200: Chapter 198 Hogwarts is going on holiday!

Wino has been very busy lately.

He attends classes diligently during the day, and even during the short lunch break, he doesn't rest, using all that time to practice magic spells.

Evenings are no less hectic.

He has to memorize magical scripts and visit the library to build a rapport with the Administrator.

Having known the other party for nearly ten days, the novel items Wino brought were almost all given away.

It was another day after school.

Wino and Klaisi returned to the dormitory together and studied until nine o'clock. Using the excuse of taking a "stroll," he took his last piece of modern industrial goods—an all-in-one VR headset—to the library.

The Administrator, sitting behind the L-shaped wooden counter, only showed his face covered in a thick beard.

As usual, his head was lowered, engrossed in reading a book.

“Mr. Administrator, how has your day been?” Wino greeted him with a smile.

“Fairly passable.”

The gifts weren't given for nothing.

Wino felt that, at the very least, the other party was now willing to respond to his greetings.

Leaning his arms on the counter, he peeked inside and found that the Administrator was reading one of the books he had gifted: a book about the history of the Blue Star.

“If you like books like that, I’ll bring you a few more next time.”

Hearing this, the Administrator looked up, his eyes peering through the thicket of his beard: “The magic item you hope for cannot be exchanged for the little trinkets you’ve brought these past few days.”

“Of course.

I never expected them to be exchanged for precious magic items; they are merely tokens of our friendship.”

The Administrator didn't pursue the topic further, his gaze falling back to the pages: “The world outside has changed a lot during the time Hogwarts was sealed off.”

“That’s how it is. Humanity will never be satisfied with standing still.”

“This.” He pointed his finger at a mechanical drawing on the page. “It’s called a machine tool?”

Wino leaned over to look: “Yes, it’s called a machine tool.”

“What is its function?”

“Processing parts and components for modern industrial products.”

“Interesting.” The Administrator stared at the illustration. “I need some to play around with.”

What does he want this for?

After a moment of confusion, thinking that ordinary machine tools aren't classified equipment and that it would be easy for Hogwarts to obtain them, Wino brushed the thought aside: “Is it enough to exchange for a magic item? What kind would it be? Would a potion for restoring youth work?”

“If it truly has the capabilities you claim, I wouldn't suggest you exchange it for a potion.”

The Administrator closed the book and stood up to walk toward the door: “Come here.”

In the nearly ten days he'd known him, Wino had never seen him leave the seat behind the counter, so he followed curiously.

The two of them arrived at the vast training grounds one after the other.

It was just past nine in the evening, and the training grounds were pitch black.

The Administrator pulled his teaching rod staff from his sleeve. Without any visible movement, the tip of the staff lit up with a glow.

Then, with a wave of his hand, an all-black Owl appeared, flapping its wings, and landed on his shoulder.

“This is...”

With a few raspy chuckles, the Administrator stroked the Owl's head: “Yose isn't for delivering letters. Show your power, Yose!”

Hearing the command, the Owl took flight, circling twice overhead. Its beak opened, spitting out a ball of blazing white fire.

The fireball wasn't large, but it fell at an extreme speed, crashing into the sandy ground of the training field in an instant.

“Boom—”

A violent explosion accompanied by bright flames erupted. In the last instant before Wino instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes, he seemed to see a small mushroom cloud rising in the distance.

The following heatwave slammed into his face. Just as he wondered if he would be scorched into unconsciousness, the terrifying temperature suddenly vanished.

Opening his eyes, the Administrator was holding his wand, and all the previous commotion had disappeared.

By the light emanating from the wand, Wino could only see a charred deep crater in the distance on the sandy ground.

“Sir...” His burning gaze swept toward the Owl that had returned to the Administrator's shoulder. “It’s late at night; won't we...”

“The training grounds have a barrier.” The Administrator waved his hand, and the Owl vanished without a trace.

Wino, who had been worried about being punished by the school, breathed a sigh of relief at these words and asked: “It—Yose—it’s called Yose, right? Can I exchange it for machine tools?”

“Heh heh heh...” The Administrator’s whole body shook with laughter. “You want Yose? A single machine tool won't be enough.”

Wino really wanted to ask what else was needed, but the Administrator fell silent, signaling he didn't want to talk anymore.

So, it depends on what I bring?

He pondered; perhaps a mother machine would be more valuable?

After all, it's the machine tool that makes machine tools.

It’s decided—that’s the one!

Wino made up his mind; he had to get Yose.

Although the potion for restoring youth was equally desirable, he felt that as a student of Hogwarts, it shouldn't be too hard to obtain.

From the Administrator's recent suggestion, it seemed that such a potion wasn't particularly rare at Hogwarts.

Thinking this, he said, “When school starts next time, I will bring enough sincerity.”

“So that’s in ten days?”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmm?” The Administrator looked over with a somewhat confused expression. “Principal Dumbledore announced that holidays start tomorrow, and the first semester's courses will officially begin in ten days. Didn't you know?”

Should I have known?

Wino wanted to ask that, but didn't dare.

Afterward, the Administrator ignored him further, turning around to return to the library on his own. Wino, his mind full of thoughts, didn't follow to chat.

Besides, it was almost lights out.

He turned on his heel and jogged toward the dormitory.

...

The next morning.

Wino and Klaisi went side-by-side to the first-year classroom of Slytherin House.

Just as they sat down, the teacher who taught magical scripts slowly walked through the door.

Just as they opened their books, ready for a new day of learning, the teacher told them there would be no classes today and that all students should gather in the Great Hall.

By the time the two of them reached the Great Hall, most of the other students had already arrived.

There were still the four long tables.

On the stone platform, Mr. Dumbledore, whom they hadn't seen for a few days, announced the start of the gathering with a smile.

Plentiful food was served. Wino only ate a few bites, while Klaisi feasted heartily.

Once the meal was over, Dumbledore clapped his hands to silence the lively students. He spoke, saying that because this year's new students were a special case, this year's winter break would start early.

As for how early—it started today.

The official start date for school was in ten days.

Admonishing the students not to be late, Dumbledore left with his hands behind his back through the side door on the right of the stone platform.

After being dismissed, Wino took Klaisi back to the dormitory to pack their luggage and reached the seaside outside the main gate.

Hag was already waiting for them, propping up the boat.

A moment later, Toby, Lyon, and Misha arrived in a line.

It was the same mode of transport as when they arrived.

They took the boat to the town, then a one-hour tricycle ride to the entrance of the train station.

Hag didn't see them into the station. He told them to be careful on the way and not to have contact with strangers, then pedaled the tricycle away.

They bought their own train tickets home.

It was just like when they came.

Wino and Klaisi shared a room, while Toby and the other two shared another.

The only difference was that last time they were forced together, while this time it was voluntary.

Lyon looked at Klaisi's back as he boarded the carriage, his eyes filled with a very complex expression.

Afterward, there was almost no visiting between the two sides, and they arrived at London Station smoothly.

Getting off at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the five of them seemed to be in a long line, but in reality, there was some distance between the group of three and the group of two as they walked out of the platform.

Greeting them was the twenty-year-old Queen.