Capítulo 16: Sleeping Curse!
The carriage came to a halt in front of a modest hotel. Just as Ted had promised, the journey had been smooth, without any incidents. Leonard stepped out, stretching his stiff limbs before heading inside.
Once in his room, he shut the door behind him and immediately sought out the small bathroom to freshen up. The cold water jolted his senses, washing away the exhaustion from the road. Stripping off his coat, he settled onto the bed, the weight of the journey melting into the softness of the mattress.
Next to him lay the new notebook Alfonso had given him. Picking it up, Leonard flipped through the pages, realizing that this one felt different. It wasn't just a manual of magical theory; it was part diary, part experiment log. The entries painted a vivid picture of a younger Alfonso, someone far less composed than the masterful wizard Leonard knew now.
One entry, written in precise but hurried handwriting, caught his attention:
'"Seventh Wizarding Era, Year 4671, March 5th.'
The curse on my sister has worsened. I spent all the magic stones I earned from my part-time job to buy a potion Harlin recommended. It has temporarily stabilized her condition, but it's nowhere near a cure.
I begged my professor, a specialist in curses, to help. He agreed, but only if I paid him 800 magic stones. Eight hundred! It's impossible. No one would lend me such an amount, no matter how much I pleaded.
I even considered selling myself, but what use am I? My talents are mediocre at best.
I'm so sorry, sister. I've failed you."
Leonard froze, his chest tightening as he read the words. Alfonso; his composed, unflinching teacher, had once been this desperate, this vulnerable. It was a side of him Leonard could hardly reconcile with the man he knew now.
'Did he ever cure her?' The question lingered in Leonard's mind, but he didn't dare ask Alfonso directly. To touch on such a personal wound might provoke a wrath he wasn't ready to face.
As he flipped further through the notebook, the tone shifted dramatically. The personal reflections gave way to detailed notes on experiments; gruesome ones. Alfonso's early work in mutation science involved testing on living subjects. The descriptions were clinical, detached, and often disturbing.
Yet Leonard couldn't deny their value. The way Alfonso recorded his observations, structured his data, and summarized his findings offered invaluable insight into scientific methodology.
After a while, Leonard felt fatigue creeping in. He closed the notebook and slid it beneath his pillow for safekeeping.
---
Reaching for another book, Leonard picked up the 'magic tome on the Sleeping Curse.' It was heavier than he expected, and as he opened it, the reason became clear. The pages were gilded, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Leonard ran his fingers over the surface, marveling at the texture. 'Gold?' he thought, astonished. 'If all these pages are made of gold, how much would this book be worth?'
The book contained eight golden pages, each engraved with intricate symbols and text. Front and back, there were a total of sixteen detailed entries devoted entirely to the Sleeping Curse.
As Leonard delved into the tome, its complexity unfolded. The book didn't just describe the spell; it laid out every aspect of its construction, from the theoretical framework to practical precautions.
The 'spell framework' was central to it all. If a wizard wished to cast a spell, they first had to construct this framework within their 'spiritual library' an abstract space within their consciousness. Once the framework was built, the wizard could channel their mental power through it to unleash the spell.
The tome explained this process step by step, starting with the most basic structures and gradually progressing to more advanced techniques. Leonard was impressed by how methodically it broke everything down, making even complex concepts accessible.
The deeper he read, the more immersed he became. Every detail, every symbol in the book felt alive, demanding his focus and understanding. Despite the weight of his exhaustion, Leonard pressed on, determined to master the Sleeping Curse.
He couldn't help but smile as he imagined using it in practice. 'Even the most chaotic moments can be silenced with the right spell,' he thought. This spell wasn't just powerful, it was a tool of control, and for Leonard, it was a small step closer to mastering the art of wizardry.
The concept was straightforward enough, at least in theory. In Leonard's understanding, casting a spell began with constructing a 'model' in the spiritual sea. Once the model was complete, a wizard could consume mental energy to activate it. This model would then harness the magical elements in the air, shaping them into a spell.
Simple on paper. In reality, it was a monumental task.
The challenge lay in building the 'spell framework', a process akin to creating something from nothing. This foundational leap; from 'zero to one', was one of the hardest challenges in magic.
Constructing the framework required first establishing an 'anchor' in the spiritual sea. This involved creating stable nodes and laying the groundwork for the entire spell. Even with the detailed guidance in the magic tome, Leonard spent an hour fumbling through his attempts, unable to even find the starting point to anchor his mental energy.
Frustration bubbled up. He opened his eyes, sighed deeply, and shook his head.
'Forget it,' he thought. 'I'll rest and meditate instead.'
---
Leonard sat cross-legged on the bed, taking a deep breath to calm himself. As his mind emptied, his thoughts receded into the stillness of meditation. Slowly, in the vast darkness of his spiritual sea, a new 'earth ring' began to form.
The process was deliberate but satisfying. His focus was unwavering as he guided the formation of the ring, layer by layer. In time, the new ring took shape, joining the nine existing ones already present in his spiritual space.
When the tenth earth ring finally connected to the others, a surge of energy rippled through him. The blue specks of light that floated in the spiritual void seemed to rush toward him, as though drawn by an invisible force.
Leonard's body responded to this influx of energy. His mind felt sharper, his spirit lighter. He opened his eyes, and for a moment, they seemed to gleam with an inner light.
A smile spread across his face as a notification appeared in his mind:
---
'Leonard'
'Level:' 2 (1/100)
'Physical Fitness:' 1.32
'Mental Strength:' 2.3
'Mastery:'
- 'Earth Ring Meditation (10%)'
'Life Occupation:'
- 'Level 1 Mutation Science (9%)' (0/10)
- 'Level 1 Blood Science (1%)' (0/10)
'General Experience:' 90
---
Though he couldn't accumulate more general experience without completing daily tasks, his steady progress in meditation was paying off. His Earth Ring Meditation method had reached new heights, and his understanding of mutation science was growing incrementally.
Leonard savored the feeling of growing stronger, step by step. It wasn't just about the numbers, it was the sense of fulfillment that came with each small victory. 'If only I could reach Bangor Harbor soon and reunite with my family, everything would feel complete,' he thought.
---
A sudden knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
'Bang, bang.'
"Who is it?" Leonard called, his voice cautious.
"It's me, Kenny," came the familiar voice from outside.
"What is it?"
"Sir, we'll be reaching the Sage Flitwick Mountains tomorrow," Kenny said. "The road will likely get bumpier from here on."
"How long will it take to cross the mountains?" Leonard asked.
"We're taking the fastest route," Kenny replied. "It'll take three days. There aren't any towns or villages in the mountains, so we'll have to camp in the wild for the duration."
"Got it," Leonard said, his tone steady.
Hearing Kenny's footsteps fade away, Leonard leaned back against the bed. The thrill of successfully condensing his tenth earth ring still lingered, making it impossible to relax. His mind buzzed with energy, leaving no room for sleep.
After a moment of thought, he decided to clear his head. Pulling on his coat and boots, he headed downstairs and stepped out into the cool night air outside the hotel. The world was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of wind.
Leonard breathed deeply, letting the night soothe his restless mind. The road ahead was uncertain, but he was ready for whatever challenges fate; had in store.
Status de energia semanal
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Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder