Chapter 696: Fabrication
Wizards Prepare for Lunar Exploration!
Wizards Claim Ancient Wizarding Remnants on the Moon!
Wizards Prepare to Seek Remnants!
These three explosive news pieces instantly turned everyone's heads like a whirlwind.
Wizards were skeptical, to say the least. The Quibbler was the first to embrace the idea, with its editor-in-chief, Xenophilius Lovegood, having previously published similar articles. One such article featured a wizard claiming to have flown to the moon on a Cleansweep Six and returned with a bag of Moon Frogs as evidence.
At the time, nobody took the news seriously, but now it was resurfacing as evidence. Perhaps in the coming days, Muggle newspapers would describe Moon Frogs, thanks to Luna's unique writing style that had garnered her many faithful readers.
Unlike the uproar in wizarding newspapers, the non-magical world showed an unusual collective silence, with no imagined mockery. Wizards attempting to reach the moon with their own abilities and believing it had been done before!
Come on, how much effort did scientists put into reaching the moon? A whole generation's worth of sweat, plus the final straw that broke the back of a superpower.
If this had been two days ago, such a far-fetched idea would have undoubtedly been met with countless criticisms and ridicule, proof of wizarding backwardness and overestimation of their abilities.But now, things were different, and the impact of wizards' first visit to the British Parliament building was spreading.
News outlets and television programs tirelessly reminded them: this wasn't a dream. The topic naturally shifted to why, if wizards could change a country's weather in an instant, they couldn't go to the moon.
The effect produced by the thousands of wizards collectively casting the Illumination Charm was staggering.
Ordinary people were merely amazed and shocked by the spectacle, but those organizations and government agencies that viewed wizards as imaginary enemies couldn't sleep at night.
Wizards had demonstrated their ability to "control the weather," but the government's advisers and strategists didn't think they were limited to just that. They felt a strong threat, wondering if today they merely placed a giant light bulb over their heads, would it turn into something else tomorrow?
This concern wasn't unfounded because wizards did have a type of spell they called Weather Charms...
Two weeks ago, some politicians and public figures raised objections, expressing their concerns about wizards being beyond legal control, either directly or indirectly. Now, those voices had disappeared, and the politicians who hoped to gain support from their constituents by sensationalizing the wizarding threat were sternly warned by their respective parties: shut your beak, or roll back to your hometown!
At this time, Rita Skeeter, who had received internal information, published an article titled "Magic is the Science of Wizards," her way of interviewing herself was jaw-dropping. But it didn't stop her from attracting attention. Many media outlets reprinted and excerpted parts of her article, among which several paragraphs were repeatedly mentioned:
"I had the dream opportunity that countless journalists yearn for, to dance with Mr. Felix Harp at the Queen's social ball." Skeeter said with a smile, "He danced wonderfully, it was quite a delightful experience, and I believe he must have trained diligently in secret."
So countless people around the world either patiently or eagerly read through her lengthy and ambiguous descriptions of the ball before getting to the point.
"Yes, I undoubtedly questioned him, it's an instinct of a seasoned journalist. Needless to say, there wasn't much time to polish ideas on the spot, and opportunities were rare—I asked what seemed like a vague question but hit the nail on the head: What is the biggest difference between the upbringing of wizards and ordinary people? You know I'm not talking about magic..."
"As a professor at the only wizarding school in Britain, Mr. Harp has considerable authority on this matter, and he happened to use science as an example."
"We swayed and swirled on the dance floor, in an atmosphere of ambiguity, he whispered the answer in my ear: the value of imagination. He further explained that many great wizards instinctively create practical spells that can be passed down through the ages; they may have long been engaged in a certain job with a burning desire, or just a pleasant afternoon lying on a rocking chair, suddenly struck by inspiration. The entire process, the wizard's keen intuition about magic plays a huge role."
Rita Skeeter was unrestrained, and her courage had grown. She used suggestive and teasing language to stimulate the imagination, but when other reporters asked for details, she remained silent. She was afraid that Harp would come knocking on her door in the middle of the night and turn her into ashes. She continued to share insights she had heard—
"Magic is about turning the impossible into possible, it's the combination of imagination and power."
"Most Hogwarts Headmasters have adhered to one principle: never attempt to stifle young wizards' imagination and creativity. One former headmaster inadvertently made this mistake by instituting harsh punishments at the school, single-handedly creating over a thousand regulations, making him the most unpopular headmaster in history."
"Of course, I don't mean to say that wizards are a bunch of crazy, incoherent, and illogical folks; everyone has their own personality, but I'm talking about their attitude toward magic. Just like math and logic are dazzling gems on the crown of science, but as far as I know, many scientists have quirks..."
"Scientists build a comprehensive and vast system in their minds by studying knowledge and produce various astonishing results through this system; whereas, the process of wizards learning and digesting knowledge is the process of stimulating their own potential, they are shaped by magical knowledge itself."
"In summary, scientists are the carriers of scientific knowledge, and wizards are the products of magical knowledge."
Wizards have wielded the most essential power of the magical world—magic—since birth, and thereafter, their entire lives are merely spent learning how to harness it. Theoretically, every wizard has the potential to become Felix Harp, become Dumbledore, become Grindelwald...
...
The moon intermittently hid behind floating clouds, a few days shy of being full, hence not perfectly round. A group of wizards stood in the courtyard, gazing at Felix in the center.
"Do you have confidence?" Madam Bones reiterated, "The Muggle government provided data simulating space conditions..."
"Don't worry, I've made thorough preparations," Felix replied calmly. "If anyone in the wizarding world can do this, my chances are the highest." With that, his face was adorned with intricate magical patterns.
Onlookers like Hermione, Harry, and Ron couldn't help but recall the night Voldemort returned: the first time Professor Harp displayed his incarnation of magical symbols. It bolstered their confidence.
However, such ability consumed too much energy. Felix avoided it whenever possible unless absolutely necessary.
Dumbledore excelled in many magics, especially Transfiguration. He could even transform parts of the human body into various magical creatures—a feat seemingly unbelievable to other wizards but merely a "trick" to him. Dumbledore's mastery extended to revitalizing his strength to its peak, even transforming minute parts of the body for heightened combat prowess.
Felix had inquired through Harry but still didn't think he could handle Dumbledore in that state.
Undoubtedly, Felix's expertise lay in ancient runes.
And the "incarnation of magical symbols" showcased his pinnacle in this field. Even if he only converted his skin into ancient runes, he could endure in space longer than ordinary wizards, let alone his other magics.
With the appearance of the Room of Requirement, ancient runes, and the seventh-level Iron Armor spell, Felix seemed like a colorful butterfly to others.
He tossed a silver pocket watch to Hermione; unable to bring Valen along for his first attempt, he preferred to go alone for ease. Once he explored the effects of space and lunar environments on wizards, he could develop a series of targeted spells—similar to how he transformed different emotions into protective Patronuses.
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