Chapter 414 Meeting The Sphinx

In the days that followed, Levin's life seemed to be split in two.

Apart from building the maze every day, I spend the rest of my free time with Zhang Qiu and give her lectures.

With Levin, a true genius, as his mentor, Zhang Qiu's learning progress seemed to have wings, and he was moving forward at a rapid pace, without having to sleep and eat every day like before.

However, Zhang Qiu is not a super academic like Hermione and Penello, so he still needs to invest a lot of time in repeated learning and practice every day.

Especially among the three courses she took tutoring, one was "Ancient Runes"

This is almost one of the most challenging subjects in the O.W.L. exam.

Each of those runic characters is very elusive. Not only do they have awkward pronunciation, but polysemy is very common.

The same rune may have completely different meanings in different contexts. How to accurately understand and use these characters and grasp their connotation and denotation is a huge test for Zhang Qiu.

If she had chosen this course from the beginning and had enough time to slowly ponder and understand it, then mastering the ancient runes might not be a problem.

But it is very challenging to learn it in less than two months.

Apart from personally providing one-on-one tutoring to Zhang Qiu, Levin had no other good ideas.

Until the main part of the Quidditch stadium's maze was completed, it was time to lay out the traps.

"Zhang Qiu, let's not go to the library in a hurry. Come with me to another place." After breakfast one day, Levin grabbed Zhang Qiu who wanted to go to the library and took her outside the castle.

"Levin, where are you taking me?" Zhang Qiu was a little confused. She was still thinking about the 22 runes that she had not recited today. "We still have unfinished learning tasks.

"Oh, forget about those runes." Levin looked back at her, eyes flashing with excitement: "I have a new idea that may greatly improve your learning efficiency."

"Eh, is it true?" Zhang Qiu's curiosity was immediately ignited, "I'm stumped that you invented another intellectual elixir.

"It's not that simple to develop elixirs with permanent properties," Levin shook his head. "The existing intelligence elixirs that improve intelligence have reached the limit of acquired efforts."

Just kidding, that’s a total of 5 points of intelligence attribute. The intelligence increased by 1 point of intelligence attribute can be converted into IQ by basically ×10. There is a potion that can increase a person’s IQ by 50 points. It’s already great, so what else is needed for a bicycle?

If you want to improve on this basis, you need a conventional method.

"Unconventional method?" Zhang Qiu became even more curious, "What is that?"

"Animagus." Levin answered shortly.

At this time, they had walked out of the castle and were in the bright sunshine.

Seeing that Zhang Qiu was still a little confused, Levin further explained: "You know, my improved Animagus magic can not only turn people into magical creatures, but also feed back some special attributes and properties according to the type of transformed creatures. ability."

As he said that, he suddenly transformed into a Chimera in front of the girl, lay down and invited: "Come on, ride on my back. We can fly over directly to save time."

"OK."

Zhang Qiu skillfully straddled Levin's broad back - she often did this when the two were playing - she was careful not to let her feet interfere with his wings, and then grabbed his mane.

Feeling that the girl on his back had settled down, Levin stood up and flew high with his huge wings.

They took to the air and soared over the castle.

The huge figure attracted the constant attention of the young wizards nearby.

"So, you plan to transform me into a creature known for its intelligence, right?" Zhang Qiu lay in Levin's warm and soft mane, feeling the cold wind blowing across her cheeks, and she asked in a muffled voice, "What kind of animal is it?"

Levin smiled mysteriously and did not answer directly: "You will know when you get there."

Zhang Qiu noticed that the direction Levin was flying was Hagrid's cabin, where several huge sheds had recently been added. The smallest of those sheds was as big as a small house and was covered tightly with canvas, making it difficult to see what was inside.

At this time, Hagrid was working as a construction worker on the Quidditch pitch and was not at home.

Levin landed directly in front of the largest shed and walked in swaggeringly.

Zhang Qiu, who was riding on his back, immediately saw the giant creature standing opposite the Chimera that Levin had transformed into.

It was about the same size as Levin at this time, with a body like a majestic lion, huge paws, a long yellow tail, and a tuft of fluffy hair on the tip of the tail. However, there is a pair of wings growing on the back of this monster. What is even more strange is that its head turns out to be a female face.

Zhang Qiu had seen its picture in "The Monster Book of Monsters", and it was exactly the Sphinx - or to be more precise, the female-faced Sphinx.

This creature is usually found in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. How could it appear here?

But at the same time, Zhang Qiu also understood that the Animagus species Levin prepared for her was none other than the Sphinx.

From this point of view, this creature known for its language does meet the case of high intelligence.

Even so, Zhang Qiu was still startled when he suddenly saw this huge monster, but the female Sphinx opposite had an even stronger reaction. The exaggerated expression on her face showed that she was really feeling The fearful side.

"Get out, monster!" the Sphinx shouted in a sharp female voice, "stay away from me!"

Upon seeing this, Levin immediately changed back to his human form and nodded to the female sphinx to apologize: "I'm sorry, madam, it was my fault for scaring you.

....You're not a Chimera?" Seeing Levin transform back into human form, the female Sphinx seemed relieved, but then she was full of curiosity, "You are actually a human, how did you do that just now? ?”

Levin briefly explained to her about the magical animagus.

After listening to his explanation, the female-faced Sphinx couldn't help but admired: "So that's it, you wizards are indeed very capable.

Zhang Qiu was also a little confused by the previous reaction of the female-faced Sphinx.

"Is the Sphinx afraid of the Chimera?"

She thought to herself that in terms of size and ability, the Sphinx should be comparable to the ordinary Chimera.

When asked about this, the female Sphinx turned her head slightly embarrassed, "Actually, it's not that I'm afraid, but..."

She hesitated to speak.

"That's because there is no racial segregation between Sphinxes and Chimeras," Levin continued, explaining, "And to the smart Sphinx, the Chimera is just a beast.

"There is no segregation, that is to say..." Zhang Qiu's face turned red obviously, and she immediately understood Levin's hint, "But, how is this possible?"

"How is it impossible?" Levin glanced at the stinky face of the female Sphinx and wisely did not continue.

The female Sphinx is a creature that cares very much about politeness. Now that they still ask for each other, Levin certainly doesn't want to mess with her.

Perhaps out of awe of Levin's ability to transform into a chimera, the female-faced Sphinx did not assume an arrogant attitude, but proactively asked: "Humans, what are you looking for when you come to me specifically? ?”

As a magical creature with high intelligence, she is accustomed to humans seeking something from her.

The Sphinx has always been generous with human requests - as long as you can answer her riddles correctly.

This kind of creature likes to live alone, and its lifespan is usually quite long, unless it dies from accidents, violence, or bad luck. Sphinxes seem to die only when they are tired of living, but their long lifespan and living alone make them extremely boring. Playing with humans is their favorite form of entertainment, and they are also happy to share their wisdom.

This is why some sphinxes are willing to guard the tombs of ancient kings.

The sphinx in front of me probably agreed to serve as a checkpoint in the Triwizard Tournament for the same reason.

In comparison, female Sphinxes love riddles the most - they are also the main source of the Sphinx legend.

Among other types of sphinxes, male-faced sphinxes like cool and noble philosophical discussions, while goat-faced sphinxes either like current affairs topics or like to listen to flattery.

The Eagle-faced Sphinx basically does not speak. It is the creature closest to a beast among the sphinxes. It is indifferent to other poisonous words except for threats from more powerful creatures.

Therefore, facing this female-faced Sphinx, he frankly expressed his request: "I hope to get a tube of your blood."

"Do you want to use my blood to enable humans to transform into sphinxes?" The female sphinx is indeed an intelligent magical creature, and she immediately guessed Levin's plan.

"Just like when you transformed into a Chimera."

Levin nodded, not hiding anything from the other party.

For this ancient magical creature, honesty and respect are the keys to building trust.

"Yes," the female Sphinx agreed, "but I also have a request,"

Zhang Qiu noticed that the eyes of the female Sphinx shone with anticipation, "If you successfully realize this magic and turn someone into a Sphinx, you must

Let her come to see me. "

This condition was easy for Levin, and he agreed without hesitation.

"In that case, you can come and get blood." The female Sphinx extended her front paws generously, but after a moment, she took it back hesitantly.

"No, no, although being able to transform into a Chimera has proven your wisdom. But the rules are the rules. If you want to get my blood, you have to answer a riddle for me.

Levin smiled slightly, he had already expected this classic session, "Please tell me, I'm all ears."

As a member of Ravenclaw, Levin has a deep interest and confidence in riddles.

After all, with the eagle ring at the door, he has to answer a riddle on average every day.

So the Sphinx read: "What can bring people back to life? Make you burst into tears, and make you smile. It can bring you back to youth, and it can accompany you until you grow old. It is born in an instant, but it can Last a lifetime!”

"It's memories." Levin replied without thinking.

"That's right, you smart man." The Sphinx smiled very kindly, and stretched out her front paws again. .