Chapter 5: Embracing the Joy of Learning

Amphisbaena put on his dragon leather gloves, retrieved his notebook, and began documenting the seven items he had acquired.

The first item he examined was a delicate ring adorned with a small opal, a precious magical artifact. The outer ring displayed intricate patterns, while the inner ring had a Latin inscription that translated to "Dedicated to my beloved."

Using a spell called "True Manifestation," Amphisbaena unveiled the ring's magical aura. The presence of both blood-red and black auras initially hinted at its dangerous nature. However, a comforting, dim pink aura emerged, alleviating Amphisbaena's concerns.

Judging by its qualities, the ring fell somewhere between an entry-level and boutique-level magic item. Amphisbaena diligently recorded his observations in his notebook.

Next, he picked up a specialized alchemy magnifying glass to closely examine the ring. He noted that it appeared to be a silver alloy blended with Mithril, a magical material known for its excellent conductivity and diverse applications. However, the high cost of Mithril compelled alchemists to exercise caution when utilizing it.

Other than the Latin inscription, there was nothing particularly remarkable about the ring's inner circle. The exquisite leaf-like patterns on the outer circle seemed purely decorative. Amphisbaena transcribed these findings in his notebook.

These conclusions were not baseless. Enchanted alchemy items in the British magical world drew inspiration from two primary sources. The first was the secret text of ancient Egypt, a valuable knowledge bestowed upon humanity by the Egyptian deity Hermes. The legendary alchemy book, "Emerald Tome," was written in this language. Over time, the secret text had become nearly extinct, known only to a select few individuals like Nicommeler within the British magical community. It was believed that the Philosopher's Stone or the Sage's Stone was crafted using this ancient wisdom.

The second source of inspiration was Runes, magical symbols from Norse mythology that were acquired by the great deity Odin in exchange for sacrificing one of his eyes. Runes played a significant role in modern alchemy and held immense importance.

However, the intricate patterns on the ring did not appear to be Runes. Therefore, Amphisbaena surmised that the enchantment stemmed from the opal on the ring, while the mithril ring amplified its magical effects. This practical approach made sense from an alchemical standpoint.

While examining the ring, Amphisbaena discovered the presence of a rune inscribed within the opal—'Charm.' This rune possessed a specific power. However, the knowledge of runes in circulation was incomplete, and vital aspects such as language and grammar were lost.

In the magical world, runes had singular meanings, lacking comprehensive grammar. Interestingly, two runes with disparate meanings could merge to form a new rune. For example, the combination of 'water' and 'fire' denoted 'balance.'

The rules governing rune merging—the grammar that governed these combinations—remained a mystery. Fragmented records were the only available resources for future learners.

Amphisbaena deduced that the opal served as a vessel for the 'charm' rune, while the mithril ring magnified its effects—an alchemical technique that seemed practical and reasonable.

While the ring contained valuable alchemical knowledge, Amphisbaena had yet to master the art of embedding runes into gemstones. Therefore, apart from transforming the ring with Dragonheart Scale, his options were limited to dismantling the opal and mithril for alchemical materials.

Considering the popularity of items that enhanced charm among witches, Amphisbaena inferred that the opal held greater value than the mithril. Magic items with charm-enhancing properties were highly sought after.

After careful consideration, he decided to try wearing the charm ring. Removing his dragon leather glove, he slid the ring onto his little finger for easy removal. Unfortunately, there was no immediate reaction.

Nonetheless, Amphisbaena had an intuitive way to assess the ring's impact. Silently, he commanded, "Status."

The attribute bar materialized, and Amphisbaena saw that his charm attribute had increased by +2.

Though he couldn't identify specific items, Amphisbaena could sense the increased attributes. He had discovered a new purpose for the system beyond his expectations.

With the ring's role established, Amphisbaena refocused his attention on the remaining six damaged magic items.

Around noon, he sorted through the artifacts. Three of them bore signs of extensive damage, likely inflicted by previous Hogwarts students. Each item was a twelve-inch cane with its handle severed by a sharp implement.

Among the items, a peculiar magic book caught Amphisbaena's attention. Although it was devoid of any text, it seemed to have lost its life force.

However, the most intriguing piece was a guardian doll. In its pristine state, it could potentially become a golem—a wizard-controlled creature employed for combat, similar to the stone statues guarding Hogwarts.

The remaining three items were crudely crafted and had succumbed to the ravages of time, erasing their magical patterns and powers. They now served as mere alchemical waste.

The morning had yielded fruitful discoveries, filling Amphisbaena with visible happiness throughout lunch.

Curiosity piqued, Fulun asked, "Did you come across anything remarkable?"

Amphisbaena, smiling as he spread butter on his bread, replied, "Of course! I acquired valuable magical knowledge this morning."

His response left the young wizards around him at a loss for words, unsure how to continue the conversation.

Fulun raised an eyebrow and said, "You'll have no friends if you continue like this."

Amphisbaena chuckled and responded, "Isn't the greatest benefit of friendship the happiness it brings?"

"Indeed, Amphisbaena, you should join us; otherwise, you'll be labeled a nerd," Fulun kindly suggested, recognizing the warmth and camaraderie among Ravenclaw members.

"Everyone, learning also brings me happiness," Amphisbaena added. "Although the outcome is the same, we choose different paths."

Amphisbaena understood that, at this age, Many people might still grapple with the balance between strength and friendship. However, with memories from past lives, Amphisbaena knew that possessing strength would attract companionship.

Spending time on personal improvement held greater significance than solely pursuing friendships. This contrasted Voldemort, Grindelwald, and Dumbledore, who, despite their differences, both had numerous followers. Ultimately, they were the most powerful wizards in England.

Leaving his peers in contemplation, Amphisbaena headed back to the library after lunch. During this time, his Formation and Runic Knowledge increased day by day as he slowly mastered these two subjects while deciphering the Runic Formation to create a portal to the abyss.

After Amphisbaena deciphered some parts of the Runic Formation, he obtained information regarding the working of The Formation. First, he needed to choose or build a Gate and then connect the chosen gate with the formation where the rituals of sacrifice are located. The sacrificed soul would then turn into pure energy, empowering the formation. For now, Amphisbaena planned to use the Whomping Willow tree's hole as the gate to the abyss while creating the sacrificial formation around Hogwarts.