As he stared into the serpent eyes for longer, Li Wei's body continued to petrify.
He kept recording the changes in his body.
Standing behind him, Harry grew increasingly nervous, unable to focus.
"My right torso has completely petrified, and my magic is freezing along with it."
"I'm attempting to break contact with the Basilisk's eyes—useless. The petrification is still progressing, with no sign of weakening."
"For now, I propose a hypothesis: this petrification may be an ancient curse that affects life itself, or perhaps time. It is not damage, but something akin to suspension or freezing. Of course, neither description is entirely accurate."
"Qiao Weili, don't rush to wake me after I petrify. Make sure to conduct plenty of tests. Set the deadline at three months. I look forward to the report you hand in."
As Harry listened to Li Wei's voice continue to ring out, calmly deducing one possibility after another, his heart slowly sank.
Qiao Weili would certainly hand in a satisfactory report, but what about him?
He was neither as clever as Hermione nor as outstanding as Cedric. He was nothing, just a second-year kid—The Chosen One? Harry had never felt worthy of that title. It had been forced upon him by others, and he had never liked it.
How could he possibly live up to the professor's expectations?
"Professor—I can't—"
Harry gathered his courage to retreat, only to see Li Wei, petrified until only half his face and neck remained, slowly turn his head and offer him a gentle smile.
"Harry, I'll leave the rest to you."
Behind him, the circling Fire Phoenix let out a clear cry and crashed into the Basilisk amid its furious hissing!
"..."
Harry pressed his lips together, unable to speak.
He could not refuse that kind of trust, especially