Chapter 352 "First Move In Uagadou"

However, there was a puzzling aspect to the situation that left Wentworth perplexed. If Emma Hughes' account held true, then in some sense, the Coney tribe and Headmistress Lopez should have been considered allies.

Yet, Joseph's remarks earlier that evening hinted at a lack of trust in Headmistress Lopez.

The Coney tribe proposed that the school board of directors oversee and constrain Headmistress Lopez's actions.

After contemplating this dilemma for some time, Wentworth looked up at Jimon, who stood nearby, and inquired, "Do you have owls here?"

To Wentworth's surprise, Jimon hesitated momentarily before responding with a puzzled expression, "Why do you need an owl?"

Taken aback by Jimon's question, Wentworth replied incredulously, "How do you usually send letters?"

Jimon's response caught Wentworth off guard. "Send a letter? Oh, we use parrots!" he stated matter-of-factly.

In response to Wentworth's astonished expression, Jimon proceeded to unveil several cages containing large macaws, towering at half the height of a human.

As soon as they appeared, one of the parrots squawked in a broken voice:

"Where? Where? Where?"

"Who to look for? Who to look for? Who to look for?"

Observing this spectacle, Wentworth couldn't help but give a thumbs-up to the smug Jimon and quip, "Sent these letters to the people in the Northern Hemisphere!"

Without delay, Wentworth swiftly penned three letters and handed them to the trio of parrots before him. The birds incessantly repeated the addresses and names of the recipients, then spread their wings and soared off into the distance.

With the task completed, Wentworth bid farewell to the Hughes siblings. Regarding the sensitive matter raised by Emma, Wentworth casually remarked, "If Professor Snape caught wind of me obtaining the golden cauldron with your assistance, I'd be in for a fate worse than death!"

Emma smiled at him, "I am looking forward for your next visit, Wentworth."

"I don't know how to say this, but thanks for visiting us, I guess..." Jimon reluctantly waved his hand toward Wentworth.

***

As Wentworth returned to Uagadou, the sky had already begun to brighten with the hues of dawn, marking the passage of an unknowingly swift night.

Upon entering Uagadou, Wentworth initially intended to head straight back for some much-needed rest. However, he happened to encounter a group of house-elves pushing a dining cart, evidently preparing breakfast for Uagadou's students.

Observing the scene, Wentworth resolved to indulge in a peaceful day of rest after enjoying breakfast—a simple pleasure indeed!

As Wentworth followed the house-elves back to the same meadow they had visited the previous day, he found the setting already underway.

Being one of the earliest arrivals, Wentworth noticed the conspicuous absence of Uagadou students upon stepping onto the lawn.

Upon his arrival, the bustling house-elves, who were diligently arranging the scene, promptly gathered around him and began their enthusiastic spiel, "Esteemed guest of Uagadou, here for breakfast?"

"Care to sample our Uagadou mochi pie? You won't find a delicacy like this in Europe!"

"Start with a glass of off-plate juice! Freshly squeezed and exclusive to Africa—it's not only refreshing but will keep you energized throughout the day!"

Wentworth couldn't help but acknowledge the enthusiasm of the Uagadou house-elves, reminiscent of their counterparts at Hogwarts. Succumbing to their enthusiastic recommendations, Wentworth sampled several uniquely African dishes.

To his surprise, the house-elves even assigned one to accompany him throughout his breakfast.

Every time Wentworth sampled a new dish, the accompanying House-elf would provide a detailed introduction, delving into the food's origins, ingredients, preparation methods, and even sharing related legends. As Wentworth indulged in his breakfast, he couldn't help but express his admiration:

"The richness of Uagadou's breakfast is truly astounding, and the level of service is unparalleled. It's truly eye-opening!"

The talkative House-elf named Huluk, who stood faithfully by Wentworth's side, seized the opportunity to chime in enthusiastically, "Indeed, Uagadou is the epitome of excellence in the magical world, and Headmistress Lopez is simply the best!"

Knowing the penchant for House-elves to extol their institutions, Wentworth opted to let the comment pass without further remark.

However, Huluk persisted, eager to share more insights, "Sir, have you never visited Uagadou before? I've been serving at Uagadou for over 80 years! Let me tell you, Uagadou wasn't always the splendid place it is today. Back in the day, it had its share of issues. The grounds were unkempt, overrun with weeds, quite unlike the pristine environment you see now!"

"Consider breakfast, for instance. In the past, Uagadou didn't offer free breakfast to students. If you wanted a meal in the morning, you had to purchase it from the school. Many students at Uagadou hailed from modest backgrounds, and some even came from nearby tribes, opting to reside on campus to save funds for breakfast. To this day, some students still choose this route!"

Wentworth nodded in understanding upon hearing Huluk's explanation, knowing that both Jimon and Emma were day students.

 

Continuing his narrative, Huluk elaborated, "But everything changed when Ms. Laila Lopez assumed the role of Headmistress. She implemented free meals for students and, over the course of nearly two decades, transformed Uagadou into what you see today. It was a massive undertaking, involving extensive renovations and upgrades to the entire school."

"The Uagadou of today is almost unrecognizable compared to what it was twenty years ago—all thanks to Headmistress Lopez!"

Initially listening to Huluk's tale with casual interest, Wentworth gradually became more absorbed in the narrative, eventually falling into deep contemplation.

Is the Headmistress doing all those shady deals for the sake of improving Uagadou itself? What is her true purpose in the first place dealing with the Coney tribe if she just puts all her illegal income into Uagadou rather than using it for her own sake?

As Wentworth delved into his thoughts, a familiar voice broke his reverie.

"Wentworth, why are you up so early today?"

Turning around, Wentworth found himself face to face with Joseph's sister, Wenna Coney.

However, today's Wenna was markedly different from the one he had seen yesterday.

While yesterday's Wenna had sported a bold and avant-garde style, showcasing her figure boldly, today's Wenna wore an ordinary T-shirt, seemingly intent on hiding her form.

Upon seeing Wenna approach, Wentworth set aside his musings and greeted her with a smile. "Wenna, up bright and early, I see!"

Wenna returned the smile, replying, "I rise early every day. But yesterday's me doesn't define me entirely, you know? Like anyone else, there are many facets to my personality! I've been a student at Uagadou for years, consistently ranking in the top three academically."

Wentworth couldn't help but inwardly acknowledge the truth in Wenna's words. In this world, there were always those born into prestigious families, blessed with innate talent, and unwaveringly diligent—much like himself.