Cypher found himself faced with a choice.
The lake before him was so clear that he could plainly see the stone altar on the lakebed below.
Yet his senses could not extend beneath the surface.
It was like walking down a road alone when all the streetlights suddenly went out, leaving him engulfed in pitch-black darkness. A profound sense of helplessness welled up within him.
And the lake water, filled with magic, produced precisely this effect.
The abundant inert magic in the lake restricted every spell Cypher cast, including but not limited to detection magic, to the very surface of the water.
Like an anti-magic field... Cypher thought to himself.
That meant Cypher might not be able to cast the Bubblehead Charm in the lake.
Furthermore, the potion he had taken in Slytherin's Room of Requirement last time had rather demanding brewing and storage requirements.
It had a short shelf life and took a long time to brew.
Cypher had been too busy traveling to ever settle down and prepare any potions.
Could he only take a deep breath and dive to the bottom of the lake to open the stone chamber's door? He did not even know whether there would be air to breathe inside the Room of Requirement!
Cypher's expression shifted uncertainly. Lost in hesitation, he subconsciously stroked the ring on his hand.
That made no sense. This ring was only supposed to let him enter barriers, wasn't it?
With that thought, Cypher, as though guided by some unseen force, infused the ring with his magic and the will of his request.
It had an unexpected effect!
The ring warmed slightly, and then a stream of warmth spread from his finger to cover his entire body.
Then there was no further reaction...
Cypher hesitated for a moment before