Lys leaned over the boat's edge, pushing her mask halfway up as she retched uncontrollably.
She knew that ever since that glimpse into the Dark Lord's secrets, she'd developed a deep aversion to the ocean. Just seeing it made her uncomfortable, filling her with an inexplicable dread. She couldn't even bring herself to eat seafood anymore.
But she'd never realized she could get seasick too!
After all, that year in the Inferi-infested waters, when their little boat had been tossing violently for their lives, Lys hadn't had any problems at all.
Refusing the water someone offered her, Lys rinsed her mouth with Aguamenti and slumped motionlessly against the boat's side. Ugh... so what transportation could she actually use?
She asked Lucy how much farther they had to go. A nearby wizard stepped forward to inform her they'd reach the shipwreck's location in about ten minutes. Seeing the wizard approach for conversation, Lys didn't resist and chatted along. After all, sometimes they were competitors, sometimes they could be collaborators.
Noticing the familiar family crest on the man's hand, Lys turned her head away. These nobles, whether German or British, all wanted to grab everything they could, openly and secretly. It seemed Lucius could sign another copy of their family's contract.
When they reached their destination, Lys had vomited so much her legs were weak. She simply stayed on the boat instead of diving down.
The moment she sensed abnormal magical fluctuations underwater, Lys used a Flying Charm to lift herself into the air.
Sure enough, a spell with the devastating force of Reducto struck the bottom of their boat.
Lys used Transfiguration to barely patch the hole, just about to descend when another burst of magic violently shattered the freshly repaired vessel and shot toward Lucy, who had just surfaced.
Splitting her concentration from the Flying Charm, Lys hauled Lucy up, only to discover that the attacker was already casting another spell in relentless pursuit. Lys's face beneath her mask darkened with displeasure.
With a subtle flick of her wand, wave after wave of water layered themselves in the magical force's path, each barrier weakening the spell's power until it finally dissipated. Only then did Lys's water defenses crash down with a thunderous splash.
"Hand over the item!" came a muffled voice from underwater, urgent and demanding.
Hearing this, Lys glanced at what Lucy clutched in her arms, her eyes questioning.
Lucy shook her head while dripping wet and pale, refusing to release the yellow silk-wrapped object.
Faced with Lys's continued questioning look, she finally spoke: "This is a potion from China. It's extremely valuable—worth twice our entire haul from this trip."
Seeing Lys still hadn't responded, Lucy continued:
"We originally didn't have purchasing rights, but before the owner arrived, they announced the broker had fled. Whoever found this potion would have first purchasing rights. I saw it first, I claimed it first!"
Knowing her side wasn't in the wrong, Lys finally unleashed her full power, firmly pressing the wizard who was trying to climb onto a broomstick back down into the churning water.
Even in this chaotic situation, she had the presence of mind to unwrap the yellow silk and remove the cork to peer into the bottle. A strange, potent scent hit her nostrils.
The white porcelain bottle was exquisite and diminutive. Just from its size, Lys knew it was expensive—in Britain and Germany, only top-tier potions like Felix Felicis came in bottles this tiny.
Tossing aside the soggy silk, Lys smiled and tucked the bottle securely into her robes. Then she crossed her arms and, under the wary gazes of wizards treading water, hovering on broomsticks, and crowded into emergency boats, declared with casual arrogance:
"Now it belongs to me. You want it? Come and take it!"
Torrents of magic surged from her wand, gathering fragments of the broken boat and transfiguring them into a sleek new vessel.
This display instantly silenced the wizards on nearby broomsticks who'd been growing restless.
They exchanged nervous glances, all feeling a chill of intimidation. What unnerved them wasn't just Lys's raw power, but her effortless multitasking: hovering in midair, restraining the nearly drowning wizard underwater, and transfiguring an object whose quality completely defied its humble source materials.
Even more unsettling was her casual demeanor—no dramatic wand flourishes, no shouted incantations. Even as she stepped onto her newly created boat, she'd leisurely adjusted her dark green mask painted with elegant white lilies, as if this were all perfectly routine.
"Well then, interested buyers can place their bids once we're back on shore." Lys channeled her magic into the boat's propulsion, and it shot forward with a sudden whoosh, nearly flinging her overboard. Fortunately, Lucy grabbed her arm, saving her from what would have been a thoroughly embarrassing tumble.
The male wizard who'd chatted with Lys earlier dove to rescue the half-drowned attacker, quietly confirming with his partner in hushed tones: "So this is the young British witch the Karkaroff family's been keeping tabs on?"
Seeing his partner nod grimly, he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
How did the Karkaroffs always manage to spot these exceptional individuals before anyone else?
Back at Lucy's house, Lys curiously examined the mysterious potion. Three small black pearls rolled lazily around the bottom of the porcelain bottle, emanating none of the magical aura a proper potion should possess.
She casually set the bottle aside, and Lucy reverently collected it like a precious artifact.
"Save one pearl for me, sell the rest," Lys instructed as she prepared to leave, adding with emphasis: "I'm short on money lately."
"Extremely short!"
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