Compared to Tom's complex expression—ranging from satisfaction to regret—Harry's expression was much simpler.
It was pure shock.
Harry had never imagined that something so delicious could exist in the world. Even the leftover frosting he'd secretly licked from Dudley's birthday cake couldn't compare. This wasn't just sweetness. This was something else entirely.
What shocked Harry even more was that after eating the dessert—this thing called Dragon Beard Candy—he suddenly felt a strange, almost unnatural kind of happiness. Although his mind still felt blank, unable to summon any happy memories, the feeling lingered regardless.
He just… felt happy.
Harry was practically intoxicated.
Hagrid, who had eaten earlier, had recovered a bit faster, but even now, his face still wore that same blissful expression. He was lost in the afterglow of that happiness, unable to extricate himself.
The silence of the three made Alan slightly confused.
Is it that exaggerated? Are you all playing a prank on me? He didn't remember it being that dramatic when he ate Dragon Beard Candy before.
Alan took out a ball of the candy and popped it into his mouth. He chewed it twice. It was still that perfect sweetness, that delicate texture, that rich aroma. He could feel a wave of cheer rising in him—but when he looked at the intoxicated faces of the other three, Alan felt a little annoyed.
What's going on? Did you all plan to isolate me?
Not willing to accept the difference, Alan took out another candy and was about to try again to test if it was a matter of quantity. (At this time, Hodge was unconscious in the Anorectal Department of St. Mungo's—which, incidentally, didn't even exist yet.)
However, remembering that these samples were supposed to be left for Hodge, Alan resisted the temptation. Instead, he decided to turn to something more reliable—the Eye of Analysis.
This was, after all, a professional matter.
Initially, this dessert made with a magic potion had seemed simple enough. Alan hadn't seen the need to analyze it deeply. But now? Now he needed answers.
[Elysian Dragon Beard Candy] (Perfect)
Description: A perfect fusion of magic potion, candy, and handmade craftsmanship: peppermint, sugar, joy potion, and dragon beard candy.
Effect: Within 5 seconds of consumption, the eater will feel intense happiness. Removes negative mental states (fatigue, numbness, depression, rage, etc.) and restores a small amount of physical and magical energy.
Note: Without the addition of special ingredients, the host cannot gain enhancement points or additional effects.
Additional Note: The intense euphoria is classified as an abnormal state and will be weakened by the Devil's Stomach trait. The effect of removing negative states remains unaffected.
Ah. Case closed, Alan thought. It's not that Tom and the others isolated themselves. It's that the damn system betrayed me.
Alan curled his lip and glanced again at the Perfect-level dish labeled Blissful Dragon Beard Candy by the system. His eyes lingered on that word—Perfect.
It was a new dish rating, but Alan felt no particular excitement.
According to the system's explanation, Perfection lay in balance and harmony, while Extreme was about maximizing the potential of a single element. Perfection was like a symphony of ingredients; extreme was a solo performance of raw intensity.
There was no strict hierarchy between the two—just different culinary philosophies.
But if Alan had to choose, he would say that the Perfect path offered a higher ceiling… but was also much harder to achieve.
Dragon Beard Candy was just a mixture of ordinary ingredients and a magic potion. What if he used two different special ingredients? Alan had no doubt that a perfect dish made from multiple rare components would grant far more enhancement points than even the most powerful extreme dish.
The real challenge was achieving perfect compatibility.
So what types of special ingredients would be easiest to combine harmoniously?
Alan fell into deep thought.
Just then, Hodge—limping and worn out—arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. The moment he stepped inside, he spotted Alan and the others gathered silently at the counter.
The trio of Tom, Harry, and Hagrid stood out among the crowd of local wizards, their expressions serene but unnatural. Anyone looking at them might've mistaken the scene for some kind of strange, forbidden ritual.
Hodge shook his head, brushing the odd thought aside, and walked toward the counter.
"What are you all doing here?" Hodge asked, breaking the eerie silence with his voice.
The sudden question snapped Tom, Harry, and Hagrid out of their blissful stupor. Alan, meanwhile, had already sobered up the moment Hodge laid eyes on him.
"Uh… just now?" Hagrid struggled to find words. He looked at Alan, then glanced toward Harry, clearly unsure how to explain.
Tom and Harry weren't much better. That strange feeling of overwhelming happiness—despite having no specific reason—was both addictive and… unsettling. It left them dazed, conflicted, and not particularly eager to talk.
Alan observed them and finally understood why the Devil's Stomach trait had categorized the euphoric effect as "abnormal." From the outside, it did seem a bit… sinister.
The Perfect level dish had clearly intensified the euphoria to an almost magical degree. Perhaps this was a trait unique to all perfect dishes?
Alan thought about it for a while but ultimately decided to shelve the question. Without more examples, there was no point in speculating too much.
Instead, he turned to Hodge.
"You're here? Good," Alan said, reaching into his bag. "I've written out the formula you wanted. And here—this is my special finished product. You can try it."
He handed Hodge a paper bag containing a few balls of Blissful Dragon Beard Candy.
Hodge glanced down at the bag, then looked at the dazed, euphoric expressions of everyone around him. Cold sweat started to form on his forehead.
"Is there… something wrong with this candy?" he asked nervously.
Alan didn't answer right away. He glanced at the others, then shrugged.
"It's a little strong," he said at last. "Don't eat too many at once. And don't eat it before a duel."
Tom, now somewhat recovered, added with a weak chuckle, "It's… it's not bad. Just… intense."
Harry, still red in the face, nodded slightly, not trusting himself to speak.
Hagrid, meanwhile, rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Felt like… like I'd just won the House Cup. Twice."
"Right," Hodge muttered, gripping the bag tighter. "I'll… take your word for it."
Alan handed over a folded parchment as well. "That's the brewing formula and preparation steps. The key is harmony. The potion has to mix perfectly with the sugar strands. If the balance is off even slightly, the effect drops dramatically."
Hodge nodded slowly, his curiosity starting to overcome his hesitation.
"And the effect?" he asked cautiously.
Alan replied, "Euphoria, mood restoration, minor physical and magical recovery. Great for post-trauma stress, magical burnout, even short-term depression."
"But?"
"But it's so strong that it might leave you blank for a while," Alan said. "No memories, just pure happiness. That's why it was flagged as 'abnormal' by the system."
Hodge raised an eyebrow. "The system?"
Alan waved him off. "Don't worry about it."
Back at the counter, Harry looked down at his hands.
"I've never felt that kind of happiness before," he said quietly.
Tom nodded. "Yeah. It made me think I'd finally found peace."
"Peace?" Hagrid muttered. "I thought I was dreaming."
The silence returned for a moment, but this time it wasn't awkward—it was thoughtful.
Alan stretched, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Well, congratulations. You've all been test subjects for my first perfect-level dish."
Tom let out a soft whistle. "If that's what 'perfect' tastes like… I'm scared of what 'extreme' would be."
"No need to be scared," Alan said with a small smile. "Just be ready."
And with that, Chapter 50 came to a close—not with a bang, but with a lingering taste of happiness and a strange sense of silence, like the calm after a powerful storm.
Even if it came from candy.
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