Harry was walking out of the room with Dumbledore. Although he cannot see the vivid picture of his family, he still has the present from Christian. When he misses them, he can look at them.
"This was a nice gift your friend gave you," said Dumbledore, noticing Harry holding the locket around his neck.
"Yes, it was," nodded Harry. "Sir, something has been troubling me, but I don't know if I should say it."
"Bottling up thoughts or emotions is never the solution."
"You're right. Well, it's this way: people often say how I caused Voldemort's downfall. But wouldn't it make sense for someone like Christian to be capable of such a thing?"
"I can see why you would think this way," said Dumbledore calmly. "However, the difference between you and Christian is not as wide as you imagine. For example, in terms of natural talent, you're not far off."
"Professor, there is no need to say these words; I doubt even you believe them," said Harry.
"I do not need to lie. I've seen your progress in the Dueling Club, and I know your potential," said Dumbledore. "The biggest difference between you and him is the mindset."
"Mindset? I don't understand."
"Christian is ambitious, driven, and extremely disciplined. So, he has no problem spending hours learning or practicing magic." Christian reminded him of a young version of him or Tom without all the followers.
"Meanwhile, you're more carefree and outgoing, hence why your passion is for Quidditch."
"Is that so?" muttered Harry.
"Of course, you have abilities that Christian, or any wizard or witch, might not achieve in their entire life."
"And what is that?"
"A brave heart and resilient mind."
"How are those gifts?" asked Harry, and Dumbledore stopped to look at the boy. He knew the terrible situation the boy had lived in for most of his life, yet he remained kind, without any hatred or resentment toward the world. This is what Dumbledore appreciates most about him.
"One day, you will learn how valuable these abilities are," said Dumbledore, looking him directly into the eyes from his half-moon glasses. "They might even be the key to saving the wizard world. Now, return to your common room. Don't come here again."
…
The next day after Christmas, Christian visited the House Elf Welfare Association. As his mother promised, they only had offices in European magical communities for now and were prepared to expand to other countries. On the 27th, Aunt Eleanor returned to work, resuming her busy life. The following day, Aunt Arielle and Sullivan also left.
On January 1st, he received the first volume of his comic and was very satisfied with the outcome. As he drank his Soup Joumou, he opened the first page and saw the moving pictures, Christian felt like he was watching a cartoon or anime instead of reading a comic, and adding the fact he used the same drawing style as the actual Yu-Gi-Oh anime, it truly felt like he had brought anime to the magical world.
On January 3rd, the first volume was officially published. Christian did not have a release conference or a signing as he did not want to fuel his desire to be in the spotlight and become another Lockhart. Of course, the publishing companies that released the comic did not shy away from publicizing his name.
January 4th:
"So, how is it?" asked Christian.
"Well, it's another sensation," replied Tiara, holding a few magazines.
"Really? But it's just a comic."
"You know it's not just a comic."
"Yeah, I talk about issues plaguing the magical world under the guise of a comic, but that's not enough to cause a sensation," said Christian, genuinely puzzled.
"The end and beginning of the year are slow news weeks, so these reporters sensationalized your comic to sell more papers," explained Tiara. "You should see what that woman Rita Skeeter wrote."
"What did she say? No, never mind."
"You only need to know she knows how to use controversy to sell papers," said Tiara. "Luckily, she did not go too far; otherwise, I would have paid her a visit."
"I still feel like this release should not be this popular."
"It's very easy to understand why," said Tiara. "There are three primary forms of entertainment in the wizarding world: Quidditch, the radio, and reading. And now you've added a new form of entertainment— comics. Although it existed before, it was not well-known and was primarily associated with children. But now, with your new style, you've shown the world a new creative medium for telling stories that even adults can enjoy.
"On top of everything else, people are also looking forward to the project you announced coming once this story ends." Tiara sighed.
"Honestly, I don't think you should have done that. What happens if you cannot create the real Duel Monster game?"
"That's why I kept it a secret. I will announce something else if I fail, and no one will know."
"I'm not sure about that. Some people have already guessed," said Tiara, handing him a newspaper.
"How is that possible?" said Christian as he read it. "It's Lockhart again." The bastard told a reporter about his spell, and the article wrote about possible uses for this spell. One of those possibilities was to create the real version of Duel Monster Fight.
"Anyway, I have plausible deniability." If someone asks, he will only reply that he never said the project was the real Duel Monsters Fighting.
"True, so how is it going anyway?" asked Tiara.
"I have a prototype, but it's still in the early stages," replied Christian as he summoned the prototype from his study room to show her. He placed a card into the Duel Disk, but nothing happened.
"I've enchanted this thing with the Hologram Charm, but the thing cannot read or detect the cards to know which creature to create."
"So, the disk can only be used by your thoughts to create the creatures?"
"Yes." Christian removed the card and imagined the Dark Magicians, and the hologram appeared before him. "I need a spell that allows the disk to scan the cards, recognize the creature, and create it."
Tiara frowned, "I don't know such a spell."
Christian was in a similar dilemma. He knew a few spells that had similar functions. For example, Scalpel Revelaspell is used to identify the ingredients of any potion, and the spell his mother taught him to identify non-magical poisons.
"I asked Professor Flitwick if he knew such a spell, and he told me he remembered something but needed to find it. It's been two days, and still no answer."
"At least there is hope."
January 6th was when Christian had to return to school. Although the comic was only released two days ago, the sales volume was huge, according to his mother's report. When Christian returned to school, he knew the full extent of the comic's popularity.
As he tried to find a compartment in the train, he immediately heard a few students talking.
"Did you read the Mukasa comic?"
"Of course. Everyone in my house was talking about it."
"Who's your favorite character?"
"Seto."
"As in Seto Kaiba?"
"Yes."
"Why would you like anyone from the Ten Clans?"
"Seto is not like them; he only cares about winning and proving he is the best. I'm betting he will go against his family in the upcoming volume."
"Willing to do anything to win?" sneered the student. "So, you agree with how he forced Mukasa's mentor to hand over the Blue-eyed White Dragon?"
"Whatever it takes to win."
"I never thought you had some Slytherin in you."
Christian smiled before finding an empty compartment to sit in. After he left, one of the students caught his passing back.
"Was that Christian?"
"I think so."
"Do you think it would be weird if I asked him for spoilers on the second volume?"
"Probably."
"What if I ask for his autograph?"
"Probably still weird."
"But I really want it."
"Maybe try to do it naturally while he's in the hallways or something."
"That's a good idea. I should expect nothing less than a conniving Seto fan."
"Shut up. By the way, who's your favorite character?"
"Of course, it's the best duelist in the world and the leader of the rebellion, Joe Winchester."
"The Muggle?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, just surprised."
"If Joey were a wizard, he would have been unrivaled."
"Now you're going too far."
"Really? He has no Millennium Item and has to fight while being severely suppressed, draining him physically and mentally, yet he's still one of the best duelists in the realm."
"Even if what you say is true, I still think you're exaggerating. Joey…"