Chapter 16: Chapter 16: 5000 Galleons, Such a Bargain!
After half a year of intensive study and consultation, Bell not only officially delved into the realm of alchemy but also conducted a thorough review, bolstering his foundational knowledge.
Simultaneously, he sought guidance from several wizards of proud lineage, learning a wealth of experience and knowledge, and devised a training regimen for himself.
Bell embarked on another journey of research and development, this time brimming with confidence that he would undoubtedly succeed! And indeed, his intuition proved right. In just a month's time, Bell successfully crafted the Iron Armor Enchantment Ring (imbued with magical power by a wizard, capable of forming an iron armor enchantment).
The protective capabilities of the Iron Armor Enchantment Ring far exceeded Bell's expectations compared to the "Hex-Proof Hat," but Bell was not satisfied in the slightest. Because for a wizard proficient in the Iron Armor Enchantment, this ring was meaningless.
Similarly, for Bell, who had already mastered the Iron Armor Enchantment, it held little value.
So, this ring was merely a starting point, far from completion.
Next, Bell planned to make improvements to the Iron Armor Enchantment Ring in two directions.
Firstly, to enable the ring to store a large amount of magical power, so that wizards wouldn't need to expend their own magical energy after activating the ring, potentially saving a wizard's life in a crisis.
Secondly, to set the trigger condition for the ring to activate automatically upon being attacked, granting wizards time to react when suddenly ambushed.
In addition to the Iron Armor Enchantment Ring, Bell also intended to continue improving and developing various existing magical items, crafting even more powerful and practical magical artifacts.
For example: referencing the Scrying Mirror to create a magical artifact specifically designed to sense danger; referencing the Magic Eye to craft glasses capable of seeing through hidden magic; referencing the Flying Broomstick to create convenient flying shoes for use in combat, and so on.
Bell had no idea how much time and effort it would take to preliminarily realize his ideas. But he knew that if he didn't try, it would never be possible!
As for hoping that others could invent similar magical artifacts? Bell had never entertained such a thought. It's better to rely on oneself than others. Bell always trusted only himself and his family.
...
"Bell! I heard you took 5000 Galleons to the Weasley family today? What did you do with so much money?" William asked his son at the dinner table.
In truth, he didn't care much about the 5000 Galleons, as it was just 5000 after all, and he spent more than that on hosting a banquet at home. But this money was taken by Bell, which made it different.
William knew very well that his son had a somewhat unconventional view of Galleons. He truly didn't see money as money! Ever since that night a few years ago when Bell expressed his views on Galleons, William had been worried that Bell would spend money recklessly. If that were the case, even with several more vaults of Galleons at home, it wouldn't be enough for Bell's extravagance!
Fortunately, things didn't develop in the direction William didn't want to see. Not only that, but the situation turned out better than he expected.
Bell wasn't just refraining from spending money recklessly; he wasn't spending money at all. He hadn't even spent a single Knut. From eating to dressing to using, everything was bought by his mother, Elena.
Apart from the taste of the food, Bell never demanded anything, such as the quality of clothes or the preciousness of gifts; he accepted whatever was given without complaint.
Compared to the young masters of other families, Bell was so obedient that his mother was moved to tears.
Even though Bell had recently started hiring tutors and studying alchemy, spending a lot of Galleons and consuming a lot of magical materials, William wouldn't stop him. It was not a problem to spend as much as he wanted; he was willing to pay for it.
However, today, when William returned home, he heard that Bell had taken away 5000 Galleons and apparently visited the Weasley family, only to return empty-handed?
The Weasley family was so poor they could hardly make ends meet. What valuable thing could there possibly be worth 5000 Galleons? Could it be that Bell was finally going to unveil his disguise and start squandering money recklessly!?
William felt as the head of the family, he had to firmly put a stop to Bell's extravagant behavior!
"Oh, I bought this."
Bell took out a stack of parchment from his pocket and handed it to his father.
William carefully examined it and found that the parchment contained instructions on how to modify a Muggle car?
William had indeed heard that Arthur Weasley was very obsessed with Muggle items and often used magic to modify them.
Strictly speaking, such behavior was somewhat irregular, but because the Weasleys always kept it within the confines of their home for their own amusement, no one bothered to intervene; at most, it was taken as a joke to laugh at. After all, despite being nearly destitute, the Weasley family still had extensive social connections due to their long-standing pure-blood lineage.
But what's the point? William looked up, casting a skeptical glance at his son.
"I think Mr. Weasley's skills are very valuable, so I bought it."
"Just this? You spent 5000 Galleons just to buy this?"
William seriously doubted that his son had been deceived. He decided he would go find trouble with the Weasleys tomorrow. For such a piece of junk, that guy Weasley dared to ask for 5000 Galleons? It's not even worth 500! That guy must be crazy broke!
"Yeah, I think 5000 is quite cheap. Mr. Weasley initially refused to accept so much, insisting on just a few hundred Galleons as a token of appreciation. I'm not the kind of person to take advantage of others, so with my insistence, Mr. Weasley finally accepted."
"..."
The plan to find trouble with the Weasleys came to naught.
Bell glanced at his father with a calm expression, saying, "Rest assured, 5000 is really not expensive, and this skill will bring us huge profits."
"I believe in ghosts!"
William silently cursed in his heart, but since reality had turned out this way, he couldn't change anything. He could only hope that what Bell said was true.
...
A month later, tonight William was going to attend a banquet, so he returned home earlier than usual.
Dressed in a handsome suit, after carefully grooming himself in front of the mirror, William wore a warm smile on his face as he walked out of the castle's gate. He was going to apparate to the venue of the banquet. Using Floo Powder would inevitably get him dusty, and long-distance apparition was also a way to demonstrate his abilities.
"Ah—! My eyes—!"
As he pushed open the gate, a dazzling light shot straight into William's eyes, causing him to feel like he was surrounded by a white void and couldn't see anything. If he didn't know he was at home and that the defensive wards hadn't been breached, William would have thought he was being ambushed.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone