After resting for a while, Silan returned to the Alchemy Workshop to continue studying the Storage Ring.
The principle behind this Ring is similar to that of his Suitcase; both are based on the Undetectable Extension Charm. However, the Ring doesn't need to create an ecosystem like Forest, Lake, or Grassland; it's simply used to store things, making it a simplified version of Suitcase.
Logically speaking, anyone can create spacious pockets and Suitcase as long as they learn the Undetectable Extension Charm.
However, the use of alchemy technology results in better performance, longer lifespan, and a more aesthetically pleasing and versatile carrier.
Silan only learned the basic techniques of Alchemy and basic Ancient Runes after the previous summer vacation ended, and now she was making the Ring as practice.
Despite having already eaten a big meal in the Great Hall, Goyle and Crabbe secretly slipped away to the kitchen for a second meal after class.
Start with Roast Pork Chop to whet your appetite, then fill your stomach with Steak, followed by Fried Potato Chips Chocolate Muffin to finish off, and finally a touch of Pumpkin Juice to cleanse the palate. It was a truly satisfying meal, with every bite dripping with oil.
When they left, they each packed a Cake to take with them.
On their way back to the dormitory, Goyle and Crabbe first pressed their ear to the door and listened.
"Draco embarrassed himself in Transfiguration and came back to catch up on sleep right after class. If we wake him up, we're in for a world of trouble," the two thought to themselves.
Finding no movement inside, Goyle and Crabbe cautiously pushed open the door.
The two took a deep breath, sucked in their stomachs, and squeezed through the crack in the door, only to find that Draco was already awake.
He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, the delicate, snake-like reflections of the Lake-water Reflections on him making him appear both mysterious and melancholic.
Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a glance, thinking at the same time, "Here we go again. Draco always has those few days every month when he's acting strange."
During this period, he would become extremely irritable and moody.
"It's best not to mess with him." Goyle and Crabbe exchanged a glance, seeing the same thought in each other's eyes.
The two of them didn't dare to speak, and walked to the table with their heads down, carefully placing the Cake they had packed on it.
The moment they sat down, Draco was standing by the window, suddenly shuddered, turned around, and stared at them. "Goyle, Crabbe, I understand!"
Goyle and Crabbe were startled by his gaze, their hands trembling as they unwrapped the Cake.
Draco stared at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, letting out a series of inexplicable sighs, and exclaimed excitedly, "I understand! I understand everything!"
Goyle and Crabbe, at a loss for words, looked at each other blankly. After a long while, Goyle finally mustered the courage to ask, "What do you understand, Draco?"
"This was all a conspiracy by Prewett!" Draco strode up to them, clenched his fist, and slammed it hard on the table.
"Bang!"
The Cake on the table jumped up.
Crabbe quickly reached out to protect his Cake.
"Prewett? It's him again?" Goyle asked, stunned.
It feels like ever since Draco started Third Year, he's been constantly outwitting Prewett.
Strangely, why couldn't I understand how Prewett made his moves each time?
"Of course it's him!" Draco scoffed, sitting down in his chair and saying inscrutably, "Use your Troll brains. He was definitely waiting for me last night on purpose, just to make me stay up all night and then embarrass myself in class."
Draco exclaimed angrily, "What a brilliant tactic! What a cunning scheme!"
Goyle was a little confused, and hesitantly asked, drawing out his words, "Is... it?"
"I see."
Crabbe, standing nearby, carefully put away his Cake and said with a serious expression, "Prewett really has a clever trick up his sleeve. I thought it was just a coincidence."
Draco scoffed dismissively, appearing to see through everything, and said calmly, "It can't be a coincidence. Otherwise, how could he be so coincidentally right on our path? And why on Full Moon Night? And why did we just happen to see him chanting a spell?"
"What does this mean?" Draco asked.
Goyle and Crabbe opened their mouths, but couldn't say anything.
"There's only one truth!" Draco's eyes gleamed with wisdom, his blood boiling, feeling an overwhelming surge of intelligence. "This means everything was planned by Prewett!"
"I see!" Crabbe exclaimed in sudden realization.
Goyle still didn't understand, and asked in a simple, honest voice, "But why would he do that?"
"Didn't I just say? He's trying to drag me into staying up all night so he can take advantage of my weakness." Draco gloated over his cleverness. "Prewett, oh Prewett, you actually resorted to such tactics to defeat me?"
"But why is he targeting you?" Goyle asked.
"What else could it be for?" Draco scoffed, stood up from his chair, and slowly walked to the window.
He let the shimmering light filtering through the window envelop him, a mysterious smile spreading across his face, and said with absolute certainty:
"Potter is incompetent, Weasley is dim-witted. In all of Hogwarts, from Gryffindor to Slytherin, only I am worthy to be his opponent."
"You ask me why he targeted me? Well, it's simply because heroes admire heroes."
"Prewett probably thinks the same way I do, that only I am worthy to be his opponent."
Draco didn't turn around, leaving Goyle and Crabbe with only a mysterious silhouette.
Perhaps because he had just eaten, Crabbe's IQ was at its peak, and he asked a rather crucial question.
"But if Prewett wants to practice magic and beat you, why doesn't he do it secretly? Why make you stay up all night with him?"
Draco seemed to have considered this question long ago. He shook his head and said with a lonely expression, "Invincibility is lonely. Prewett certainly craves an opponent as well."
"That's me!" Draco declared proudly.
"So that's how it is..."
"I see!"
"As expected of Draco, his thinking is so thorough; he completely saw through all of Prewett's schemes." Goyle and Crabbe applauded Draco's meticulous reasoning, praising him repeatedly.
Actually, the two of them still felt that something was wrong.
Although Draco's words were brilliant, neither of them noticed any sign that Prewett was about to make a move.
But who cares!
Anyway, Draco has those few days every month, you just have to bear with it.
Draco was quite pleased with their applause and flattery, and squinted his eyes smugly.
After a long while, he waved to Goyle and Crabbe, signaling them to stop. "I will absolutely not fall into Prewett's trap."
"What are you planning to do, Draco?" Goyle asked.
Crabbe quickly pledged his loyalty. "Tell us what to do, and we'll follow you."
"From today onwards, I'll never stay up late again. I'll make sure I'm well-rested at night to ensure I'm in good condition during the day. I deliberately embarrassed myself in class today to lower his guard and make him think I was really provoked by him." Draco revealed his well-thought-out plan, while also trying to justify himself.
Draco continued, "That way, Prewett will keep staying up all night. When he's mentally exhausted and physically drained, that's when I'll make my move."
Goyle and Crabbe exclaimed in admiration, "So you did it on purpose in class during the day! I knew it! No wonder you're from the Malfoy family!"
Draco a mysterious smile and turned his head away.
In truth, Goyle and Crabbe were genuinely happy, since they no longer had to stay up all night practicing Spells with Draco.
This is absolutely fantastic news for them.
"Prewett, you can keep staying up all night. I need to conserve my energy and practice during the day. When you're exhausted from staying up all night... hehehe." Draco looked up at the window, lost in his smug fantasy.
The Giant Squid outside the window tilted its head and looked at him, seemingly not quite understanding his inexplicable smile. After shaking its head, it swam away, its tentacles swaying.
While Draco Malfoy was planning his grand scheme, Silan was still busy.
While studying Alchemy, he also translated "The Construction and Use of the Soul Eye," and took some time to go to Hogsmeade to get Potions Ingredients, preparing to brew the Potions to be used at the Sale Event.
It's fair to say that he filled all his spare time with activities, keeping him incredibly busy.
Moreover, all of these things are extremely energy-consuming, and even though Silan has [Deep Sleep] to restore her energy, she is still quite exhausted.
His complexion looked noticeably more haggard than before these past few days during class.
Draco witnessed all of this.
He was overjoyed and extremely excited. "My guess was right! Prewett really fell for it; he thought I was staying up all night!"
"Okay, okay."
"Now we just wait for him to lose his focus and exhaust his strength!"