Unexpected Intruder

"Let's begin."

At Li Wei's command, Qiao Weili's expression turned serious as he waved his wand. A wooden stake, as thick as an adult's arm, was placed into a depression in the center.

"Pestis Incendium (Fiendfyre)"

Li Wei softly chanted the spell, and heart-pounding crimson flames erupted from the tip of his wand.

"Go."

Li Wei gave a gentle flick, and the crimson flames immediately shot out from the tip of his wand. However, this method of release clearly had significant limitations. The Fiendfyre traveled less than a meter before losing momentum and stopping.

Immediately, the flames attached themselves to the wooden stake, igniting it and growing rapidly!

Fierce faces emerged from the flames – the faces of all living beings who had perished in Fiendfyre. They writhed and vanished in the flames as if seared by a red-hot brand.

In just half a second, the wooden stake was completely consumed.

Correspondingly, the sea of flames had expanded tenfold.

Qiao Weili and Jiamer stood behind Li Wei, continuously testing with various spells.

Freezing Charm, Fire Shield Charm, Frost Curse, Finite Incantatem.

All conventional spells, and even Dark Arts, failed against this flame.

Not only did they lose their effect, but they became nourishment for 'it' to grow stronger, causing the layered rings of flame to surge again.

In the end, only ultimate magic like Obliviate All Spells could impose some limitation on this spell.

To resolve Fiendfyre, one could only use its counter-curse to restrict it – even then, it couldn't completely extinguish the flames, only temporarily suppress them.

For Fiendfyre to stop, one had to wait until it had consumed everything it could, and then it would extinguish itself.

"Truly a terrifying magic. I can feel that it's 'alive'."

Qiao Weili looked at the flames greedily burning everything, a look of shock in his eyes.

This kind of magic, while not as evil as the Three Unforgivable Curses, was no less dangerous.

A slight misstep could lead to a backlash.

Unlike Qiao Weili's caution, Jiamer was not satisfied with the power displayed by the Fiendfyre.

"As it stands, this spell isn't practical. If a wizard dared to use this magic in front of me, I could make him burn himself to death with just a Storm spell."

"That's just because you haven't discovered its true power yet."

Li Wei shook his head.

To dispel Jiamer's underestimation, he cast the Fiendfyre spell again.

This time, however, he increased his magical output.

"Hiss--------"

A snake's hiss suddenly echoed out of thin air in the hall, sending a chill down the spines of those who heard it.

Within the sunken pit, the crimson flames transformed into a giant serpent, raising its head.

"Hiss--------"

With just a few twists, the fiery serpent's body swelled rapidly, greedily devouring the magic Li Wei was pouring in.

And it had only been two seconds since Li Wei cast the spell.

Qiao Weili secretly observed his teacher, inwardly astonished. Once a magic master like Professor turned to Dark Arts, their learning speed and power were truly astonishing.

No wonder Dumbledore had sought him out back then. It was no injustice for the teacher to receive such treatment.

"Jiamer, give it a try. Use every spell you can think of to try and affect it."

Li Wei calmly used a counter-curse to restrain the fiery serpent before him and gave his assistant instructions.

Jiamer pursed her lips and solemnly raised her wand.

"Tempestas (Storm)!"

With a perfect cast, a colossal tornado, large enough to cover half the 'cave', took shape within five seconds.

Sweat beaded on Jiamer's forehead as she struggled to control the tornado. Qiao Weili wanted to help, but she stopped him with a look.

The next moment, the giant tornado enveloped the ferocious fire serpent, attempting to push it to the side.

The result was futile.

Before long, the tornado was covered and completely swallowed by the serpent's continuously expanding body!

The situation in the arena became somewhat uncontrollable.

The giant serpent flexibly hissed, its slit-like eyes fixed on the three people in the arena.

"Qiao Weili, Jiamer, Three Talents Formation."

"Yes, Professor."

The two took their positions behind Li Wei, one on the left and one on the right, pointing the tips of their wands at Li Wei's back on either side.

The next moment, their magical circuits linked. Li Wei waved his wand, and together with the magic and will of the two, he chanted the counter-curse.

Invisible ripples formed in the air.

The fiery serpent was pushed, squeezed, and coiled by an unknown force.

Li Wei waved his wand again, and the two people behind him shouted in unison with him:

"Finite Incantatem!"

Under the surging tide of magic, the giant serpent, which had already lost its fuel, finally dissipated.

Li Wei dispelled the formation and looked calmly at the two.

"I believe you have now deeply experienced the danger and potential development of this spell."

The disdain in Jiamer's eyes completely vanished, and Qiao Weili nodded solemnly.

"Now, let's begin verifying the Emotion Catalysis Hypothesis. Qiao Weili, you'll be in charge of monitoring, and Jiamer, you'll record the data."

"Yes."

Li Wei waved his wand, about to cast a spell, when his brow suddenly furrowed.

He turned towards the door, his gaze passing over the fortress-like underground palace.

"Someone's coming. We'll stop here for today."

It was Saturday, a day Li Wei usually spent engrossed in his research.

Being disturbed, while not enough to affect his mood, certainly impacted his attitude.

He opened the door to find Hermione Granger and two underachievers.

Seeing Li Wei open the door, Hermione awkwardly retracted the wand she was holding.

It appeared she had just dispelled the silencing charm Li Wei had placed on the door.

This was still a school, after all, and excessive sealing was unwise, so Li Wei hadn't used any overly powerful spells.

Even so, such a dispelling was not something a student should be capable of.

"You dispelled the spell I cast on the door?"

"Professor, I'm so sorry—I have something very important I need to tell you."

Hermione's expression was anxious, as if afraid of angering Li Wei.

"It's alright."

A faint glow flashed in Li Wei's eyes as he quickly scanned the residual magical traces on the door. He nodded.

"Although your method was a bit crude, according to my design, even older students might not be able to break this spell. You managing to do it is quite remarkable."

He moved aside, looking at the three apprehensive students, a thoughtful expression in his eyes—already involved with the main characters so soon?

Was this an unseen guidance, or an unavoidable tide for those bearing great ability?

"Come in."

"Thank you, Professor!"

Hermione looked as if she had received a great pardon and excitedly followed Li Wei.

Harry glanced uneasily at Ron, who was making a funny face and mouthing "Thank you, Professor," clearly not pleased with Hermione's overly fawning attitude.

Harry forced a smile and quickly followed.

They had just been kicked out of Hagrid's hut.

He had denied their connection to the Basilisk, exclaiming, "How could Hogwarts possibly have such a terrifying creature as a Basilisk?" and roughly sent them away.

Hagrid's attitude made them realize one thing—the professors wouldn't believe the seemingly absurd claim that there was a Basilisk inside Hogwarts Castle.

Except for Professor Li Wei.