Harry stares at Alex, looking slightly unsure and embarrassed, even starting to feel insecure.


    “Fine! Three conditions. If you can’t accept them, forget it,” Alex says.


    Harry smiles in joy but wonders aloud, “But I haven’t even asked you what it is,” looking at Alex in confusion.


    Alex looks at Harry with a wide smile. “It’s pretty obvious. I also think Hermione is a great partner for you. You’re a rather strange hero, Harry. You prefer to go along with other people. Surround yourself with lazy leeches, and you become one yourself. Surround yourself with insufferable know-it-alls, and you suddenly think about the second task despite just finishing the first one. I don’t think that kind of personality is good, but it takes time to fix it. Also, just asking me is already proof that you’re slowly changing for the better. I like that.”


    Hermione silently mutters, “I’m not a know-it-all…”


    Alex taps her shoulder. “I’m joking. Menchi tells me Snape calls you that. Snape is a funny guy if you see him for what he is. I like his jokes, and he himself isn’t as grumpy as he may appear. Once you’re older, you’ll appreciate them as well. Anyway, here are my conditions: 1. She uses the traditional way. NO shortcuts. I’m not taking that risk. 2. I need an oath that she will not spread this method. 3. While she slowly awakens, you continue your training, and you’ll teach her what you can. I—and maybe Menchi—will just fill in the gaps. Is that fine? We have business of our own to attend.”


    “YES! Maybe if Jewel is bored, she can help as well,” Harry says with a big grin.


    “I’d rather not take shortcuts anyway. The traditional way is just fine,” Hermione says before silently adding, “Thank you… not only for this but also for taking care of Harry,” before mumbling, “Who is Jewel? A female friend…? I can’t wait to meet her!”


    “You can visit us with Harry… this conversation is rather awkward… especially in this setting. We also need to talk about the next task, right? Visit us, tomorrow! We’d better get going now,” Alex says before he and Tereza quickly leave the bathroom, look for the nearest exit out of the castle, and Tereza carries Alex through the night, quickly approaching Hogsmeade and their house.


    “I needed that,” Tereza says while landing, looking into Alex’s eyes with a smile.


    Alex immediately hugs her, glad to have spent an exciting night with her. As soon as they enter the house, they feel a bit weird.


    Tereza walks forward, saying, “What’s wrong? Why the scary face? Oh, come on, we’re fine in our house. Why do you always wo—” She suddenly stops and struggles to move ahead.


    “I’m stuck! Alex, help! You were right,” Tereza says, looking scared.


    Alex uses Gyo and sighs, saying, “It’s just web… web hidden by In.”


    “... That little jealous spider,” Tereza complains until they both suddenly hear an extremely sweet but also frightening voice inside their minds.


    “...”


    “...”


    “Jewel, that’s kinda cute but also very silly and childish. It’s time this stops,” Alex says, sighing.


    Tereza also smiles. “It’s fine. It’s true—she’s a child. She’s allowed to do some silly stuff. Children always want their parents’ attention, right?”


    Alex and Tereza try to remove the net but fail, as the net is too durable and sticky to get rid of.


    “Jewel, please stop strengthening the net so we can quickly clean it. I feel you pumping more and more Aura into it. I want to sleep already,” Alex says, and Jewel grumpily obeys.


    Alex and Tereza quickly clean up the ‘web trap’ and walk upstairs.


    “Come in, Tereza. Let’s sleep. I want to talk some more.”


    “I’m not replacing you. You stay as well.”


    — [Scene Break] —


    “Alex, I’m glad that you wanted to spend some more time with me, but this is awkward,” Tereza says, lying next to Alex in his bed, Jewel between the two of them, her red eyes staring at Tereza as if trying to curse her.


    Alex strokes Jewel and says, “Jewel, don’t be like that. Also, you may need Tereza’s help one day. I’m just one player; she’s another. With two of us, the likelihood of finding a way for you to evolve is twice as high.”


    Tereza suddenly also strokes Jewel, saying, “Now that I’m seeing it, you’re really quite beautiful. The moonlight is making your carapace sparkle like a real jewel.”


    “I’m doing my best. Don’t worry, you annoying little spider,” she says, kissing her body and then mischievously whispering something into her ear, Alex unable to understand it all: “This bed… egg…”


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    Jewel’s many red eyes suddenly widen in shock and surprise.


    — [Scene Break] —


    Alex sits at the breakfast table, looking gobsmacked at the sight before him. Jewel is being held in Tereza’s arms while she slowly feeds her various cuts of meat, which Jewel carefully eats, obviously feeling quite happy.


    “What the…” Alex can’t help but cry out.


    “I don’t get it either, but it certainly creates a much more relaxed atmosphere, doesn’t it?” Menchi says with a grin, also feeding Jewel from time to time. “You know, she’s really kind of cute, I have to say!”


    “Jewel is quite similar to humans, she is very emotional. Despite her high cognitive abilities, she also makes a lot of irrational decisions. Of course, I’m not saying her previous behavior was any more rational. Well forget about the logic behind it, this is certainly an improvement,” Rishi says, looking at Alex, who is still confused but also smiling just a little.


    “Yeah… it’s certainly an improvement. Thank you for stopping that silly game,” Alex says.


    — [Scene Break] —


    Hermione meditates on the grass in the nearby meadow, Alex uses for his training. Looking at her with Gyo, Alex certainly sees an improvement. While not all her Aura nodes are open yet, at least half of them are.


    “Looking good, Mione. Two more weeks, and I’d say you’re done,” Alex says with a smile.


    Nearby, Harry is sweating like he’s in a sauna, barely maintaining his pathetic Ren, clearly with his Aura almost fully depleted.


    “Seven minutes of Ren, Harry. That’s certainly not bad. You’re improving rapidly. Keep it up along with physical training, a lot of food, and you’ll get there,” Alex notes.


    “... Jewel is so young, and she’s nearly as good as you. I feel like I’m not improving fast enough,” Harry says, feeling a bit unsure about his progress.


    “Okay, we’re done for today, both of you. Harry, just believe me. You’re doing good! Stop this pessimism. Nen takes time! The Yule Ball is in two days, and you need to rest. Might as well take a small break until then, especially with your mindset. You can’t rush this. Don’t miss out on magic too, Harry. Nen should only be your second priority,” Alex orders.


    “Thank you, Master,” both of them say, Hermione still blushing and looking visibly uncomfortable saying that.


    “You don’t need to…” Alex tries to say, but Hermione quickly interrupts him. “No… I’m grateful. I guess this is just something new. Even with this state of half-awakening, I feel so strong and energized. I can last much longer in the library and need much less sleep. This is simply a miracle. I’m super thankful! Also, I love spending time with Jewel. She’s such a nice spider. She visits me in the library and my dorm from time to time, and her web-writing is so cute. She’s my newest study partner. We’re learning so much together.”