"...Are you planning to stay here and do your homework?"
The sky was just beginning to brighten, and William, having just changed his clothes, looked down at a Niffler who was gripping a pen and standing on the table, writing furiously.
"Squeak squeak!"
Kabuda, clutching its paw, said excitedly. William understood its meaning, 'To not study is equivalent to death!'
"Very good, that's ambitious."
William gave a light smile as he patted Kabuda's head, glancing at the nearly completed paper, and smiled slightly, "As for your homework, how much do you still have left to do?"
"Squeak squeak."
Kabuda exaggeratedly counted on its paw for a long while, then hesitantly gave an amount that could be completed in half a day.
"Oh, I see... very well then."
"Squeak squeak!"
Receiving a positive response, Kabuda excitedly patted the pocket on its belly. However, it didn't have long to be pleased before William's next words sent it plummeting into despair—William suddenly bent down, opened a suitcase, and pulled out a stack of comprehensive practice workbooks.
"!"
"Since you love studying so much, why not do these as well."
Though William spoke with a smile, Kabuda felt it was like the devil's grin. Knowing its ruse had been exposed, the Niffler dejectedly lowered its head, "Squeak..." Hmph, is it too late to change my mind now?
"You can't be serious, right?" William lightly tapped the stack of practice books piled almost as high as the Niffler's height, speaking calmly, "Once you've resolved to do something, you must see it through to the end, you soul that always thinks of yourself."
"Squeak."
"Good luck, I'm going to walk the dogs, I'll be back in the evening."
As William spoke, he grabbed the leash and moved to the side. He faced the three dog heads all panting and looking at him, then fell into contemplation.
In the end, after a short reflection, William attached the leash to the middle head, Fluffy's neck, thinking it would provide balance... Yes, he'll have to craft a custom leash for the Three-Headed Dog when he returns, although he wonders if these three heads have their own thoughts like the Rune Snake...
Before William's question could fully form in his mind, he saw Fluffy, now outfitted with the leash, casting a smug glance at the other two heads... Alright, confirmed.
...
...
"Woof woof..."
Watching Er Mao and Xiaoming, scared silly by the height, roll around in fear, William, having transformed back into human form, stepped back slightly in disdain... Sigh, looks like the psychological fortitude of two of these heads needs improving. Noticing the middle head, Fluffy, wearing a righteous expression and showing no fear, William nodded approvingly.
"Woof!"
After witnessing Fluffy teach a lesson to its two siblings, William finally shifted his gaze away from the internal squabble of the three heads and looked at the somewhat barren mountain peak before him. The pristine snow piled up on the mountain top, a snow-covered expanse undisturbed for years reflecting dazzling light.
The wild winds howled, growing more intense with the rising altitude, strong enough that William might struggle to stay on his feet without controlling himself with Magic Power. Of course, the main reason was because he was wearing a large, loose black robe.
Of course, he wasn't trying to emulate Snape's wind-swept style; he needed the robe to conceal himself.
Thinking this, William retrieved a gray-black crystal from his pocket. Frowning, he strained his fingers, injecting Magic Power into the crystal, which began to emit a faint red glow, and a complex Magic Circle appeared above his palm.
"Buzz—"
Then, accompanied by a buzzing in his mind, William moved with a thought, his figure disappearing and reappearing in the center of the clearing at the mountain top. He then waved his Magic Wand, summoning a blast of wind more vigorous than the mountain's gust, clearing the thick snow from the ground. The next moment, a massive crystal etched with remaining snow came into view.
It was a complex pattern, resembling a Magic Circle, and the Array Plate was made of the same Seik Crystal as the one in his hand.
"...I thought my piece was already large enough."
William frowned, his gaze sweeping over the Seik Stone beneath his feet. Squatting down, he applied gentle pressure to the crystal with his hand. "Buzz—" A crimson flow spread from his palm, rapidly forming a Magic Circle larger than the one before. However, the circle unexpectedly shattered without warning.
No, it wasn't truly without warning. William turned his head, looking at an inconspicuous missing corner of the crystal edge.
...No way?
William furrowed his brow, instinctively examining the Seik Stone in his hand, then gently placed it against the missing corner. As expected, it didn't fit, and William sighed in relief—thankfully it didn't fit, otherwise he'd really start thinking someone was pushing him here.
After all, this stone was one he snatched from the Pyramids of Egypt. If it matched the gap on Mount Olympus's summit, it would be ridiculous.
Moreover, though the Seik Stone he had was small (in comparison), its Magic Circle was complete. How could it match this clearly incomplete huge Array Plate? Clearly, the crystal here wasn't one he'd found... and perhaps he couldn't even find it.
This isn't a game with quests guiding him. Where would he even start looking?
But then, isn't that rendering it impossible?