After sending Arthur off with a bowl of motivational chicken soup and urging him to study properly, Kasenhis returned to his usual two-point routine—class time and research time.

His meal breaks were naturally compressed into his class schedule.

Hmm… the young wizards didn't seem to mind.

As for Grindelwald's "Soul Branch" technique, he'd more or less figured out the basics. Having once audited medical courses as a civil engineering major, he could at least give a rough explanation of its principle.

But before that, it needed a name—this grand project of making Hogwarts stand up. The codename: Project Hogwarts Titan.

The Hogwarts Titan could be regarded as a human body without a brain.

Originally, in Kasenhis's design, many wizards were needed to control each joint or even specific pistons. These wizards together would act as the brain of the Hogwarts Titan.

But with the Soul Branch, things were different. It acted like a nervous system—allowing a single wizard to control the entire Titan. Highly efficient, to say the least.

Like right now~

"So, Professor, what's this thing even for?" The upper-year students followed Kasenhis around Hogwarts, laying down all kinds of alchemical tracks through every corridor and hall.

"You can think of it as necessary reinforcement for Hogwarts, along with a special kind of energy transmission. When my amazing, incredible masterpiece is finished, you'll even be able to list today's work experience on your résumé," Kasenhis said while directing the placement of the alchemical rails.

"Professor, shouldn't we maybe… take a little detour? We're almost at Professor McGonagall's office…" another young wizard said nervously.

"No need. This project's already been approved by Professor McGonagall herself. Just focus on the work. When we're done, I'll add some spectacular new features to the Alchemy Professor's office for you all to admire," Kasenhis said cheerfully.

"But, uh, Professor… aren't you the Alchemy Professor?"

…

After class, Kasenhis waved the young wizards off and didn't continue hauling piles of alchemical rails through Hogwarts' corridors himself.

With all those students as free labor, doing it personally would've been far too wasteful.

Back in his office, before he could even take a sip of barley tea, he noticed three figures huddled suspiciously beside his desk.

"…What are you three up to?" Kasenhis asked.

Harry nervously pulled out a telescope and peered toward the office door.

After confirming no one was coming, he finally let out a breath. "It's like this, Professor… Hermione's been acting… kind of crazy lately."

"?? What do you mean?" Kasenhis asked.

"It all started when we went to Sirius's old house.. the Black family mansion. There's a house-elf there named Kreacher," Ron began.

"Mm-hmm." Kasenhis nodded.

"At the time, Hermione didn't have those strange ideas yet. But on the day we went to the Quidditch World Cup, Barty Crouch made his house-elf save him a seat… and Hermione saw it," Ron explained.

"…So?"

"Let's just skip to the point," Neville said bluntly. "Hermione thinks house-elves are enslaved by wizards. She wants to campaign for their freedom."

"Oh… and how exactly does she plan to do that?" Kasenhis asked curiously.

"She wants house-elves to be respected, paid, and given the right to refuse orders. Basically, a whole list of things," Ron said with a pained expression.

"…Honestly, that's not a great idea," Kasenhis said. "After all, every wizard at Hogwarts relies on house-elves for food, cleaning, and everything else. If Hermione enjoys their service while calling for their liberation, that's… not very consistent."

"Actually, she's already stopped eating in the Great Hall," Ron said helplessly. "She ordered a bunch of food from Diagon Alley and survives on that. Just earlier, we saw her carrying a huge basin of clothes out of the bathroom—even though she could've just used a Cleaning Charm."

"Hermione's really something… How's her health holding up?"

"Seems fine," Neville replied. "Those compressed biscuits she ordered from Diagon Alley are basically called human feed."

"Oh, well then… we should still respect her choice. Hermione has the right to stand up for the house-elves, and if she's truly refusing their service, then there's nothing more to say." Kasenhis shrugged.

"But Professor, she's already seriously affecting our daily lives! Ever since she found out that girls can enter the boys' dormitory without being magically repelled, she's been barging in to make us clean up!"

"She's also trying to make us eat that human feed with her…"

"And the worst part is, the house-elves could've done all that for us!" The three of them tearfully complained about Hermione's "tyranny."

"Uh… and how exactly am I supposed to help you?" Kasenhis asked.

"Professor, can't you get Hermione back on track? She's terrifying now. If it were just her, fine—but she keeps dragging us into it!" Harry said, looking absolutely done with life.

"I don't know how I could help with that. Hermione's actions aren't exactly wrong—she just hasn't thought things through."

"Professor, I'm sure you can think of something," Ron said, swallowing hard but sounding determined.

"Hmm… Do you want the truth or a lie?"

"The truth."

"The truth is, I'd really like to help you.. but I can't be bothered. It's a minor issue and not my problem. Besides, if Hermione finds out I know about all this, she'll definitely come to me to discuss how we can 'liberate the house-elves' together."

"So, Professor, you're unwilling then?" A soft, chilling voice suddenly came from behind the three of them. Harry shuddered, turning around in alarm.

Hermione stood there with a pleasant smile, watching Kasenhis.

"Mm-hmm? Professor," she said sweetly, eyes half-squinted.

Kasenhis instinctively looked up at the ceiling-mounted anti-dragon cannon, debating whether it would be smarter to find an excuse and make a run for it—or to stay and engage Hermione in a thrilling, high-stakes verbal duel.

_________

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