Тейлор Поттер и философский виал / Taylor Potter and the Philosophical Vial: Глава 8. Дуэльный Клуб профессора Вездесвоя

Chapter 8. Professor Niceguy's Duelling Club
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Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 17:55

The next day (December 21, 2022)

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 18:00

"Don't think the previous attacks went unnoticed by the Headmistress and Wormwarts' systems," Lisa declared, "so all precautions, etc., have been tightened. If we want to carry out the raid successfully, we have two options. First, catch the virus and put it to work for us, using it to disable Wormwarts' systems around Eidolorin's premises when we invade. Second, catch the virus and publicly announce it, improving our reputation and deflecting all suspicion. Personally, I choose the second option, as it's not very feasible for us."

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 18:37

"That won't work," Taylor immediately objected, "they'll just say we created the virus. Remember what Snape said two lessons ago? And why a virus?"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 18:37

"Yes," Amy agreed, "isn't it about the perpetrator?"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 18:38

"The Dursleys' house. The entrance to Platform Nine and three-quarters. Filch and his cat. Malfoy and the match with Eidolorin, in which the armor exploded more often than it should have," Lisa listed. "And the incredible brutality of the match, coupled with the admission of Team Eidolorin and Taylor's permission to summon the battle tree."

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:11

“They’ve already banned it,” Taylor sighed.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:11

Potter did not say that she did not summon him.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:13

And then there's the attack on L33t Montague, after which the rules and restrictions were dramatically tightened. I'll skip the chain of reasoning, but most likely we're dealing with a virus, not some mindless piece of code, but the most complex of viruses, akin to a miniature artificial intelligence. Infection, attacks on Taylor's surroundings, and the display of a face saying "Don't go anywhere!" The goal? To prevent Taylor from entering Wormwarts or to expel her from it. Why doesn't the virus attack directly? I don't know, because it could have, for example, blown up the tablet in Taylor's hands or done something else, interfered with the food delivery system, or ruined her clothes by planting a bomb. What happened every time? Taylor was considered guilty of what was happening."

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:14

"Okay," Taylor said after a long pause, "let's say that's how it happened. What does our raid have to do with it?"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:14

"If the virus is targeting you, Taylor, it won't miss a chance and, say, activate the public address system just as we enter Snape's office. Oh, yes, the security has been tightened, and the virus can't get in on its own, but that doesn't stop it from running in the publicly accessible areas of the Wormwarts system. And what publicly accessible areas are we? That's right, those connected to the school tablets. Remember that face it drew for you?"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:17

"So you think..."

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:17

"Yes! It lives in tablets and moves between them, evading capture. I'm telling you, it's a very complex and intelligent virus. The only thing we can be sure of is Amy's tablet," Lisa said, taking the tablet from Amy before she could protest. "Look!"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:18

There was a pause, Lisa mentally burst into the Evil Laughter of the Evil Megamind.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:18

"Amy?" Taylor asked, confused. "Why are there photos of you healing me after the battle with Dark Cape on your tablet? And why is my suit so torn?"

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:44

Blushing, Amy snatched the tablet away and quickly hid it in her suit.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:45

"We'll come back to this part in the second phase of the plan!" Lisa announced almost solemnly. "And now, the most important thing. How do we catch the virus and clear our reputation? That's right! We need to gather all the students together and simultaneously disable all the tablets, covering the room with a suppression field! Then the virus will have nowhere to go, and it will die. Chris has already kindly designed such a device for me; it's exactly his specialty, modular and multipurpose.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:45

"Wait, wait," Taylor shook her head.

Camrad_RIP 18.01.26 в 20:46

Lisa saw that Potter wasn't thinking about viruses at all, and she continued to Laugh Evilly in her mind. The right emotional tone, the skillful delivery of information — all of it was important. If Snape had been here, he would have definitely given Herofindor five points for her skillful plotting!

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:42

"Why would the virus die? It could lie dormant, take up residence in one of the Wormwarts elfs, or in some sideline, for example."

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:42

"I told you," Lisa grinned, "it's complex, it needs to be constantly active, and it can't sit in Wormwarts' systems. There are checks and restrictions, you know. The Dimension of Secrets — the Headmistress saw it all firsthand so she won't ignore the danger. Therefore, a mass suppression of the tablets will almost certainly kill it. The only thing that could be damaged there are the recent photographs of Professor Niceguy. Why? Because we need to gather everyone together without arousing suspicion, and only the Headmistress or Professor Lockhart can do that.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:45

“Okay, I’ll talk to him,” Taylor nodded.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:45

The professor's presence always made her feel better, as if all the pressure and alienation from the students had faded. He taught lessons skillfully, supported his students, encouraged them, and never pressured them. With a kind word and a dazzling smile, it seemed Lockhart could charm even an enraged trollung. The professor himself singled out Taylor, saying she had a natural talent for Defense Against the Dark Powers and teamwork, and predicted a bright future if Potter continued to strive as fiercely as she had this year.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:48

Amy jumped up and, snorting, ran back to Wormwarts.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:48

"What's wrong with her?" Taylor asked, watching Weasley leave. "Is she upset that Victoria wasn't invited?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:53

"You're right in some ways," Lisa smiled mysteriously, also watching Amy's back, "but it's not about Victoria, or rather, not only about Victoria.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:54

"What then?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:54

"Be patient, Taylor, it's not time yet. The information must be released at precisely the right moment, or else disaster could strike, and this is no joke."

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:55

"When will the time come?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:57

"After dealing with the virus, I have no desire to become the target of another strange attack without a trace."

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 10:58

"Why not tell Headmistress Dumbledore?" Taylor asked.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:09

"You know," Lisa thoughtfully began, twirling her hair around her index finger, then lowered her voice tragically, even though there was no one around to eavesdrop, "I think that thing from the Dimension of Secrets affects the capes' abilities. Nullifies them or distorts them. Anti-cape weapons, remember?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:11

"How then did Fortuna defeat Eden de Wald?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:09

"I don't know," Lisa sighed, "but she's considered the strongest cape of our time for a reason, isn't she? So I wouldn't risk it."

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:12

"Okay, you're the Thinker. What about Amy?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:12

"Oh, she's just worried about you, like the rest of us," Lisa giggled, hugging her friend, "and it seems she likes Professor Niceguy, too."

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:14

"Like everyone else, not just me," Taylor muttered. "Why are you worried about me, while everyone else is afraid?"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:15

“Because we are your friends,” Lisa smiled.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:15

Watching Taylor's retreating back, Granger scooped up some snow and rubbed it onto her burning face. Oh, it was hard to lie to her friends' faces without even batting an eye! Turning off the tablets and the virus were only part of the plan, but there was no doubt that Taylor would persuade Professor Lockhart, or rather, he would happily agree and help.
*

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:16

In class, Lockhart seemed the infallible embodiment of teaching skill and friendliness, but outside of his presence, Lisa's superpower repeatedly raised Granger's suspicions. The virus had clearly been brought to Wormwarts, and students' belongings were being checked on the train, but what about Lockhart? There had been a conversation in his office after the attack on Filch, and he had greater access than the others, as the Defense Against the Dark Powers professor, meaning he could have been harboring the virus. Or maybe not? Lisa's plan, however, included that: disabling the tablets and observing Lockhart's reaction, and so on and so forth.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:26

There was a third, inactive party in this battle of the Thinkers: Headmistress Fortuna Dumbledore. Lisa had lied to Taylor about her reasons for not contacting the Headmistress, and at the same time, Fortuna's inaction worried young Granger a little. The Headmistress, after all, had encountered what was hidden in the Dimension of Secrets firsthand... if that was what it was. An AI virus in 1945? Lisa highly doubted it, meaning either the virus was a byproduct or the weapon in the Dimension of Secrets evolved.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:44

The information obtained during the raid was supposed to help determine, or at least point to, a new direction for the search. Breaking into Snape's office was supposed to satisfy an itch within Lisa, to bring her the satisfaction of the information she craved almost as much as it was to help Taylor. In fact, with the growing itch, the simultaneous desire for information and Taylor's help, Lisa's plan began to intensify and branch out a month ago. After all, up until then, it had all seemed like a simple raid.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:50

The fact that such a hack could land her in jail no longer bothered Lisa.
*

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:50

December 24, 2022, Wormwarts

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:51

Professor Lockhart stepped up onto the makeshift platform at the back of the Great Hall, waving and smiling. Now that she was looking at him in person, Lisa thought he was elegant, handsome, fit, blond, and overall, the guy of her dreams. Nice guy. Judging by the dreamy faces of the students around her, Lisa wasn't the only one who thought so, and she felt a slight twinge of jealousy.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:52

"Thank you, thank you for coming," Lockhart said, activating the microphone. "I know many of you thought this Duelling Club was a joke, but perhaps this knowledge will come in handy in your future life among the capes. Dueling is a common occurrence in cape life, so the most important thing is to conduct them in authorized locations and, of course, to notify your opponent in advance so they can prepare. Attacking from behind, long-range sniper shots to the head, and taking family members hostage are all highly frowned upon in Cape society, and the least understanding are hauled off to the Cage by a Guild ship. Well, now that you've had a brief introduction to dueling etiquette, I'll give the floor to the true hero of our gathering, Miss Lisa Granger, second-year Herofindor!"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:54

"Thank you, professor," Lisa also climbed onto the platform.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:56

She had no doubt everyone had brought tablets, as a student without one could do practically nothing in the vast space of Wormwarts. Sure, they could access the system, but that was (in the eyes of students, of course) like asking your parents to wipe your nose. Not to mention that the school-model tablets were designed for the wildness and occasional stupidity of young capes, and were meant to be carried everywhere.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:57

"Now that everyone's here," Lisa announced loudly, looking somewhere at the ceiling, "then let's get started right away! Turn it off!"

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 11:58

Chris's modules, Taylor's insects, and some extravagant organic solutions from Amy — all of this allowed Lisa to strike, without sharing the details of her plan with anyone, everyone thinking they were working on part of another project. Of course, Wormwarts' systems would have detected what was happening, but that was precisely why Amy's organics were needed: to buy a little time, just a little, while Taylor's insects destroyed the modules, covering the Great Hall with them like a web.

Camrad_RIP 19.01.26 в 12:00