Now that he had more time, Christian decided to update his magical journal today. Over the past few months, he added a few more entries but forgot a few things. He first flipped to Entry 7, which talked about studying wind magic and anti-gravity to achieve unsupported flight.
[I have found the wizard in Nepal growing an Anti-Gravity Tree, as Neville mentioned. We are supporting his research, and hopefully, it can help me achieve my goal of defying gravity and flying freely in the sky like a bird.]
Christian turned to Entry 4 and wrote:
[June 17, 1991]
[Mum successfully had someone perform an autopsy of a wizard who died from the Killing Curse. I don't know how she got her hands on such a thing, nor do I want to know. The result is that no cause of death was determined. The organs and many vital parts were intact, looking as if they had just shut down due to natural death.]
[This could be proof that the Killing Curse does indeed attack the soul, and the death or destruction of the soul causes the body to die. More observation and evidence are needed to come to a decisive conclusion.]
'[These results also show that the soul can leave the body while it still functions normally–albeit the individual will enter an eternal coma. However, any injuries or destruction will result in immediate death. It also shows a clear correlation or connection between the soul and the body.]
After Christian finished, he flipped to Entry 8, pondering briefly.
[Entry 8: Scientific Magic]
[After I ranted at the signing, talking about the future of Magic University, I realized I might have been speaking nonsense (how embarrassing). Magic can be divided into two types or categories: [Mystery] and [Science]. Most magic spells, potions, and theories are steeped in mystery or the supernatural. It's all based on a wizard's ability to project their thoughts, willpower, or imagination into the real world. If I used some knowledge from Jim's world, wizards have a low level of Reality Manipulation.]
[Now, because it's based on superstition or mystery, it does not mean there are no rules and regulations. On the contrary, the rules are strict, hard to detect, and often cause severe backlash once someone breaks them. Advance Magic probably delves into these rules and regulations.
[As for Scientific Magic, they are spells that follow scientific principles. On top of my head, I can only think of three instances. The first is Transfiguration, which has more scientific principles. However, I believe this field is more of a combination of the two. However, science is more applied when it involves Alchemy or permanent transfiguration.]
[The second example is the Love Potion. The thing does not make you fall in love with someone, but creates a sense of infatuation. In other words, the potion cannot create true and unbreakable love, but it affects the dopamine and serotonin in the brain to create a feeling similar to love. (i.e., this should be tested as it is a theory)]
[The third and primary example is the Disillusionment Charm, which copies the chameleon's characteristics called chromatophore, allowing a user to take on the color and texture of the surroundings. From Jim's memories, I know many militaries globally have created similar technology.]
[The relationship between Mystery and Science Magic should be interesting to explore. My theory is that in places where {Mystery} fails or is too restrictive, {Science} will appear to make up for it.]
[If I successfully create an Anti-Gravity Flying Charm, it should be classified as Scientific Magic. However, there are other prospects for this type of magic. My first thought is to create a spell that creates a Force Field. I wonder how this kind of spell would fare against Protego. Could it be powerful enough to survive a direct attack from a Nuclear Bomb? Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself.]
[The point is, Scientific Magic has plenty of potential, and it could allow me to delve into the realm of science fiction.]
Christian looked at this entry before adding:
[June 17, 1991]
[I'm 90% sure most of what I said was nonsense. However, the effect of potions on the cells and DNA is still a valid form of Science Magic.]
Christian flipped to another entry before stopping. He had to write to his pen pals. Ever since he became famous, he has received even more letters. Poor Sango, he was busier than ever.
…
"So, you blame yourself?" asked Bart, still dressed professionally on his couch with a pen and paper.
"How could I not?" replied Tiara, lying flat with her braided hair. Christian was not the only one growing their hair during this period. Tiara used to find them bothersome with all the travel and kept them short, but now, she decided to let them grow.
"Ever since we found that damn artifact, Isaac was obsessed. He even wanted to stop our Curse Breaking work to become an Unspeakable so he could better study it. Every day, I regret not stopping him. Otherwise, how could he have disappeared?"
"At which point does choice come into the equation?"
"What do you mean?"
"Isaac made a choice, which he is allowed to do. So, why are you blaming yourself?" Bart said.
"But none of this would have happened if I were more persistent."
"Or, he would have studied it secretly."
"So, it's his fault?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying," replied Bart. "My point is we make choices every day without knowing the consequences. Isaac's action could have resulted in him making a significant discovery, but unfortunately, things went awry. No one is to blame in this situation; this is just life; things go wrong. There is no one to blame."
Tiara paused, "I understand what you're saying, but I cannot process it and accept it. I still feel guilty, feel like I could have done more."
"It seems we have much more work to do," Bart calmly stated.
…
Tiara kept attacking, but Christian only waved his wand to create the Shield Charm and block, but no incantation was uttered. After a few minutes, she stopped.
"Excellent. You've met all the goals I made for you and even exceeded them in some areas," praised Tiara before sighing. "Time flies so fast. In more than two weeks, you will be attending school."
She looked at her son, whose face from a year ago was superimposed with the current one. His locks were as long as his ears, the purple spots in his eyes were more prominent, and he was taller, thinner, and more handsome.
"Yes, times do fly," muttered Christian. A year ago, he was an ordinary child with some talent for language. A year later, he was a wizard and a published writer.
"I'm going to miss our lessons," said Christian, sad that today was their last lesson.
"Me too, but next summer, I will teach you Tribal Magic, so there is that to look forward to."
"I almost forgot about that."
"Come, walk with me," said Tiara, heading toward the house. "With your knowledge and ability, passing your O.W.L for Charm or Transfiguration should not be a problem, and maybe even the N.E.W.T. However, it's only the practical aspect. You lack basic magic theory and understanding."
Her lessons focused more on the practical aspect and skipped many scholarly or book theories.
"You need to make up the missing part."
Christian nodded, knowing that reading the books was not enough. He needed to ask the professors more in-depth questions to understand.
"You must pay attention to Potion, Herbology, and Magical Care. Reading books is not enough, and as you know, I'm not the best at potions, and I cannot legally acquire many magical creatures and plants. Your professors are a trove of magical knowledge, and it's your job to dig everything from them."
"I will," replied Christian.
Tiara led him to a room with a table and two items. One looked like a parchment, and the other a closed box.
"This is a map I've enchanted for you. It will help you navigate the castle. It also contained some of the castle's secret rooms, including a secret bathroom. I don't know if it's still a secret, you might want to try."
Christian immediately became excited. One of his worries was how to navigate that large castle with the moving stairs and full of secret passages. So, he planned to chat with Fred and George to get his hands on their Maurader Map. Now, it might not be necessary.
Tiara touched the box and paused for more than ten seconds before opening it, revealing a white circular artifact.
"What's this?" asked Christian, feeling his mother's hesitation. "Are those Ancient Runes?" He recognized them from Jim's memories.
"This is an artifact your father and I found in a ruin in Scandinavia," said Tiara. "It's also the cause of your father's disappearance."
"You mean?"
"One day, when you were one year old, I heard a sound in his study and rushed upstairs. I saw a destroyed room and this artifact left on the floor."
Tiara softly caressed the artifact while Christian hesitated to speak.
"What's on your mind?"
"How do you know he's still alive? I mean, after all these years…"
"He's alive," she replied before taking out a small white flame from her bag of holding. "Our wedding ceremony was an actual magical ceremony, which was the prerequisite for me to cast a unique spell—an ancient magic that bound our lives together. As long as this flame burns, I know he's alive and can help him in a dire situation."
"I see." Christian sighed in relief. Although he was not close to his father, it was apparent that he meant a lot to his mother, so he did not want anything to happen to him.
"But why are you telling me this?"
"The artifact is for you. I hope you can figure out how it works."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes." This decision was difficult for Tiara, but she followed Papa Tounde's advice and handed over the artifact. Christian was surprised and excited, "Can I?"
"It's yours now anyway, so do as you please."
Christian took the artifact and looked at the three movable circles in the middle before turning it over to the side with all the small runes.
"You should have translated them, right? Can you show it to me?"
"No, make your own translation. Mine failed me, so it's best to do it alone."
Christian frowned as he realized something. His mother did not want to give him this artifact, and although she did, she was counting on him waiting until his third year, when he could take Ancient Rune Study as an elective before he began to deal with it.
"You're probably right," nodded Christian. "By the way, can you also give me a bag of holding?"
"No. [Undetectable Extension Charms] are illegal, and since you're a semi-public figure, it might cause trouble if you want to have one."
"Fine, I'll just learn the Extension Charm by myself."
Tiara shrugged. "By the way, we need to buy school necessities."
"Don't we only need clothes?"
"Clothes and potion materials. Unless you want a new set of books?"
"No. Mine have notes and annotations; why would I want new ones?"
"Alright."