After the New Year

"What are Runewords?" Pansy asked. She had barely played Diablo.

Hermione looked up. "You socket specific runes into equipment in a particular order to trigger additional properties. When Mr. LeMay designed Diablo, he used a logic system derived from the Ancient Magic rune system. Runes arranged in specific sequences produce different effects. The game works on the same principle."

Seamus sat up a little straighter on the sofa. The teacup in his hand swayed on his knee, and its rim tapped the edge of the saucer with a light, crisp sound.

"Wait, so you mean Mr. LeMay directly moved the Runewords system from Diablo over from the Ancient Magic rune system?"

"It was a conversion," Hermione corrected. "He translated the logic behind Ancient Magic rune combinations into a game mechanic.

"When Muggle players play the game, they're actually using the most basic combination rules from the Ancient Magic rune system. They just don't know it. They think the runes were made up by the game designers."

Ron leaned back against the sofa, swiping at his phone as though searching for something.

"The Confederation Technical Group compiled a formula chart. Apparently, it was extracted from actual cases in the Ancient Magic rune system. Hermione, can you send me your copy?"

"When we get back to school." Hermione lowered her gaze to the page again. "I don't have it with me right now."

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Seamus's gaze never left Hermione. He tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling, as if reviewing everything he had just heard in his mind. At some point, he stopped.

Neville looked down at the tea in his hand. It had gone completely cold, but he did not drink it. He merely held the cup, his eyes fixed on the