https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-652-Repairing-the-Crescent-Pendant/13453045/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-654-Intelligence-for-the-Second-Task/13453048/
Chapter 653: Qixi Festival!
Chapter 653: Qixi Festival!
[Ding, after a period of practice, your Alchemy level has significantly improved, currently at Level 6 (15999/16000)]
As Ivan completed the Casting, the System's notification rang in his mind. He looked at the progress bar, which was just one point away from leveling up, and couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
He had thought that fixing the Crescent Pendant would help him break through the bottleneck in his Alchemy, but it seemed he was still missing something.
However, Ivan quickly adjusted his emotions. Being able to successfully repair the Crescent Pendant during the time when his emotional fluctuations were the strongest had already met his expectations.
Next, Ivan opened the System's inventory to check it.
[Magic Item: Crescent Pendant
Magic: Strong
Description: This is a Magic Item crafted with a great deal of precious metals and immense effort. It can protect the wearer from lethal attacks until its power is depleted.
Note: You successfully repaired this Magic Item and enhanced it. The secret was to infuse it with love.]
The Crescent Pendant, now repaired by Ivan, had seen a significant boost in its attributes. It no longer had a limit on the number of times it could protect the wearer, and its Magic rating had improved from Stronger to Strong.
Given his current skills and Alchemy level, which surpassed Asia's, and using the advanced guiding techniques taught by Nicolas Flamel, Ivan was able to better utilize the power of emotions.
While keeping an eye on the System Bar, Ivan did not forget about Hermione. He placed the repaired Crescent Pendant back and spoke earnestly.
"When I'm not around, it will protect you in my place!"
Ivan was very serious. He chose to give the Crescent Pendant to Hermione as a Christmas gift for two reasons: to take advantage of this rare opportunity to repair it and to address his concerns about Hermione facing danger during the second round of the competition.
Although the protective ring he had made could also offer some protection, it required active activation. If Hermione were to fall unconscious, the ring would be no better than a piece of jewelry.
The Crescent Pendant, on the other hand, was passive. It would automatically activate whenever the wearer was subjected to a powerful attack.
The only thing that made Ivan hesitate was that fixing the Crescent Pendant was part of his agreement with Nicolas Flamel to become his apprentice. Giving it to Hermione meant he wouldn't have a second one to present.
However, Ivan believed that the true test from the Alchemical Master was whether he could successfully infuse emotional power into the creation of Magic Items. He had already accomplished this.
With more practice, he should be able to create similar Magic Items to prove his abilities, though they might not be as powerful.
"Are you really going to give me something so valuable, Ivan?" Hermione looked at the repaired Crescent Pendant, feeling uneasy. "If it can resist dangerous spells, you should need it more than I do."
"Have you forgotten how I repaired it?" Ivan reassured Hermione, explaining, "It will only protect you! If given to someone else, it would just be an ordinary pendant..."
Hearing Ivan's words, Hermione fell silent. She didn't know much about Alchemy, but she could sense the affection Ivan poured into the pendant as he repaired it.
Ivan had likely infused his love for her into the pendant, forming a special Protective Charm.
Realizing this, Hermione was deeply moved. Her heart, already brimming with happiness and joy, overflowed even more. Her brown eyes, gazing at Ivan, became misty.
She wanted to thank Ivan, but felt that words were insufficient. The passion rising from her heart almost overwhelmed her.
Desperately wanting to do something, her eyes fell on the scarf she had given Ivan. Her face turned slightly red as she reached out and gently tugged at one end of the scarf.
Ivan, completely unprepared, was pulled down, and he saw Hermione's delicate face drawing closer. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her lips, slightly parted and flushed, touched his.
Their lips met for only a brief moment before quickly parting.
Before Ivan could react, Hermione jumped back, her face as red as if it were on fire.
Ivan had never expected Hermione to be so forward. He touched his lips, still savoring the sensation, and then looked at the young witch, teasingly asking,
"Was that part of your Christmas gift for me?"
"Not really, the scarf is the gift!" Hermione's face was flushed with embarrassment, and her breathing was slightly erratic.
Seeing the young witch in such a dazed state, Ivan's passion, which had been dampened by Magic, reignited. Under the pretext of giving another Christmas gift, he wanted to continue the kiss.
But Hermione wasn't about to let him succeed. That previous moment had been a moment of madness, and now she was too shy to repeat it. No way was she going to do it again.
...
On the second day of Christmas, after a night of celebration, everyone woke up late. The Gryffindor Common Room was much quieter than usual, as if all their energy had been expended the night before.
If not for the couples strolling around the campus and the occasional discussions about the Christmas Dance, Ivan might have suspected that the events of the previous day were just a dream.
Hermione had returned to her usual self, wearing her standard school uniform and carrying a pile of books. When she saw them, she quickly walked over and placed the books down.
The ginger cat, Crookshanks, followed Hermione and, after she sat down, jumped into her lap, purring contentedly.
"Hermione, why aren't you wearing your dress robe and doing your hair like yesterday? You looked so beautiful..." Ivan asked curiously, hoping to see more of her during the break from classes.
"There's no Dance today, and it's too much trouble to do that every day!" Hermione turned to look at Ivan, explaining with a troubled expression.
Compared to the careful steps required in a beautiful gown, she found this more comfortable. Plus, she had spent over an hour just on her hair for the Dance yesterday.
"Besides... we still have to study!" Hermione added softly, her face turning slightly red, perhaps recalling the events of the previous day.
Ivan shrugged. He couldn't understand how dressing up and studying were related.
But remembering the young witch's captivating state from last night, he had a sudden realization. Perhaps he would have found it hard to concentrate?
(End of Chapter)
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