https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-632-A-New-Beginning-the-Seventeen-Runic-Script-Laws/13462920/
Chapter 633: A Restless Night
Chapter 633: A Restless Night
"By now, we’ve covered a series of related concepts: Runic Symbols, Runic Script Circuits, and Runic Script Sequences—" Felix said, making the concepts he mentioned materialize before the class.
A single Fire Runic Script transformed between flickering golden-red characters and a flame;
The weight-reducing Runic Script Circuit, which dangled like wind chimes, swaying gently in the breeze;
And finally, a golden hollow sphere with intricate carvings of Runic Symbols on its surface, resembling a three-dimensional puzzle or a single cohesive whole. Harry suddenly thought of Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, playing with a ball of yarn.
"Can anyone provide a higher-level overview of the differences between them?"
The question was clearly difficult, even Hermione bit her lip, deep in thought, and didn’t raise her hand immediately as she usually did.
"Nobody?" Felix scanned the classroom. "I’ll give you a few minutes to think."
The students took the opportunity to stretch a bit. Harry leaned back in his chair, staring at the golden Runic Script sphere, but his mind wandered to a different scenario—just a few years ago, hundreds of Dementors had been effortlessly sucked into a rapidly spinning sphere, followed by a hand bursting into flames with a sudden burst of fire.
Harry’s mind snapped back to the present.
"Time’s up." Felix said, looking at the students, who averted their eyes. Hermione hesitantly raised her hand. The other students breathed a collective sigh of relief, as if they had been granted a reprieve.
Hermione stood up.
"I think it’s about ‘completeness’?" she said, unusually uncertain.
"Elaborate", Felix encouraged, his blue eyes blinking as he continued to gaze at her. Realizing she had guessed correctly, Hermione organized her thoughts and spoke slowly.
"If we compare Ancient Magic to the modern spell system, a complete Runic Script Sequence and a spell should hold the same status; they are complete magical constructs. For example, Luminos and ‘Lumos’." Hermione continued, thinking as she spoke. "Despite the stark differences in difficulty between the two."
"If that’s true, then the magical structures below a Runic Script Sequence are like incomplete spells, unable to exist independently. This is indeed the case, as we’ve learned that Runic Script Circuits must be inscribed on tangible objects to exist, usually with the help of tools like engraving knives and chestnut wood slices... Individual Runic Symbols are even more evident in this regard."
"Single Runic Scripts, circuits, sequences... this is a process of continuous improvement, culminating in the Book of Runic Scripts—"
Hermione paused, stopping mid-sentence.
She suddenly understood why Ancient Magic didn’t spread widely in ancient times and was eventually replaced. Besides the inherent advantages of the modern magic system, a crucial factor was the lack of research into the earlier forms (i.e., individual Runic Scripts and Runic Script Circuits). Young wizards had to start with the dangerous Ancient Magic from the beginning. The first challenge they faced might have been mastering a complete Runic Script Sequence with no prior knowledge.
But Professor Hup’s approach had actually lowered the learning threshold for the entire system.
"Very good, ten points to Gryffindor", Felix said cheerfully. "Now, you know the first Runic Script rule: the Completeness Rule. Why aren’t you taking notes?"
The students lowered their heads to write, while Felix paced between them.
"I’ll add one more point: the modern spell system, the African gesture and ritual casting system, and the Runic Script casting system are all fundamentally about the flexible application of magic." Felix made specific magical images appear at his fingertips, such as a flame, a stream of water, and a gentle light.
"And the difference lies in—"
"Ancient Magic uses individual magical symbols as the smallest casting unit. It’s like a syllable in a modern spell or a dance step in the African old magic system, except the process of channeling and combining magic is externalized, allowing us to perceive it directly... We once considered individual Runic Symbols as simple spells, which is a reasonable analogy, as the manifestation of Runic Scripts also involves the participation of magic and will."
"However, individual Runic Symbols have limited functionality."
The students exchanged excited glances. If they were to choose the most interesting class recently, it would undoubtedly be Professor Hup’s introduction to ancient African magic—seeing the usually stern professor move his arms and jump around was a memorable moment.
The feeling was like the usually stern and dignified Professor Mcgonagall letting down her hair and dancing an energetic samba.
"I'll give you a demonstration."
Hundreds of colorful ancient runes appeared in the air, dancing and interlocking in pairs, eventually forming a dozen or so runic script circuits of varying lengths.
"Familiar?" Felix asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Magic puppet", Neville whispered.
"Good", Felix smiled. "These are the runic script circuits used in magic puppets. In the past, we used alchemical materials as carriers, but in fact..." Felix took out a small bottle, from which dark golden smoke poured out, gradually coalescing into a human shape.
The floating runic script circuits spun and appeared on the smoke figure's arms, joints, thighs, calves, and torso. Then, a line of light suddenly appeared on the smoke figure's arms.
A ball of fire whizzed over the students' heads, disappearing just before it hit the wall.
"Transformation smoke", Felix shook the empty bottle. "It was sent to me by your senior, Cedric Diggory. I guess he wanted to advertise, but didn't want to say it outright. He also sent one to Professor Mcgonagall and Professor Sprout... anyway, it's quite practical."
Under everyone's rapt attention, Felix waved his hand again. The transformation smoke morphed from a human shape into a roughly three-foot-long golden eagle, which flew around the classroom, dropping balls of fire from its claws. The students screamed and dodged, but Professor Hup collected the fire before it hit the ground.
When the class ended, the students below looked as if they had just finished a battle.
"Today's homework... you've heard many new concepts, and I'm sure they've sparked some ideas. Write them down, even if it's just a few words. Let your imagination run wild! Magic depends on this."
After class, Harry, Ron, and Hermione lingered behind.
Felix knew exactly what was going on and asked, "What do you want to know?"
Ron and Hermione glanced at Harry, who hesitated before recounting what he had seen at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, focusing on the old woman's appearance and attire while speaking to Daphne. The three of them watched as Professor Hup fell silent.
Harry's heart raced. He wanted the professor to realize something was off about the woman, but he didn't want to involve Professor Basch.
"Professor, do you think she—"
"You think Miss Greengrass was bewitched?" Felix asked with a smile. "It's possible. I'll go check on her at the Hospital Wing. Would you like to come along?"
"Sure", Harry said immediately.
In the Hospital Wing, Daphne was happily eating an apple, keeping an eye on the time. She heard footsteps and quickly lay down, pulling the blanket over her head and closing her eyes. After doing this, she realized something was wrong—there were too many people!
Even if Madam Pomfrey and her sister came together, there wouldn't be such a messy sound of footsteps. Were there others visiting her?
The door opened a crack. She perked up her ears and was startled to recognize one of the voices as Professor Hup.
"How is she?" Felix asked Madam Pomfrey.
"She needs to stay for two more days. Discharging her now might cause her to get lost and not find her way back to her dorm... I've never seen anyone so careless, oh, and you, Hermione Granger, right? I remember when you were in second year—"
"Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione screamed.
Second year? Daphne repeated in her mind, then an image of a fluffy cat appeared in her head.
"Ha!" She couldn't help but laugh.
The ward suddenly fell silent.
Daphne lay stiffly on the bed, too afraid to open her eyes, but her face burned as if it could drip blood. She felt certain she had been caught pretending to sleep and wished she could really faint. Fortunately, the conversation soon resumed.
"Ah, I heard she accidentally ingested some badger grass?" Professor Hup asked, his voice slightly off.
"Yes, apparently she intended to brew it for tea, thinking it was celery powder... these two are quite easy to distinguish, so I suspect her herbology skills are quite poor." Madam Pomfrey's voice grew closer, followed by the sound of a potion being poured into a cup.
"Could it be something else, like a Confundus Charm?"
Confundus Charm? Daphne, hidden under the blanket, froze. Had she been hit by a Confundus Charm?
"Felix, this is no joke! A regular Confundus Charm doesn't cause these symptoms..." Madam Pomfrey said uneasily, not even noticing the potion spilling, "Her sister found a packet of badger grass seeds in her pocket, and she herself... oh, dear, I should check her again."
"Time to wake up, young lady."
Daphne pretended to stretch, opened her eyes, and asked blankly, "What's going on?" She was startled to see the bed surrounded by Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were staring at her intently. Hermione had her arms crossed, her expression half-smiling, while Professor Hup sat to one side, playing with his fingernails.
"Your face is so red, did you have a nightmare?" Hermione asked, feigning innocence.
Daphne scowled and snatched the cup, gulping it down with a loud "glug glug" — "Oh, no", Madam Pomfrey called out — and she choked. Her face turned even redder.
"Miss Greengrass, Potter told me something, and I have some questions", Felix said. "Do you remember the person you met at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop that day?"
"It was my aunt!" Daphne blurted out.
"Think carefully. Her appearance, her age — which of your aunts does she match?"
"I... I suddenly feel so uncomfortable", Daphne said, rubbing her forehead. "I remember..."
Felix raised a finger and whispered, "Memory Charm removal." Daphne shuddered as if doused with cold water, then looked around in a daze.
"Do you still remember that aunt?"
"Which aunt? I don't have any aunts at all! Oh, that hateful old woman!" Daphne screamed. "Do you remember what happened that day?" Felix asked.
"That day... Astoria and I went to Hogsmeade village. She insisted on going to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to restock, but I refused, and she left me behind! I was so angry, and then... then I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. It was that woman!" She suddenly raged, "I turned around, and she said she was my aunt. I didn't suspect a thing and followed her into the tea shop. She asked me to deliver something for her—"
Felix stood up.
"It's clear now. With Voldemort's downfall, the school's security measures have relaxed. After all, they can't stay on high alert forever. Miss Greengrass, I suggest you talk to Headmaster Dumbledore. He will take the necessary actions to prevent such incidents. You can turn in today's homework later."
Harry caught up to him.
"Professor", he panted, "that woman clearly had ill intentions."
Felix didn't respond. Explaining the origins of 'Nicole Nore' would inevitably lead to Grindelwald, and his identity was supposed to be kept secret.
"What do you think of Professor Basch?"
"What do you think of him?" Harry repeated, puzzled, then added awkwardly, "He's pretty good." He wondered if the professor suspected that Basch was involved in the incident. Harry had considered this himself, but Basch didn't seem to be hiding anything, having even shared the secrets of the saints with him...
"Even after he gave you detention?"
"What—oh, it wasn't really detention. We just talked about my recent essay and magic", Harry said.
"Essay and magic." Felix smiled and turned to leave, leaving Harry standing there, bewildered.
According to Felix, Grindelwald would be sent back to Nurmengard to continue his sentence after teaching this year. The old man wasn't the type to work for free; he must have his own agenda. Reflecting on it, Felix realized Grindelwald seemed to hope Harry would inherit some of his ideas.
But it was unclear if Harry was his only choice, or if there were others.
After lights out, Felix sat at his desk, reading a letter from Percy. Percy wrote excitedly that, through his efforts, seven Ministries of Magic had agreed to introduce exclusive wands in small quantities. However, many countries remained skeptical, fearing that Squibs gaining casting abilities might disrupt their societies. At the end of the letter, Percy vowed to "keep pushing."
Felix put down the letter and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. He knew more than what Percy had written.
To be precise, only seven Ministries of Magic officially agreed to introduce exclusive wands, but Future World Company had received numerous international orders in secret. According to Remus's analysis, these officials "haven't decided whether to accept Squibs, but they're secretly stockpiling them as a backup."
When the clock's hour hand pointed to twelve, Felix yawned. On his large desk, a miniature desk sat, and Valen, sitting in a chair identical to Felix's, yawned as well.
Valen rubbed his eyes and looked up from a children's book titled "The Little Pig of Peace."
At that moment, a clear bird call came from Felix's left drawer. He opened it, and a bright green bird hopped out, carrying a thick stack of parchment maps. Felix spread out the map and gazed at the moving ink dots.
"Tonight is quite lively", Felix said with a smile to Valen, who leaned in. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Ginny... how did they all end up together? Oh, and there's Leonhard Basch. I think I understand why Dumbledore wanted a Marauder's Map. Besides its surveillance function, he probably doesn't want the name 'Grindelwald' to appear on it. That would be too obvious..."
"Valen, which group should we join?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
