(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly.
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For the next few days, Snape found himself completely absorbed in the [Eden Realm], unable to pull away from its allure.
Despite knowing it was merely an illusion, the magic felt far too real.
Even someone as strong-willed as him had fallen deeply under its spell.
Meanwhile, the source of this enchantment, Erwin, remained blissfully unaware of Snape's obsession.
Though officially on holiday, Erwin had plenty to occupy his time: studying Snape's notebook, researching magical theory, and delving into the complexities of alchemy.
However, after several days, Erwin couldn't resist the temptation and drew from the card system once more.
Unfortunately, his luck ran dry this time.
He only managed to pull one guaranteed gold card along with a handful of purple ones.
[Name: Nicolas Flamel]
[Potions Talent: 5]
[Transfiguration Talent: 5]
[Spells: Limited]
[Special Skill: Alchemy]
After considerable deliberation, Erwin chose Nicolas Flamel's alchemy knowledge.
While he certainly needed the Transfiguration talent, alchemy expertise held far greater value in the long run.
The knowledge contained within a gold card was incomparable to any other tier.
In an instant, Erwin's rudimentary understanding of alchemy skyrocketed to world-class mastery.
Moreover, his command of magical patterns and runic theory improved dramatically.
Even his proficiency in other subjects experienced significant growth.
Alchemy wasn't merely a standalone discipline; it was fundamentally a synthesis of various magical fields.
Naturally, this comprehensive knowledge enhanced his understanding across the board.
Erwin was genuinely thrilled with this acquisition.
It was undoubtedly more valuable than selecting the Transfiguration talent would have been.
However, with such an immense volume of information suddenly flooding his mind, Erwin needed time to properly absorb and integrate it all.
Once he had fully digested these memories, he could begin implementing his plans.
For the remainder of the Christmas holiday, Erwin spent his days hunched over notebooks, constantly writing and sketching.
He frequently referenced towering stacks of books piled around him.
He even declined the twins' invitation to visit Hogsmeade.
On one particular afternoon, a knock sounded at his dormitory door.
Opening it, Erwin found a Ravenclaw student standing in the corridor, informing him that Harry was waiting outside the common room.
Curious, Erwin made his way out of the dormitory.
Harry had never sought him out at the Ravenclaw tower before.
This was definitely a first.
Stepping through the common room entrance, Erwin spotted Harry pacing nervously back and forth.
"Harry."
Erwin called out.
Harry snapped back to attention, noticed Erwin, and grabbed his hand enthusiastically.
"Come on, Erwin. You have to come somewhere with me."
Calmly extracting his hand from Harry's grip, Erwin studied his friend with concern.
Something seemed off about Harry today.
"Where exactly are we going? And why didn't you ask Ron?"
Harry looked anxious and barely registered Erwin's withdrawal.
"Ron came with me yesterday, but he refused to come back today. He even said there's something wrong with me. I didn't know who else to turn to, so I came to find you."
Hearing this, Erwin grew increasingly concerned.
Ron thinking something was wrong was never a good sign.
Before Erwin could voice his worries, Harry continued hastily, apparently reading the skepticism on his face.
"It's not what you're thinking, Erwin. I found a certain mirror..."
After Harry finished explaining, Erwin realized he'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.
More importantly, he recognized what Harry was describing, the Mirror of Erised.
A magical artifact that revealed a person's deepest, most desperate desire.
Erwin found himself genuinely curious about what his own reflection would show him.
"Alright, I'll go with you,"
He agreed to accompany Harry.
On the fifth floor, Harry led Erwin into an abandoned classroom.
Standing in the center of the room was an extraordinarily magnificent mirror, reaching all the way to the ceiling.
It possessed an ornate golden frame.
The moment Harry entered the room, he seemed to forget Erwin's presence entirely.
He crossed the floor in several quick strides and stood before the mirror, gazing at it with absolute fixation.
"Erwin, can you see them? Those are my parents."
Harry reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing the mirror's surface as if he could somehow touch the figures within.
Erwin observed the scene quietly.
Though Harry's behavior was troubling, he didn't immediately intervene.
Harry had suffered enough loss in his life.
Let him have this moment of imagined warmth and family.
Erwin would discuss the dangers with him later, ensuring Harry wouldn't return.
After what felt like an eternity, Harry gradually emerged from his trance and glanced at Erwin with visible embarrassment.
"Do you want to try looking?"
"No, Harry. I've seen enough. Let's go."
Erwin lied smoothly.
He hadn't looked at the mirror yet.
Harry had been completely absorbed, blocking his view the entire time.
The two left the classroom together, and as they walked through the corridors, Erwin gently confronted his friend.
"Harry, I understand your longing to see your parents. I truly do. But I have to tell you, your current state isn't healthy."
"This mirror shows you what you desire most, but it isn't real. You need to let go and return to the present world."
Harry stared at Erwin in silence.
Deep down, he knew Erwin was right, but acceptance proved difficult.
Part of him wanted to believe the mirror was somehow a sign his parents had left behind.
After a prolonged silence, Harry finally spoke.
"Thank you, Erwin. I know Ron, and you are right. I won't look at that mirror again."
After voicing this commitment, Harry seemed to release something heavy he'd been carrying.
His entire demeanor brightened noticeably.
The two headed to the Great Hall for lunch, after which Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room.
Erwin, however, intended to examine the mirror for himself.
He had no desire to become entranced by it, but he did want to understand what he truly desired most.
Having lived in this world for so many years now, and having entered the magical world on top of that, Erwin had always taken things as they came, simply going with the flow.
This became even more pronounced after acquiring the card system.
His magical studies satisfied intellectual curiosity and allowed him to realize certain fantasies from his previous life, but there was no driving ambition behind them.
If someone asked him to articulate his deepest desire, he honestly couldn't answer.
Returning to the fifth floor and locating the same abandoned classroom, Erwin suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
He'd just convinced Harry to stay away from the mirror, and now here he was, sneaking back to look at it himself.
It felt somewhat hypocritical.
After confirming no one was nearby, Erwin entered and approached the Mirror of Erised.
Just as he stepped in front of it, an unexpected voice rang out.
"Mr. Gaunt, I must admit, I thought you and Harry would avoid this classroom after today's conversation. Yet here you are, returning so soon."