Chapter 106: The Battle in the Forbidden Forest
"Modesty is good, and caution is wise, but those are skills for later in life. Right now, you could certainly afford to be a bit more daring," Professor Oren said with an air of amusement, as though continuing a lecture. "At your age, no one would take an eleven-year-old as a serious threat."
Kyle kept walking, his expression blank.
Unfazed, Professor Oren pressed on, "Well, now it's your turn. Tell me, Kyle—when did you realize?"
Kyle blinked, feigning innocence. "Realize what? I'm not sure what you mean, Professor."
"If that's your answer..." Professor Oren stopped abruptly, his tone turning icy, "then we have no reason to go any further."
The air grew tense, and even Kanna, focused on finding Pocky, sensed something was wrong, moving instinctively closer to Kyle.
"As a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, of course you'd be suspect," Kyle shrugged, keeping his voice steady. "Everyone knows the position is cursed. Professors end up in St. Mungo's or Azkaban—or worse. The ones who make it through a term unscathed have to resign for one reason or another. But here you are, near term's end, without so much as a scratch. If that doesn't look suspicious, what does?"
"Well observed," Professor Oren sighed, as though disappointed in the 'curse' himself. "I enjoyed being a professor, but unfortunately, my true identity was uncovered. I just received word that the Ministry of Magic is on its way to Hogwarts. Fools—they never imagined I'd hide in plain sight here. Took them long enough to figure it out."
Kyle's eyes widened. "Wait... the Ministry isn't after the Swooping Evil—they're after you?"
"Of course it's me." Oren scoffed. "Do you think the Ministry would be interested in a mere magical creature? No, they're after something far more valuable—something I have."
Kyle couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"