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Yeah! Here's the new chapter!
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"But well, back to the story, after I managed to heal Penny, I realized that I no longer cared about being the greatest wizard and alchemist that ever lived, because by trying to be that wizard, I almost ended up losing what was most important to me" Nick said with a soft smile and an affectionate look, probably thinking of Penny.
"But what about after that? You still became famous and everyone knew about the Philosopher's Stone" I asked, looking at him curiously, and Nick laughed awkwardly.
"Well, I didn't really care or even want to be famous, but it seems Penny had other thoughts," he said, and I looked at him confused.
Noticing my look, he began to explain, "Penny was the one who revealed to the world my work and the successful creation of the Philosopher's Stone, all because she had seen all my effort and suffering, and she thought I deserved it."
"And you didn't think so?" I asked.
"I don't know, at that point I just wanted to care for and support Penny like she did for me, and if she wanted to reveal the Philosopher's Stone to the world, I obviously wasn't going to deny it," he said, and then paused for a moment to think, " And now that I think about it, it's ironic to think that the world only knows me as the greatest alchemist because of her."
"Heh, I'd say it's the irony of fate" I said amused, and Nick snorted.
"Yes, sometimes fate likes to have fun at our expense" he said, but then he shook his head and looked back at me, "Well, but back to talking about magic, it helped me in my time of need, breaking the rules that it itself imposed, a very old and important rule, and from that moment on I never doubted it again."
"Actually, it was also on that day that my Magic Insight fully awakened, and maybe because of the Elixir of Life or because the magic realized how amazing Penny was, it also gave her Magic Insight and the ability to sense magic, which is as powerful as mine," he finished, and I stopped to look at him for a moment before looking down at my hands.
'So do I have my skills because the Magic wants to help me? I understand that I will need a lot of help for the future events, but why me?' I wondered with a frown.
Sighing, I felt the magic around me and the magic coursing smoothly through me.
'Now that I realize it, I've never felt magic guiding me in the creation of my spells... Maybe magic hasn't deemed me worthy yet' I thought, 'Or is it just that I'm so used to it helping me that I've never did I notice your presence?' I wondered, realizing that the second option was also very likely, as my initial success with creating my spells seemed smoother than I'd expected.
As I thought about this a question came to my mind.
"Wait, if magic guides you, then does that mean it was because of it that you decided to invite me to your house when I sent that letter about me stealing the Philosopher's Stone?" I asked, always sensing something was wrong with the fact that they trusted me so easily.
"Yes, and now you too can understand why Penny and I trust you so much... The magic that is around you and in you shows us something more than normal human eyes can see" he said, smiling at me in a mixture of pride, respect and happiness.
"Oh well, that might also explain why Penny is so attached to me," I said, and Nick looked at me confused.
Realizing this I began to explain, "Since Penny was basically saved by the Magic, and in her weakest moment was given the Elixir of Life, which is a magical source of great power, I believe that she has probably become more sensitive to magic, and since my magic is dense and different, she has kind of become attached to my magic and, by extension, to me."
"Oh, I think you're thinking about this too much" Nick said shaking his head, "She really might have been feeling a little closer to you because of the magic, but the affection and what she feels for you comes from herself, and not from a simple connection to magic"
"That… Well… I guess that's good," I said, blushing a little, and Nick laughed when he saw this, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't be embarrassed, Penny is just... Penny" he said smiling. Nick then shook his head, "But well, now that I've finished my story, is there anything else you want to ask me?"
Relieved that he'd decided to change the subject, I looked at him for a moment, until I remembered something.
"Oh, well... It's not a question, more of a request," I said, and Nick raised an eyebrow.
"And what request would that be?" he asked curiously.
"Hmm... Could you give me a vial of Elixir of Life?" I asked, and his look changed to one of confusion.
"Well, yes," he said, and I looked at him in surprise that he had so easily accepted my request, "But why do you want the Elixir of Life? Does it have to do with this project you're working on?" he asked.
"Not exactly, it has to do with another project of mine" I said, and seeing his curious look I sighed, knowing it would be easier if I told him the truth, "I want to give the Elixir of Life to a friend of mine who is suffering from a Blood Malediction"
And listening to my explanation, Nick's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh" was the only thing he said.
"Yes, oh" I said with a sad smile, "This friend of mine had her family cursed a long time ago, and unfortunately in this generation she was the one hit by the curse... She is 11 years old, and I can feel that her magic is weak and she is so fragile... I don't know if Astoria will make it past her 30s, maybe even less"
"This is sad" Nick said with a frown. He then sighed, shaking his head, "And now that I know why you want the Elixir, I don't see the point in denying it to you, not that I would... And actually, I even think it's a noble and amazing act for you to want to save your friend."
"Oh serious?" I asked.
"He's downstairs" Nick said with a playful smile, and I snorted, "But yeah, I'm serious," he continued.
And hearing that, I smiled, and to Nick's surprise I hugged him.
"Thanks" I said, and he smiled, hugging me back.
"You're welcome," he said.
With a happy and relieved smile on my face, I broke the hug, returning to sit on my bed.
I was very happy as with the Elixir I could save Astoria, and with her freed from the curse I wouldn't have as much urgency to figure out how to eliminate it from the Greengrass family's magic and blood.
Noticing my lighthearted mood, Nick snorted in amusement, but he understood very well what I was feeling, as he felt almost the same thing when he realized that he could save Penny.
Shaking his head, he decided to turn the conversation back to the main reason he was here.
"Well, I already told you about my story, and you already solved your friend Astoria's Blood Malediction problem" he started to say, "And since I now know that the spell you are trying to create is not for that curse , I have to ask, what is this spell you are trying to create for?" he asked.
And hearing this question I then remembered why I was upset, and with a sigh I turned my gaze to the books around me.
"I'm trying to create a spell based on a Thestral's core that has the ability to filter magic, meaning a spell that can nullify any type of magic," I said, and Nick's eyes widened slightly.
"I don't know whether I'm surprised that Thestrals have this ability or shocked that you're trying to replicate it in a spell," he said, but then he winked, "Actually, now that I think about it, I'm more surprised that you having knowledge about this Thestrals ability and that you came up with the idea of using it to create a spell"
"Yes, but I wouldn't have thought of it if I didn't have my skills," I said.
"Yes, your Magic Vision and your other mysterious ability" Nick nodded, "But well, since I'm here, how about I help you with this project of yours?"
And looking at Nick I saw him smiling at me, and I smiled back.
"Well, I would love your help" I started to say, "But for starters I think it would be better if you understand how my Beast Power works"
When I finished speaking Nick looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Beast Power?" he asked.
"This is the name I gave to my other skill that completes my Magic Vision in a way" I replied.
"Hmm, interesting," he said with interest, "And I can assume that ability has something to do with your incredible magical and physical prowess?" he asked, and I blinked in surprise.
"Hmm, yes," I said, not realizing that Nick had noticed my physical abilities, as I never displayed them.
"This skill is getting more and more interesting," Nick muttered, and I snorted.
"You have no idea" I said.
After saying that I started to explain my abilities to Nick as best I could, but maybe out of a deep-rooted caution or wanting to have something of my own I didn't tell him about all my abilities or how powerful they were.
I obviously spoke about my Beast Talk, and even my instincts and empathy, and while the first part surprised Nick, the second only earned a sympathetic nod from him, leading me to believe he already suspected I had some empath ability.
Nick actually seemed interested in my ability to sense the magic, which from what he said felt a lot like his, while being totally different.
But the skill that really piqued his curiosity and interest was my Beast Talk, which he asked for a more detailed explanation.
Finishing the explanation, Nick nodded, and I could feel that even with his calm face he was still shocked and even excited.
"I don't think I've ever met someone who has these skills, at least not at this level" Nick said, "And that's surprising"
'And a little worrying' he thought, not wanting to say it aloud lest I worry.
"Well, I think surprising, amazing and wonderful describe me pretty well," I said with a smug smile, and Nick chuckled.
"Yes, I think that might be true," he said. Nick then put his hand on his chin, reflecting on something, "I think with this explanation I have more or less a good idea about how your abilities work"
"That's good" I said, "But well, now putting my skills aside, I guess I have to explain to you about the magic nullifying spell I want to create"
"Uhm, I agree," he said, and after that I started talking about the Thestrals and their magic-filtering core.
And as I talked about my research, Nick watched me closely, not wanting to miss any information.
'Today is going to be a very long day' I thought.
End.
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(End AN: As I was with Covid, I had to be confined to my room without being able to do much, but at least I could watch some series to pass the time)