Chapter 324 Attempting To Unravel
Although he couldn't compete with the dreadful monster and Salazar Slytherin's strength in his youth, Evan's sudden power surge still boosted his confidence.
He was immersed in joy and good spirits, much like Harry when he won the Quidditch Cup.
It was no longer the terrible barbaric era of wars; dark wizards and dangerous magical creatures no longer roamed the earth as they did a thousand years ago. Wizards no longer needed powerful magic and combat skills.
With the progression of civilization, the overall strength of the magical world was gradually weakening.
It wasn't just about Dark Magic and the complex process of casting spells like the Patronus Charm and demanding White Magic as many would expect, not even many mastered the more common duel spells.
Perhaps it may seem unbelievable, but many Ministry of Magic employees couldn't even use the Shield Charm.
They only knew common spells related to their work and daily life.
It was undeniable that with the changing times, these convenient curses had truly made great progress, and after experimentation and continuous modification, they had reached a perfect state. With them, wizards could achieve almost anything they desired.
The negative effect accompanying this was that ancient, esoteric, and unpopular magic was gradually being forgotten.
The wizards' need for their own magic was diminishing more and more. Besides brewing potions, they no longer needed sophisticated casting materials to assist them. Most wizards even thought that casting a spell was as simple as reciting an incantation and waving a wand.
In these circumstances, Evan's level of magic was now sufficient to stand among first-class wizards.
Considering his age, he had an even more promising future.
If he didn't encounter Dumbledore, Voldemort, or a monster hidden in a cave, theoretically, he had nothing to fear anymore.
After attempting to use several spells he couldn't cast before, Evan, in ecstasy, also thought so, but soon realized he was mistaken. He still feared one person, Hermione!
Lying in the hospital bed, and looking at Hermione's icy face, Evan had a headache, especially when he saw her stubborn little face and the tears in her eyes, he didn't know what to do.
As usual, Hermione said some serious words to Evan.
He didn't dare to refute. While Hermione wasn't looking, he smirked at Harry and Ron, hoping to escape unscathed.
But apparently, he underestimated the gravity of the situation. Hermione started to cry, something completely beyond Evan's comprehension.
"You PROMISED ME YOU'D TELL ME IF YOU DARED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE!" Hermione wiped away her tears and sobbed, "DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS WHEN I HEARD YOU WENT ALONE TO THE ARAGOG'S CAVE TO SAVE MALFOY?"
"I'm sorry, Hermione, the circumstances were..." Evan explained with difficulty.
"Sirius just told me there were powerful dark forces, very evil, besides the packs of Acromantulas!" Hermione sobbed. "That monster is not something a young wizard of your age can face..."
"I'm fine, Hermione, I came out unharmed. Not only did I not suffer harm, but I also gained a lot." Evan reassured her, glancing at Harry and Ron for help.
But both stood there dumbfounded and unsure of what to do.
"Evan, you're an idiot!" Hermione smacked him hard.
Then, seeing no reaction, she suddenly moved closer to Evan and put her arms around his neck. She completely broke down and cried bitterly.
"Yes, I really am an idiot," Evan said gently.
There was a blank space in his mind, and he gently caressed her head in a gesture of shame to console her.
It took a long time for Hermione to blush and rise in embarrassment. Harry and Ron hurried to pretend they hadn't seen anything.
After venting, she looked much better, at least capable of communicating rationally.
Evan was able to tell the three about his experiences in the Lair of Aragog and repeated what he had told Dumbledore and the other professors.
"Did Salazar Slytherin's shadow dominate the monster?" said Harry uncertainly. "But why would he leave something like that in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Does it matter? As soon as I heard the story beginning, I knew it was that old madman. He must be trying to kill all the students," said Ron in a clear tone. "First the basilisk snake, then the eye monster, who knows how many more monsters he may be hiding in the school?"
"Perhaps I should show them these stones that may help solve this mystery. We can try deciphering them," Evan produced some pieces. "I promised Dumbledore that if there is anything new, I will inform him immediately."
"What should we do?" Ron asked hastily.
He had been gazing at the stones ever since he heard Evan mention there might be a powerful magical spell left by Salazar.
Although he disliked Slytherin, he did not reject a possible way to become stronger.
"Because the last spell Salazar cast was in Parseltongue," explained Evan. "I suspect the mentioned text can only be identified by a Parseltongue speaker!"
"Parseltongue?" Harry was astonished.
"I don't know Parseltongue writing," Hermione approached a little and said uncertainly, "but at least, I have never seen such ancient magical inscription before."
"Definitely not magical writing. I have checked before. It is exactly like the text on Slytherin's Locket," Evan also produced the locket.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at the locket again, with various facial expressions.
Just when Sirius was still there, they had already tested the locket one by one, knowing that Evan was gaining magical powers from it.
But no one else could gain a power boost except Evan.
However, no one dared to underestimate this humble locket.
It was a personal item of Salazar Slytherin. It was once selected by Voldemort as a Horcrux. This time, in the underground ruins, it helped Evan defeat the dreadful monster.
This locket was certainly not ordinary. In fact, it could be the most powerful magical item they had seen. It was probably a legendary magical item.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione gazed at Slytherin's locket for a moment, trying to sense the power emanating from it.
But as before, they still felt nothing.
"What are we waiting for?"
Ron looked away and pointed at the stones engraved with urging words. "Harry, give it a try, see if you can understand what's written on them."
"What should I do?" Harry wondered, as he couldn't make out at all what was written on the stones, and the words couldn't be connected.