Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 327 Safe Evacuation

The lake water was still icy and black, but the return journey felt a little easier because some of the burden in their hearts had been lifted. Karen led the way, using her increasingly sophisticated sonar perception to avoid dangerous areas, with Professor Castor close behind. The two of them, like two silent shadows, quickly floated towards the faint moonlight above.

With two soft splashes, the two men emerged from the water one after the other. On the shore, three tense gazes immediately turned towards them.

"How did it go? Did it go smoothly?" Wesley was the first to rush over, asking anxiously in a low voice, while reaching out to pull Karen ashore.

Fabian and Ernesto immediately surrounded them, their faces a mixture of anticipation and worry.

"We brought out the core items." Karen climbed ashore with Wesley's help and answered succinctly, pointing to the spatial pocket on her waist containing the isolation box and the data from this exploration. "But we still couldn't crack the access lock."

Professor Castor stepped lightly onto the shore, and with a gentle wave of his wand, the lake water on both of them instantly evaporated, leaving them dry. "Although Karen's attempt didn't succeed this time, it's clear that the research was effective. This exploration was very successful, the predetermined goals were basically achieved, and everything was brought out," he added calmly, as if he had just completed a normal extracurricular activity.

"That's great!" Fabian breathed a sigh of relief, adjusted his glasses, and said, "It's good that the items are safe."

Ernesto, however, was more concerned with the details: "Resistance? That access lock is troublesome?"

"It's very troublesome, but at least there's a reaction, which is better than the last time when there was no reaction at all." Karen nodded as he quickly took off his waterproof jacket and put on a dry robe. "It reacts to near-correct frequencies, but ultimately it requires an inimitable bloodline or soul authentication. My attempt triggered its defense mechanism." He rubbed his still somewhat stuffy chest. "It's very powerful."

Wesley clicked his tongue upon hearing this: "Merlin—that sounds terrifying."

"Alright, we shouldn't linger here." Professor Castor interrupted their conversation, his gaze sweeping across the dark lake and the distant Forbidden Forest. "Hand over the items, just like last time."

Karen understood and immediately retrieved the item she had prepared in the lab from a special compartment on the side of the isolation box.

All the data from this exploration, which had been magically copied, including his detailed record of the access lock's reaction, information on the newly discovered dark algae sensing points, and images and samples of the obsidian potion box, were handed to Professor Castor.

"Professor, here are all the copies."

Castor took the crystal, quickly examined it, nodded, and put it into his robe. Then, he took the isolation box containing the core item from Karen, but instead of taking it all, he opened the lid again.

To Karen and her roommates' astonishment, Professor Castor took out the journal wrapped in snakeskin, leaving only the other unopenable scrolls inside the box. He then handed the journal back to Karen.

"You'll keep the log," Professor Castor said firmly. "Since the boy might ultimately be needed to try it, it's more convenient for you to keep the log. Besides, you can continue to study it from the outside; perhaps you'll make new discoveries. These scrolls," he pointed to the box, "Nico and I will start studying them first. It'll be more efficient to work separately."

Karen paused for a moment, then solemnly took the snakeskin diary, which still exuded a cold aura, and placed it in the spare isolation box. He knew this was his mentor's trust in him, and also a heavy responsibility. "I understand, Professor. I will keep it safe."

"Hmm." Castor closed the isolation box, which now only contained the scroll, and checked again to make sure the seal was intact. "Stay vigilant. Although we've taken the main items, it's hard to say that Slytherin hasn't left any other backup plans. Don't go near this area anytime soon; focus on digesting what we've already gained."

He then looked at the four boys: "You did a good job. Now, go back to the castle. Keep a low profile."

"Yes, Professor!" the four replied in unison.

Mr. Castor said no more, gave them a slight nod, and then turned and disappeared into the night, quickly and silently heading into the depths of the Forbidden Forest. He needed to get to a place far away from the range of the Hogwarts Anti-Apparition Charm before he could leave.

After seeing their mentor off, Karen and her three companions didn't dare delay. They quickly cleaned up every tiny trace they had left on the shore—footprints, water stains, even broken blades of grass. After tidying up, they discussed the situation. Although curfew was in effect, it was earlier than last time, and everyone was too excited to sleep. Karen immediately decided to head straight back to the Eagle's Nest, and after quickly cleaning up, return to their dorm. With the Disillusionment Charm and the Marauder's Map, they weren't worried about being caught.

With the help of the Disillusionment Charm and the Marauder's Map, they slipped back to the castle like ghosts, avoiding Filch and his cat Lady Lorris on night patrol, and finally returned safely to the Eagle's Nest, click.

The Eagle's Nest door was firmly locked, and all soundproofing and protective magic was activated. Karen then carefully placed the box containing the snakeskin journal in the center of the workbench. It lay there quietly, still radiating an unsettling, mysterious aura even after being brought from the laboratory and despite the extra protective spells cast by Professor Castor.

Wesley circled the workbench, curious yet hesitant to touch it: "This is... Slytherin's own stuff? It looks like he used it a lot. Just looking at it gives me a creepy feeling."

Fabian, however, was more focused on the academic aspects: "Even Karen, Master Nico, and Professor Castor couldn't crack the access lock—truly astonishing magical skill. Judging from Karen's recent statements, this probably requires combining bloodline magic, soul magic,..."

It requires a perfect combination of ancient magical runes and alchemy.

Ernesto crossed his arms: "What do we do now? Just leave it here?"

Karen waved his wand, casting several more protective and warning spells around the workbench to ensure everything was foolproof. "That's enough for now. We need to process what we've gained." He looked at his three roommates, a smile playing on his lips. "Especially Fabian, your guess has been confirmed."

He described in detail to his roommates the discoveries he had made in the dark corners of the lab: the grooves that produced a faint energy response to the glow of the dark algae, and the obsidian box containing the remnants of a potion that enhanced his sense of darkness.

"—While the exact purpose isn't fully clear yet, this proves that Slytherin did indeed make full use of the dark algae's properties in dark environments, most likely for reading some kind of encrypted information or performing special operations," Karen concluded. "Your speculation has been very helpful, Fabian."

Fabian smiled shyly but proudly: "I merely raised a possibility. It was you who truly proved it."

"Hey! We helped keep watch too!" Wesley yelled, feigning displeasure.

Ernesto smiled and said, "Alright, the credit belongs to everyone. Now, shouldn't we report the situation to Master Lemaître?"

Karen nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

He took out the two-way mirror and infused it with magic. A moment later, the mirror surface rippled like water, and Nicolas Flamel's wise and kind face appeared in the mirror, with his workbench filled with various instruments seemingly in the background.

"Good evening, Professor Nico," Karen greeted respectfully.

"Good evening, my child." Nico's voice came through the mirror, tinged with concern. "Judging from your expression, the operation seems to be over? Did everything go smoothly? Castor should still be on his way; I haven't seen him yet."

"Yes, teacher. We've just returned." Karen adjusted the angle of the two-way mirror so that Ni could see the scene inside the Eagle's Nest and the journal on the workbench. "We successfully entered the laboratory, conducted a more detailed investigation, and made some new discoveries, mainly related to Fabian's previous conjecture about the dark algae—" He succinctly described the discoveries of the Dark Groove and the Obsidian Potion Box.

"—Most importantly, we tried to crack the access lock. This time it reacted to the frequency I simulated, but ultimately failed, confirming that a higher level of authentication was required. We've taken the core items out as a backup plan. Professor Castor took some scrolls that were also protected by the access lock, and I'll keep this journal for future research, and—also—for use should Harry need it."

Nico listened attentively, nodding occasionally. "Sensing points in the dark—potions to enhance perception—interesting. Slytherin certainly makes use of their environment, but these are just peripheral studies. The real core should be in those large, sealed-off things. As for the reaction of the access lock—that's good news, Karen. It proves that your research direction and imitation ability are very close to the threshold. This provides us with extremely valuable data."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Now that the item has been safely retrieved, we don't need to rush. The information you and Castor brought back is enough for us to digest for a while. I suggest that you and your friends focus on studying the information we've obtained, especially the relatively safe peripheral knowledge. As for this journal, you can try to observe its magical flow patterns from the outside, but never try to decipher it directly again, lest it trigger unpredictable reactions."

"I understand, teacher," Karen replied solemnly.

"As for that boy—" Nico stroked his long beard, "Don't contact him for now. We need time to study the scroll Castor brought back in depth and analyze the access lock reaction data you provided. Perhaps we can find a way to solve the problem without risking him contacting it. After all, his situation is special, and we don't know what would happen if we rashly contacted the access lock for someone with a soul fragment inside him. The risk is extremely high, and it should be a last resort."

Karen wholeheartedly agreed: "Yes, Professor. That's what I think too. But what if—I mean, what if—by the end of this semester, neither our research nor yours has made a breakthrough, and we can't safely open it? Could we consider—"

Nico pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "This can be considered as a timeline. If by then there is truly no other way, and you have made thorough preparations and contingency plans, you can try to get Mr. Potter's assistance under the supervision of me and Castor. But the prerequisite is that safety must be guaranteed. Until then, patience and caution are our primary principles."

"I understand. We will study it patiently and wait for news from you and Professor Castor," Karen said.

"Very good." Nico's face showed a relieved smile. "You did an excellent job this time, but remember, knowledge is important, but your safety always comes first. Enjoy your discoveries, children, but be sure to stay vigilant."

After giving a few more instructions on the safekeeping and research of the logs, Nico cut off the communication.

The two-way mirror returned to calm. A brief silence fell over the Eagle's Nest as the four looked at the old journal on the worktable, their eyes gleaming with complex emotions: a thirst for unknown knowledge, a sense of awe at the risks, and a firm resolve to share the secret and move forward hand in hand.

With about a month left before the end of the semester, a millennium-long journey to unravel the mystery surrounding Salazar Slytherin's legacy was just beginning. They had more time and a clearer goal.