[Flamel Castle]
Inside the underground spell training chamber.
Link was staring intently at the ebony wand in his hand.
More precisely, at the droplet of water that was slowly gathering at the tip of the wand.
The droplet had an unsettling bluish-gray color overall. It hovered quietly at the wand's tip, refracting the surrounding light.
But this was only its initial form.
As Link gradually infused it with magic, the droplet's perfectly smooth, rounded surface began to change.
First it slowly stretched into an oval, then flattened into a single plane. After that came a triangle, a trapezoid, a square…
After cycling through nearly every common geometric shape, the droplet finally burst apart, turning into a mist of water that filled the air.
The moisture slowly dissipated into the air and vanished.
Yet there was no sign of relaxation on Link's face. Instead, he grew even more tense.
He maintained his magical output, gripping the wand tightly as he slowly turned it toward a dead pig that had been skinned, cleaned, and hung up nearby.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
BOOM!
Dense bluish-gray ice spikes suddenly burst out from every part of the pig's body, instantly turning it into a porcupine. The parts of the corpse that came into close contact with the ice spikes began to blacken and rot at an astonishing speed.
"Whew~"
Link finally let out a long breath.
Since his injuries had improved, he had thrown himself straight into analyzing Mike's combat style. After five full days, he finally had some results.
Although he still couldn't create the kind of cold mist Mike used back then, by researching how to merge curse energy into water manipulation, he could now recreate some of Mike's combat effects.
After being reconstructed and deeply fused, the cold poison was no longer limited to appearing in liquid form. It could freely change shape. Techniques like constant reshaping, or even turning into a gaseous form that infiltrated an enemy's body before crystallizing into ice spikes, were now achievable.
At the same time, with the increased purity of the curse energy, the destructive power of the cold poison had risen dramatically.
Of course, the way this destruction manifested looked extremely vicious.
But Link didn't care. A black cat or a white cat, any cat that catches mice is a good cat. When it came to enemies, he believed there was no such thing as being too cruel.
After the brief joy faded, Link opened his data panel.
On the interface filled with intricate patterns, he could clearly see that beneath the Refilling Charm, the experience bar, which should have disappeared long ago after using a Golden Skill Point, had reappeared.
Not only that, the golden experience gauge inside the bar had increased by a large margin.
Seeing this, Link's emotions became mixed with joy and concern.
The good news was that this change broke his previous understanding of how Golden Skill Points worked. It suggested that even after a spell broke through its limit, it might still be possible to continue leveling it through self-learning. This would be extremely beneficial to his long-term growth.
After all, as skill levels increased, his demand for Golden Skill Points would only grow larger, yet the ways to obtain them had never increased.
What worried him was that he had merely been studying Mike's combat techniques, yet this had caused a strange increase in the Refilling Charm's experience.
In a sense, this confirmed his earlier suspicion, that Mike could use skills one level higher than his own.
The "sixth sense" brought about by his rapidly increasing mental power gave him a deep sense of unease about this.
As if there were some secret hidden here that was extremely unfavorable to him.
"Link, it's time for us to leave!"
Mrs. Flamel's familiar voice suddenly came from the mesh-like sound outlet in the wall, pulling Link out of his thoughts.
Link shook his head, took several deep breaths, and rubbed his face hard until the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile again. Only then did he open the door and walk out.
Mrs. Flamel and Emily were already waiting in the hallway.
As soon as Link appeared, Mrs. Flamel hurried over and draped a thick cloak lined with snow-fox fur around his shoulders.
"How are your injuries feeling? If the wounds flare up again while you're at Hogwarts, you must tell someone right away! You have to remember, nothing is more important than your health. Those messy matters can be handled by subordinates. You don't need to do everything yourself…"
She spoke as she fastened the ties at the collar of the cloak.
Listening to her nagging, the slightly stiff smile on Link's face finally softened into something genuine.
At this moment, he truly enjoyed the feeling of being cared for by a parent.
Emily didn't say anything. She simply stood quietly behind Mrs. Flamel, watching.
Throughout the Christmas holiday, aside from a brief trip to Gringotts, they had spent nearly all their time with Mrs. Flamel.
But no feast lasts forever, and now it was time to part again.
Emily knew very well that the happier their time together had been, the more painful this moment was for Mrs. Flamel.
How long could a cloak's tie possibly be?
Even though Mrs. Flamel used the most complicated knot she could manage, the ties were soon fastened.
But she still hadn't finished speaking.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say more, but in the end she only touched Link's cheek and said, "Are your things all packed?"
The question wasn't really for Link. Every year, his school supplies were always prepared by the household steward.
At that, Little Button appeared from somewhere, bowed, and said, "They're all ready. Aside from the items the young master and young madam specifically requested to keep, everything else has been replaced with brand-new ones."
As he spoke, two Extension Charm bags embroidered with the Flamel family crest were handed over.
Link took the bags and smiled.
"Well done."
This praise wasn't polite courtesy, it was sincere.
Because of the Gringotts incident, Diagon Alley had remained closed until now.
During that time, the entire British magical world's trading center naturally shifted to Hogsmeade Village.
Coupled with the Daily Prophet's shamelessly pessimistic predictions about the future economy, panicked citizens had begun hoarding supplies at home.
As a result, prices in Hogsmeade skyrocketed, and shortages of popular goods became common.
Although the Ministry had sent people to maintain order, public emotions were still gradually spiraling out of control, with looting and vandalism occurring from time to time.
In the midst of all this chaos, the only ones profiting were the merchants of Hogsmeade.
They hoarded goods and gouged prices, smiling so wide their faces practically split, while the Ministry was too overwhelmed to deal with them.
Being able to procure enough supplies during such a difficult period truly showed Little Button's competence.
"Then, Mother, we're leaving."
After bowing to Mrs. Flamel, Link took Emily's hand.
Mrs. Flamel forced a smile and waved at him.
She understood that what awaited Link next would only grow more difficult, and she couldn't help but add, "If something can't be done, don't force it. We're not without a way out."
Link smiled and nodded. With a gentle flick of his wand, rippling distortions in space spread over him and Emily.
A few seconds later, they appeared on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Today marked the end of Hogwarts' Christmas holiday, and the platform was already packed with people, noisier than ever.
Yet standing amid the bustle, Link no longer wore the smile he'd had at home.
In the final moment before the teleportation completed, he thought he'd heard Mrs. Flamel crying…
Emily sensed his emotional shift clearly.
But all she could do was grip his hand tightly, letting him know he wasn't alone.
Not far from them stood a pair of parents saying goodbye to their child. Their expressions and endless reminders looked just like Mrs. Flamel earlier.
Their emotions easily infected the child, whose eyes soon reddened.
When the parents finally left, the child, who looked no more than twelve or thirteen, burst into tears.
But Link knew this feeling was temporary.
In less than an hour, the child would forget this moment completely and start eagerly looking forward to the feast awaiting them at Hogwarts.
After watching the entire farewell, and taking several deep breaths amid the crowd, Link finally managed to steady his emotions. Holding Emily's hand, he walked toward the Hogwarts Express.
There were many people blocking their way.
On any normal day, Link would politely say "Excuse me" over and over and squeeze through.
But today, he suddenly didn't feel like doing that.
"Part left and right."
As Link's calm words fell, the dense crowd was abruptly split down the middle, opening a path wide enough for him and Emily to walk side by side.
Link pulled Emily forward without looking back.
Most of those forced apart turned angrily to glare at them. A few sturdier middle-aged men and a blond, pale-skinned woman even looked ready to come argue.
The sudden force had knocked them around pretty badly.
But once they saw Link and Emily's obviously wealthy attire, and the Flamel family crest embroidered on their clothes, they all shrank back.
The angry stares vanished.
Everyone lowered their heads in silence, not daring to say a word.
Under Link's control, the Flamel family had developed at breakneck speed for nearly three years, especially after absorbing the Beckman family, which filled major gaps in their other businesses.
Now, the Flamel family's reach extended into every industry in Britain.
Every wizarding household in the country used products from Flamel-owned companies.
Faced with such a monstrous family, no one present dared offend them.
Not even the Malfoy family, despite also being one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Amid this eerie silence, Link and Emily entered the luxurious school-board-only carriage.
Only after they sat down did Emily sigh, removing Link's cloak as she asked, "Feeling any better?"
Knowing she meant the forceful use of "Part left and right," Link replied expressionlessly, "Not really."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Make me a cup of tea."
Emily took various ingredients from the tray on the table and began brewing tea, while Link sat across from her, watching quietly.
Tea itself couldn't calm his heart, but watching Emily make it could.
Knock! Knock! Knock…
A rhythmic knocking suddenly sounded at the door.
Neither Link nor Emily paid it any mind.
They continued brewing tea at their own pace, until a cup of steaming reddish-brown tea was placed in front of Link. Only then did the carriage door open automatically.
Standing outside were Newland and Sigefin.
Sigefin looked somewhat disheveled, his clothes were messy, and there were several fresh cuts on his face, though it was unclear how he'd gotten them.
By comparison, Newland looked much cleaner.
He still wore the same Hogwarts robe he always did, Link had never seen him wear anything else, as if it were the only presentable piece of clothing he owned.
It was old and slightly faded, but clean.
Most importantly, his smile.
In the past, when Newland smiled, it carried a sense of gloom and menace. But now, there was a hint of sincerity in it.
They didn't enter immediately after the door opened. Instead, they stood respectfully outside, even though they'd already been waiting nearly half an hour.
Only after Link took a sip of tea and said, "Come in," did they sit down on the lower chairs near the door.
"Mr. Flamel, may I ask why you summoned us?"
Newland spoke first.
Sigefin curled strangely into his chair without saying a word, highly unusual for someone so competitive.
Link glanced at them, set his teacup down, and said, "Hagrid was discovered by Umbridge for keeping a giant in the Forbidden Forest. He's been badly injured and is currently being treated in the hospital wing."
"Harry, Ron, and Hermione weren't hurt, but they've been labeled as Hagrid's accomplices and are now under house arrest at Hogwarts, awaiting judgment."
At those words, Newland's pupils shrank sharply.
Sigefin jolted, nearly falling out of his chair.
This was news they'd only just heard themselves, people like them weren't well connected.
Newland swallowed, countless thoughts racing through his mind, but in the end he clenched his teeth nervously and said, "Lord Flamel… this wasn't my doing!"