"So, only by becoming strong ourselves can we truly grasp our destiny. Otherwise, even ensuring our own safety becomes a major problem." Alan closed the book after speaking and offered a slight smile. "But these concerns are still far off for us. Let's just enjoy our Christmas dinner."
"Oh, by the way, this is my gift for you." Alan pulled out a silver-white metal coin and pushed it across the table toward Hagrid.
"Oh? What's this? It doesn't look like a Silver Sickle." Hagrid picked up the coin and brought it close to his eyes to examine the detail.
"I'm calling it a Communication Coin for now. Its functions aren't quite finished yet. The side with the longsword is the front, and the side with the Ouroboros is the back. It's an alchemical tool I finished recently," Alan explained.
"A Communication Coin? Can this little thing really send messages?" Hagrid flipped the coin repeatedly, noting the ancient Eastern blade on one side and the serpent devouring its tail on the other.
"That's right. If you run into danger, just channel magic into the side with the sword. I'll receive an alarm, and your current location will be transmitted to me instantly so I can come to support you. If you just need to find me for something general, use the Ouroboros side. I'll get the message and come to the hut to find you."
Alan felt the wizarding world currently lacked a direct way to call for help, which struck him as incredibly backward. Using the knowledge from the book on communication runes that Sirius had given him, he had mimicked the principles of the Floo Network to create the tool. Its range was currently limited to the Hogwarts grounds and it couldn't transmit real-time voice yet, but he had made several samples, sending others as gifts to Vivian and Charles.
"This will make it much easier to find you. You really are brilliant, Alan." Hagrid was fascinated by the gadget and tested it several times.
Alan pulled out a small booklet of his own. This was the master device linked to the coins he had distributed; the moment a message was sent, it would manifest on the pages. The two spent the rest of the evening playing with the new tools and eating hotpot, peacefully passing another Christmas.
In the days that followed, Alan stayed in the cabin, studying charms and attempting new alchemical builds while owls constantly shuttled to and from his window.
He received many letters and gifts. Charles and Professor McGonagall sent Quidditch merchandise. Vivian, knowing his habits, sent a collection of rare magic books. Professor Bones was particularly generous, sending three ounces of Aether Mithril and a professional set of carving knives. It was clear Bones held Alan's talent in high regard and wanted to encourage his progress.
From Bones's letter, Alan learned the grim extent of the Longbottoms' trauma. They no longer recognized anyone and had lost the ability to care for themselves; they would remain in the hospital indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Lestrange stronghold in Surrey had been raided by Hit Wizards and Aurors led by Mad-Eye Moody. After a fierce battle that left two Aurors severely wounded, Bellatrix and her cohorts were captured and escorted to Azkaban. Bones expressed deep gratitude for the tip Alan had provided.
Alan shook his head in disbelief. Even with the element of surprise, the Aurors had taken heavy casualties. He couldn't help but question their tactical proficiency.
"Don't they know how to set up perimeters or attack in echelons? Why is a battle between trained wizards always handled like a playground scuffle, just rushing in blindly?" Alan muttered, feeling a headache coming on.
Just as the holidays were ending, an owl arrived with a large, heavy package.
"Finally."
He opened it to reveal a pair of brand-new leather boots. If Hagrid had seen them, he would have recognized the gnarled texture of the Chimera hide he'd given Alan. Alan had paid five Galleons to have them custom-made by a tailor in Diagon Alley, and now he intended to turn them into something much more than footwear.
"Time to start on the All-Terrain Tactical Gear," Alan said with a satisfied smile.
The Gear was a complete tactical suite Alan had envisioned, comprised of five modules: Sensing, Interference, Movement, Protection, and Lethality. Once finished, it was meant to allow him to counter enemies from any direction and on any terrain.
These boots were the core of the Movement module. He planned to enchant them with runes for shock absorption, silence, adhesion, and burst speed. Since his flight was still unstable and broomsticks made for easy targets in a duel, increasing his ground speed and agility was the only way to gain a true combat advantage.
He spent two full days painstakingly engraving the beast-hide boots, using the Invulnerable Hammer to reinforce the magical bonds.
By the afternoon of the final day, students began returning to the castle for the new term. It was time for Alan to move back into the Slytherin dormitory. He gave his new equipment a name: Phase Boots. He pulled them on and clicked his heels together, watching as the faint outlines of the runes began to glow.
He pushed off with his right leg. With a sharp rush of air, Alan shot forward like a gust of wind. He checked the distance and nodded. "Twenty meters in a second. That's roughly a hundred meters in six seconds—faster than an Olympic sprinter. That'll do. Now for the terrain test."
He ran toward the ancient stone circles near the forest. He leaped, clearing two meters in height, and pushed off the side of a stone pillar. Defying gravity, he ran straight up the vertical surface. At a height of ten meters, he performed a crisp backflip, detached from the stone, and plummeted toward the ground. He landed as silently and steadily as a professional gymnast, holding his arms out to balance his momentum.
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