Arming Hermione

Hermione leaned back slightly before looking closely at Bell's palm.

She saw that the Ten Thousand Snakes had been disassembled into seven sections, like a toy snake. From the joints of each section, she could see many intricate and tiny parts.

If Hermione had some knowledge of Magic Puppet, she would have been able to tell at a glance that this was fake.

The Magic Puppet are primarily powered by magic. And with the help of this wondrous magic, they don't need a particularly complex internal structure.

Of course, Bell knew Hermione didn't understand Magic Puppet, so he conjured many intricate little gears based on the internal structure of a clock. This actually made it easier for the Muggle-born Hermione to believe him.

Hermione reached out, wanting to take the 'parts' of the Ten Thousand Snakes from Bell's hand for a closer look. Noticing Hermione's movement, Bell quickly withdrew his right hand.

"You can't touch it carelessly in this state. Otherwise, if you break any parts, it will be a big hassle to put them back together."

Bell bluffed.

It is indeed troublesome, but not in terms of installing parts; rather, it is troublesome in terms of ensuring that the phantom is not recognized.

If Hermione were to touch the Ten Thousand Snakes, she would immediately realize that the sensations, weight, and other characteristics did not match what she saw. In that case, to prevent the illusion from being detected, Bell would have to directly interfere with Hermione's senses.

Many things, once the seed is planted, will eventually take root and sprout. Therefore, Bell uses his power cautiously unless absolutely necessary.

"Alright, I'll believe you for now."

Hermione nodded and said.

"So I won't take you down with me for now."

If Bell knew what Hermione was thinking, he would definitely roll his eyes at Hermione for a whole month.

So he went to great lengths to protect the other party, only to find that the other party was actually trying to eliminate him?

What exactly is he after?!

"But Bell, why did you let that snake crawl onto my wrist?"

Even though she already knew that the Bell kept in his sleeve wasn't a real snake, Hermione still felt an instinctive aversion to it.

"So, I'll say it's called ' Ten Thousand Snakes '! I spent a lot of effort (really) and used a lot of precious magical materials (just kidding, they were all scraps) to finally create it! Although it's only a semi-finished product, it already has a certain combat power (Cleansweep first-year Little Wizard). If you unfortunately encounter Basilisk, it can help you buy time to escape."

Hermione looked at the Ten Thousand Snakes in surprise.

In Hermione's view, the current Ten Thousand Snakes is like a child's toy; apart from being able to deceive people and scare them, it has no deterrent power whatsoever.

How could a toy snake, barely a dozen centimeters long and not much thicker than a chopstick, possibly fend off a dangerous Basilisk?!

Bell noticed the disbelief in Hermione's eyes, but he didn't offer any further explanation.

With his left hand gently brushing over the Ten Thousand Snakes again, Bell dispelled the magical illusion by using his palm as a shield.

"So do you want it or not? Let me make it clear beforehand, this is only a temporary loan. You have to return it to me once the Basilisk problem is resolved."

"Want!"

Hermione snatched the Ten Thousand Snakes from Bell's hand with lightning speed, showing no trace of her previous disdain.

Just kidding, only a fool wouldn't want that.

You see, Bell had given her many precious magical items before. If she hadn't stopped him, Bell would have even offered to give her a Flying Car car without batting an eye.

But now, Bell has so solemnly said that this unremarkable toy snake is only being lent to her temporarily, which shows how valuable this "Ten Thousand Snakes" is.

Hermione admired the Ten Thousand Snakes in her hand with delight. Upon closer inspection, the little snake was actually quite cute.

The snake's emerald green body is covered with fine, visible scales. Its small, jet-black eyes shimmer with a dark luster, like beautiful black pearls. The joints between its segments are seamless, as if they were originally one. Bathed in sunlight, the entire snake radiates a dazzling brilliance, like a work of art sculpted from a beautiful Gemstone.

"How do I control this?"

Hermione played with the Ten Thousand Snakes with obvious delight.

Why was she so resistant to it before?

It must be Bell's fault!

Although Hermione didn't know what Bell had done wrong, she was sure it was his fault!

"This requires a blood oath to become its master. I am currently the master of the Ten Thousand Snakes, so you cannot control it."

Bell snapped his fingers, and the Ten Thousand Snakes, which had been lying limply in Hermione's hand, immediately raised its little head. It crawled to Hermione's wrist and coiled into a snake-shaped bracelet.

"Changing owners is too much trouble, and I don't think you can control it well. I've already set up Ten Thousand Snakes's action mode. It will be activated immediately if you encounter danger to help you defend yourself. I will also know immediately when Ten Thousand Snakes enters battle mode and then rush over."

"Ugh~!"

Hermione puffed out her cheeks and gave Bell a round face.

Hermione was very unhappy that Bell had looked down on her.

And most importantly, she couldn't refute it at all. Can you believe it?

"Oh, and this too!"

Bell took off his left earring and put it on Hermione's ear.

"This is Danger Prediction Earring. It will warn you if danger approaches you. I've already cleared its records. Now, infuse it with a small amount of magic, and it will identify targets that could pose a threat to you. And when these targets show you malice, it will alert you."

"Remember, once you receive a warning from the earrings, don't hesitate to get away from the source of danger immediately!"

Given Hermione's current abilities, the Little Witch would be instantly petrified without any resistance under the gaze of a Millennial Basilisk. Therefore, avoiding contact with the Basilisk is the best course of action.

As for the Ten Thousand Snakes, it was to prevent the Basilisk from relentlessly pursuing Hermione if it got hungry.

Hermione, following Bell's instructions, infused her magic into the earrings.

For some reason, seeing Bell so worried about her warmed Hermione's heart. Her previous worries, feelings of inferiority, and jealousy melted away instantly, like snow under the blazing sun.

"Um..."

Bell looked at Hermione. After a moment of contemplation, he still felt a little uneasy.

"And this and this!"

Bell then took off his ring and bracelet and put them on Hermione's hands.

"Both of these accessories can activate the Shield Charm when you are attacked. Remember, always make sure one of them is on you. And don't take off the earrings either. As for Ten Thousand Snakes, it doesn't matter, I've already set it to always be by your side, but..."

While putting the ring on Hermione's finger, Bell kept nagging and giving her instructions.

However, Bell, who was thinking about whether he had overlooked anything, failed to notice that Hermione's face showed an unprecedented expression.