"If one day you die here alone, I wouldn't be surprised at all," Harry said softly, empathizing with the python behind the glass.
In such a confined space, it had to face a group of foolish people every day, tapping on the glass to rouse the sleeping python. This reminded Harry of his own life under the stairs, waking each morning to Aunt Petunia's shouting, then making breakfast for the family. At least he could move around the house and go to school, while this python might be trapped in its small cage forever.
Suddenly, the python, which had been sleeping with its eyes closed, opened its bright little eyes and slowly raised its head until it was level with Harry's. Staring at the python gazing back through the glass, Harry held his breath.
The python blinked at him.
Harry was shocked; it seemed to understand him. He quickly scanned his surroundings to check if anyone was watching, then turned back to the giant python and blinked in return.
"I always encounter a lot of stupid humans," the python said slowly, flicking its tongue.
Harry gasped and replied, "I know, you must be really annoyed by those stupid humans, right?"
The giant python nodded vigorously.
Harry was overjoyed; he could actually talk to a python, and it understood him—it was incredible. For a moment, he felt as if this python were a long-lost friend.
"So, where are you from?" Harry asked eagerly. Having a friend to talk to was wonderful; in that moment, the rest of the world faded away, leaving only Harry and the python.
The python flicked its tail against a small sign on the glass window: Python, Brazil.
"How is it over there?" Harry asked enthusiastically.
The python hit the sign again with its tail: Zoo-bred specimen.
"Oh, I see, you've never been to Brazil… Actually, I've never seen my parents either, they…" Before Harry could finish, a deafening shout interrupted, startling both him and the python.
"Dudley, Dudley, come quick, come see this python! You'd never guess what it's doing!" Piers shouted loudly. He had just seen Harry talking to the python, which was astonishing.
Thump. Piers, rushing over, knocked Harry flying, sending him tumbling to the ground. Though scrawny, Piers was much stronger than Harry.
In the distance, Dudley watched with a frown. He had also noticed Harry seemingly conversing with the giant python in the enclosure. Children often talked nonsense to animals, but what surprised Dudley was that the python appeared to respond, as if they were communicating in some mysterious language.
He was about to activate his Spirit Vision to observe closely when Piers' sudden appearance disrupted everything. Dudley frowned and walked over. He had already told Piers not to bully Harry, yet here he was, knocking Harry down. A clear warning was needed.
Harry, sprawled on the ground, glared angrily at Piers, who was pressed against the glass enclosure. Rage surged within him, a desire to leap up and fight Piers without caring about the consequences, nearly overwhelming his reason.
"It's amazing, this is truly amazing! This python actually understands human speech, oh my god!" Piers exclaimed, shifting excitedly against the glass, trying to get closer to the python to see what made it so special.
Buzz! Suddenly, the glass in front of Piers vanished, causing him to lose balance and tumble into the enclosure. Splash. Piers plunged headfirst into the pool inside, sending water everywhere.
"Hmm?" Dudley's expression changed. He stared at the vanished glass, momentarily unable to process it.
"What's going on? How did that glass suddenly disappear? What happened?" Dudley was astonished, feeling as if he'd slipped back into that strange world. Yet everything here was entirely different.
"Ahhh!" Frightened screams erupted. Piers, now face-to-face with the giant python, was terrified. Admiring it from outside was one thing; being in close proximity was another.
Hiss. The python flicked its tongue, ignoring Piers, and swiftly extended its body over the railing, slithering out toward the fallen Harry.
"Watch out!" Dudley, reacting instinctively, quickened his pace. Though the python seemed harmless toward Harry, who knew what it might do? Harry's small frame couldn't withstand a python's strength.
As an extraordinary, Dudley's physique was enhanced, and the Arbitrator's combat abilities gave him superior reaction speed. With a stride, he rushed in front of Harry, blocking the python.
Hiss hiss. The python flicked its crimson tongue, staring at Dudley. Dudley met its gaze coldly, their eyes locking in mid-air.
Harry, frozen in fear, was overwhelmed. The anger, the vanishing glass, the approaching python, and Dudley's sudden intervention—it was too much.
"Scram," Dudley said coldly, his authoritative tone making the python sense danger. This chubby human child seemed to wield a power that instilled fear.
Dudley clenched his fists, muscles tensed. If the Arbitrator's authority couldn't repel the python, he was ready for close combat. His Arbitrator abilities and experiences from that strange world made him adept and unafraid—even a bit excited.
The python hesitated, then slithered aside, avoiding further confrontation with Dudley. As it passed near Harry, it glanced at him.
"Thank you," Harry said subconsciously, understanding its words.
"You're welcome," the python replied.
"Be careful of this human," it added, its bright eyes flicking toward Dudley—a final warning to the boy who'd helped it escape.
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