Chapter 642 The Void In The Mermaid Statue
Despite its proximity to Hogwarts, no wizard was allowed to go to the nearby waters to gather magical materials.
The Merfolk themselves were not adept in magic and potions, hence less inclined to be interested in such things.
For over a thousand years, various materials and herbs in the nearby waters had accumulated in a frightening quantity.
Two months ago, when Evan gave the Merfolk a gift, they were delighted to exchange graffiti, pebbles, shells, and all sorts of knick-knacks for decoration.
It was challenging to turn down that warm offer; however, in the end, Evan could only reluctantly accept the magical materials and herbs brought by some of them.
The Merfolk were concerned because they couldn't find anything suitable to exchange with Evan. Compared to human wizards, their village was too barren in every sense.
Seeing that Evan was willing to accept those things, they felt they had finally found the right direction. The Merfolk began collecting these magical materials to exchange them with Evan.
Over time, the matter became more and more well-known.
The number of Merfolk who knew this news was increasing and had evolved into what it was today.
Indeed, though the Merfolk seemed quite dreadful, they were not truly evil dark creatures. They were not as arrogant as the Centaurs, who did not interact with humans and only lived within the small circle of their own clan.
On the contrary, the Merfolk were very open and friendly.
They admired and longed for magic, were eager to make friends with human wizards, and especially loved items crafted by humans.
Unfortunately, there were few wizards who could speak Mermish and were willing to engage with them, and the wizards who could communicate with them would not do as Evan did. Apart from him, no wizard would exchange items with them for magical materials to meet the Merfolk's needs.
At this moment, a strange scene appeared beneath the lake.
A large group of Merfolk surrounded Evan, bearing precious and invaluable magical objects.
As there was a ritual in the Merfolk colony today, the number of crowded Merfolk was higher than usual.
They floated around Evan, staring at him intently. Their eyes were yellow, just like their broken teeth.
Each Merfolk gazed at Evan lasciviously, trying to display their goodwill, yet their smiles appeared dreadful with sinister intentions.
Out of all the things Evan brought, mirrors were their favorites, and they eagerly snatched them!
It was truly a bit unexpected! Evan wasn't sure if these Merfolk wouldn't be scared seeing their reflection in the mirrors.
After a few words of greeting, he carelessly left his belongings on the ground for the Merfolk to choose for themselves.
After all, they were very trustworthy. They would consciously leave the magical materials for exchange in their place, expecting Evan to pick them up.
Evan walked towards the center of the square and found the strong Merfolk whom he had stunned with magic for the first time.
After several exchanges, he learned that the Merfolk held a high status in the Merfolk colony. He was a very powerful warrior and was respected.
Evan presented the gifts he had specially selected for him. The Mermaid uttered a few words, likely to convey gratitude to Evan, and invited him to his abode to acquire the corresponding magical materials following a certain ritual.
"What is this ritual you are undertaking?" Evan inquired directly, spouting a cascade of air bubbles.
"It is merely a traditional celebration," the Mermaid replied in a hoarse, low voice.
He, too, emitted a flurry of bubbles from his mouth. The Mermaid spoke rapidly, making it difficult for Evan to grasp every word.
However, the general meaning was apparent. This kind of ritual had been passed down from the Mermaids' ancestors and was to be performed once a month.
What intrigued Evan was when he was informed that there were rumors that the ritual initially was an agreement between the Mermaids' ancestors and the castle's builders.
As time passed, the ritual had transformed into a celebration of ancestors and grand gatherings in the colony.
In essence, it was highly probable that this matter was related to the treasure key left by Ravenclaw.
Evan was immediately intrigued. After conversing with the Triton, he awaited the commencement of the event.
Over an hour later, Tritons began emerging from all directions, totaling over 500.
Many of them did not dwell in that lake but had settled in other waters near Hogwarts.
Even in the central lake of the Centaurs' colony, traces of Sirens' activities could be found.
Converging from all directions, many gazed at Evan inquisitively. They pointed towards him, whispering with hands over their mouths.
The items Evan had brought had been depleted forty minutes prior.
In his two extended bags, enchanted by the Undetectable Extension Charm, he carried an array of magical materials and herbs.
A large number of Tritons floated above the Sirens' village square, presenting Evan with a very peculiar scene at the ritual's outset.
The Sirens swam in circles, and some began singing in unison.
It was an exceedingly strange yet pleasant sound, entirely distinct from the Sirens' usual voices.
It even seemed to be in a different language. Evan could not comprehend it, but this marvelous song was the Sirens' Song in essence.
They danced and sang around the square. Despite being in the depths of the cold lake, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm.
What was once deemed an ancient ritual now seemed like a grand celebration.
The sea creatures urged Evan to join them, and together they danced slowly along a special path.
Right in front of the square stood a kind of crude statue; a gigantic sea creature sculpted from rock.
As the ritual activity reached its peak, Evan sensed a strange surge of magic beginning to permeate the entire space.
There was no magic within the sea beings themselves or in their song. Evan had confirmed it!
Yet these singers seemed to resonate with the immense statue of the sea creature, unleashing a peculiar magic, a magic that only the sea beings could harness.
Although not very potent, the deafening sound continued to resonate within the statue.
Evan stopped and gazed cautiously at the enormous statue.
"Fear not!" a triton beside him exclaimed with a smile, still dancing.
After a while, a profound opening emerged at the tail of the sea creature statue, as if a door had been flung open and the lake hurriedly poured into it.
The sea creatures did not enter, they continued dancing and welcoming, but they signaled to Evan that he could enter.
Evan hesitated for a moment, swam towards the opening, and looked inside through the light from outside.
