"What exactly did you discuss?" Ms. Maxime squinted her eyes as she asked, combined with her nearly thirteen-foot height, the pressure she exerted was formidable.
"Due to some special circumstances, but specifically what, I can't say." Kael thought about it and gave up the excuse he had prepared earlier.
"Can't say..." Ms. Maxime said in a deep voice, "This is Beauxbatons, not Hogwarts. You and our professor were privately discussing something, something that might even affect the students' curriculum... In this situation, you still don't want me, the headmistress, to know?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Maxime, but that's indeed the case." Kael said with a hesitant tone, "The situation is quite significant, I dare not take charge... If you're willing to wait, Professor Dumbledore will personally come to explain to you and offer our sincerity and gratitude.
"Professor Viktor indeed helped us greatly, which no one can deny."
Ms. Maxime fell silent. She looked at Kael, and Kael calmly looked up at her.
He could indeed easily come up with a more reliable excuse to briefly deceive Ms. Maxime, which wouldn't be difficult for him.
But Ms. Maxime was right about one thing: this is Beauxbatons, someone else's territory.
Out of respect, he couldn't do that, or else if the lie got exposed, it would be difficult to wrap things up, though it wouldn't lead to an immediate falling out, but Maxime would undoubtedly feel uncomfortable.
Right now, every ally is extremely precious to Hogwarts, and Kael didn't want to leave any resentment between the two sides due to this matter.
But he couldn't be entirely honest, so he chose to handle it this way.
As for what happens next, it would be up to Dumbledore to consider; if he could satisfy Maxime, then there would be no problem.
And if he ultimately couldn't come back... then being allies wouldn't mean much.
A few minutes later.
"Alright, considering your current situation, I can refrain from asking further and decide to postpone the next alchemy class." Ms. Maxime said, her imposing aura suddenly retracted, as though nothing had happened.
"But you must give me an explanation as soon as possible."
"Rest assured, Ms. Maxime." Kael promised, "Once there's a resolution to this matter, Professor Dumbledore will come over first thing."
"I'll temporarily trust your word." Ms. Maxime said, "You can go back and rest now."
"There's one more thing." Kael said somewhat embarrassingly, "I might need to stay here a few more days, can I..."
"That's easy, you can stay at Beauxbatons temporarily, however long you need." Ms. Maxime said with a smile, "If you feel bored, you can look around freely, and if you don't know where to go, the training hall is the liveliest place and won't disrupt the students' classes."
"Thank you, I understand." Kael said.
"Then go back to rest quickly, he'll lead you there." Ms. Maxime waved her hand, and a house-elf suddenly appeared in the room.
He bent over and gestured for Kael to follow.
...
"That's how it is; I need to wait for Professor Viktor's results, so I have to stay here temporarily for some time."
At breakfast the next day, Kael explained to Conna what had happened.
"How about I have Fleur take you back first?"
"No need." Conna shook her head.
"Then what about your shop?"
"It's closed, anyway I'm not doing it for the money." Conna said indifferently, "Besides, I'm quite interested in Beauxbatons. It's rare that they're so enthusiastic, it's good to experience more."
"If you like it, then let's stay together." Kael said with a smile, glad to have a familiar face in this entirely foreign environment.
"By the way." Conna picked up a second plate of caramel crepes, "Is Hogwarts planning to offer an alchemy class?"
"No, it's not." Kael said, "Why do you ask?"
"Because I found your behavior a bit odd yesterday afternoon." Conna said, "You asked too many detailed questions, and most of them had nothing to do with alchemy itself... No, it should be said that they're related more to the class itself."
"Is it that obvious?" Kael raised an eyebrow.
"It is that obvious." Conna said, "In fact, it wasn't just me; when you asked for the third time which book beginners in alchemy should read, Gabrielle also guessed your intentions.
"But there's one thing I don't understand. Since Hogwarts doesn't plan to offer a new class, why do you ask these things?"
"I simply felt it necessary; perhaps it will be useful in the future." Kael sipped some onion soup, "I noticed right when I arrived, alchemy indeed brings significant convenience to wizards, it's a trend.
"Take the British Ministry of Magic for example, they've used paper airplanes, such an outdated messaging method for so many years without thinking to change it, it just won't do; it's no longer the last century, wizards need to evolve."
"Imagine, a British Wizard arrives in another country and suddenly finds himself unable to use many things, wouldn't that be quite embarrassing?"
"It would." Conna nodded emphatically.
She experienced that herself; when she first arrived in France, she almost made a fool of herself due to not understanding the functions of certain alchemy items, but thankfully Fleur was there to ease the embarrassment in time.
"So I figured that we should make a change." Kael said, "Other places may not be easy, so we can start with school first, setting up a new alchemy class as a trial.