"Professor Abigail resigned?"
Upon hearing this news, the three students were visibly shocked.
Harry asked unwillingly, "Why did the professor suddenly resign? We didn't hear any news before the holiday!"
Michael rubbed his chin and said, "No... think carefully, at the last day's banquet, Professor Abigail did have a bit of a farewell vibe."
"I heard there's something going on at home, and she returned to her country." Ryan Troka didn't want to be disliked by future students before even starting his role, so he quickly explained.
"That's how it is." Vid patted Harry and comforted him, "Better get used to it! We just can't seem to keep a long-term Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Ryan Troka glanced at Vid, thinking: Could this student have also heard about the curse rumor tied to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor position?
However, he felt he hadn't done anything bad and only planned to be a professor for half a year, so he didn't take any curse seriously.
Ryan Troka said, "I heard that Professor Abigail had excellent teaching skills. I'm at the bookstore intending to buy a set of textbooks she chose for you, to continue teaching next semester—would you help me find these books? And tell me about your learning progress."
"Of course, of course, leave it to us!" Harry said quickly.
This professor had just helped him avoid a troublesome situation, so Harry was naturally eager to lend a hand.
Vid and Michael exchanged a look and also headed towards the bookshelf.
The textbooks for different grades weren't the same, but Vid had seen all the textbooks and quickly found all the necessary books.
Michael went to the street and randomly sought out students from other grades to help the new professor understand everyone's level.
"Hmm, next semester it's time to study Vampires and Werewolves? And Boggarts...?"
A slight unnatural expression flashed across Ryan Troka's face as he said, "They are all dangerous creatures. We need to learn their weaknesses and coping strategies... This includes culture and history. For instance... do you know who the earliest vampire was? There's a not-so-interesting story behind this..."
Ryan Troka spoke eloquently, and the surrounding students unknowingly quieted down, listening with focused attention.
He was a scholar with a strong scholarly aura, deep knowledge, elegant manners, and his conversation was modest and gentle, quickly winning everyone's favor.
"Although Professor Abigail was great, the new professor is pretty good too, right? Anyway, he's definitely not going to beat anyone up."
Michael whispered privately, seeming very satisfied with the professor.
Harry pursed his lips.
Even though he appreciated Professor Troka's help and understood that this professor appeared to have more of a "professor" demeanor, he was reluctant to voice it, as doing so felt like being a traitor.
Vid tilted his head, looking at the witch who had just left the bookstore after buying two books.
Despite appearing as an ordinary middle-aged woman, however...
[Serra Abigail].
The person had the exact same name as the resigning Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Along with the two next to her...
...
Abigail stepped out of the shop, holding a book, only to see Byrd's mocking smile head-on.
"Take that look off!" Abigail said coldly.
"Feeling hurt, don't be mad at me." Byrd mocked, "Because of those students, you even changed your Guardian God's appearance, but so what? As soon as the new professor arrives, they love and admire him just the same, quickly forgetting about you."
Abigail looked at him with an equally mocking expression and asked, "Have you ever cared about anyone, Byrd?"
Byrd's face cooled.
"If you ever have..."
Abigail continued, "You'd understand, even parted, one would hope the other is doing well—that's a normal human thought."
Watching Abigail leave victoriously, Byrd was so angry his complexion turned ashen. He grabbed Illari, who was peeking inside through the window, dragging this embarrassing fool away.
"Wait! Wait! Let me look one more time! Can I say a word to him? Just one sentence!"
Illari struggled, and in their tussle, he accidentally hit the arm of a wizard holding a child next to him.
The two exchanged a glance, and the other gave Illari a menacing glare, making Illari shiver and instantly fall silent.
Byrd sensed something was wrong, cautiously eyeing the robed wizard, and asked quietly, "What's going on?"
"Something strange..."
Illari said cautiously, pale-faced, "Whatever that guy is holding... it doesn't seem human!"
Byrd frowned, "Is the thing in the bundle not a child?"
"You didn't see the real face of that thing..." Illari mused for a moment and said, "I think I've heard of similar witchcraft before... That thing... seems like a Kuman Thong!"
"Kuman Thong..." Byrd recalled.
It's said to be a type of Southeast Asian witchcraft, also known as "raising little ghosts." He had heard of it but wasn't familiar with it.
Watching the robed wizard walking toward Knockturn Alley, Byrd snorted coldly, "This sale event sure has attracted all sorts of weirdos! Come on, it's got nothing to do with us!"
"Could he be after Vid Gray too?" Illari asked worriedly, "What if he takes Little Vid away? We don't know much about Southeast Asian witchcraft."
Byrd was unconcerned, "We didn't stand a chance; how could these guys who've just arrived from abroad do it? Do you know how many Aurors are patrolling this street today?"