...
Vid put away the report and opened the window. The cold wind howled in, as if trying to cool his feverish head.
His fingers gently tapped on his leg, and once again, the heart-pounding data and hypotheses from the report flashed through his mind, stirring a long-lost burning sensation in his chest.
If Cornelius' description could really be realized, it would be one of the greatest breakthroughs in human history: solving lycanthropy while extending human life, even breaking the physiological limits of humanity…
But at the same time, his rationality and knowledge poured cold water on him, making Vid clearly realize that Cornelius was actually painting him a rosy picture.
The picture was large and round, but to chew it down would require countless funds, manpower, and technical support. Most importantly, it would also take a long time and extreme luck.
Coveting Magic, Muggle organizations have not achieved such significant breakthroughs in hundreds of years. Could this makeshift group he established, with so few people, really transcend the limitations of the age, ignore countless unknown variables, and kick human society into a new era with one foot?
Unless Cornelius wasn't a scientist who nearly died of illness, but rather an alien, a man from the future, a high-dimensional being, or a winner in life with his own system…
Otherwise, research that's theoretically feasible would ultimately just be talking on paper, a sweet bait in the game of capital, or the cornerstone of some achievement several hundred or thousand years later.
However…
Vid's gaze once again fell on the description of the lycanthropy hormone.
At least one thing Cornelius didn't say wrong—since hormonal changes can force a werewolf to transform passively, there should also be a possibility of inhibiting the werewolf's transformation and solving lycanthropy. This is a research project with foreseeable prospects.
Moreover, this method combined with scientific research would surely be more efficient, simpler, and stable than the Wolf Poison Potion, with a much cheaper price and longer-lasting effect.
The number of werewolves hidden in the Magic World far exceeds what people can see, and only the "Wizard Supremacy" Ministry of Magic would arrogantly believe they can ignore the existence of these marginalized individuals in society.
The Magic Potion Master who invented the Wolf Poison Potion, Damocles Belby, made a fortune and also received the Merlin Medal.
If someone could completely solve lycanthropy and turn it into a curable disease, what a prestige that would be?
The contribution would surely far exceed "discovering the twelve uses of Dragon Blood."
From another perspective, if werewolves could control their transformations freely, like vampires, it would be a powerful force that no one could ignore.
He mulled over it in his mind and picked up the quill to write a reply, word by word.
As for Cornelius wanting a werewolf to truly participate in the experiment, for now, he could only imagine it.
Transformations of a werewolf are simply too dangerous. Even if a cage is built with reinforced concrete to be escape-proof, if that werewolf had mastered some Magic Spells like Lupin, then there would be a possibility of escape.
Cornelius is the only reliable scientist on Vid's side, and he couldn't put him in danger.
Moreover, the Greys often go to Cornelius' lab, and they have no resistance against werewolves either.
Remus Lupin seemed like a suitable subject, but Vid dismissed the idea after only a moment's consideration.
To Vid, Lupin was not just a simple collaborator or family tutor, he was a reliable elder and a thoughtful yet kind friend.
Though this line of thinking was somewhat selfish… Vid couldn't possibly let Lupin become a test subject.
The quill's tip paused for a moment. Vid pondered for a while before resuming writing.
[Please be patient for a while. Before long, I will bring you a suitable research subject…]
...
When Harry finally managed to keep a bubble on his head for an hour, he was shocked to find that there were only a few days left until the second match.
On this day, Harry sneaked back to the castle from Hogsmeade, exhausted. Just as the Fat Lady opened the entrance to the common room, he saw Fred and George coming out of the doorway.
"Hi, Harry! Come check out our latest research result!"
The twins intercepted Harry, who was ready to go back to his dormitory, with a mysterious air. Their two pairs of eyes sparkled with delight.
Harry said wearily, "Sorry, I just want to go back and have a good rest right now…"
He thought dully, it must be some quick-acting skiving snack that finally succeeded, right? He wondered if it was Nosebleed Nougat, or perhaps Fainting Fancies? Or did their trick Magic Wand have some new feature?
Whatever it was, it couldn't be more appealing to him than his warm bed in the dormitory.
But George unceremoniously put an arm around his shoulder. "Don't be so distant, Harry! This fascinating thing is something we must share with you!"
Fred also took hold of his arm. "Come on, Harry! It wouldn't be any fun if you hear about our great achievement from someone else tomorrow!"
"Wait, I don't want to…"
Harry's feeble protests were completely ignored by the two, who pulled him along, left and right, dragging him towards the Umbrella House.
As soon as they pushed open the door, laughter almost overwhelmed him. Everyone was laughing, clapping, stomping their feet, and even Vid was wearing a surprisingly bright smile.
But Harry only saw the light purple octopus over a meter tall in the center of the room. Its round body had a pair of watery, sapphire-like big eyes, and its soft, bouncy tentacles awkwardly moved on the floor, even tripping itself by accident.