Chapter 126: Runic Script Engraving Tools
Chapter 126: Runic Script Engraving Tools (First Subscription Request!)
In the afternoon, Harry joined the team for Quidditch practice at the Quidditch pitch.
Wood had come up with three new targeted strategies during the short Christmas break to counter the new tactics and features other houses had displayed this year.
The others returned to the castle to do their homework.
As evening approached, in the Ancient Runes Office.
Felix was checking Hermione’s progress—she had been working hard on improving and upgrading her beaded purse.
“You’ve learned all the Runic Scripts needed to upgrade your beaded purse. The next crucial step is to learn how to construct a runic circuit.”
“Professor, what’s the difference between the two?” Hermione asked.
“Engraving a single Runic Script is relatively simple, but to connect them into a circuit, you need to consider the overall stability and balance of the Runic Scripts—this is a significant test of your control over magic.”
Felix’s fingers moved through the air, pulling out a series of letters. These letters were arranged in three rows, each with slight differences in brightness and size.
“Suppose these are Runic Scripts you completed at different times. The brightness indicates the amount of magic you infused into them.”
Hermione examined the letters, and then, under Professor Hup’s control, they were rearranged into a single line.
The reorganized letters appeared chaotic and jumbled, with bright, dim, large, and small ones mixed together, looking both disorderly and awkward.
She immediately understood what Professor Hup meant by ‘stability and balance’—the magic used in each Runic Script in the circuit needed to be as consistent as possible.
“Even a slight difference in magic can render the circuit ineffective,” Felix explained.
“Professor, what should I do?”
“There are two methods. The first is to complete the Runic Script in one go, without stopping. Your magic will be more consistent this way, but it still requires a lot of practice.”
“However, using this method, you need to actively adjust the structure of the Runic Script, making slight deformations… something you can’t do yet.”
“But wouldn’t that make the Runic Script itself ineffective?” Hermione asked in surprise. All the information she had encountered emphasized the need to write Runic Scripts strictly and accurately, without any alterations.
“That’s part of its charm,” Felix said, giving an example. “This process is a bit like forming words from letters. When we learn letters, we strive for standardization and precision, but when we need to combine them into words, we make subtle adjustments to ensure the writing is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.”
“This method tests your understanding of Runic Scripts,” Felix added subtly.
To put it bluntly, if your understanding of Runic Scripts isn’t deep enough, you shouldn’t try any fancy maneuvers.
Hermione nodded, understanding only partly.
“There are also some techniques involved, which we’ll discuss later. The second method is to complete each Runic Script individually, then draw magic lines from them to connect them, forming a closed and stable circuit.”
Hermione had seen this method a few times and was familiar with it.
“Let’s give it a try—”
Felix and Hermione moved to the workbench and took out several pieces of chestnut wood.
He opened an elegant tool box, inside which were seven engraving tools of various sizes and materials—metal, wood, and some that were impossible to identify.
“Are these professional Runic Script tools? Where can I buy them?” the young witch couldn’t help but ask.
In her mind, these engraving tools were as essential to her Ancient Runes studies as a wand.
However, Professor Hup replied with an amused expression, “These are my own creations, except for the metal one.”
He didn’t rush to continue their previous discussion but instead laid each tool out in front of her.
“First, I need to remind you that there are no specific tool requirements for engraving Runic Scripts. You can use engraving tools, wands, or even your fingers. What’s important is your control over magic and your understanding of Runic Scripts. But—”
"Why refuse a more suitable tool if it’s available?"
Hermione nodded, understanding the point. Just like some wizards who were proficient in wandless magic, they would never turn down the use of a wand, as tools could help them perform more precise operations.
Laid out before her were seven engraving tools.
The first one was a metal engraving knife. Its silver-white blade was streamlined, with a noticeable curve at the handle, and the tip seemed to be made of another metal.
Felix said, "I bought this one from a micro-engraving merchant. It's made of the metal that is the least resistant to magic after my repeated comparisons."
Hermione took the engraving knife, which felt surprisingly light despite its appearance of being heavy.
"I’ve told you before, there are different ways to inscribe Runic Script. You can either write it on the surface of an object or carve it into the material to leave an engraving."
He picked up a piece of chestnut wood and infused the metal engraving knife with magic. The tip of the knife emitted a fine, scorching red light, leaving a Runic Script on the chestnut wood.
"Notice, the surface isn’t flat."
Hermione touched the surface of the Runic Script with her fingertip and could clearly feel the indentation in the chestnut wood—this was the mark left by the metal engraving knife.
"This method is especially useful for inert magical materials, such as Muggle items, ordinary stones, or the scales of magical creatures."
Hermione understood. For inert magical materials, magic was not easily sustained, so leaving a physical mark could help reinforce the form of the Runic Script.
"Actually", Felix added, "the process is separate—engraving and infusing magic. I’m just very skilled at combining these two steps. When you practice, you should do them separately."
One of his later works, 'Felix’s wisdom tooth,' was completed this way.
Hermione nodded.
Felix then took out five wooden engraving knives, which looked somewhat like alternative wands. Hermione had seen the twins’ fake wands earlier in the day and was quite impressed.
"These engraving knives are made from the same materials as wands, and their properties are similar to when they are used as wands", Felix explained, pointing to each one in turn.
"Alder wood engraving knife—beginners find it difficult to handle because it is extremely sensitive to magic, almost too sensitive. But once you master it, it will quickly adapt to your magic, becoming very personal, and others will be unable to use it."
"Ebony engraving knife—excellent for inscribing aggressive Runic Scripts. However, it’s not easy to control, and it will work best with those who have the courage to be themselves and don’t follow the crowd."
"Red oak engraving knife—I personally believe it has a certain degree of memory. When you become proficient, it will actively guide you in completing the Runic Script."
"Chestnut wood engraving knife—the favorite of beginners. It has no particular preferences and offers no additional benefits."
"Laurel wood engraving knife—well, I’m not a fan of this one. You have to use it frequently; otherwise, if you forget about it for a long time, it might zap you with a lightning bolt when you try to infuse it with magic."
After Felix’s explanation, Hermione curiously picked up and examined each engraving knife, growing more and more fond of them. She said happily, "Professor, when can I have an engraving knife like these? I mean, I’m willing to pay for it..."
"You don’t need to worry about that for now. The chestnut wood engraving knife is for you to practice with. In a few years, you’ll need to consider getting a specialized one", Felix replied.
"By the way, what material is your wand made of?" Felix asked.
"It’s made of grapevine wood", Hermione said, "with a dragon heartstring core, and it’s twelve and a quarter inches long."
(End of Chapter)
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