Chapter 176: Experiment Log
[Experiment Process: Implant an alchemically created inscription into the test subject via blood seal. The inscription's effect is the Close-Combat Wizard's Strengthening Charm. The inscription contains a set amount of magical power, sufficient to support the test subject in achieving superhuman physical abilities for a short time. Guide the subject to realize their own extraordinariness, while also guiding others who can perceive this ability to discover and encourage the subject, thereby granting them confidence. This is to induce a drastic emotional change in the subject.
Detailed data is to be recorded during the subject's emotional changes, with a focus on whether physiological and magical transmutations occur.]
[Experiment Preliminary Result 1: While the magical power is not depleted, the subject exhibits superhuman athletic ability. Under the combined effect of extreme emotion and stored magic, the alchemical inscription converts thermal energy into a rather deficient power. This power is similar to magic but is far inferior in quality and quantity. (Evaluation of this power: one part magic mixed with ninety parts air, and nine parts kinetic energy.) This power can, to some extent, replace magic to strengthen a biological physical body.]
[Experiment Preliminary Result 2: When the subject experiences intense emotion, the magical particles in the immediate vicinity are drawn to him to varying degrees. Preliminary estimation: from an ordinary person's perspective, intense emotion can induce a state of dissociation or an "out-of-body" experience. This may be related to the attraction of magical particles. (Note: The ordinary person's explanation for this is a self-protection mechanism of the brain, preventing intense emotion from overwhelming the psyche.)]
[Inference: Magical power is related to a wizard's physical and mental state and is constrained by both factors. Emotion itself is a shortcut, allowing a wizard to connect with magic and magical power on a mental level. Therefore, the monitoring charm Professor Flitwick provided can only be used to reach this conclusion and cannot be used for further research.]
[Actionable Plan Based on Multiple Test Subjects:
Neville and Hannah, who practice the Close-Combat Wizard's Strengthening Charm, can serve as subsequent observation subjects. Observe if wizards can also convert this "inferior-grade magic" and if this power can be utilized by ordinary people. (Low Priority)
After confirming the relationship between emotion and magic, to open the mental/spiritual bridge to magical power, I can attempt to actively participate in events that trigger my own extreme emotions to experience it firsthand. (High Priority)]
Ryan put down his quill.
In the room, the young man was beaming, the middle-aged man was beaming, and the old man was also beaming.
The Xavier family finally has a big shot! Old Mr. Xavier thought.
I've finally found some useful political capital! Parker thought.
I'm going to be famous! I'm going to be rich! thought Gil Xavier, full of youthful spirit.
After Gil said goodbye to his family, they drove straight back to Oakham to catch that day's train to London.
That night.
The train clattered along the tracks, a long snake winding through the darkness.
Gil was in the dining car with his new "public servant" friends, eating Stargazy Pie and drinking a little wine. He felt he'd had a bit too much and decided to go to the washroom.
In the corridor between cars, he ran into a young man dressed in mysteriously ornate clothing. The boy looked like a Seer from a play, with magnificent robes adorned with silver, amethysts, and citrine. He had semi-long hair and clear eyes. The only thing missing was a crystal ball.
Gil was certain that, unlike cheap costume props, the jewels on this boy's robes were all real.
"Oh, mate, you know what? I'm gonna be a big shot!" Gil slurred, bragging to the stranger. In the past, he would have shied away from someone who looked this rich, but now he felt bold enough to talk to anyone.
"I believe I am aware of that, Mr. Gil Xavier," the boy said with a smile. But the smile was like the Mona Lisa, which he'd only heard about—mysterious and impossible to read.
"No, no, you don't!" Gil shook his head, exaggerating the motion as he slapped the bathroom door. "Parker—my mate Parker—said I broke the limits of human cognition, broke all the rules of sports!"
"I'm going to be a big shot. No doubt about it. And Parker... he's gonna help me... take over... all of track and field."
Under the influence of the alcohol, his words were slurred. His hand, which had been slapping the door, finally found the handle. He stumbled to the sink and retched.
After vomiting, he splashed some water on his face.
He looked up. In the mirror, he saw only himself. The space behind him was empty.
The alcoholic fog cleared instantly. He spun around in a panic and saw the Seer-like boy still standing there.
"You... you..." Gil didn't know what to say. The shock and fear had hit him all at once. After stammering a few "you"s, his drunken tongue got in the way, and he accidentally bit it.
"Mr. Gil Xavier, you are fortunate. I hope you remain so," the boy said, his voice sounding distant and hazy. "Please remember: from extreme emotion comes extreme power. You have received a gift, and you will also pay the price."
After speaking, the boy turned and walked straight toward the wall of the train car. But that was a solid metal wall!
Before Gil's terrified eyes, the boy's figure faded, disappearing like a ghost that had only briefly shown itself.
"What?"
"Where'd he go?"
"What... extreme? What power?"
His voice attracted Parker and the others. Now that their "little superman" was their ticket to a promotion, they were more concerned about him than about themselves. They rushed over, checking him for injuries, asking if he was unwell, and demanding to know what had happened.
Gil shook his head, saying nothing.
The words of the boy—who was clearly not an ordinary person—echoed in his mind. He thought about his sudden, superhuman athletic ability. Racking his brain, a flash of inspiration hit him. He remembered the white stone he had found by the lake...
Extreme emotion brings extreme power...
What am I? The Hulk? Gil thought, remembering the comics from his childhood and the 1978 movie, The Incredible Hulk.
He couldn't help but wonder: was that famous comic book artist the same kind of person as the Seer-boy he had just met?
The concerned voices of his companions were a meaningless chirping in his ears. His mind felt strangely blank.
Whatever!
I'm going to be famous!
Gil told Parker he had just had too much to drink and thrown up, but it wouldn't affect his performance.
His words hung in the air for a moment, but then the group's laughter resumed.
~~~
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