A sudden wave of drowsiness and fatigue overwhelmed his mind.
Ian couldn't help rubbing his eyes, letting out several yawns in succession. Nicolas Flamel turned to look at him, seemingly noticing that the Little Wizard's spirit had suddenly waned.
"How many days has it been since you last slept?" Nicolas Flamel observed Ian's already present dark circles growing larger, though he wasn't sure if it was just his old eyes failing him.
"Not at all, I slept like a log last night, and I always make sure to get a few hours of sleep every day. Occasionally staying up late, I'm well aware of the harm it does to growth," Ian replied.
Ian felt his head getting heavy, and his vision was becoming blurry. This sensation was not just like pulling an all-nighter gaming; it also resembled symptoms of low blood sugar.
The activity of his Magic Power also suddenly decreased significantly.
He didn't know the exact cause of this situation, just that it was definitely related to the Legendary Shadow in his mind. Yet, the Legendary Shadow that had absorbed Magic Power now fell into silence, and no matter how Ian tried to inject Magic Power into it, the Legendary Shadow remained unresponsive like stagnant water.
"You're right. At the age of growing taller, one should indeed stay up less," Nicolas Flamel spoke, but despite his words, he opened his drawer intending to fetch Ian some Stimulating Potion.
However.
"Gurgle~"
The Tree-Protecting Leprechaun previously hiding in the drawer had just finished drinking Nicolas Flamel's last bottle of stock, leaving behind an empty bottle before swiftly climbing up Flamel's arm onto his head. With a leap, it landed on the ground, bounced around a few times, and then dashed towards the door.
Ian wanted to catch it.
But perhaps due to the quality of Nicolas Flamel's potion, the Tree-Protecting Leprechaun's little feet ran so fast they left afterimages, quickly disappearing around the corridor corner outside the door.
"Tree-Protecting Leprechauns shouldn't be considered dangerous?"
Ian hesitated whether he should chase and capture the Tree-Protecting Leprechaun. According to the Ministry of Magic's classification, XX-level Fantastic Beasts aren't particularly dangerous, so he wasn't worried about something like the 'Tree-Protecting Leprechaun Murder Incident' occurring unexpectedly.
These Fantastic Beasts are actually very timid. Tree-Protecting Leprechauns are peaceful and extremely shy creatures, mostly relying on insects for food over the years.
Only when the tree they inhabit faces threats will they muster just a little courage to attack loggers or intruders trying to destroy their home.
The largest prey beneath the Leprechaun's claws is usually just a woodpecker. Invaded and disturbed, these Leprechauns use their long and sharp fingers to dig at the woodpecker's eyes.
"I think the little fellow simply doesn't want to stay near you. Don't worry, Tree-Protecting Leprechauns generally won't ambush humans. It probably just wants to run back to its home," Nicolas Flamel said, not bothered by the fleeing Leprechaun, focusing instead on the imprint text on the table.
"Hmm?"
Nicolas Flamel wondered if he was experiencing an illusion, or perhaps it was the excitement of a new research target, as he noticed his eyesight improving slightly.
This was so much that the glasses he wore seemed no longer appropriate—Nicolas Flamel removed them with a puzzled expression, adjusting the lens correction wheel on them.
"Seems my passion for Alchemy has awakened my life again. I just hope this isn't a last glow," Nicolas Flamel realized with astonishment that his hands didn't tremble as much as they used to.
In days gone by.
He noticed that only when working on Alchemy tasks did his hands stop trembling. Nicolas Flamel, slightly perplexed, put his glasses back on, continued going through the imprint text, occasionally casting curious glances at the Little Wizard.
"I was counting on it to help plant trees, but alas, it gobbled down plenty of snacks from my Money Bag," said Ian, who walked back to the office, somewhat disgruntled after looking around at the doorway several times.
"An ungrateful creature. My affinity for Fantastic Beasts was always pretty good before," he seemed very concerned about the Leprechaun freeloading on his snacks for days.
"You can't expect all Fantastic Beasts to like staying with you, just as you can't expect everyone to believe in you,"
"That's something even Merlin couldn't accomplish," Nicolas Flamel chuckled to soothe Ian, handing him a small box of pills left untouched in the drawer.
"Something to lift your spirits?"
Ian, somewhat surprised, took the small pill, sniffing it vigorously beneath his nose, identifying a few ingredients, though most of them were unfamiliar.
Unable to discern the complete formula, let alone identify its effects, he could only make assumptions based on the few Magic Potion Materials he detected.
He didn't suspect Nicolas Flamel of including Oliger inside, a trick only Ian himself would pull. He popped the pill into his mouth, attempting to use his tongue to further examine it.
However.
The small pill offered no chance for tasting; it slipped down his throat almost instantly upon entering his mouth, demonstrating the quick assimilation it promised.
"Smack~ Smack~"
Ian pursed his lips yet found no flavor, but indeed, the effect of the small pill swiftly revitalized his spirit.