Professor Babbling was clearly worried that Ryze might end up spending far too much time pursuing this strange matter. However, unlike Hermione, whose method of persuasion often relied on blunt logic and persistent argument, Professor Babbling chose a gentler approach. She did not try to forbid him from investigating the statue. Instead, she simply accompanied him and offered guidance.
As the two of them walked together from the Ancient Runes classroom toward the Ravenclaw common room, she began explaining the origins of the Hyper-Sensation Spell.
"The Hyper-Sensation Spell," Professor Babbling said thoughtfully, "was originally designed to enhance what Muggles call extrasensory perception—something they refer to as the 'sixth sense.' When the spell was first developed, the intention was quite simple. Wizards who lacked natural Divination Talent could temporarily rely on it to perform basic forms of divination."
Ryze listened attentively.
However, Professor Babbling soon shook her head slightly, indicating that the results of that original idea had not been particularly successful.
"Later testing showed that when this spell enhances a person's sixth sense, it does indeed create the sensation of receiving omens. A wizard might feel sudden intuitions while making decisions, and these feelings can make them strongly believe that the path they have chosen is the correct one."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"But the truth is that this magically enhanced intuition is not as reliable as people once hoped. In most cases, it simply reminds you of things that you already noticed subconsciously but failed to consciously acknowledge. It can highlight details that your mind overlooked, but it cannot truly predict the future."
Ryze nodded slowly as he listened.
"Worse," Professor Babbling added, "when a person faces real danger, the overwhelming sense of premonition created by the spell may actually have the opposite effect. It can cause panic, hesitation, or even misjudgment."
Compared to that, she explained, the effects of Felix Felicis were far superior.
"In contrast, Felix Felicis—the potion commonly known as Liquid Luck—produces a much more stable effect. Not only does it heighten the drinker's perception and social awareness, but it can also temporarily strengthen a wizard's inherent magical abilities."
Ryze's eyes widened slightly when he heard that.
Professor Babbling smiled faintly.
"Of course, such a powerful potion comes at a price. The ingredients required to brew Felix Felicis are extremely rare, and the brewing process itself is exceptionally complicated. Very few potion masters alive today can brew it successfully."
She sighed quietly.
"A small bottle can cost two or three thousand Galleons, and even then it is rarely available for purchase."
Ryze couldn't help but imagine the cost.
Even for wealthy wizarding families, that was an enormous amount of money.
Professor Babbling continued.
"Professor Snape certainly possesses the ability to brew Felix Felicis," she said matter-of-factly. "However, he is now responsible for teaching Potions classes for all seven years of Hogwarts students. With such a heavy teaching schedule, he simply doesn't have the time required to brew something that complicated."
After saying that, she fell silent for a moment.
Then she added something unexpected.
"When I was young, I once had the opportunity to drink two drops of Felix Felicis during a very important decision in my life."
Ryze looked at her with surprise.
Professor Babbling smiled faintly, though there was a trace of melancholy in her expression.
"The effect was remarkable," she admitted. "Everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, as if the world itself was subtly guiding me toward the best outcome."
"But when the effect wore off," she continued quietly, "I became painfully aware of the difference between my own talent and that of true geniuses."
Her tone held no bitterness—only calm acceptance.
After a brief pause, she shifted the conversation back to Ryze.
"However," she said, "your situation is quite different."
"You have already awakened a Divination Talent, and you seem to have a particularly strong intuition regarding that statue. Because of that, the Hyper-Sensation Spell may produce far better results for you than it would for most people."
She then added a warning.
"Still, the spell places a considerable burden on both the body and the mind. If you experience any discomfort, you must tell me immediately."
By this time, the two of them had already arrived outside the Ravenclaw common room.
Ryze was already familiar with the sight that greeted them there.
Several young Ravenclaw students were gathered outside the door, looking slightly embarrassed. Clearly, they had been unable to answer the riddle posed by the eagle knocker.
When they noticed a professor approaching, the students quickly greeted Professor Babbling in low voices. Then they stepped aside respectfully, hoping she would open the door for them.
Professor Babbling looked at them and offered a small piece of advice.
"You should practice expressing your thoughts more clearly," she said gently. "In truth, the eagle knocker is easier to fool than you might think. Even if your answer is completely absurd, as long as your reasoning is logical enough to convince it, the door will still open."
The students looked both surprised and thoughtful.
Professor Babbling then answered the riddle herself with ease, and the door swung open.
Inside the Ravenclaw common room, the atmosphere was quiet and comfortable.
The raven statue had already been placed on the upper level of the room.
Earlier that day, when Penelope had first brought it over, several older Ravenclaw students had gathered around out of curiosity. They had examined the statue together with Ryze.
However, after studying it for a while and confirming that there were no magical traces on its surface, most of them had quickly lost interest.
Now, the statue stood alone.
Not a single student was paying attention to it.
Professor Babbling walked up to the statue and examined it thoughtfully.
"Actually," she said, "when I was a student here, I was also curious about this statue."
She chuckled softly.
"But just like the others, I only took a few extra looks at it before giving up. Once I confirmed there were no hidden magical messages, I simply assumed it was an ordinary decoration."
After saying that, she raised her wand and pointed it gently at Ryze.
"Now," she instructed, "focus your mind. Think carefully about what you want to know."
Then she cast the spell.
"Full Perception!"
The moment the incantation was spoken, Ryze felt a dramatic change sweep through his body.
His senses sharpened instantly.
The world around him became incredibly vivid.
He could smell the faint scent of flowers and damp soil drifting down from the terrace above. He could hear the quiet rustling of pages as students read books on the floor below.
Even the smallest sounds seemed amplified.
When he placed his hand on the raven statue, an astonishing sensation filled his mind.
Even with his eyes closed, he could clearly perceive the statue's shape and structure as if he were seeing it directly in his thoughts.
At the same time, a familiar notification appeared on his character panel.
Hyper-Sensation: All senses greatly enhanced. Continuously consumes Life Points and MP. Grants additional Spell Power, Ability Haste, and Attack Speed.
Ryze quickly checked the numbers.
His Spell Power and Attack Speed had both increased by roughly twenty percent.
Even more impressive was the increase to Ability Haste, which had jumped all the way to fifty.
He then examined the cost of maintaining the spell.
The consumption was surprisingly manageable.
His Life Points decreased by about one point every five minutes, while his MP dropped by five points per minute.
"The effect is really good…" Ryze murmured to himself.
Once he mastered this spell in the future, he could occasionally use it to assist his magical training.
Although it technically consumed his life force, Ryze wasn't particularly worried.
The strange curse within his body had already transformed into nourishment for the Doomsayer. It no longer harmed his vitality.
In fact, over the past week his Life Points had increased from 427 when he first enrolled to 475 now.
As long as he didn't keep the spell active for too long, occasional use would not be dangerous.
After confirming the numbers, Ryze closed the panel.
Then he turned his full attention to the raven statue in front of him.
Following the methods described in his Divination textbook, he focused his thoughts and tried to perceive the statue's past.
He attempted to see the events that the statue had once witnessed.
His MP consumption immediately began to rise.
Performing a prophecy required magical energy, and the cost was far from small—especially when dealing with an artifact that had existed for nearly a thousand years.
However, Ryze ignored the increasing consumption.
He remained completely focused.
Gradually, faint and fragmented images began to appear behind his tightly closed eyes.
Suddenly—
He saw something.
A small room.
It seemed to be located somewhere along a corridor.
The statue had originally been moved from that room.
This place must be somewhere inside Hogwarts Castle.
Ryze concentrated even harder, carefully memorizing every detail he could see.
The door of the room was smooth, decorated with mysterious patterns.
Several scattered portraits hung along the corridor walls.
And then—
The images vanished.
"Huff… huff…"
Ryze was abruptly forced out of his intense concentration.
His body trembled as he dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
Only then did he realize that his forehead and back were completely soaked with sweat.
Professor Babbling immediately hurried over to help him.
She supported him and guided him to sit down nearby.
"Drink some milk," she said kindly, handing him a warm glass. "It will help you recover."
She sat beside him, watching him carefully.
"For an eleven-year-old wizard," she continued, "the Hyper-Sensation Spell is still quite overwhelming. But judging by your reaction… it seems you succeeded."
Ryze took several deep breaths and glanced at his MP.
11 / 300
It was almost empty.
This was the first time he had ever reduced his MP to such a dangerously low level.
"How long was I concentrating?" he asked, rubbing his aching head while sipping the warm milk.
"About fifteen minutes," Professor Babbling replied. "Didn't it feel that long to you?"
Ryze shook his head.
"To me, it felt like less than a minute."
He paused before continuing.
"But I tried my best to memorize everything I saw."
He described the room and the corridor as clearly as he could.
"The statue used to be kept in a room somewhere inside the castle," he concluded. "But after so many years… I'm not sure whether the room still looks the same."
The mystery of the statue was finally beginning to reveal itself.
And somewhere deep within Hogwarts Castle…
That room was still waiting to be found.
If
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