The sun gradually sank westward, and the evening glow filled the entire sky.
Mount Greylock donned a mantle of orange-red clouds.
In a reading room, several opened, heavy books lay scattered crookedly across the table. Their title pages read Records of Ilvermorny Snake Tree Research. They mainly documented the research conducted by generations of Ilvermorny teachers and students on the Snake Tree, from when it had first sprouted in the seventeenth century up to a few months ago.
Loren leaned back in his chair, reading through the most recent materials.
Thanks to Headmaster Fontana abusing his authority for personal gain, he had obtained quite a lot of top-secret information.
The Snake Tree research files were only part of it. There was also research on the traits of Horned Serpents. A mutated type of Horned Serpent existed here, with a gemstone growing from its forehead. It could turn invisible and fly. A very small number of them even possessed the gift of prophecy. With their consent, Ilvermorny wizards had made crystal balls from the gemstones accompanying the serpents. Supposedly, they could improve the accuracy of divination.
Loren intended to study the Magic Power within them. Ideally, he would simulate their transformation and use it as a replacement for the Basilisk.
Horned Serpents were naturally amphibious, and the mutated variety could fly as well. That meant development across land, water, and air, combining agility with concealment.
The Basilisk's immense size somewhat hindered its speed. To Loren, who was used to striking and fleeing, it was a little too cumbersome. It was fine in special environments, but on open ground or in places with recording equipment, he had to consider the consequences. Like in Brooklyn and the Ministry of Magic, where he had to release smoke before fighting.
Thus, the more agile and