality awareness; why wasn't such an important mission given to an Auror!
Kael rubbed his forehead, though he didn't plan to hide it.
"Just sheer luck, the opponent's strength was too weak," Kael said. "I guess she never attended Hogwarts."
"Come on, that's an adult witch who knows Dark Magic, don't make it sound so easy."
Cedric joked, "You're making us look useless."
"Alright," Kael smoothly said, "I actually went through near-death experiences and only survived after waiting painfully for rescue from the Dark Wizard."
George nodded seriously, "That sounds more comfortable."
"I didn't realize it, Oren is actually a Dark Wizard,"
Cedric marveled, "Plus, his classes were quite interesting, much better than last year."
"Careful, Cedric," Fred reminded, "Oren's no longer a professor; he nearly killed Kael."
"Sorry, I'm just used to it," Cedric quickly apologized.
"No one expected it," Cho chimed in, "Even Davis can't believe it's true; he thought it was someone else using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Oren.
By the way, Davis is the guy who wanted to file a complaint against Oren before, he nearly fought with your Gryffindor."
"I know him," Fred sighed, "He was right, we all misjudged the guy."
Talking about Oren, everyone fell silent, even the usually high-spirited Fred and George became quiet.
They too liked Oren a lot before, even hoping he'd break the curse and stay at Hogwarts next year.
But now everything's changed; Oren was actually a Dark Wizard!
They're probably never going to encounter another Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who was humorous and fun in class, and didn't check homework.
For a while, the classroom became quiet, the five didn't speak to each other.
That's right, it's just five here this time; the one missing is Conna.
Poke... or rather, the witch's actions had a big impact on her, she's been holed up in her dorm these few days, only coming out when Kael was discharged back to the common room.
But the others didn't know this, Cedric and the others thought Conna was scared, staying in the dorm the whole time.
...…