"Now," Professor Sen Bakaer said, raising a hand, "Go, sit in that chair over there... we'll discuss among ourselves to see how to perfect it... let me think..."
And so, the three professors argued for more than half an hour, with no one willing to budge.
After all, they were all masters of Ancient Magic, and no one could convince the others, nor would they be convinced.
Everyone thought their method was the best and their ideas the most refined.
Ultimately, it was Principal Fitzgerald who came up with a solution.
"Why not try all your ideas and see which one succeeds?"
After saying this, Principal Fitzgerald didn't forget to reassure Harry: "Don't worry, Harry. While the professors were outstanding wizards in life, their breakthroughs are limited to theory due to the constraints of life and death. It's up to you to accomplish it in practice, so don't feel pressured..."
Can I not feel pressured?
Harry complained inwardly, I'm under so much goddamn pressure...
This is mental magic, what if I don't learn it well?
He realized these professors were like theoretical physicists, whereas he was the practical type.
What if they got something wrong?
In the end, wouldn't I, the one practicing, be the one to suffer?
Right now, Harry felt like a guinea pig awaiting the experiments of scientists...
Forget it...
To become stronger, Harry decided to go all out.
A guinea pig is just a guinea pig, as long as I can integrate Ancient Magic with the Mind Sealing Spell, it's worth some sacrifice.
"Let's do it then." Harry looked resolute as if standing at the edge of a precipice, "I think I can give it a try—are you sure there won't be any issues?"
"No, there won't be," Principal Fitzgerald said confidently.
...
Half an hour later.
Harry, panting heavily, looked at Principal Fitzgerald with an expression that said, I trusted you and got burned.
"Is this what you meant by 'no issues'?" Harry groaned, rubbing his head, "My head's about to explode, Principal—"
"It's just a minor issue, Harry," Principal Fitzgerald said lightly, "You must understand, Harry—there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Using Ancient Magic to enhance the Mind Sealing Spell is an undeveloped field. Since you want to be a pioneer, you must make some sacrifices, don't you think?"
Harry took this to heart and nodded in agreement, "If that's the case... then I'll try Professor Sen Bakaer's suggestion next!"
Hearing Harry's words, Professor Sen Bakaer gave a look of satisfaction.
This kid... really understands progress!
"Hey!" Professor Luke Wood said unhappily, "Why not try my suggestion first?"
"Sorry, professor." Harry apologized, "I just wanted to save the best for last..."
"Pah!" Professor Luke Wood retorted angrily, "You just don't trust me... By Merlin, a student like you in my time would have been nailed to a cross for punishment!"
Merlin below wouldn't even work, Harry thought fiercely, he wanted to save some energy.
...
Another half an hour passed, Harry lay on the ground exhausted, drenched in sweat, shaped like a 'dead fish'.
He felt very sleepy, extremely tired, as the recent experiment had drained almost all his energy. It felt like he hadn't slept for months, and his brain was foggy.
"Let's practice again tomorrow." Principal Fitzgerald said with concern, "What you need most now is rest, not pushing through here. Go back to your dormitory and have a hot glass of pumpkin juice, then have a good nap..."
Harry weakly agreed, lying on the floor with no desire to get up.
What he wanted most right now was just a good night's sleep.
But in this environment...
Harry thought that if he slept all night on the floor of the Map Secret Room, he'd definitely wake up sore all over the next morning.
The floor was hard and cold, with a chilly breeze blowing over it...
He panted for a while, pushing himself to stand up.
"Hope your method won't be too stimulating, professor."
"Don't worry, Harry," Professor Luke Wood said hopefully, "You must rest well. I believe my suggestion is very feasible—if you can muster enough spirit, the most important thing for you now is to go back and rest, understand?"
"Tell me your idea first," Harry asked, panting.
"Why tell you in advance?" Professor Luke Wood asked puzzled.
"Don't you understand?" Professor Sen Bakaer said with crossed arms, "This little guy is clearly worried his girlfriend might suddenly come to the Map Secret Room, urging us not to teach him advanced applications of the Mind Sealing Spell, can't you see?"
"We indeed haven't taught him advanced applications of the Mind Sealing Spell," Professor Luke Wood played with words mischievously, "What we taught him is the integration of Ancient Magic and the Mind Sealing Spell..."
Hearing Professor Luke Wood's words, Professors Sen Bakaer and Lachham both gave a thumbs-up.
"But what you considered was also right, Harry," Professor Luke Wood reflected and began explaining the details to Harry.
Harry carefully memorized Professor Luke Wood's words, bid farewell to the four professors, and left the Map Secret Room while yawning.
As soon as he stepped out of the Map Secret Room, he saw Vivi at the door.
Seeing Vivi, Harry's internal alarms went off, and without any hesitation, he cleared his mind.
He didn't even know why he did it, but it felt right.
"What were you doing?" Vivi asked suspiciously, looking at Harry.
"Nothing," Harry shook his head, yawning, "I just had some questions about Ancient Magic and wanted to ask the professors..."
"Then why not ask me?" Vivi tilted her head and asked.
"Eh?" Harry feigned surprise, "Didn't Cassandra tell me you returned to the Muggle World for a thesis defense?"
This was on purpose, as Vivi would never check with Cassandra, she'd not only skip checking but shift focus to Cassandra.
As expected, Vivi's attention was diverted by Harry's words.
"Her?" Vivi's face darkened, but she didn't say much, just asked with concern, "What's wrong? You look a bit drained."
"I'm a bit depleted of magic power."
Harry naturally staggered and hugged her slender waist.
While hugging, his hand mischievously slipped under her shirt, resting gently on her smooth, warm waist.
"Uh..."
Vivi's attention shifted again, her face flushed as she slapped Harry's hand away.
"It's still daytime," she whispered, "Besides, we're outside, Harry..."
"Hmm?" Harry feigned ignorance, looking left and right, "But there's no one around, it's fine—"
"No way!" Vivi said seriously, "If you want, we can leave the school tonight and go to my place in the Muggle World, but not now..."
"Alright." Harry immediately put on a disappointed face, looking pitifully at Vivi.
Vivi really fell for it, and seeing his pitiable look, she softened.
"Just this once." She whispered softly.
(A bit of lumbar disk herniation, but it's not a big deal, after some massage it feels much better—the doctor's hands were a bit rough, my elbow still aches slightly, but it was quite relieving.)