A Lifetime Isn't Enough, I Want Ten Thousand Years!

Hermione had to admit that she did regret it at that moment.

She should have listened to Bell's advice and not come along to watch!

Boom! Boom!

The roar continued, and the ground shook violently. Hermione slumped against the sofa, gripping the armrests tightly to avoid falling to the ground again.

Hermione turned her head sharply and looked at Shanna in the Training Ground.

However, the more Hermione looked, the more desperate she felt.

Those Philosopher's Stone, which looked incredibly powerful and whom she had no confidence she could defeat, were rapidly diminishing under Shanna's magical attacks.

In just a short while, Hermione was shocked to find that only half of the Gargoyle in the sky remained. And the once awe-inspiring knights were now scattered and broken.

"Bell! Where are you? Come back soon!"

Hermione called out to her boyfriend in her heart. She desperately needed Bell's comfort right now.

However, Bell, who was training in another Training Room, naturally couldn't hear Hermione's thoughts.

Hermione realized she had been too naive. Forget Bell's heels, she couldn't even see where Shanna's heels were anymore!

Although Hermione always knew that her boyfriend was very strong, much stronger than she had imagined.

However, since she had never witnessed Bell in battle, Hermione's knowledge of Bell was largely based on her imagination.

(Because the training ground 2.0 was too large and the traps and mechanisms inside were too dangerous, Hermione was unable to observe Bell's training.)

Now, Hermione realizes that her imagination is still far too limited.

If Shanna, as the younger sister, is already this outrageous, then Bell, as the Gege, can't possibly be weaker than Shanna, right?

Can she really keep up with Bell's pace?

If Hermione was confident about this before, she has now lost all confidence and courage.

"What's wrong? Still feeling down?"

Bell reached out and put his arm around Hermione's waist, and asked softly.

The two were walking on the grass outside Hogwarts Castle. Their first class of the afternoon was about Care of Magical Creatures, and they were going to attend class not far from the Forbidden Forest.

Hermione glared at Bell reproachfully and grabbed Bell mischievous hand. However, she didn't pull Bell hand away; instead, she leaned closer to Bell's chest.

"Sigh~!"

Hermione sighed deeply. Then she snuggled closer to Bell.

Feeling the warmth and scent of Bell's embrace, Hermione found herself somewhat craving this feeling.

"Didn't I tell you this morning? Don't rush, you can reach that level too."

Bell said, feeling both sorry for him and amused.

"Hmph! You always tell me not to be anxious, not to be anxious! But how can I not be anxious!"

Hermione gave Bell a Angry Headbutt. Then, Hermione muttered under her breath:

"If you siblings are both so capable, doesn't that make me look stupid?"

"But I just like silly little girls."

Bell leaned close to Hermione's ear and whispered teasingly.

"I'm not stupid! I'm the top student in the grade!"

Without any instruction, Hermione grabbed Bell's soft flesh at the waist and twisted it hard through gritted teeth. Hermione didn't let go until Bell cried out in pain and begged for mercy for a while.

Then she immediately rubbed Bell's skin with a tender touch.

"Bell, tell me the truth, can I really become as strong as Shanna?"

Hermione no longer aspires to catch up with Bell. She would be content as long as she could catch up with Shanna.

"Of course! When have I ever lied to you?"

Bell answered without hesitation.

"Hmph! You've never lied to me, but you've certainly fooled me quite a few times!"

Hermione gave Bell an annoyed look. Don't think that just because she couldn't find evidence, she didn't know that Bell often lied to her.

Bell broke out in a cold sweat. Had he ever fooled Hermione? He... couldn't remember...

"Ahem! That's all in the Old Almanac. As the saying goes, a hero doesn't dwell on past glories. Our relationship has changed now, hasn't it? That won't happen again."

Bell earnestly assured him.

"Hmph! Who knows!"

Hermione was clearly skeptical of Bell's assurances.

"Then tell me, how long will it take me to catch up with Shanna?"

Although Hermione tried her best to put on an attitude of "I was just asking casually, I don't really care at all", Bell could still feel Hermione's inner tension from Hermione slightly stiff body.

"Um. I don't know yet how long it will take you to catch up with Shanna. After all, you're improving, and Shanna is improving too."

However, if one only needs to reach Shanna's current level, it would probably only take one to two years.

"How is this possible!? So fast!?"

Hermione was very surprised to hear Bell's answer.

Originally, she thought that it would be quite good if she could reach Shanna's current level before graduation.

"That's not fast. You have to understand, we're currently in a period of rapid growth in magic power."

Once the total amount of magic power increases, the power of Curses and such will naturally increase quickly with more practice.

The main difference between you and Shanna right now lies in the level of physical enhancement. And for that, the only thing you can do is wait and see; there's no other way.

There are other methods, actually. For example, when Bell was developing the Undying Flame, his magical power went berserk, which greatly increased the enhancement of his physical body.

However, Bell would never allow his girlfriend to try such a dangerous method.

Hermione nodded as if she understood, but said nothing.

Sensing his girlfriend's hesitation, Bell thought for a moment and continued to comfort her:

"In fact, many things that we find incredible are simply because we haven't experienced them or tried them."

Let me give you a few examples.

Before receiving your Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, could you have imagined that you would be able to hold Wand and cast all sorts of amazing magic like you do now?

Furthermore, once you actually come into contact with magic, is it easier or more difficult than you imagined?

Could you have imagined how strong you would be a year ago?

I remember last year in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you were surrounded and humiliated by a bunch of Cornish Pixies elves.

Did you ever imagine back then that you would be able to easily solve them in just one year?

Hermione nodded again. This time, her movements were noticeably less hesitant and more resolute.

Indeed, before she began learning magic, she never imagined that she could so easily master such amazing magic.

And now, under Bell's tutelage, she has successfully mastered the Shield Charm. She's no longer afraid of any number of Cornish Pixies or anything like that.

Finally, a beautiful smile bloomed on Hermione's face once again.

"You said it yourself: that I'd be as strong as Shanna in a year or two. If I don't achieve that, you'll be held responsible!"

She slipped out of Bell's embrace and Hermione a few steps forward. She turned back to look at Bell and said with a smile.

"Of course. If my prediction is wrong, then I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. How about it?"

Looking at his lovely girlfriend with doting eyes, Bell smiled and said.

"A lifetime isn't enough..."