On the grass beside the path leading to the Quidditch pitch, the morning mist gradually began to disperse as sunlight slanted in from the direction of the castle.
After listening to Lucien explain the functions of the Beauty Spring, Cho's gaze fell on the nearly completed magical fountain, her dark eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Lucien, is this fountain really like the Beauty Spring at Beauxbatons? Can it really make people more beautiful?"
She could barely conceal the excitement in her voice, and her grip on her broom tightened slightly.
After all, what girl would refuse the chance to become more beautiful?
Lucien kept working as he adjusted several subtle magical nodes with his wand and embedded the rune plate into the base while explaining.
The original Beauty Spring at Beauxbatons mainly had an excellent cleansing effect, making the skin appear clearer and more radiant. In other words, it made people look more beautiful.
But after Lucien's improvements, consistently using water from the Beauty Spring for washing and bathing could subtly adjust a person's appearance.
It mainly corrected facial development issues caused by breathing habits, dietary preferences, and even patterns of speech and pronunciation.
"For example, facial asymmetry caused by always chewing on one side, or a receding chin caused by long-term mouth breathing. It adjusts these acquired problems back toward their ideal state."
"But it isn't a complete transformation," Lucien added. "Everyone has their own natural limits. It's not as if you'll become a completely different person after using it. At that point, it wouldn't be magic anymore. It would be, well, some kind of evil plastic surgery..."
Cho listened intently, her eyes shining.
She subconsciously touched her cheek, seemingly imagining what she might look like after the adjustments.
As they spoke, the final component of the Beauty Spring was fitted into place.
Lucien took two steps back, raised his wand, and gave it a light flick.
Magic surged from the tip of his wand and flowed into the rune array at the centre of the fountain.
Immediately afterward, the bottom of the fountain lit up layer by layer. Silver, pale gold, and light blue light flowed in sequence, like a pulse awakening.
A moment later, a thin stream of water rose from the centre of the pool, traced an elegant arc through the air, then fell back with a crisp, pleasant tinkling sound.
The spring water trickled softly, shimmering with countless tiny glints beneath the morning sunlight.
Cho watched the scene and couldn't help taking a step forward.
"Lucien, can I try it first?"
Her voice carried both anticipation and a hint of shyness.
Lucien gestured toward the fountain with a smile.
"Please."
He had replicated this magical fountain specifically for the students of Hogwarts. It could be considered a small benefit for the school.
He had hurried to complete it as soon as he returned partly because he wanted to add a little something extra to the Valentine's Day atmosphere.
After using the spring water, the young witches and wizards would surely feel at least a little more confident.
Cho set down her broom and quickly walked to the edge of the fountain.
She crouched down and gently scooped up a handful of spring water. It shimmered faintly in her palm and felt cool and silky against her skin.
Cho took a deep breath and splashed the water onto her cheeks.
The sudden coolness made her shiver slightly, but immediately afterward, an indescribable sense of comfort seeped into her skin, as though countless tiny pores had opened at once.
Cho closed her eyes and savoured the sensation for several seconds before opening them again. She instinctively reached into her pocket for her small mirror.
Instead, her fingers touched the hard surface of her protective gear, and she awkwardly began to pull her hand back.
Lucien noticed and casually waved his wand.
A stream of water rose from the fountain at his command, spreading through the air before quickly condensing into a surface as smooth as a mirror.
The water was perfectly still and clear, reflecting Cho's face.
Cho froze for a moment, then began examining herself carefully in the "water mirror."
She tilted her face slightly, then turned her head from side to side, earnestly observing the effects of the spring water.
Of course, the results wouldn't appear that quickly.
The beautifying effects of the spring water required long-term use. It wasn't the kind of magic that produced immediate results after a single wash.
But in Cho's eyes, the face reflected in the mirror seemed a little fairer and smoother, with a slightly healthier glow. Perhaps it was only psychological, or perhaps the spring water really was already having some effect.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly, and a smile spread through her dark eyes.
"I feel... like it really did change a little?"
Cho sounded uncertain, but the joy in her voice was obvious.
Riemann stood to the side, watching the entire scene.
When he saw Lucien casually wave his hand and condense the flowing water into a mirror, his eyebrows twitched slightly.
That was a good trick.
He had to learn it.
Riemann silently made a note of it. If he could use such a trick while out with his fiancée, casually conjuring a water mirror as they walked by the lake so she could see herself nestled beside him, the effect would definitely be better than giving her any gift.
This lower-year classmate really was talented.
In every possible way.
________
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