Bell: "Am I That Miserable!?"

Hermione sighed helplessly as she watched Bell lounging in the chaise lounge like a salted fish. She walked over to another chaise lounge and sat down.

"Wow! Bell, you're amazing! I wish I could be as good as you."

Hermione said somewhat dejectedly.

"You'll definitely become very strong in the future too."

Bell yawned and said casually.

Oh no, I suddenly feel sleepy as soon as I lie down.

"Hmph! I don't need you to comfort me like that!"

Hermione glared at Bell with displeasure.

Even if you're just trying to fool people, at least put some effort into it! Yawning and spouting irresponsible nonsense—that's incredibly dismissive!

Bell gave Hermione a strange look, wondering why Hermione's anger bar had started rising again when they were having a good chat.

"I'm not trying to comfort you. Everything has its price. I paid the price, and that's why I became stronger. But you haven't paid enough yet, which is why you're not strong enough. However, knowing you as I do, perhaps in a few years you'll be completely transformed."

Bell forced a smile and explained.

"Hmph! That sounds nice! Tell me, what price did you pay?"

Hermione regretted saying it as soon as it left her mouth.

She didn't know what was wrong with her. Although she'd always been a bit unpleasant with her words, she'd never said anything so thoughtless before! Would Bell be angry?

Hermione looked at Bell with some trepidation.

From the very first day she entered the Magical World, Hermione harbored a seed of inferiority. However, because the Little Wizard at Hogwarts were so utterly incompetent, that seed never took root.

However, Hermione always felt inferior when facing Bell.

The other person was simply too outstanding, so outstanding that she couldn't even muster the thought of catching up.

If things had continued like this, perhaps nothing would have happened. After all, people might be envious of visible goals and want to chase after them. But for invisible goals, people often only admire them.

However, what happened last night activated the seed in Hermione's heart.

Invisible discrimination and prejudice provide the nutrients for its growth, giving it the signs of taking root and sprouting.

If it's not eliminated in time, the tiny seed will surely frantically absorb Hermione's mind as nourishment and grow into a towering tree in a short period of time.

"The price? Let me put it simply. I've had extraordinary magical abilities since I was a child. On the day I was born, the magical power within me went berserk. So, for the safety of those around me, and even more so for my own safety, I was sealed in my bedroom after birth. It wasn't until I was five years old that I finally managed to control the magical power within me, preventing any accidental destruction. Only then did I step out of my room for the first time."

Looking back now, perhaps his childhood Magical Outburst wasn't just due to the sheer amount of magic power within him.

Based on Bell's current understanding of magic, and the occasional sense of incongruity he feels due to his memories of his past life, Bell believes that the root cause of his Magical Outburst is likely a problem with his soul.

Given his current level of understanding, Bell simply cannot comprehend why he was transported to this world.

But just thinking about it, it's clear that time travel is never an easy thing. So, perhaps during the process of time travel, his soul suffered some damage?

The reason he no longer experiences Magical Outburst is not only because he has been continuously working hard to improve his control over magic over the years, but also because his soul has recovered under the nourishment of his body.

Of course, all of this was merely speculation born from Bell's idle thoughts. As for the truth, Bell had no idea and no interest in investigating it.

Not all questions have answers, but at least for now everything is moving in a positive direction, and that's enough, isn't it?

This was the first time Hermione had heard Bell tell his story, and to be honest, she was very surprised.

Although it might be a bit harsh to say it like this, Hermione has always genuinely believed that Bell's current success is due to his Pure-blood Family background. Moreover, from Bell's descriptions, it seems his family's wealth is far beyond her imagination.

Hermione could hardly believe her ears.

Bell was sealed away for five years right after he was born?!

She couldn't imagine how a baby could live in a cramped room for five years, and she no longer had the energy to think about questions that were destined to remain unanswered.

Self-blame, regret, and annoyance filled Hermione's heart, causing tears to stream down her face uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry, Bell. I didn't know... I didn't know you..."

Seeing Hermione sobbing uncontrollably, Bell jumped up from the recliner in surprise.

He looked at Hermione, completely bewildered and unable to understand what had happened.

While his childhood experiences were indeed somewhat unique and rare, they weren't exactly tragic, were they?

If he himself didn't seem to have any particular feelings, why did Hermione react so strongly?

The Little Witch cried louder and louder, until it sounded like her heart was being torn apart. No matter how Bell tried to persuade her, it was to no avail.

Bell suspected that Hermione hadn't heard what he said at all because she was so focused on crying.

"Hermione! Look at me!"

Bell, feeling that He couldn't let Hermione continue crying like this, shouted sternly.

Hermione was startled by Bell's shout and involuntarily looked at Bell.

A flash of blue light appeared in Bell's eyes. For some inexplicable reason, Hermione felt all her unhappiness fading away.

Hermione's sadness and tears just now seemed like something that happened in a dream, and her emotions calmed down inexplicably.

Bell just used a variant of the Memory Charm; he didn't erase Hermione's memories, but instead chose to temporarily strip away those negative thoughts.

It's like watching a movie; in Hermione's current state of mind, those negative thoughts from before seem like they belong to another version of herself.

Although she could empathize, that person was not her after all.

And so, with Bell's mental intervention, Hermione calmed down easily.

The reason Hermione was asked to look over was that, without using Wand, eye contact would help Bell more easily and accurately remove the parts he wanted to remove, avoiding accidental deletion.

Hermione, what's wrong?

Bell asked worriedly.

Just now, he inadvertently discovered (it really was an accident) that Hermione's accumulated negative emotions far exceeded his expectations.

This could not have been achieved in just a few words.