Chapter 208 "Slytherin Blood Potion"

As the two-week Easter break comes to an end, procrastinating young wizards can be found diligently catching up on their homework in the library and common room.

During these weeks, Skyler and Salff have successfully mastered the six serpentine magic left by Slytherin.

Skyler's demeanor has undergone a noticeable change. Once resembling a cultivated and approachable nobleman, his reputation and strength never diminished his humility.

During the Yule Ball a few months ago, many girls approached him for dance invitations, and soft-spoken words and patience marked his gentle rejections.

Now, having delved into the serpentine magic and the potent realm of space magic, Skyler's temperament takes on a darker and more mysterious quality.

These two magics not only influence his character but also manifest in his external appearance and temperament.

The aura emanating from him is reminiscent of the charm halo he once embedded in the Supreme Wizard's robe, enhancing his personal allure, yet it holds a distinct difference. Even those closest to him struggle to articulate the changes they perceive accurately.

To be frank, he has adopted an even more "sinister" demeanor than before.

His temperament has an inexplicable effect on everyone around him, akin to a spring breeze that induces joy and closeness. People unconsciously feel drawn to him, eager to establish deeper connections and gain a profound understanding of him.

Moreover, every word he utters carries a kind of enchantment, rendering it convincing and compelling. Listeners find it challenging to resist, feeling a peculiar guilt if they disagree as if committing a grave sin.

On the contrary, adhering to Skyler's words brings an unexpected sense of happiness.

Describing it in Daphne's terms, Skyler views the "Imperius Curse" as an enduring passive skill, much like a natural telepathic master perceives "Legilimency" as an innate, spontaneous ability.

Had he encountered the "Dimensional Shift" earlier, Skyler would have been greatly distressed. This temperament would undoubtedly lead to significant issues. Not only would Dumbledore take notice, but even Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick might sense that something is amiss.

Despite their fondness for Skyler, they couldn't allow someone with an ability resembling cult-like brainwashing to be amidst the crowd. Grindelwald's innate talent for effortlessly "inspiring people" caused immense trouble in the wizarding world 70 years ago, an unforgettable chapter in history.

However, at this moment, Skyler no longer takes it seriously.

It's an indescribably peculiar feeling.

On the day Skyler realized that "Dimensional Shift," the moment he closed his eyes, he felt a summons from the shadows.

It felt as if the force of destiny had been imposed upon him.

The enigmatic fate in the shadows seemed to split into two, rendering the trajectory of destiny peculiar—it was no longer a preordained, one-way path, but contingent upon future shifts.

All past prophecies within the wizarding world became void, and even time magic glimpsing into the future would falter.

Finally, his destiny was within his grasp.

Even individuals as wise as Dumbledore or as formidable as Voldemort could not thwart the march of the Wheel of Fortune. Lacking the status of "children of destiny" or the protagonist's fate, they could only reluctantly trust in vague prophecies, unable to elude the whims of fate. At this juncture, Skyler had surpassed them all.

The time has come to elevate the Serpentis Vigil Club to the second stage.

Within the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets.

A substantial cauldron of light yellow potion bubbled and simmered in a golden crucible.

This Crucible belonged to Hufflepuff, a magical tool enhancing the time and success rate of potion brewing.

The magical potion is an enhanced magic-boosting elixir perfected by Skyler. While refining the original formula isn't overly challenging, it does necessitate the use of basilisk venom.

To Skyler's knowledge, basilisks are long extinct, with the one in the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets being the last of its kind. Cultivating another basilisk to adulthood is a laborious and time-consuming task.

Considering the questionable value and the time constraints, Skyler couldn't justify such an undertaking.

Hence, he relied on his ingenuity to refine the potion formula.

During the summer break in July of the previous year, when Skyler had just captured the large snake named Nagini from Voldemort, he already observed Nagini's uniqueness. Nagini, transformed into a snake due to a blood curse, doesn't belong to any known magical serpent species. Skyler has never encountered a venomous python before.

It can be argued that there is no evidence supporting the existence of venom glands in large snakes such as pythons and anacondas. Even the long-extinct "Titanoboa" is considered non-venomous.

Nagini's venom, capable of preventing wounds from being sutured, has become a key ingredient in Voldemort's concoction of the "Rudimentary Body Potion," underscoring Nagini's peculiar characteristics.

During that period, Skyler frequently conducted dark and cruel experiments on Nagini. He uncovered that Nagini's blood was another valuable resource, akin to its venom.

In his second year, Skyler stumbled upon a bloodline research note penned by Merlin in Hogwarts' restricted section. The note delved into the study of implanting magical creature bloodlines into wizards to augment magical abilities.

Although Merlin had to abandon the research due to its forbidden nature, the notes contained crucial findings, outlining conditions required for the successful implantation of magical creatures' blood into a wizard's body and the magical properties that must manifest.

Nagini's blood undeniably fulfilled all the criteria Merlin envisioned for the bloodline of a magical creature.

Although Nagini is, to some extent, rarer than the Basilisk, the Basilisk surpasses Nagini in the potency of its venom and the strength of the dark curse associated with it. It can be deduced that substituting Nagini's blood for basilisk venom would significantly diminish the effectiveness of this magic-enhancing potion.

However, this doesn't deter Skyler from exploring alternative avenues.

Their bloodline dictates a wizard's potential, and whether it's the basilisk venom or Nagini's blood, their role in the magic potion is to trigger the latent power within the wizard's blood.

Beyond blood, a wizard's magical power is influenced by their soul, spirit, and body.

While the prevailing belief among wizards is that a wizard's magical power has a predetermined lower limit at birth, increasing gradually with age, Skyler's personal experiences in recent years revealed a different reality.

He discovered that a wizard's magical power doesn't grow at a fixed rate but operates more like the "use it or lose it" concept in the Muggle world. A powerful wizard's heightened demand for magical power often serves as a stimulus for its growth.

Unless a creation akin to the "Ravenclaw's Diadem" exists, enhancing the soul and mental power requires continuous individual training, a topic not delved into here. However, when it comes to improving physical fitness, wizards have limited methods - magical potions, agility potions, body-building potions...

Certainly, regardless of the potion used to enhance physical fitness, its efficacy can't surpass one crucial element: Skyler's blood.

Since acquiring Hufflepuff's "Source of Life," Skyler's blood has pulsated with robust vitality. This rare and potent energy significantly aids in the evolution of species. Moreover, Skyler's blood harbors an exceptionally potent blood power —

At the tender age of 4, Skyler activated the "Magic Eye," an innate ability within the Malfoy family bloodline. Subsequently, upon activating his magical power, Skyler also tapped into the Black family's innate ability to Metamorphosis. After receiving the Slytherin inheritance, he further refined his bloodline through the "blood boiling" ritual, aligning it more closely with his ancestors.

The most primal "power of chaos" within wizards.

Moreover, an enigmatic "pure blood" courses through his veins, ceaselessly nourishing his corporeal form. Though unaware of the precise nature of the power within his blood, Skyler is certain that his very essence ranks among the most precious treasures in the world.

"It's time," Skyler softly declared, observing the liquid in the crucible undergo a gradual transformation from light yellow to a gentle green hue.

Salff approached the crucible, her cold countenance unchanged. Brandishing her wand, she delicately nicked her other pristine wrist, allowing a copious amount of blood to flow into the crucible.

As Salff's blood neared depletion, Skyler murmured, "It's my turn," following suit by contributing his own blood to the liquid in the crucible.

The crucible's contents seemed to stir to life suddenly, undulating within its confines.

At times resembling a colossal liquid serpent soaring, at others a raging liquid fire dragon bellowing, and occasionally transforming into a fluid, eerie human visage peering into the air with a subdued groan – the crucible's contents exhibited a mesmerizing display.

Despite its tumultuous rolls and struggles, the liquid remained confined within the crucible, a vessel passed down from the legendary wizard Hufflepuff, concealing some enigmatic power that steadfastly bound its contents.

Suddenly, the crucible reverberated strongly, as if struggling to contain the potent forces within, hinting at an imminent explosion.

"Do it!" Skyler commanded.

Daphne, Morag, Astoria, Luna, Susan, and Cho positioned themselves in six directions, brandishing their wands at the crucible while intoning, "Invulnerable!"

Simultaneously, six streams of magical spells converged upon the crucible. The alchemical runes etched on its surface illuminated successively. As a sacred and solemn aura emanated from the crucible, the magical concoction within gradually settled, quelling the riotous commotion.

The potion transformed into a dark green hue, releasing a peculiar fragrance that permeated the entire secret room.

Carefully sampling it with a dipped finger on his tongue, Skyler confirmed the potion's integrity after enhancing it. Renaming the improved elixir, he dubbed it the "Slytherin Blood Potion."

Daphne assumed the responsibility of potion distribution, keenly aware of the potion's rarity. Utilizing her wand, she meticulously guided the potion into nine bottles without a single drop wasted.

Salff and Skyler abstained from the potion, considering its limited impact on their already formidable abilities. Moreover, having originated from their blood, their resistance to the potion was likely substantial.

Reserving the surplus, Skyler offered each of the six girls a bottle of the enhanced elixir.