bacchusnovels Chapter 482 Qiu Zhang's Actions
Chapter 482 Qiu Zhang's Actions
Chapter 482 Qiu Zhang's Actions
[Holiday Event Quest: Christmas Ball]
[Task Requirements: Dance with different female protagonists at a ball on Christmas Day in full view of everyone (rewards will be calculated based on the number of participants)]
The rewards for this task are as follows:
[Goal: To dance with six people]
[Rewards: Master of Ambiguity Achievement, Eternal Doppelganger Stone]
[Achievement: Master of Ambiguity]
[Quality: Gold]
[Effect: Holders of this achievement can increase the ambiguity of emotions when interacting with others, making the relationship between the two parties more difficult to define.]
[Effect Note: "Others" refers to anyone with magic power lower than the achiever, regardless of species or gender. The achievement effect is disabled by default and needs to be manually adjusted.]
【Item Name: Eternal Clone Stone】
[Item Type: Rare Item]
[Quality: Gold]
[Usage Requirements: Requires a certain level of magical control]
[How to use: Hold the clone stone tightly in your hand and silently recite the incantation "Eternal Mirror Image" to activate the clone effect.]
[Item Effect: Upon use, this item creates a permanent clone. This clone shares the same appearance, voice, and behavior patterns as the user, but possesses independent thought and consciousness. The clone can perform tasks under the user's control, and even act independently upon instructions when the user is absent. The clone can sense and respond to external stimuli, but its life force is closely linked to the user; if the clone suffers fatal damage, the user will feel corresponding pain.]
Cooldown: None
Usage Restrictions
[1. The clone will gradually strengthen as the master grows, and the clone's abilities will increase based on the master's magic power level and growth process.]
[2. Each holder can only have one eternal clone. If a second clone is created, the first clone will disappear.]
3. The clone has a psychological connection with the owner, who can transmit information or sense the clone's condition at any time, but is also easily influenced by the clone's emotions.
【Usage Tips】
[1. An eternal clone is not merely an image; it possesses an independent personality and intent, therefore it should be given excessive autonomy with caution.]
2. Although the clone possesses independent consciousness, it cannot transcend the master's fundamental desires and spirit; therefore, its behavior is always guided and influenced by the master.
[3. Clones are suitable for long-duration missions, intelligence gathering, or complex tasks that need to be performed in place of their master, but their emotional fluctuations may affect the master's mental state.]
[...]
.】
[Goal: To dance with five people]
[Rewards: Ambiguous Little Master Achievement, Eternal Clone Stone]
[Achievement: Ambiguous Little Master]
[Quality: Purple]
【Effect:----】
This effect was somewhat weaker than the previous "Master of Ambiguity" achievement, so Sean only glanced at it before continuing to read.
【Item Name: Mirror Image】
[Item Type: Consumable]
[Quality: Purple]
Usage requirements: None
[How to use: Stare at yourself in front of a mirror for a moment to trigger the clone effect]
[Item Effects]
[Upon using this item, the user will create a mirror image of themselves. The clone possesses the exact same appearance, voice, and movements as the original owner, but has no independent consciousness; it will only mimic the owner's simple interactions or perform tasks. The clone's duration is 30 minutes, during which it will automatically disappear if it is more than 10 meters away from the owner. The clone cannot engage in combat, but it can effectively assist with simple daily tasks, provide cover, or engage in short-term social interactions.]
Cooldown time: 2 hours
Usage Restrictions
The clone can be used a maximum of 3 times per day. After each use, the clone's effectiveness will gradually weaken as mana is consumed, and its duration will also shorten.
[Item Description]
[An ancient mirror, sculpted by time and magic, reflects countless versions of yourself, seemingly observing from the shadows. Point it at yourself, and the image begins to subtly shift, gradually emerging from the mirror to become your alter ego. This alter ego exists silently, like another self, yet it can never replace you. A mirror image is ultimately just that—an image. It won't live your life; it will only bring you a fleeting moment of "freedom."]
【Usage Tips】
[The clone can be used to create illusions, confuse enemies, or buy time for yourself. However, please note that the clone's existence is limited. Once the time limit is exceeded or it moves too far from the original owner, it will immediately disappear. Also, if the owner suffers serious injury while the clone exists, the clone will immediately dissipate.]
Of all the rewards for the entire festival, only the fifth and sixth tier prizes are worth considering.
Further down the list, the rewards are just some system modification attempts and potions, like mana potions, which Sean already has plenty of.
To be precise, it's not that he "lacks" it, but rather that he can't use it himself.
For a wizard of his caliber, the effects of these potions were negligible; their greatest use was perhaps distributing them to his subordinates.
However, the difference between the rewards for the fifth and sixth tiers is huge—one is a permanent clone, while the other is a limited-time version.
The clone ability is extremely useful to Sean.
With the responsibilities on their shoulders growing heavier, having a stand-in stationed at the Ministry of Magic or outside is essential so that someone can step in should any unexpected situation arise.
Therefore, Sean was determined to get this reward.
But how can I dance with six witches without arousing suspicion?
Perhaps thinking of what happened in the first project, Sean's eyes brightened.
Hogwarts.
kitchen.
Qiu Zhang stared at the nut biscuits in front of him, lost in thought.
These cookies look great—the surface is slightly yellow, with golden, crisp edges, and each one is topped with a few chopped nuts of varying colors, some dark brown and some light gold, slightly uneven, and they have a faint nutty aroma.
This must be the best batch of cookies she's made in the last few days.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
This is what my mother said.
In particular, such a technique is especially effective for a Hufflepuff wizard—I remember when my mother said this, I smiled and looked at my father, who seemed very shy.
Would Professor Phillips like the cookies she made herself?
Qiu Zhang suddenly felt uncertain.
These cookies were made for Professor Phillips.
Its purpose is threefold:
First, I want to thank Professor Phillips for everything he did for me in the first project.
Those who are family know their own situation best.
She inexplicably passed the first project without doing almost anything. Among those who could help her, there were very few, and even fewer who were willing to help her. The answer is self-evident.
It's impossible that the dragon suddenly repented and decided to become a vegetarian, right?
Of course, this also includes the training for the flying spell that had no effect whatsoever, and the second one was for the second project that followed.
During this time, she studied the golden egg every few days, but her progress was almost zero.
Thirdly, it's for... Rita's mission.
Several days have passed, and the deadline given by Rita for her mission is drawing ever closer, yet her mission has still not begun!
What mission is it to get Professor Phillips drunk and then extract some exclusive news about his novel-writing process?
I remember Rita saying those words to her so earnestly.
"Miss Cho Chang, you wouldn't want your photo with Professor Phillips to be on the front page of the Daily Prophet, would you?"
"If you don't want to."
"I hope you can find an opportunity to get Phillips drunk and then ask him about the inspiration and sources of thought when writing the novel."
Qiu Zhang looked somewhat troubled, his brows furrowing slightly.
Is this really all Rita wants?
Seemingly sensing Qiu Zhang's thoughts, Rita left no room for refusal.
"That guy Phillips, when he first debuted, one of his books became a hit in half of the wizarding world."
"At the time, many reporters wanted to interview him about the source of his creative ideas."
"However, Phillips has been very evasive and even tight-lipped about this matter," so what might seem like a trivial question to you is a very valuable scoop for us journalists.
"You might worry that I'll take this opportunity to do something."
Rita chuckled, then took a slip of paper from the crocodile-skin handbag beside her and gracefully handed it to Qiu Zhang.
"You will be conducting this interview."
"These are the questions I want to ask. You can take a look now. If you think any of the questions are unreasonable, we can discuss it."
"My request is simple: after you get these answers, just write them down and give them to me."
.
That's all.
As if she had thought of something, Rita quickly added at the end.
"Remember, you must get him drunk. You must conduct the interview while Phillips is intoxicated. Only drunk people will tell the truth; otherwise, none of the information will be credible."
Qiu Zhang subconsciously took the note and glanced at it:
When was your first novel written?
Why did you embark on the path of creative writing?
What inspired your first novel?
Are these novels based on real people or events?
At first glance, these are all very simple questions, and you could even ask them face-to-face, without finding any loopholes.
Indeed, as Rita said—
Professor Phillips has never discussed the early days of his writing career in any publication over the years, and these behind-the-scenes secrets would be important news for any journalist.
Furthermore, Rita also gave her the interviewing rights.
This also meant that even if Professor Phillips said something that couldn't be published in the newspaper, she could still embellish it.
In this situation, although Qiu Zhang knew that the other party was cunning, he could not find any way for the other party to manipulate things.
Looking at it this way, Rita is indeed full of sincerity, even a little too sincere.
Moreover, if one refuses, the consequences would be unimaginable; but is this really something that can be done? To get Professor Phillips drunk, or even—to spy on his inner world?
Thinking of this, Qiu Zhang's heart began to race.
This was something she had always wanted to do—to figure out her place in Professor Phillips's heart.
Suddenly, voices about honesty and morality began to battle fiercely in her mind.
"Ms. Akiharu, I can even have you review the published content before it's published."
That sentence undoubtedly killed the game!
Qiu Zhang suddenly raised his head, his hand constantly stroking the edge of his robe, and asked stiffly, "You really mean what you say? I'll give you the answers to these interviews, and you'll return the photos and negatives to me?"
Seeing Qiu Zhang's appearance, Rita knew that the matter was settled.
“Of course,” she nodded, her tone light, “we can even make a contract: to ensure you’re conducting the interview while Phillips is intoxicated, you must provide me with a photo of Phillips intoxicated when you hand over your answers. You don’t need to give me the photo; I will provide the camera.”
Hearing Rita's further explanation, Qiu Zhang felt a weight lift from his heart.
It seems that Rita really just wanted an exclusive story, and besides, she had no other choice—she had been forced into this situation.
Qiu Zhang took a deep breath and slowly nodded: "Okay."
In case Rita changed her mind, the two of them signed a contract in the end, and Qiu Zhang checked the terms many times.
Breaking free from her reverie, Cho Chang, carrying the cookies she had just made in the kitchen, arrived at Sean's office door.
She reiterated her goal for this trip:
1. Express gratitude to Professor Phillips for his help.
2. To lay the groundwork for completing Rita's mission.
The second point is to take advantage of the opportunity to deliver cookies to extend an invitation to Professor Phillips.
Of course, you can't directly invite the professor for drinks.
That's too strange; it would definitely arouse the professor's suspicion.
We need to find another pretext, and then, during the process, entice the professor to drink with us.
This series of plans had been rehearsed eight hundred times in Qiu Zhang's mind.
As for the purpose, it was simply, "Miss Qiu Zhang, you mean you'd like to invite me to your home on the second day of the Christmas holidays?"
Sean looked at Cho Chang with a rather strange expression.
These past few days, he had been waiting for Qiu Zhang to make a move, but it hadn't happened yet.
He was initially very curious about how long the little witch would endure, but it seems that his special mission is finally coming to an end.
Meeting Sean's scrutinizing gaze, Qiu Zhang's pretty face flushed, and she nodded slightly.
"Yes, Professor."
"I told my parents that over the years, you have given me guidance in my studies and life, especially in helping me with the first project of the Triwizard Tournament. My team was able to pass smoothly thanks to your support."
"After hearing this, they insisted on finding a time to thank you in person and experience the unique features of the East."
At this point, a pitiful look appeared in Qiu Zhang's eyes. She blinked gently, looking like a helpless little deer.
"Professor, you won't refuse my parents' invitation, will you?"
"Of course," Sean smiled gently, then casually picked up a cookie from the plate that Cho Chang handed him, took a big bite, and said, "You know, Miss Cho Chang, I've never known how to refuse people."