Chapter 45: Farming and Professor Orren

It was like finding a favorite toy. Kyle was having the time of his life in the Room of Requirement.

He lightly flicked his finger, and the rain instantly turned into a flurry of snowflakes. With another flick, it became hail the size of eggs.

Honestly, this feeling of being able to change the surrounding environment with a flick of the wrist was incredibly satisfying.

After having his fill, Kyle suddenly remembered he had other things to do. He reluctantly turned the room back to sunny weather.

Forget it, he had plenty of time later.

Kyle crouched down and carefully took out two bean-sized seeds from his pocket, afraid that he might accidentally crush them.

It was mainly because the seeds were so precious, and they weren't his. He had… picked them up during Herbology class.

Yes, he had picked them up.

It was a strange coincidence. In the Herbology class just now, a Gryffindor student had become so excited after successfully answering Professor Sprout's question that he accidentally flung his shovel at the Bitey Cabbage across from him.

As expected, the shovel was instantly bitten into a pile of scrap metal. The student was deducted a point for it.

The incident would have ended there, but Kyle accidentally noticed that the Bitey Cabbage, after spitting out the remains of the shovel, actually spat out two seeds.

Professor Sprout was busy looking for a new shovel at the time and didn't see it.

As an excellent Hufflepuff, Kyle, naturally, had to help his Head of House. So, he spontaneously picked them up for her.

He just forgot about it later because he was too absorbed in the white willow.

Kyle dug two appropriately sized holes, planted the seeds, and then covered them with a thin layer of soil.

After doing all this, Kyle nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. I'll keep them safe for now. I'll bring them to Professor Sprout the next time we have class."

…

After leaving the Room of Requirement, Kyle returned to the common room. Then, when it was time for class, he went to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with the other Hufflepuff freshmen.

Everyone was excited on the way there. He didn't know if it was because they were looking forward to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, or simply because they were interested in the legendary contract professor.

Probably both.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was on the second floor.

When they pushed the door open and walked inside, they discovered that the neatly arranged tables had all been moved to the sides. This made the classroom look very spacious.

Professor Oren had already arrived. He was standing behind the podium, fiddling with a covered cage.

Kyle was a little surprised to see this scene. He hadn't expected their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to be a practitioner, like Lupin.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

After everyone had arrived, Professor Oren looked at them kindly and said, "Put away your books. We won't need them. Not just this lesson, but every lesson in the future."

With a single sentence, Professor Oren won over many of the students.

What could be better than not bringing books to class? If there was something better, it would be not bringing books to every class.

Luckily, Professor Oren achieved both.

"This professor must be good." One student immediately said, "He will definitely be able to keep his position!"

"May your words come true, Mr. Borg. Unfortunately, I can't give Gryffindor points for that."

Professor Oren smiled and continued, "In my opinion, theory is always the easiest part of this subject. You can completely teach yourselves. There's no need to waste precious class time.

In class, I'd rather teach you how to protect yourselves when faced with danger.

This danger might come from unknown dark magic, or it might be a dangerous magical creature. But no matter what, it could cost you your life."

Seeing that the atmosphere had become a lot more serious, Professor Oren continued, "But for your age, it's too early to be exposed to dark magic. The Headmaster wouldn't allow me to do that either.

So, let's start with something simple: magical creatures."

He finished speaking and lightly pushed the cage. A muffled "buzzing" sound immediately came from inside. The cage cover was also knocked back and forth, as if it could fall at any time.

Some of the students who were standing closer to the front stepped back in fear.

"Don't worry. Although this little guy is dangerous, as long as I'm here, you won't be hurt." Professor Oren said earnestly, "I just ask you to remain calm and carefully remember everything I say."

He finished speaking and lifted the cover, revealing the creature inside the cage.

…A blue insect, about an inch in size. The buzzing sound was the sound of its wings flapping.

But unlike other insects, its wings were on its head. When it flew, it looked like it was wearing a propeller hat, and its body would spin around and around as well.

It looked quite cute.

Katie Bell couldn't help but chuckle, "Professor, it doesn't seem... dangerous as you said."

In her opinion, Professor Oren's words were clearly exaggerated. This little thing, she didn't even need a wand, she could just swat it with her hand. How could it be dangerous?

"Oh, really… I hope you can be just as confident later, Miss Bell." Professor Oren smiled faintly and asked, "So, does anyone know what it is? The first person to say it gets five points for their house."

In the crowd, Mickel suddenly heard a faint voice, it seemed like a certain name.

Under the allure of points, he didn't even think. He immediately blurted out, "Billywig!"

"Brilliant, Mr. Drake." Professor Oren said happily, "Five points for Hufflepuff!"

"That's right, Billywig, XXX-class magical creature." Professor Oren explained, "Everyone pay attention. It has a long, thin stinger at the bottom of its body. Anyone stung by a Billywig will feel dizzy and then float.

If you're stung multiple times, you can float uncontrollably for days."

Professor Oren looked at Katie Bell, "Now, do you still think it's not dangerous?"

Katie Bell turned her head and didn't say anything. But from her expression, it seemed like she wasn't convinced.

"Professor…" At this time, a student asked eagerly, "So, is our lesson about dealing with this Billywig?"

"Not exactly." Professor Oren shook his head, "Before that, you have to learn the spell to deal with it first. Only after I'm sure you've mastered it, will we move on to the practical part."