touchnovel Chapter 323 Cedric
Chapter 323 Cedric
Chapter 323 Cedric (4K) (2/2)
After Sirius shook him off, Lin Qi shook his head helplessly, but a clear and genuine smile of appreciation and pleasure appeared on his face.
He smoothed out the wrinkles in his coat, his gaze sweeping across the boiling red sea below. Harry was being tossed high into the air by his ecstatic teammates, the fire bolts gleaming in the sunlight, and the smiles on the young men's faces were pure and dazzling—the radiance of victory and youth.
But Lynch's gaze didn't linger for long. His grey eyes, like precise telescopes, adjusted their focus, piercing through the sea of joy and casting their light towards the edge of the arena.
Cedric Diggory stood there, surrounded by a few slightly dejected Hufflepuff teammates.
He had just shaken hands with Harry, and there was no resentment or bitterness on his face, only a faint, sincere regret.
He was patting the batter on the shoulder, whispering something, seemingly trying to comfort him.
He stood ramrod straight, maintaining a composure beyond his years even in moments of defeat.
Sunlight fell on his light brown hair, outlining the well-defined lines of his profile—handsome, healthy, with the Hufflepuff's characteristic integrity, and a natural, trustworthy affability.
Lin Qi gazed at him quietly, the smile on his face gradually settling into calm, but beneath this calm, a very faint, almost imperceptible, complex emotion flickered.
He's seen far too many people.
Politicians struggling in the vortex of power and interests, shrewd and calculating businessmen, pure-blooded descendants burdened with ancient surnames and heavy histories, and angular figures like Sirius Black, forged in extreme fate.
But the boy in front of me is a different type.
He possesses talent, yet remains unassuming; he craves victory, yet maintains composure; even in defeat, he prioritizes the feelings of his teammates.
His performance in that dramatic comeback final that just happened was enough to throw any young man off balance.
This quality, which might be categorized as "Hufflepuff loyalty and fair play" at Hogwarts, is more broadly...
In a more complex world, this trait, with proper guidance and environmental shaping, often transforms into something else entirely:
A solid reputation, a reliable image, and a source of immense potential for advancement.
The Diggory surname may not be the most illustrious pure-blooded, but it has a long history and a good reputation.
More importantly, this young man himself is like a piece of uncut but high-quality jade.
However, a chilling truth surfaced like a ghost in the depths of Lynch's consciousness: in the original trajectory, this shining young man would become a cold corpse at this time next year, dying in a conspiracy against another boy, becoming an insignificant sacrifice and footnote at the beginning of Voldemort's resurrection.
Lynch tapped his fingertips lightly on the cold grandstand railing, the rhythm steady, but his heart was far from calm.
He knew that his very existence had stirred up the waters of fate.
The establishment of the Stone Tower Merchant Guild and the First Order, Sirius Black's exoneration, Peter's escape—these changes, like pebbles thrown into a river, spread out in ripples.
But the mighty river called "History" seems to stubbornly continue its main course toward the predetermined dark canyon.
The shadows in the darkness continue to gather, and rumors of the Triwizard Tournament are already looming at the level of the International Department of Magical Cooperation. Voldemort's obsession with Harry is the strongest embankment in this river.
Cedric Diggory, according to the original script, would become an easily erased mark on this embankment.
"But now that I've seen it, this vibrant life shouldn't be wasted like this, much less become a footnote to Voldemort's return!"
With that thought in mind, Lin Qi silently made up his mind.
His gaze returned to the center of the celebration, and his face once again displayed that gentle and cheerful smile appropriate for the occasion, as if the brief moment of contemplation had never occurred.
The Quidditch Cup was passed from hand to hand among the Gryffindor players, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Wood cried like a child while holding the trophy, while Professor McGonagall wiped her eyes but smiled with immense satisfaction.
Sirius was still excitedly commenting on Harry's brilliant capture move, his voice booming.
Lynch echoed, offering his congratulations in a perfectly timed manner, but deep in his mind, the image of the composed young man with brown hair had already been marked with particular emphasis.
The future holds many possibilities.
It is the responsibility of any visionary gardener or educator to identify and protect promising seedlings that may grow into towering trees, shielding them from sudden and deadly storms. This is also a responsibility to the future they are building.
He watched Harry being tossed into the air, then glanced at Cedric's retreating figure, now calmer, walking towards the locker room with his teammates. He silently thought, "Grow well, young man. Your worth shouldn't end in next year's graveyard. I will give you that chance—that chance to live and continue to shine."
The excitement of Gryffindor's miraculous victory still lingered in some corners of the castle, but for most students, life quickly returned to the track of classrooms, assignments, and the upcoming final exams.
Cedric Diggory is one of them.
He was disappointed by the loss in the final, but he did not wallow in frustration.
On Thursday afternoon, a history of magic class had just ended, and students poured out of the classroom carrying their heavy history of magic textbooks. The corridors were filled with relaxed conversations and footsteps heading to their next destination or the library.
Cedric Diggory walked among the crowd, discussing with his fellow students the details of a treaty related to the fairy rebellion that Professor Binns had just mentioned.
He remained calm and focused, having put aside the disappointment of the Quidditch final and concentrating on his studies.
Near the main staircase leading to the auditorium, when the crowd had dispersed slightly, a voice called out to him.
"Mr. Diggory, please wait a moment."
Cedric looked in the direction of the sound and saw a Ravenclaw student walking down the other side of the corridor with a note in his hand.
"I have a note here that Professor Lynch gave you."
He handed over the note, and Cedric nodded his thanks before taking it.
Cedric unfolded the note, revealing a line of clear handwriting:
Unfolding, a line of clear, strong, and still-fresh ink was revealed:
Mr. Diggory:
Please come to the professor's office on the second floor after dinner.
Jim Lynch
Cedric blinked and read it again.
Professor Lynch?
Did he want to see me about something?
Cedric's curiosity was piqued, so in the afternoon, after a quick dinner, he headed to the professor's office for the Magic Studies class.
He knocked gently on the door.
"Please come in," Lin Qi's calm voice came from inside.
Cedric pushed open the door and entered.
Inside the office, the light is filtered through tall bookshelves, creating a tranquil academic atmosphere.
Professor Lynch sat behind the table, not wearing his usual wizard robes, but still in his well-tailored dark gray suit, with his coat draped over the back of his chair.
He was writing something on a document when he heard Cedric come in. He put down his quill, looked up, and gave a perfectly gentle smile.
"Mr. Diggory, it's a pleasure to have you here. Please have a seat." He gestured to a comfortable high-backed chair in front of the desk.
"Good afternoon, Professor Lynch," Cedric greeted politely, sitting down with a slightly reserved air.
Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes calmly scrutinizing the young man before him.
Cedric sat upright, his eyes clear yet questioning; though somewhat nervous, he was not flustered.
Having just experienced such a dramatic defeat a couple of days ago, it's truly remarkable that he was able to adjust his mindset so quickly today.
"First of all, I must say that last weekend's match was fantastic," Lynch began, his voice steady. "Your final chase with Mr. Potter represented the highest level of competition among Hogwarts' Seekers."
"Thank you, Professor." Cedric blushed slightly. "But victory belongs to Harry and Gryffindor; they deserve it."
Lynch nodded slightly, not dwelling on the outcome, and changed the subject, saying, "But your stability at high speeds and your judgment in crucial moments demonstrated a calmness and control beyond your years. This is not just Quidditch talent, but also reflects a valuable inner order and resilience. That impressed me deeply."
"That's why I think you might be the right person to assist me in completing a preliminary test of a recent research project. I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to build and optimize a—well, a completely new magical architecture that leans more towards theoretical defense."
It involves a deep coupling of soul magic and will, demanding a high level of inner stability, clear self-awareness, and precise control of magical power from the caster. I need a student with a solid foundation, a stable temperament, and—forgive my frankness—the ability to remain focused under pressure, to attempt to build upon it and provide the most direct feedback.
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to ensure Cedric could hear clearly: "This magical model, I call it the Deep Steady-State Configuration. It's not an offensive or typical physical defense spell; its design aims to create a buffer and barrier at the wizard's inner level—the boundary between soul and consciousness. Theoretically, it can help resist, to some extent, non-physical intrusions and impacts directly targeting the mind, will, and even the very essence of the soul."
Lynch paused, then looked candidly at Cedric: "Its application prospects lie more in providing an additional and valuable survival guarantee for wizards who may work in special environments—such as handling dangerous magical relics, investigating incidents of mental pollution, or even Aurors facing certain extreme threats of dark magic. I need to collect data on the initial experiences of excellent students like you during the initial construction: Where were the difficulties? How was the perceived mana consumption? After successful construction, what were the specific manifestations of that 'stable' feeling? This feedback is crucial for my subsequent adjustments."
He paused, observing Cedric's reaction.
The boy listened very attentively, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly trying to digest these concepts that went beyond the scope of ordinary courses, his eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge.
"This is a cutting-edge and—sensitive field, Mr. Diggory." Lynch's voice lowered, tinged with seriousness. "Soul magic is considered taboo in many places, and is more often associated with dark magic. But I believe that magic itself is neither good nor evil; the key lies in its purpose. A spell purely for defense, to protect the caster from invisible and extremely malicious harm, is invaluable. Imagine, it can defend against not only physical attacks or ordinary curses, but also some—rareer and more terrifying things: direct attacks on the mind, the soul corruption associated with certain dark creatures, and even the aftershocks of ancient curses involving 'instant death' rules."
Cedric gasped.
He had heard some terrible legends about black magic, but he never imagined that there would be magic specifically designed to protect against them, especially one that worked on the soul level.
"Based on years of research and some—unique inspiration—I've initially constructed a framework and theoretical model for the spell," Lynch continued, his gaze sharpening and focusing. "But it needs testing, not with magical puppets, but with a wizard of stable magical power, unwavering spirit, and upright character to attempt to learn and cast it, providing the most direct feedback—"
The magical energy consumed when the spell is formed, the mental burden it places, the specific sensations when the protection takes effect, and so on. This helps me refine it and determine its universality and safety.
Upon hearing this, Cedric understood Lynch's intention, but his heart still raced involuntarily.
“I’ve observed many students,” Lynch continued, his tone calm yet weighty, “and you, Cedric Diggory, perfectly meet my requirements in every way. More importantly, the loyalty, resilience, and pragmatism you embody resonate with the very essence of this protective magic—guardianship.”
He leaned forward slightly, extending a formal invitation: "Therefore, I would like to invite you to participate in this research project. As my collaborator, try to learn and refine this spell. Of course, this is entirely voluntary."
Cedric felt a shock.
Participate in a professor's cutting-edge research?
Learn a powerful and unique soul-protecting magic?
This is undoubtedly a great honor and opportunity.
But this was followed by a series of questions and an instinctive sense of caution.
“Professor,” Cedric chose his words carefully, his blue eyes looking honestly at Lynch, “I am very grateful for your recognition and invitation; this—this is truly flattering. But, may I ask a few questions?”
"Of course, please ask." Lin Qi sat up straight, showing full respect.
"First of all, why me? I mean, Hogwarts has many excellent students, including seventh-year students from other houses, or—who may be more academically renowned." Cedric asked the most direct question.