Vid had no idea how many people were on their way to rescue him, nor did he place his hopes on others.
In Vid's view, the most dangerous moment was right after he woke up—naturally, it wasn't the cat that threatened him, but Grindelwald's attitude.
If the notorious Dark Wizard, reportedly responsible for numerous massacres, decided to control him and plunder the technology he had mastered using the simplest methods—like employing Imperio, Love Potion, or altering memories—Vid would have no choice but to fight back desperately.
However, he also knew that his greatest value did not lie in the exceptional Magic Ability that stood out among other people his age, but rather in his unique Alchemy Technique.
All those spells or magic potions that manipulate people usually damage intelligence, so as long as the other party wants something, Vid is basically safe.
Vid figured these things out during the last time he encountered an organized kidnapping.
Alchemy is unlike most Magic Systems; it requires a Wizard to maintain a clear mind and precise memory, much like a scientist conducting experiments - they can't be muddle-headed, nor can they be lost in thoughts of "love" with a love-stricken mind.
Moreover, unlike technological products with specific steps, the output of Alchemy—even by the most skilled Alchemist—often encounters frequent failures.
Magic is closely related to a Wizard's mental strength, and Alchemy is no different.
So if there's no willing collaboration, an Alchemist might very well turn into a massive money sink but produce ineffective and useless Gold-Devouring Beasts.
Since during their initial meeting, Grindelwald didn't take control or threaten Vid, the greater Vid's value showed afterward, the lower the chances of Grindelwald suddenly turning hostile.
Unlike Voldemort, Grindelwald values talent over bloodline; he practices elitism and can be friendly and enthusiastic toward those with abilities, even as this famous Dark Wizard.
Thus, when Vid was crafting a tool to invade Flow Mirrors, he didn't fake failures to delay. He spent two hours designing, and as soon as the materials were ready, he immediately began crafting.
This time, he didn't rely on his unique vision but completed the task using only the Alchemy Technique now at his disposal.
Grindelwald also assigned a white-haired Alchemist as an assistant. As the two worked together and discussed, the Alchemist praised Vid's skilled Transfiguration Technique, solid Magic foundation, and unique ideas, and Vid learned some Alchemy Techniques from the German Wizard.
After three failures, they finally saw the light of success on the fourth attempt.
The Alchemist named Vorvillet brought a Flow Mirror to test. They found it successfully replaced the image within, and the transmission of sound and images was very clear and smooth.
"My goodness, I didn't think it would go so smoothly—or at least not this quickly!" Vorvillet exclaimed, looking at Vid: "I guess you've considered this sort of thing long ago, right?"
Vid smiled, neither admitting nor denying.
Vorvillet already assumed the answer in his mind and didn't mind the silence. Circling the radio-like object twice, he said:
"This is your work... Give this little fellow a name."
"Um..." Vid thought for a moment, then asked, "Zero-Day Squirrel, how about it?"
In the computer field, zero-day usually refers to undisclosed vulnerabilities that can be used for attacks.
As for squirrels, they're the natural world's little thieves.
"—Zero-Day?" Vorvillet didn't understand the meaning, but it sounded quite good and nodded: "Great, here's hoping this little squirrel brings us more Magic Nuts."
The main structure of Zero-Day Squirrel was completed, and what's left were some edges and corners for filling and modifications.
"Is Mr. Vorvillet a graduate of Durmstrang?"
While crafting a small component, Vid casually asked.
"Yes, I studied there." Vorvillet smiled: "Although Durmstrang allows students to touch Dark Magic, tainting its reputation, the school isn't quite what most people imagine. Students are serious, but on rest days, they dance and sing as well."
"Does Durmstrang teach the three Unforgivable Curses?" Vid asked curiously: "Do students experiment with Imperio or Crucio on each other?"
"That can't be!" Vorvillet firmly replied: "Durmstrang's attitude towards certain spells is the same as other schools! Including Gel..."
His words abruptly stopped; he quickly glanced at the door, cautious of Grindelwald suddenly running in.
Only then did he lower his voice and quietly tell Vid: "—Including Gellert, you know? Although he was talented, he was ultimately expelled for conducting dangerous Dark Magic experiments!"
—Really?
Vid was skeptical.
Because he remembered during the Triwizard Tournament, Durmstrang's participant Krum was under Imperio's control using Crucio on Cedric.
Imperio can control the cursed person, but it can't implant spells in their mind that they haven't mastered.
Vid didn't counter the statement, but Vorvillet seemed animated by the topic.
"Alas... Gellert was really charming when young; I was several years below him, yet during my studies, I wanted to follow him..."
Vorvillet spoke with longing: "He might have been enamored with dangerous magic and made mistakes... But his original goal was to build a wizarding utopia, considering the interests of the wizarding community..."