Facing such a swarm of magical bird bombs, Hermione remained calm, waving her wand to cast a specific counter-spell.
"Avis Volley!"
She condensed dirt into thousands of hard stone spikes, neutralizing nearly a thousand magical birds with overwhelming numerical superiority.
"Pop, pop, pop...!"
A series of faint firecracker-like sounds erupted as the magical birds burst.
Since it was a duel, the two women deliberately controlled the power of their spells to avoid unnecessary accidental injuries.
Seeing the two of them in a heated state of combat, Harvey had no intention of interrupting.
He leaned against the doorframe and watched patiently for a while.
Until Hermione gained the upper hand, her significantly faster casting speed leaving Cho Chang struggling to defend, eventually resulting in Cho's regrettable defeat and her wand being disarmed.
Harvey then clapped his hands and offered encouragement: "A very clean and efficient victory!"
"It seems you haven't slacked on your training, Hermione; your reaction speed and combat power are increasing every day."
"Your current strength is likely approaching that of Professor Dumbledore. Truly worthy of Miss Know-It-All the Overachiever; you even have to be the best when it comes to combat power."
The praise made the corners of Hermione's eyes curve in a subtle arc; clearly, she enjoyed the compliment.
She modestly took the hand of her sister beside her, comforting her:
"Don't be discouraged, Cho. Your strength is already greater than that of most Aurors. As long as you practice more, your power will eventually increase."
Cho Chang forced a smile. "Thanks for the concern, Sister Hermione. I've just broken into a sweat; I suggest we go take a bath and chat slowly."
"Sure. I'll accompany you to practice your casting speed in the future; it'll improve quickly..."
Hermione intimately linked arms with Cho Chang, and while whispering secrets, the two ignored Harvey standing at the villa door and walked toward the bathroom.
Having been thoroughly drained during this period, Harvey didn't follow them, planning instead to go to the kitchen to chat with Wanda, who was obsessed with improving her culinary skills.
In the kitchen, Wanda, wearing a maid's apron, was focusing all her attention on a steak sizzling in the pan.
A faint smell of burning lingered in the kitchen.
She was completely oblivious to it.
Because most of the burnt smell was being sucked away by the range hood.
Harvey walked up behind Wanda, wrapping his arms around her waist, and said helplessly:
"Darling, you've already ruined several frying pans. Even if you don't care about the cookware, have some pity for the range hood."
Wanda's face turned black, and she snapped in embarrassment: "You bastard! Why don't you have some pity for me? You only know how to tell me to give up on my efforts."
"Sister Hermione said that failure is the mother of success; how can I sear the perfect steak without making many attempts?"
Harvey was extremely helpless. "Hermione's just talking the talk because it doesn't cost her anything; every time you make 'dark cuisine,' you call me over to taste it."
"Last time we agreed on a medium-well steak, but it ended up being seventeen-tenths well-done. If you don't have a talent for cooking, just give up honestly. Why are you so stubborn...?"
"I won't!" Wanda pouted, saying firmly: "Last time was last time. This time I will definitely make the perfect steak!"
BOOM—!
A ball of fire suddenly erupted from the frying pan.
Both Wanda and Harvey were stunned.
"Ah—!"
"Ah your head! Don't pour water on it... sizzle...!"
Cold water meeting hot oil resulted in oil splattering everywhere. A panicked Wanda scrambled to turn off the heat, but in her error, she turned the burner knob the wrong way, increasing the flame.
"WHOOSH... sizzle!"
The fire roared even higher, and the oil splattered even more violently.
"You silly woman, you knew enough to put a magical shield on yourself, but you didn't know enough to put a lid on the pan?"
Harvey was left speechless by Wanda's stupidity.
...
Ten minutes later.
The kitchen, which had nearly been incinerated, looked exactly like ruins after a terrorist attack, with the walls and ceiling charred black.
Wanda lowered her head pitifully, standing before Harvey like a little wife who had done something wrong, her eyes filled with remorse.
"I was wrong, Master. I promise I will never turn the burner knob the wrong way again!"
Harvey, his head throbbing with annoyance, took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.
"Promise me, no more searing steaks. Perhaps you just don't have a talent for Western cuisine."
"You should try making sushi. That only requires knowing how to use a rice cooker and some knife skills."
"After all, rice balls and raw fish don't require a stove!"
Wanda heard this and thought it sounded quite reasonable; sushi indeed seemed much simpler.
"Okay. Tomorrow I'll go buy a salmon to make sashimi, and you'll be the first to taste it..."
Salmon sashimi? Good heavens, it wouldn't happen to be nuclear-contaminated—
Harvey hurriedly changed the subject in a panic. "I'm planning to go on a long trip soon, anywhere from three to five months to a year or two."
"During this time, you girls be careful. As long as the Earth doesn't explode, don't meddle in other people's business."
As he spoke, he pulled out three rings.
"These are rings with special superpowers; I'm giving them to you as defensive weapons."
Wanda took the three beautifully styled rings. She hadn't even paid attention to his subsequent words, overcome with emotion as she hugged Harvey and offered her red lips.
After a bout of passionate kissing.
"Darling, I love your gift. I must show my gratitude..."
Wanda, her eyes rippling with lust, took the hint and knelt down, reaching out to undo Harvey's belt.
"Wait, I meant... hiss..."
...
One hour later.
The ravaged kitchen was restored to its original state.
In the living room, Harvey was explaining his travel plans with a serious expression to Wanda and the freshly bathed Hermione and Cho Chang.
"At most a year, and I'll be back..."
"Can't we accompany you?"
"No. The universe is too dangerous; this is for your own good..."
Hermione's eyes were full of incomprehension. "Do you have to go adventuring in space?"
Seeing the doubt in their eyes, Harvey let out a sigh and explained:
"I accidentally discovered that there is a Celestial about to be born at the core of the Earth. If the Celestial emerges, the Earth will be shattered into pieces."
"To oppose a Celestial, I must increase my strength as quickly as possible. Therefore, I must go on this journey."
The three women were worried and tried to dissuade him.
"Your travel plan is too risky. Even if the Earth is destroyed, at worst we can all go back to Hogwarts together..."
"Master, I will never pull you down. Believe in us..."
"The universe is so vast, the danger is self-evident. Take us along, we can be of help..."
Harvey shook his head, bringing out six rings.
"These rings grant the wearer superpowers. Utilize them well so you won't be bullied while I'm away."
Hermione took the rings without a second thought, her face solemn as she gave her instructions:
"You annoying jerk, don't push yourself too hard. If things get too tough, come back, and we'll leave this world together."
Harvey nodded, offering a relaxed smile as he said: "Don't worry. With my strength, I'm a top-tier powerhouse even in the universe; no one can beat me."
"While I'm away, let Hermione's opinion be the primary one. Don't go looking for trouble, but don't be afraid of it either. If the Avengers try to take the moral high ground with you, don't go soft-hearted..."
After half an hour of nagging and instructions, the three women saw that Harvey's intent to leave was firm.
The three women, their love burning hot, reached a silent agreement to let certain someone enjoy several days of imperial service in their beds.