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Nicole Lemay declined Moriarty's offer of help with a gentle smile, remarking that a French wizard named Jacob had once twisted his wrist in a similar fashion many years ago. He reassured Moriarty that he was quite accustomed to such minor injuries and had a complete self-treatment procedure for such incidents.
Moriarty expressed slight regret that he wouldn't get the chance to conduct alchemy experiments using a real subject. With a nod of farewell to Nicole Lemay, he tucked the Book of Abraham the Jew under his arm and made his way toward the exit of the secret chamber.
"Ding Dong~ The system has detected that the host has found, touched, and now possesses the divine Hebrew text: Book of Abraham the Jew. Reward: 21 exploration draws!"
"Detected: the host has discovered incomplete Hebrew prophecy illustrations. New task issued: Locate the final two illustrations and interpret their meaning! Task reward: 70,000 points and unlock a random elemental spell.
Note: Due to the unique nature and unpredictability of the mission, it carries no time limit and no penalty for failure."
"Detected: the host has successfully won the wager and received assistance from Nicole Lemay. First alchemy task now activated: Restore the acceleration function of the Karaoke Boots! Reward: 5,000 points.
Penalty for failure: Magic power will be diminished by five years!"
The system's stream of notifications echoed in Moriarty's mind—tallying not only his previously accrued rewards but also issuing a fresh set of challenges.
When Moriarty inquired about his current status, the system reported:
"Host balance: 51,800 points.
Elemental Affinity: Water. Wizard Level: High Wizard, Level 37.
Exploration Draws Available: 21.
Alchemy Items in Possession: Philosopher's Stone, Karaoke Boots (currently nonfunctional), the Unlucky Hat, Elixir of Vitality.
Magical Artifact: Ice Moon Necklace.
Magical Creature Eggs in Possession (unhatched): Undead Phoenix Egg, Chimera Egg.
Spell Proficiency: Water Elemental Magic, Slytherin Bloodline Magic, Deathstroke Curse, Cruciatus Curse…
Interpersonal Relations:
— Friendship established with the ancient Jewish vampire clan.
— Poor rapport with the Quinlan vampire family.
— Befriended key figures such as Albus Dumbledore, influential pureblood families, the British Ministry of Magic, and ruling aristocrats.
Additional Storyline Activated: Alchemy Arc.
End of report. Wishing the host swift ascension to become the mastermind behind the curtain!"
As Moriarty stepped out of the chamber, another system prompt chimed:
"Congratulations! Host has completed a daily check-in. Reward obtained: Nicole Lemay's manuscript on the Dragon Tongue.
Note: This chamber is a repeatable check-in location. Next check-in available in 24 hours."
Moriarty turned his gaze to the parchment manuscript that materialized in his hand—rows of unfamiliar runes sprawled across the ancient vellum.
Tucking away the manuscript, Moriarty resolved to return and discuss Dragon Tongue with Nicole Lemay at a later time. As he prepared to surface from the underground complex, he noticed dozens—no, hundreds—of moving figures above him. The flutter of cloaks and gleam of wands on the stairs meant one thing: a crowd was waiting.
The first beam of sunlight stretched across his shoulder, prompting him to narrow his eyes. Time had passed faster than he realized—he hadn't eaten since the dragon soup... yesterday?
"Mr. Moriarty!"
A voice burst from the crowd above. In the blink of an eye, a roar of cheers followed, and a tide of students surged toward him. The Slytherins led the charge, hoisting Moriarty high into the air with a celebratory toss.
After three jubilant launches skyward, Moriarty insisted they stop, lest they dislocate something. But even adult wizards joined the crowd, all eager to shake his hand or simply brush against him. A few witches with gleaming eyes seemed especially eager to get close.
Once back on his feet, Moriarty made his way through the crowd. Jericho came sprinting over, flushed with excitement.
"Sir, you did it! I knew you would! You always do!"
Nearly everyone echoed similar words of awe and congratulations, except for three notable witches—Tonks, Gemma, and Fleur—who stood in the shape of a triangle, wearing similarly elegant but distinctly different smiles.
Behind them, Lilith stood aloof, arms folded over her chest, her stance graceful on the lawn as she observed the trio whispering among themselves. Catching Moriarty's glance, she offered a subtle smile and mouthed a word before quietly departing.
Moriarty recognized it at once.
"Congratulations," she had said.
"Ever since she introduced Fleur to your fan club, she hasn't spoken a word," murmured a soft voice beside Moriarty. It was Penelope Clearwater—her eyes a touch shadowed from fatigue, but her spirit as bright as ever.
She leaned closer. "Miss Fleur from Beauxbatons has ruffled some feathers. Gemma's clearly not pleased. They've been competing in secret."
Moriarty gave a slight shake of his head, raised his cedar wand, and aimed it toward the sky. A fiery burst exploded above them.
"The winner is Hogwarts! Slytherin!"
The blazing salute reshaped into the Hogwarts crest. Students whipped out their own wands and joined the chorus of cheers.
"The winner is Moriarty!"
"Slytherin reigns!"
"Long live Hogwarts!"
"Victory for England!" shouted the older wizards.
The raucous celebration lasted for over ten minutes. The energy of the crowd effectively eased the brewing tension among Tonks, Gemma, and Fleur. Moriarty observed this with a secret nod of approval.
"Now," he said, projecting his voice over the buzz, "I'm off for a proper meal—and a long nap! Disturb me, and I'll strap you to the experimental table for an alchemical trial!"
The students recoiled in mock horror while Jericho added with a wicked grin, "That's right! He'll go full surgeon on anyone who interrupts! Slice and dice, just like in Potions class!"
A few Muggle-born students whispered, "Would he really turn someone into a robot? Alchemy feels suspiciously close to technology..."
Amidst banter and laughter, the group returned to the castle. Inside the Great Hall, the four long house tables had vanished—replaced by a massive, singular table seating over a hundred.
At the head sat Dumbledore, flanked on the left by British Ministry officials, school governors, and professors—all wearing festive expressions. On the right, French Ministry dignitaries sat in stiff silence, their complexions pale. Madame Maxime, seated among them, glowered at Fleur with burning scrutiny.
Further back sat various guests from Hogsmeade. Gilderoy Lockhart was enthusiastically holding court among them, charming an eager audience.
Everyone braced for a grand speech from Dumbledore, but the Headmaster simply smiled and said:
"Return to your dormitories and rest well! You have the afternoon off tomorrow. Lunch and dinner will be delivered to your common rooms by house-elves. Students from Sparton are to accompany the girls' prefect to the Ravenclaw common room, where you'll be treated as family."
"Thank you, Headmaster~"
Someone started the chant, and soon the hall exploded with shouts:
"Thank you, Headmaster! Long live the holiday!"
Within minutes, the Great Hall emptied. Moriarty, too, was escorted by a tide of enthusiastic Slytherins to their dungeon common room. He barely touched the floor along the way.
"Sir, please tell us!" Soldaya exclaimed eagerly. "How did you inform Professor Nicole Lemay of his defeat? We want to know his expression! He's never lost—not even Headmaster Dumbledore matches him in alchemy!"
Everyone nodded. They were less interested in the technical details of wand forging and far more fascinated by the unraveling of a legend.
"Saul," Moriarty began, lounging on the grandest sofa, "I've seen your face when you fail. Full of defiance, pain, and regret…"
As Moriarty spoke, Jericho mimicked each described emotion, causing Soldaya to glare, annoyed that he couldn't focus.
Just then, house-elves delivered lunch. Moriarty opted for dry fare and said coolly to Soldaya, "If the school holds a Dueling Club this year, challenge the undefeated. There's truth hidden in those moments."
Marcus appeared carrying a small pot. "Sir, dragon soup. Mr. Foley made special arrangements with the elves."
After a hearty meal, Moriarty prepared to retire. Just as he rose, Lilith emerged from the girls' dorm and handed him a card.
"Whoa," Jericho choked on his pork chop, "Was that a love letter from the ice queen herself?"
Lilith rolled her eyes. "You come too."
"I can?" Jericho brightened. "Not that I'm nosy! I just want to learn how to write one—for future reference."
Lilith huffed while Jericho leaned in. But as he peered at the card, Moriarty tucked it away.
";Dormiens Nunquam," he murmured. "Latin. Translation: Never tickle a sleeping dragon."
"Exactly," Lilith said, seating herself beside him. "Sleeping dragons. The Headless Horseman mentioned it—Hogwarts' motto."
Jericho scratched his head. "A warning from the Founders—don't provoke the hidden powers! I told Selwyn that on the train, you know! Should've shown him this!"
"No wonder your alchemy's chaotic," Lilith flicked her hair. "You only read the surface." She pointed to the lower section of the card. "Look."
Jericho leaned in, but Moriarty pocketed the card.
"Don't read it. I'll tell you a story instead. One you may have heard."
Jericho perked up. "From The Tales of Beedle the Bard?"
"No," Moriarty said as he stood. "This one's far older…"
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