Although at first the new metamorphic form greatly lifted my spirits, the very next day a new problem arose. Well, like new, rather a logical continuation of the old one. This problem also partially affects my new metamorph form.
Some time ago, I noticed one interesting nuance related to my body - the production of prana greatly exceeds its consumption. On the one hand, this is good - I will live longer, my youth will leave later, and so on. And all this would have happened if I had not developed further, but I cannot be stopped.
Gradually, the speed of prana production increased, along with its quality. And it was then that I noticed the main problem - no matter how strong and resilient my body is, it has a certain "reserve", which, of course, grows, but not as quickly as other indicators.
Initially, my way of dealing with this problem was simple - more frequent use of prana in training, as well as simply in life. Strengthen the body, speed up the growth of the tree and so on, little by little. This method helped me forget about my problem. Well, how can we forget, rather postpone the search for its solution to a later date. And this would continue in the future, my body would reach the limit in two years, but... It's a damn thing, but.
As I said, my scaly form strengthens the body, and then transfers the benefits to the regular form. But the body doesn't have time, prana overwhelms it. How did I understand this, if we do not take into account the fact that I constantly monitor the condition of my body?
Usually my awakening was accompanied by "switching the alarm." Once my mind is ready to work, and my body is filled with energy. However, on Tuesday, the day after the successful experiment, I woke up with a barely noticeable feeling of discomfort. My body was like a balloon, the walls of which were being pressed with incredible force. This made me very worried.
Further meditation, as well as observation of my soul, did not bring the most joyful news. I have a year to find a solution to this problem. Either I find it and everything is just fine, or... But here I don't even know what exactly will happen.
Will the body rupture due to internal prana pressure? Spontaneous mutations that will be immediately recorded by Prana? It's not clear, but something needs to be done. And I have the outline of a plan.
The first thing is to comb through the remaining books on metamorphism, you never know if you will find a solution, at least a partial one.
The second is studying yoga. After all, it is because of her that I have such problems. I am sure that this school definitely has a solution, the only question is how long will I have to look for the answer to my question?
Each of these actions requires time to implement, which is already short. In this regard, I had to not only cut down the time devoted to other schools, albeit not by much, but also "disappear" in my training not only once every two days, but already twice every three days.
Hearing my future plans (slightly adjusted, of course), Nev was slightly offended, after all, I am his only friend. However, by the end of the week he moved away, and also received another incentive to diligently study occlumency.
Astoria and Luna also reacted in a peculiar way. If the first one pouted slightly, but moved away after a couple of minutes (and there was no resentment in her emotions, only wild curiosity: what am I doing?), then Luna...
"Is Kol still Luna's friend? - this miracle asked then, looking at me with its glowing, silver eyes. Honestly, this question of hers made me fall into a slight stupor.
"Have I ever said that I'm ceasing to be your friend?" — I asked the girl, puzzled, after a second of thought.
"No," she helped with her head.
- Then what is the problem? - He stroked her head a little. - I was your friend, am one, and will also be one. Of course, unless you change your mind about being friends with me.
"Oooh," she howled slightly, pressing my hand to her and vigorously shaking her head. "You will always, always be my friend."
"Ha ha ha," I laughed then. The picture was very touching, and at the same time comical. - That's good. Then we will always be friends.
I will remember that smile that graced the girl's lips for the rest of my life. And the emotions accompanying it - words cannot express the thrill that my empathy, and with it, me and my emotional shell, experienced. The expression "like a balm for the soul" fits perfectly."
In general, something like this. I decided everything with my friends, she doesn't seem to be too offended. Now the only thing left to do (ha ha) is to find a solution to the problem.
*****
Wednesday passed quietly. Potions, DADA, and training took up the lion's share of all the time. I wonder if there is a way that will allow the metamorph to sleep even less? It would be nice if I had a couple more hours in the day. So much time, mm. Who am I kidding though. I am sure that after a week or two, I will miss this time too.
I also began to notice that when I was alone in the corridors, I felt someone's gaze on me. At first I couldn't figure out who it was? In magic sense it is not felt, in magic vision it is not visible (by the way, it's worth looking for, maybe there are guidelines for its development). Empty.
It was only a week later, after I first felt the gaze on me, that it occurred to me to use the Gaze of Life. Hmm, how pathetic it sounds.
And guess what? My surprise knew no bounds when I noticed a small, eared silhouette that only devoured Mana, and even Prana, but did not produce it itself. Brownie, which is not felt in the magical spectrum, and also in the emotional one. Interesting. Now I'm wondering if it's the house elf assigned to watch me or if it's Dobby? And that is quite possible. Still, I dared to desecrate the name of the Messiah of Light. Hah.
Thursday, like Monday and Tuesday, also brought me something interesting. Honestly, nothing happens for almost six months, then in one week so many things fall on my head that you start to grab the same head with your hands.
Here is how it was…
*****
- Well, Nev, how long will you be offended? — Barely holding back a smile, I asked my friend, who at the moment was carefully pretending that he was only interested in the food on his plate. And yes, at the moment we are in the Great Hall.
The answer was another silence. You know, I even caught deja vu. The exact same story happened last year, when I was just starting to work on my alibi. Then Nev was just as offended. Hah, how comical this is.
- Just like a year ago, I will tell you only one thing. "If you become sufficiently capable in mental magic, you can train with me in the evenings," I said, helping myself to another portion of mashed potatoes (with a cutlet. Mm.). "You yourself know that there are secrets that strangers should not know."
"I know," he finally answered. But I'm already eating my third serving. "It's just that once again my friend will be busy with something interesting, and I won't be there."
"So that's why you were offended?" - I was surprised. - Haha, well, there you go. I thought that you were offended that we would see each other less often - and yes, that's exactly what I thought. After all, he is still a child, and children quite often get offended if their friends don't want to play with them, have fun, and so on. But it turns out he is offended by the very fact of his helplessness.
Still, Nev is much smarter than he wants to seem. Let many people think that he is narrow-minded, but I realized a long time ago that this is part of the mask. With me, he takes it off, but for the rest of us, Nev is a kind, soft, narrow-minded bumpkin.
And they wanted to send this man to the scarlet ones.
"Well, you can, for example, try to make new acquaintances," I suggested to him. "But we'll still see each other often." Exercise, as well as work with Professor Sprout, should not be forgotten. And about gatherings in the library too. Homework won't do itself.
- Acquaintance? Seriously? Remind me how my friendship with lions ended? I don't really want to experience this again," he finished a little sadly. Hmmm, still keeps thinking about it. Sadly.
- Well, if you stand still, then nothing will change. I don't think you really want to get stuck in this swamp.
Having finished speaking, I started eating again. Even if only ten minutes had passed since the beginning of lunch, the second course of badgers and ravens, the whole group, were already in the large hall. Still, a woman of golden soul, our professor of herbology. She made sure we had time to eat and gain strength.
"Hello Sid," said the clear voice of Astoria, who came up to us along with Luna. Lovegood didn't say anything, she just sat down next to me (snuggling a little closer to me) and silently began to eat. — How are things going with the most mysterious person in the second year? - this ulcer asked sarcastically. I think she would have found a common language with the Teacher.
"And you won't get sick," I said without taking my eyes off the plate. - Let me ask you, how did you know this nickname? And why do you use it? "I think this is already unnecessary," I spoke about this. Yes, I still feel awkward when people call me that.
Honestly, I generally thought that they had forgotten about this nickname, but apparently in vain. Look how this blond snake smiles.
And the associations with this nickname are not the most pleasant. The last time I was called that way, I learned one interesting fact about our boy who lived. I wonder how Hermione is doing? You will need to ask the teacher how it happened that a child of ordinary people was sent to another magic school. (By the way, who is the trio's replacement? Or is he no longer there? Mm, it's worth taking the time)
"Yes, someone said it, I heard it somewhere," she said, smiling contentedly, sitting down opposite me, casting strange glances towards the Moon. - What don't you like? Just think, Sid still sounds better than the golden boy or the silver prince.
- Yes, yes, whatever you say, if you look at it from this side, then yes. But I still don't feel very comfortable. "And this someone is definitely not related to the ice queen, right?" — I said, smiling slightly, accepting the rules of her game.
Judging by the fleetingly dilated pupils, as well as the shock in the emophone, which surprisingly (although she was trying to be quite capable in mentalism. At least Daphne is like that. You never know, it runs in the family) quickly disappeared, I was right. HM interesting.
- Who knows, maybe you're right. Or maybe not," this fidget tried to mislead me. Alas, nothing will work out for you. I already remember your reaction, and she said much more than you yourself.
- Astoria, be careful. The brainsniffs are liquefying your brain more and more," Luna said unexpectedly. I even looked at her in surprise. She doesn't often participate in conversation. Judging by her emotions, she prefers to listen, so I didn't bother her. "Here, here," taking one of the necklaces from her neck (butterbeer caps. In a magical sense, they glow, which indicates that they have some properties.) She extended her hand to her friend. - It will help you.
- Thank you, Luna. This is so cute," Astoria smiled brightly, grabbed the necklace and immediately put it around her neck. In magical vision, at that moment the necklace flared up, and then calmed down. I wonder if this might be a binding option? Well, or so it showed that it started working. "By the way, Kol," after admiring the necklace, she turned to me. - My sister would like to talk to you.
-Your sister or the ice queen? - I asked. If the first, then Daphne will speak on behalf of herself or her family, if the second, then on behalf of the faculty. So why all this crap? The aristocrats were found. Wait, soon I will find out everything I can about you.
"Both," the snake answered calmly.
"Okay," I finally agreed. - And when?
- Today before dinner. On the astronomy tower.
"Okay, I will," I replied. - OK. "Luna, I have to go," I told the girl, getting up from behind the steel.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Bye," she waved her hand, not looking away from her food. That's right, energy is always needed.
"Come on, you unfortunate offender," I said, tapping Nev on the shoulder, walking towards the exit.
And what did they want from me?