Alhipovna's laboratory was located in a room to the right of the hall.

In the entire academy city research area, she was one of the few scholars who possessed an independent research room. This was not only because she was the infamous "mad woman" of the Landau Institute, but more importantly because of the importance of her research subject.

The room was clearly divided into two parts, as if a manual parts workshop and a study had been combined.

"It might be a bit small, please bear with it. We didn't reserve too many assistant spots at the beginning..."

Alhipovna scratched her head in annoyance, glancing at the bald young wizard who followed her into the room.

"If you have any questions, I suggest you raise them all at once—we are all adults, not as illogical as children. On the other hand, I don't have much patience to repeatedly explain basic theories."

"You said in the hall earlier that your goal is to restore Muggle electronic devices at Hogwarts?"

Quirinus Quirrell surveyed the room and shook his head calmly.

"I'm sorry, Madam—that's impossible. If you've had the chance to read *Hogwarts, A History*, a frivolous book describing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you'll know very well that those magical substitutes you Muggles use—electricity, computers, radar, all that sort of thing, no matter how remarkable and complex—are bound to malfunction around Hogwarts. The magical field in the air here is too strong."

"I don't mean any offense or disrespect to science, but this is the magical world..."

Quirrell said calmly, pointing to the piles of discarded electronic equipment in the corner.

"Obviously, at least within the Hogwarts area, anything forbidden or rejected by magic can never be solved by anything other than magic—that is the rule of magic, two completely different worlds."

"Two, completely different worlds? Such disgusting arrogance and ignorance—"

Alhipovna raised her eyebrows and casually tore a blank piece of paper from the desk into shreds.

Before Quirinus Quirrell could respond, she lifted her white coat and pulled out a rapier-like hardwood wand from her outer thigh, casually rubbed it against her wavy light red hair, and placed it flat on top of the paper scraps.

The next moment, the paper scraps that were quietly lying on the desk seemed to be attracted by magic and were sucked up one by one.

"Because different objects have different abilities to bind electrons outside the nucleus, when two objects rub against each other, one of them will inevitably lose some electrons, and the other will gain extra electrons—a charged object that has been rubbed has the property of attracting light objects. In the process of charge transfer, this is the simplest phenomenon of 'electricity'."

Alhipovna fiddled with the wooden stick in her hand in a somewhat bored manner, looking at Quirrell with a half-smile.

"Mr. Wizard, it seems that Hogwarts' magic hasn't erased the phenomenon of 'electricity' from this world. In fact, thinking about it, it's impossible, right? Unless you recast a completely new universe and reshape the definition of atoms and electrons."

Hogwarts cannot use electronic equipment because charged things will malfunction in this area.

This statement in itself is a very ridiculous and imprecise statement.

Even if the narrow concept of charge transfer, current, is used as the definition of "electricity", it is too far-fetched. After all, the human body itself is an active "electric" life, not to mention those slightly broader electric phenomena.

"Oh, right, you just said that the magical field in the air at Hogwarts is too strong—"

Alhipovna raised her finger and tapped it, repeating the sentence softly, giving Quirrell a meaningful glance.

"In that case, this statement that appeared in *Hogwarts, A History* was added after the nineteenth century after revisions—'magnetic field', or 'field', this definition was proposed by your British scientist Faraday and promoted by Mr. Maxwell..."

"So?" Quirrell asked with interest.

Having previously served as a Muggle Studies professor, Quirinus Quirrell was not unaccepting of Muggles. With the foreign woman's explanation, he quickly realized that this "new task" had already gone beyond the theoretical construction stage.

Obviously, too many changes had occurred in the world during the half-year he was away from Hogwarts.

"Professor Dumbledore said that Hogwarts' 'electromagnetic shielding'... um, let's describe it that way... was roughly confirmed more than a hundred years ago—given that this doesn't seem to be a defensive measure that can be switched on or off, we are more inclined to regard it as a 'semi-natural' strong magnetic field formed in a special geographical environment—perhaps with some 'magical' factors."

Alhipovna straightened up and walked to the mobile blackboard on the side of the room, pointing to the diagrams and explanations on it.

On one of the blackboards, a crude icon of a castle was drawn, with dense, crisscrossing curves drawn outward from the castle as the center. At first glance, it looked like ripples stirred up by pebbles thrown into a lake.

"Unlike any magnetic field environment I've ever seen, you know, it's so incredible..."

Alhipovna's eyes sparkled with extremely bright light, and she said quickly.

"The magical field surrounding Hogwarts has a certain self-awareness, as if it is specifically attacking... no, or rather, touching abnormal magnetic fields that enter its range—in our speculation, there may be a special form of current besides alternating current and direct current."

"It's like a magnetic field with an encrypted channel that automatically searches for and connects to all non-self electromagnetic fields."

Quirinus Quirrell noticed that once she talked about electromagnetic fields and electrons, this Russian woman, who had previously seemed lazy and sexy, seemed to have changed into a different person, exuding a fiery and dazzling aura.

"In other words, there are actually two channels of magnetic field response at the same time—like radar's reflected waves, and magnetic field directional amplification based on technology that we cannot understand or reproduce. At the same time, because the electronic devices we manufacture cannot correctly respond to the identification code, which is the 'magic' signal, they will be defeated by the constantly amplified 'inquiries'."

Alhipovna moved quickly between the blackboards, her light red wavy hair like a dancing flame.

Several boards filled with Russian, numbers, and complex patterns unfolded layer by layer before Quirinus Quirrell's eyes. The original crude and simple Hogwarts graphic gradually became three-dimensional, and even the surrounding terrain gradually became more detailed.

Looking closely, everything was filled with dense numbers and formulas.

"This is not magic's resistance to science, nor is it a high wall standing between two worlds—"

Alhipovna opened her arms, looking at the small step she had taken after spending more than half a year.

This was the final result of the top scholars of half of human civilization gathering, constantly trying, discussing, and calculating. At the moment the answer came out, both wizards and Muggles realized that the world should change.

"So, do you understand now?"

Alhipovna turned her head to look at Quirrell, and said softly with a complicated expression.

"As early as more than a hundred years ago, or even earlier, the will of the magical world or Hogwarts itself was sending signals to the surroundings, exploring and connecting with those things that entered its domain, and making feedback. Therefore, what we are doing is not breaking through any magical defenses, but understanding and actively sending a received signal to it."

"Wait, this is a bit complicated—"

Quirinus Quirrell rubbed his temples in a headache, trying to digest the information he had just learned.

The magical field around Hogwarts is alive?

The electronic devices that had gradually malfunctioned before were not deliberately destroyed, but because they had never been able to respond like wizards or other magical items, they were gradually damaged by the increasingly enhanced magical field frequency?

As a professor of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, Quirinus Quirrell felt that his lesson plans were being torn apart.

"But, I still have a question..."

Quirinus Quirrell thought for a while, preparing to return to the most basic point and re-sort through it one by one.

"Even if everything is as you explain it, the magical field at Hogwarts has mysterious vitality, what does that mean? I mean, you can't even perceive the so-called "signal", so..."

"Oh, yes. You're right, this is indeed a troublesome question, Professor Quirrell."

Just then, a voice suddenly sounded behind Quirinus Quirrell.

"Since we can't find a 'source point' that can respond correctly, and we lack comparative experimental references, the progress of our research has been stuck here for a long time. Fortunately, you appeared at this time, which is a win-win, isn't it?"

He suddenly turned around and saw a silver-haired little witch who had appeared in the room at some point.

The girl looked at the papers on the blackboard while carefully placing a small black suitcase on the empty space on the middle table in the room. She turned to look at Alhipovna and said with a smile.

"Ms. Alhipovna, these are the resources you applied for before... I managed to find a substitute for you."

"Substitute?"

Alhipovna repeated in confusion.

Something seemed to be hidden in the small black suitcase. It was shaking from time to time, and she even vaguely heard a squeaking sound that sounded like a platypus but also a bit like a mouse.

"Oh, didn't you say you wanted to apply for a batch of hamster generators to test the conversion of kinetic potential and electrical energy..."

Aileen nodded with a smile, opened the suitcase, and took out a golden cage.

This was a roller that was larger than the common "hamster power wheel".

A glittering Galleon, protruding outward, was suspended on the outer ring of each layer, like a scaled-down version of a golden Ferris wheel. In the very center of the "Ferris wheel" was a furry black fellow with a long nose and flat front paws like a shovel, which was very peculiar and cute.

"This is a Niffler, a magical creature that likes shiny things and has much more stamina than a hamster—"

As the suitcase opened, the little guy trapped in the "Niffler power wheel" suddenly brightened its eyes and ran frantically in the cage, trying to chase the beautiful gold coin in front of it that seemed within reach.

Aileen glanced at Alhipovna, whose eyes were shining, and added.

"However, you'd better not let it out, otherwise Newt Scamander will definitely come to me for trouble—and before that, the equipment in the lab might be stolen by it."

"Huh? It will destroy and steal metal equipment in the lab?"

Alhipovna looked curiously at the furry Niffler and nodded seriously.

"From the appearance, it is an omnivorous species like hamsters, right? The breeding and observation should be the responsibility of the guys from the agriculture and biology group... In that case, is this a resource provision for a merged project?"

"Well, that's roughly how to understand it, but it will be temporarily placed here to provide labor during the day."

Aileen took out a piece of cardboard from her chest, handed it to Alhipovna, and said casually.

"Sign for it. This is at least one of Gringotts Wizarding Bank's assets. If you accidentally break it or plan to conduct any irreparable experiments, you still need to apply and report it—it's best not to do that."

"I understand, I understand—"

Alhipovna rubbed her hands excitedly and agreed quickly.

Just like in the research institute before, resource applications in the academy city are not unlimited. Some intersecting project groups will share a set of resources, and as the applicant for the resources, they can naturally secretly get some extra exchange.

This is also a hidden benefit. Alhipovna and the researchers in the physics and mathematics departments have long coveted the "publicly funded pig farming" and "publicly funded fish farming" projects next door. Even in the magical world, the accidental mortality rate of those magical creatures is not so high for the time being, but they still occupy a lot of advantages in terms of edible and medicinal uses.

With such a magical creature resource, she can at least ask the project team next door for half a rabbit leg extra every week.

Taking advantage of Alhipovna signing the form and assembling the "Niffler power wheel", Quirinus Quirrell, who had been waiting aside, finally found an opportunity to interject and asked curiously.

"That, uh, Ms. Kaslana."

Quirrell followed Lockhart's instructions from last night, squatted down slightly, and said carefully.

"I don't quite understand why my appearance will advance... um... this magical field research, and what exactly does the win-win you just mentioned mean? You know my situation! I..."

"You can still see ghosts and enter Hogwarts Castle, right?"

Looking at Quirrell, who was a little humble and insecure, Aileen sighed helplessly.

"This shows that even if you have lost your magic power, you are still a wizard—the magnetic field surrounding Hogwarts will identify the regular electromagnetic fields emitted by living and inanimate bodies. Those things with magical elements will interact with this land in some form unconsciously—similar to the way a young wizard opens an envelope by hand for the first time when entering school."

"Well, then why not other wizards or Squibs? I believe you..."

"Do you still remember how to cast magic, right?"

Aileen raised her index finger, and a faint white light flashed on her fingertip.

"Within the domain of Hogwarts, the success rate of wizards casting magic will be slightly improved. Because each of our magic power is like a small river, we cannot accurately separate the groundwater seeping out of a certain part of the riverbed—but you are different."

"Professor Quirrell, your 'river' has temporarily dried up. Before we figure out where the problem is, your body is as dry as a 'riverbed' that has been exposed to the sun for several months. When you return to Hogwarts and try to cast magic or generate magic power, there will be a tiny drop of water quietly seeping out..."

Aileen took a deep look at Quirrell, who was gradually becoming enlightened, and said softly with a smile.

"And what you need to do now is to find that place—either block it, so that it accumulates enough power to break through the rock formation; or knock it open, so that the drops of water become streams, trying to allow it to transmit more magic power."

"If I were to describe it in non-magical terms, I hope you can activate the magic network and update the network protocol."

"In this way, we can not only solve the feasibility of magic energy conversion and the stability of magic energy output, but you can also regain your ability to cast spells, and even help more wizards connect to the 'network', greatly increasing our computing speed—just as Professor Dumbledore often says, no matter which house you come from, Hogwarts connects each of us closely..."

"And then..."

Aileen's gaze lingered for a few seconds on Alhipovna, who was still fiddling with the "Niffler power wheel" not far away.

Globalized magic base stations... signal amplification points... mobile hotspots...

These seem not entirely impossible. After all, the first step of quantum leap has been completed in the scientific level of the next few decades. There is no reason why the more unreasonable magic cannot do this.

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Hooray~ So excited~ The new world is getting more and more interesting~

Big chapter asking for monthly tickets!