Tempering the Heart in the Mortal World

Being a professional drug trial participant isn't easy, especially for a skilled one.

You need to be physically fit and have strong mental resilience to avoid developing drug resistance.

They also need to provide accurate feedback and know how their body's various indicators change after taking the medication.

This is a technical job.

Of course, pharmaceutical companies make a lot of money. If you do well in this field, you can really say with pride:

I'm a Gen, a pharmaceutical professional with a government-affiliated job, and I earn over 100,000 yuan a month. What about you?

However, high income often means high risk.

If it's not dried well... maybe in less than half a month, a white cloth will be placed over it, a suona horn will be played, and the whole village, young and old, will be waiting for the dish to be served.

Actually, Ron doesn't need to worry too much about this. The twins developed a prank product, not poison.

At most, it might cause nosebleeds, a day of unconsciousness, abdominal pain comparable to a C-section, constipation for half a year, or frequent or incomplete urination...

Putting aside these minor issues, people working in the pharmaceutical industry are generally quite safe.

So, by working as a drug dealer to pay off his debts, Ron is still making a good profit overall. He'll definitely become addicted to this kind of quick-money thrill once he gets his hands on it.

In the end, even when you try to get rid of him, he won't leave!

To outsiders, Ron seemed to be in a terrible situation, but people soon changed their minds because they were about to experience something similar.

During Friday's Defence Against Dark Magic class, Professor Moody announced in class:

We will take turns casting the Imperius Curse on each student to demonstrate its power and see if everyone can resist its influence.

Casting the Unforgivable Curses is illegal, let alone casting it on a young wizard.

However, Hogwarts is Dumbledore's personal fiefdom, and since he acquiesced, there's no problem.

Judging from the students' opinions, although they are polarized, most people still want to experience the power of the Imperius Curse.

Perhaps I am that exceptionally talented prodigy who successfully resists on my first try?

Many students share this view.

Unfortunately, everyone overestimated their own abilities and underestimated the power of the Imperius Curse.

During Defence Against Dark Magic class, as Professor Moody cast his spell, the students offered no resistance and instead did all sorts of unusual things.

Elena Kaslana hopped and skipped around the classroom three times, then spread her arms and imitated an owl, making a "coo-coo-coo" sound.

Albert Anderson wriggled on the ground like a Psyduck, staring with his big, bright eyes.

Ivan Hals performed the school song with all his might, singing the dolphin-like high notes that he had practiced since birth.

Everyone covered their ears, trying to escape from the classroom. His Sorting Hat -key singing... was even Hagrid's.

If it were to perform in front of Fluffy, it would completely break its bad habit of falling asleep while listening to music.

No one could resist the spell; they all returned to normal only after Moody dispelled it.

Professor Moody was very disappointed and sternly reprimanded these good-for-nothing young wizards.

If you can't even withstand the Imperius Curse, how dare you claim to have a good foundation?

"Stark," Moody's voice boomed, "Come and show me what you've got, don't let everyone down."

William slowly walked to the center of the classroom, and everyone held their breath.

Professor Moody raised his wand, pointed it at William, and shouted, "Imperio!"

"What do you need me to make him do?" Moody growled in a low voice, dragging his wooden leg.

"Make him take off his clothes!" many girls cheered.

Many people also brought cameras, ready to take photos and then enjoy them later when they felt lonely.

"Alright, then... take off your robe first."

Moody controlled William as he unbuttoned his collar.

William stood there, feeling lightheaded. All the thoughts and worries in his mind had vanished, leaving only a hazy, intangible joy.

Then he heard Mad-Eye Moody's command, as if echoing from some distant corner: Take off your clothes.

William's Occlumency had been in operation for a long time, and that command was immediately blocked.

He stood there hesitating, but after only a dozen seconds, he broke free of the Imperius Curse through sheer willpower.

"Excellent!" Professor Moody exclaimed again, "Imperio."

William woke up even faster this time. He pulled a book out of his pocket and started flipping through it aimlessly.

Imperio!

William's time to break free of the Imperius Curse was dwindling. Finally, he rubbed his temples, yawned, and asked, "Professor, is it over?"

"..."

Breaking the Imperius Curse requires immense willpower, and what William has in abundance is both willpower and a strong heart.

During the time loop, he engaged in various dangerous activities to train his willpower in order to learn the Occlumency.

He jumped off castle rooftops, dived into the Black Lake, raced cars on the road... He died more times than Voldemort ever killed.

He had long since developed the heart of a steel-willed hero.

Forcibly breaking free from the Imperius Curse's control was not difficult for him.

"Look at you all... Stark held on! He held on. The rest of you, watch closely—look into his eyes, that's the key," Professor Moody praised.

News of William's easy resistance to the Imperius Curse spread quickly throughout Hogwarts after class.

Many students gathered around, trying to ask him for advice.

William delivered a dose of cynical wisdom, telling everyone, "The key is to cultivate your mind; you need to have an incredibly strong mind."

How do we cultivate our mind?

Do you see those Blast-Ended Skrewt that Hagrid is raising?

Raising them without batting an eye, even stroking their heads, is considered mastering the art of cultivating the mind and developing a strong will.

Suddenly, all the students started thinking about how to raise a giant Blast-Ended Skrewt.

Hagrid was overjoyed; the Blast-Ended Skrewt were growing very quickly, but he still hadn't figured out what they liked to eat.

Great, now that so many helpers have arrived, we can start training them.

Hagrid suggested that the students go to his hut every other day to observe the Blast-Ended Skrewt and record their unusual behavior.

However, nobody paid him any attention. Everyone was there to toughen up, so they didn't have time to observe the living habits of the Blast-Ended Skrewt.

Hermione was very unhappy, believing that William had cheated.

She checked on them a few more times and found that the Blast-Ended Skrewt were growing increasingly well. This wouldn't do; she was going to lose again.

After careful consideration, Hermione decided to make peace. She could comply with William's demands.

However, she ultimately won the bet.

In other words, William also had to grant her a request he couldn't refuse.

In the end, this was a win-win concession.

But William casually rejected Hermione.

He's in a winning position now, why would he want to lose?

All he had to do was wait until after the Yule Ball so Hermione would obediently put on her maid outfit.

Hermione was furious after being rejected, and she didn't speak to him all night.

As time passed, in mid-October, the school posted a notice on the bulletin board:

Triwizard Tournament

Representatives from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive at 6 p. m. on Friday, October 30.

Please return your bags and textbooks to your dormitories and gather in front of the castle to greet our guests before attending the welcome banquet.

The notice immediately caused an uproar at the school.

The Triwizard Tournament is finally about to begin.

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