Chapter 57: Fudge Panics - This Kid Really Knows How to Complain?!

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As everyone was deep in conversation, the large doors suddenly swung open.

A wizard in a deep green coat and pinstriped robe walked in—it was Cornelius Fudge,

The Minister of Magic.

Behind Fudge were three Aurors, led by Picard Flint, the same Auror who had stopped Kael at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

All three Aurors kept a tight grip on their wands, concealed under their robes. Their mission today was to ensure Fudge's safety.

Though Fudge entered with a warm smile, he was, in fact, the most opposed to Kael receiving the Order of Merlin.

To Fudge, Kael was nothing short of a heinous criminal. It was only because the Ministry couldn't find any solid evidence that Kael hadn't been imprisoned. Or rather, it was fair to say they couldn't even figure out where to imprison him.

Allowing someone like Kael to attend Hogwarts was already a major challenge to Fudge's authority as Minister of Magic—let alone having to personally award him an Order of Merlin.

The thought was as revolting as eating shit.

But Fudge had no choice.

The pressure on him these past few days had been immense. Potion masters held much higher status in the magical world than ordinary wizards, and each potion master had many influential friends. With so many potion masters writing to the Ministry, the weight behind that collective will was too much to ignore.

Still, although Fudge had shown up, he had already made up his mind—he'd just go through the motions and get this over with as quickly as possible.

"Cornelius, you're late!" Dumbledore greeted him with a smile.

"My apologies for keeping everyone waiting," Fudge said with a regretful expression. "The Ministry has been overwhelming with work."

He then turned to look at Kael.

This was the first time the two had met face to face.

"So, this is Kael? I can hardly believe it—so young, and already awarded the Second Class Order of Merlin."

"I'm sure today's ceremony will be one of the highlights of my time as Minister of Magic."

Kael looked at Fudge, wearing a polite smile.

Though they had never met in person before, their interactions hadn't exactly been scarce.

After all, it was Fudge who ordered Kael's third secret arrest and imprisonment in Azkaban!

But it was fine...

Kael considered himself a forgiving person—certainly not someone who holds grudges.

After all, Fudge was the Minister of Magic! What's the big deal about a little mistake here and there?

Just because someone makes a mistake, does that mean you should hold onto it forever?

No, one should be magnanimous!

"Minister Fudge, it's an honor to meet you as well!" Kael's smile grew warmer.

"Honestly, I can hardly believe how approachable you are."

"You know, when I was arrested by the Ministry and sent to Azkaban, they told me it was on your orders."

"At that time, while I was in that cold cell, nearly kissed by a Dementor, I thought to myself: this must be the work of some underling acting recklessly, framing you for it."

"How could the Minister of Magic possibly send a child, not even ten years old, to Azkaban?"

As soon as Kael finished speaking, the lively atmosphere in the room froze.

All eyes turned hostile, locking onto Fudge.

Sending a child under ten years old to Azkaban? And this child was a genius in potion-making?

Kael's new life potion had effectively created an entirely new branch of potionology. Its formula was simple, and its potential was enormous.

Even without revealing the recipe, the ideas behind it allowed the potion masters present to innovate further. This discovery represented piles of gold Galleons for them.

More importantly, Kael's earlier discussions had sparked countless insights among the potion masters.

Now, to hear that Kael had once been imprisoned in Azkaban, and had nearly been kissed by a Dementor? Their collective outrage was palpable.

This was an insult not only to Kael but to the entire potion-making profession and all potion masters.

"Cornelius Fudge!"

"I think you owe us an explanation for what this child just said!" Even Horace Slughorn, usually mild-mannered, now looked at Fudge with displeasure.

Slughorn had mentored many outstanding wizards, and his influence extended throughout the magical world. He certainly wasn't afraid of Fudge, whose term as Minister was only temporary.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, cold sweat instantly poured down Fudge's back. He nearly coughed up blood from the shock.

[Ding! Detecting intense emotions!]

[Ding! Drawing a reward box for the host!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you've obtained a Golden Treasure Chest!]

...

What the—!

This kid doesn't play by the rules!

Normally, even if there's tension behind the scenes, people put on a friendly front at events like this.

Didn't Fudge hold back his anger and show up in his finest robes just to present Kael with the medal?

Fudge could never have imagined that this kid would file a complaint right there, in public!