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The Mage's Path: Chapter 23
🕑 Added 2025-02-02 09:28:00 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here’s the final chapter for the week. Harry finishes the dungeon and continues to research the scar on his forehead.
Chapter 23
Harry backed away from the edge as the mutated Drowner launched itself high into the air and onto the platform he was standing on. Water cascaded off its muscled frame in sheets.
He didn’t like the position he was in, as he had little space to move around.
"Scan."
======Evolved Drowner | Level: 18 | Type: Boss | Aquatic Undead | HP: 1600/1600 | MP: 700/700
Primary Attributes: Strength: 40 | Agility: 30 | Spirit: 30
Defence: 25
Primary Skills
Tidal Surge: Creates a massive wave to sweep away opponents.
Hydro Cannon: Launches concentrated water blasts that pierce armour.
Rending Claws: Has a 25% chance to inflict Bleeding.
Drag Under: Grabs targets and attempts to drown them..
Fin Slash: Uses dorsal fin as a blade for devastating cutting attacks.
Monster Traits
Amphibious: Enhanced movement in water and on land.
Water Lord: Doubles damage and defence while submerged.
Hydro Regeneration: Rapidly heals while in contact with water.
Weakness to Lightning: Takes 50% additional damage from electrical attacks.
======
Exp: 2400
Loot: 700 pounds, Water Core, Drowner's Heart.
Bestiary Entry: 0/1 defeated
Description: The Evolved Drowner towers over its lesser kin. The dorsal fin running down its spine serves as both weapon and rudder, allowing for explosive bursts of speed both in and out of water. Though it retains traces of its human origin in its basic shape, the prolonged mutation has transformed it into the apex predator of this corrupted domain. Its mastery over water makes it a lethal opponent, especially in its aquatic territory where its abilities are amplified. ======
The boss monster’s parameters were equivalent to the boss in the Aspen Horror Dungeon, if not a little better. Eight levels separated the two bosses, so he expected there to be a bigger difference. Not that he was complaining. The upcoming battle still made his palm sweat, but he didn’t have time to worry about it.
The creature's maw stretched into an impossibly wide grin. Its dorsal fin sliced through the air as it lunged, forcing Harry to dive aside. The platform's edge crumbled where the fin struck, chunks of wood splashing into the pool below.
Grove intercepted the monster's follow-up attack, its wooden shield splintering under the impact. The Drowner's claws tore through Grove's frame, leaving deep gouges in the wood.
"We need more room," Harry called, pulling out the waterwalking scroll. "Grove, stay on the platform and assist from above."
Celeste zipped around his head. "Speak for yourself."
He broke the seal, and magic tingled through his boots. "Come on, you ugly brute!"
He stepped off the platform, falling several feet until he hit the water. The surface bent under his weight like rubber before springing back, leaving him standing atop the murky pool. The Drowner's eyes tracked his movement, its head tilting at an unnatural angle.
The monster dove into the water, vanishing beneath the dark surface. Harry kept moving, not wanting to present a stationary target. His boots left ripples with each step.
A shadow passed beneath him. Harry leapt as the Drowner erupted from below, its jaws snapping shut on empty air. Before it could submerge again, Grove's roots shot down from above, wrapping around its torso.
The Drowner thrashed, muscles bulging as it strained against the roots. Its dorsal fin sliced through several tendrils, but more replaced them. Grove pulled, dragging the monster partly above the surface.
Harry drew his dagger and charged. The blade's fire enchantment sizzled as he slashed across the creature's exposed chest. Steam hissed where the heated metal met wet flesh.
The monster's tail whipped around, catching Harry in the ribs. The impact sent him skidding across the water's surface.
Harry's HP: 275/324
The Drowner broke free of Grove's hold, diving deep. The water around it began to churn.
"Incoming!" Celeste shouted.
A massive wave rose before Harry, twice his height and growing. He scrambled backwards, but the water crashed down with devastating force, flattening him against the water's surface. Only the scroll's magic kept him from being dragged under.
Harry's HP: 195/324
Grove's roots shot down from the platform, wrapping around Harry's torso and yanking him clear before he could take even more damage.
He fumbled for a potion from his belt and gulped it down.
Harry's HP: 265/324
His health continued to tick upward as the potion's secondary effect took hold.
The Drowner burst from the chaos, water streaming from its gills, launching itself onto the platform where Grove stood. Its claws raked across Grove's chest, tearing through the wood while the golem was preoccupied with helping Harry. Grove stumbled backwards, raising its shield to defend itself.
Grove's HP: 89/200
"Cursed Weapon!" Celeste shouted.
Harry's HP: 147/162
Dark energy wreathed Harry's dagger. He lunged forward, blade seeking the monster's throat as it fell back towards the water. The Drowner twisted, avoiding a killing blow, but the cursed weapon opened a deep gash across its shoulder. It crashed back into the water, its blood spreading in dark clouds beneath the surface.
Harry frowned. He was distracted by something blinking on his HUD.
The Drowners' attack had inflicted the bleeding status on Grove. Its health continued to drop steadily, and he had no way to fix it.
Grove's HP: 45/200
The water churned as a shadow darted beneath Harry's feet. He gripped his dagger tighter, tracking their movement. The Drowner burst from the water behind him, its massive jaws wide. Harry spun, but too slowly.
Teeth clamped around his torso. The monster dragged him under, the scroll's magic shattering as they plunged into the depths. Water rushed into Harry's lungs as the creature's Drag Under ability took effect.
Harry's HP: 89/324
Celeste's voice pierced the water. "Fairy Sacrifice!"
The spell activated. The Drowner's teeth still clamped around his torso, but each puncture wound transferred instantly to Celeste's tiny form. Her scream pierced the water as she absorbed his injuries, keeping him alive while the monster tried to drown him. He kicked towards the surface, lungs burning, while Celeste's magic continued shielding him from harm.
Celeste's HP: 27/150
Grove's roots plunged into the water, creating a lattice for Harry to climb. He hauled himself up, coughing and gasping. The Drowner released him, but the damage had already been done. She dropped from the air, her wings barely keeping her aloft.
"Finish it!" Celeste croaked, her tiny form shuddering.
The monster's dorsal fin cut through the water as it circled. Its Hydro Regeneration had sealed most of its wounds, leaving Harry's earlier damage almost meaningless.
Grove's frame creaked as it generated more roots, but its integrity was failing. One good hit would finish it.
The Drowner launched itself straight up, water cascading off its massive form as it reached the apex of its jump. Its jaws gaped wide, ready to swallow Harry whole.
Grove's remaining roots shot out, wrapping around the monster's torso mid-leap. The golem's wooden frame groaned as it pulled the Drowner off-course, sacrificing its structural integrity to give Harry an opening.
Harry launched himself forward, cursed dagger leading. The blade sank deep into the monster's exposed belly, fire enchantment igniting flesh from within.
The Drowner thrashed, but Grove's grip held firm. More roots erupted from the golem's disintegrating frame, piercing the monster's flesh like wooden spears. Each new tendril weakened Grove's structure further but kept the beast immobilised.
Harry quickly climbed up Grove’s roots and onto the platform. He slashed the Drowner repeatedly, while Grove held it in place. The Drowners HP plummeted as Harry struck vital points in rapid succession, scoring several critical hits.
Grove's form began to collapse. As the golem's roots started to crumble, Harry drove his blade up through the monster's throat into its brain. The cursed weapon punched through bone and flesh, finally dropping the Drowner's HP to zero.
The beast's massive form crashed onto the platform as Grove's remains scattered across the tiles. Both golem and monster dissolved into motes of light.
A notification pinged:
Evolved Drowner defeated! Experience gained: 1200 per party member.
"That," she mumbled, "was extremely unpleasant."
"Sorry." Harry retrieved a health potion from his belt. He carefully poured some potion into her tiny mouth. "Nice save."
"I had an easy fight in comparison." Colour returned to her cheeks as the potion took effect. “Shame about Grove.”
Harry smiled. "We'll make an even better Grove."
The dungeon has shifted into the Magic Phase.
"Perfect timing," Celeste grumbled. "Would have been nice to have offensive magic during the fight. Could have blasted that overgrown fish into sushi."
Harry collected the loot from where the Drowner had fallen and stored them in his inventory. He could examine them later.
Harry peered over the platform's edge at the rusted chain holding the metal box suspended in the air. “Time to see what's in that box."
He gripped the chain and shimmied down it. The chain felt slippery in his hands, and he almost lost his grip. When he reached the box, Harry worked the stiff latch open and retrieved the two items. He hauled himself back up to the platform.
Water dripped from his clothes as he settled on the platform's edge. A grimoire bound in blue leather rested in his lap, its cover adorned with swirling patterns that seemed to move like waves. The second item was a familiar crystalline shard.
A prompt materialised before him:
====== You have found the Water Elemental Grimoire.
Description: This ancient tome contains fundamental knowledge of water magic. The player gains mastery over water in all its forms—from manipulating existing sources to conjuring powerful torrents from nothing. Advanced practitioners can even draw moisture from the air itself or freeze water into devastating weapons.
Hydro Mage Path: 0/10.
Do you wish to unlock this grimoire? Y?N ======
Harry confirmed and the book dissolved into motes of light that flew into his head. He opened the Skill Board ment and examined the new path he unlocked. The first skill on the path was illuminated, so he tapped on it to bring up its description.
======Aqua Sphere | Active | Level 1 | Upgrade: (0/15) | Cost: 8 MP | Attribute: SPI
Description: Condenses a sphere of high-pressure water that explodes on impact. The blast's size and damage increase with the player’s Spirit attribute. More advanced users can shape the water into different forms for different effects.
* Deals moderate water damage.
* Unlock different variants through practice.
* SPI > 40: Increases damage by 30%.
* SPI > 60: Increases the number of projectiles to two.
* Upgrades to level 2 after killing 15 targets. ======
The skill only cost one path point, which is all he had remaining. Without hesitation, he learned the skill.
“Nice to have some variety,” Harry murmured.
He was always encountering monsters that had an elemental weakness but he didn’t have the corresponding elemental skills. Finding more elemental grimoires was a priority, although his path points would take a hit. The solution to getting more, beyond levelling up, was to complete quests that gave him path points as a reward.
He picked up the crystalline shard next:
======Manor Fragment: Indoor Pool | Level: -- | Epic | Effect: Manor Room
Description: This fragment represents an indoor swimming pool. When combined with other fragments, it will form part of your manor, providing a luxurious space for relaxation and exercise. ======
He was slowly collecting all the fragments for his manor. He could hardly wait until he could build it on his island.
Celeste flew over and settled on his shoulder. “Where is the gate?”
"I spotted something while that thing was trying to drown me," Harry said. "The gate's underwater.”
"Do we have to leave?" Celeste pouted. "We haven't explored the whole dungeon yet. There could be more loot."
"Not much left to see," Harry said. "Besides, we can return anytime to search for more treasure chests.”
"Fine," Celeste sighed, nestling into the collar of his soaked robes.
There was an issue with the number of Locker Lurkers that were grouped together. Although they weren’t difficult to kill on their own, they were more challenging when he was facing more than three at a time. He would have to think of a strategy for the next visit. They gave up some nice experience points.
Harry eased into the water and swam towards the deep end. The gate's familiar shimmer grew clearer as he approached.
Taking a deep breath, Harry dove. The gate's energy wrapped around them like a warm current as they passed through, depositing them back in the Manchester park.
Harry performed a quick drying charm on himself. Warmth spread through his clothes as water evaporated from the fabric.
"Gate Walker," Harry said.
The menu appeared, and he selected Hogwarts from the list. They materialised in the underground tunnel leading to the Chamber of Secrets.
“Interesting,” Harry said. “It returns me to the place that I left from.”
“Yeah, amazing,” Celeste mumbled. “Let’s get out of this creepy place.”
Harry checked his watch. Clearing the dungeon went much faster than he first imagined, even though he hadn’t cleared it completely. He would grind the dungeon until he reached level seventeen before moving on to the next.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=
Harry's fingers traced centuries of knowledge along dusty spines in the Restricted Section. Books on healing magic and curse scars filled his arms, whilst dozens more beckoned from the towering shelves.
The Restricted Section stretched far deeper than it appeared from the library proper—a testament to Hogwarts' magical nature. Row upon row of books disappeared into shadows, hinting at one of the most extensive collections of magical knowledge in Britain if not all of Europe. Such a wealth of information, yet access remained tightly controlled.
From her desk below, Madam Pince watched him like a hawk eyeing potential prey. Even with Madam Pomfrey's written permission clutched in his hand, suspicion radiated from the librarian's rigid posture. Her fingers drummed against the polished wood, as though itching to snatch the books from his grasp.
"What are you doing up there?"
He glanced down to find Hermione at the foot of the stairs, her arms folded across her chest.
"Research on curse scars," he said, descending to carefully transfer his literary burden into her arms. "Madam Pomfrey has given me permission to browse the Restricted Section. Fancy lending me a hand?"
"Of course." Hermione shifted the teetering tower of books into a more stable position. "I'll find us a quiet spot."
Returning to his search, Harry ventured deeper into the stacks. A black leather tome caught his attention, its binding unmarked save for elaborate silver runes trailing down the spine. As he eased it from its resting place, decades of undisturbed dust swirled in the air. 'Magicks of the Soul' emerged in tarnished lettering across its cover.
He found Hermione sitting at a secluded table, books arranged in neat piles.
Settling into the chair beside her, Harry opened 'Advanced Healing for Curse Wounds' and began to read. The words flowed effortlessly thanks to his Bookworm skill, allowing him to turn pages at nearly twice the usual pace.
Hermione stopped reading. "Harry, how are you reading so fast?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don’t play dumb, mister. What spell are you using?"
"I’m not using any spell. Would you believe me if I say it's raw talent?"
"That's not fair. "Hermione frowned. "I'm supposed to be the bookworm here."
"Feeling threatened?" Harry teased.
"Oh, shut up." A smile tugged at her lips despite her frustration. "You're going to tell me how you do it eventually."
"Maybe." He turned another page, deliberately faster than necessary. "If you ask nicely."
Hermione threw a crumpled piece of parchment at his head. "Prat."
Harry opened the Magicks of the Soul book next, immediately noticing entire paragraphs blurred beyond recognition. He squinted, but the words remained indecipherable. One clear passage mentioned a "Soul Examination Spell" but the incantation itself was obscured.
His eyes lit up. This may be the spell he needed to identify his scar. But how was he supposed to read it?
He tried Appraisal on the book:
======Magicks of the Soul | Level: -- | Epic | Type: Book
Description: A comprehensive guide to soul-based magic. Much of its content has been magically censored to prevent misuse. ======
Harry shoved the book aside. That wasn’t helpful at all.
"The important bits are blurred out," he muttered.
"The headmaster probably did it," Hermione said without looking up. "It must have some dangerous knowledge inside if he’s going that far."
"That wanker's screwing me over once again."
"Harry! Language!"
He shrugged, unrepentant.
"You should ask Madam Pomfrey," Hermione suggested. "She could request Dumbledore to reveal the spell."
"I'd rather solve it on my own."
"I can help research for spells for whatever's blurring the text."
"Thanks, Hermione." Harry pulled out his money pouch. "Two galleons per hour sound fair?"
Hermione huffed. "Are you trying to insult me? I won't take your money."
"But you need it, and I'm taking up your time."
"I don't care. Let me worry about my school fees."
Harry put his pouch away. "Have you figured out how you're going to make money?"
"No." Her eyes returned to her book. "But there's plenty of time left."
"What about using your Cadence Mage ability in the Muggle world? It could pass for a talent with voices."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Like voice acting?"
"Exactly. Anything requiring different voices."
She drummed her fingers on the table, expression thoughtful. "That could actually work. The problem is that I need my father’s consent. Even then, I’m still too young. There are child labour laws."
“You're a witch. There’s probably a way around it,” Harry said. “You're smart enough to figure it out.”
“Maybe.”
They continued searching until lunchtime approached but found nothing else promising. Harry's stomach growled as he closed another useless tome.
"Food?" he suggested.
Hermione nodded, gathering her notes. "We can try again tomorrow. Let’s focus on finding a way to decode the obscured text.”
Harry followed her from the library, mind churning with possibilities. Between Hermione's help and him, he'd find a way to decode the book
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=
Harry's peaceful breakfast at the Gryffindor table was interrupted by the arrival of an increasingly familiar shadow looming over his porridge.
"Come now, Potter," Oliver Wood implored, hands clasped in supplication. "The team desperately needs you."
"I'm not interested in playing Quidditch, Oliver."
The whole fiasco had begun during their first flying lesson, when Malfoy's theft of Neville's Remembrall had prompted an impromptu aerial chase. Harry's natural talent on a broomstick, demonstrated by his perfect catch after a fifty-foot dive, had caught Professor McGonagall's eye. Their Head of House had promptly marched him to Oliver's Defence class, declaring him Gryffindor's new Seeker without so much as a by-your-leave.
Harry's polite but firm refusal had not gone over well. Whilst he could appreciate a broomstick's potential applications for dungeon exploration, his schedule simply wouldn't accommodate regular practices and matches. McGonagall's disappointment manifested in pursed lips and clipped responses, whilst Oliver had launched an unrelenting recruitment campaign.
"Do give it a rest, Wood—"
"—before you anger Harry," the Weasley twins materialised on either side of their captain.
Fred affected an exaggerated shudder. "He knows wandless magic—"
"Rather frightful when cross," George added.
"Our fearless leader—"
"—needs to learn when to quit."
"But he's a natural!" Oliver's protest carried a note of desperation. "Best flying I've seen since Charlie Weasley!"
"And yet—"
"—still not interested."
They steered their protesting captain away, leaving blessed silence in their wake.
"Mate." Ron's elbow nudged Harry's ribs. "Trelawney's at it again."
A glance towards the staff table confirmed the Divination professor's unnerving scrutiny. Harry couldn't decide which unsettled him more—her obsessive attention or Quirrell's suspicious behaviour.
The morning post arrived in a flutter of wings and feathers. Two owls alighted before Harry, each presenting a letter. Hedwig bore Fleur's elegant script, whilst an unfamiliar tawny owl carried the second missive. He had sent a letter to Fleur yesterday, and she had sent a response.
He opened the other letter first:
Dear Harry,
I've written this letter a dozen times. Nothing seems right. How do you apologise for failing someone so completely?
The healers say writing helps, so I'll try again. I'm sorry. Sorry, I wasn't there. Sorry, I chased after Peter instead of staying with you. Sorr,y you ended up with those horrible Muggles. Merlin, I've made such a mess of everything.
They're helping me get better. Some days are harder than others. The Dementors... they take pieces of you, Harry. Pieces I'm not sure I'll ever get back. But I'm trying. For you.
I understand if you hate me. I hate myself most days. But maybe, when I'm stronger, we could meet? Even if it's just so you can tell me what a bloody idiot I've been.
Your godfather (if you'll still have me), Sirius.
Harry stared at the parchment, his chest tight. The ink bore witness to Sirius' struggle—words crossed out, spots where the quill had pressed too hard, tiny splashes where tears had fallen. His godfather's pain bled through every line.
"You alright?" Hermione asked softly.
"Yeah, it's just..." Harry smoothed the crumpled edges. "He blames himself for everything. The Dursleys, my parents, all of it."
The self-loathing in Sirius' words struck too close to home. How many times had Harry questioned his own worth in that cupboard under the stairs? It was a miracle that he had escaped the situation with some serious mental issues.
"Bloody Dementors," he muttered. "Twelve years surrounded by those things, forced to relive your worst memories..."
Ron shifted uncomfortably. "Dad says some prisoners go mad within months."
"He survived though," Hermione said. "That shows incredible strength."
Harry nodded, tucking the letter into the pocket of his robes. "He's trying to rebuild himself from scratch. Everything the Dementors took—his happiness, his confidence, his sense of self—he has to find it all again."
"Are you going to write back?"
"Tonight." Harry pushed his untouched breakfast away. "I need to tell him I forgive him. He has already suffered enough.”
He opened Fleur’s letter.
Dear Harry,
The new artefact works beautifully. Louis created a pendant that helps suppress my allure without affecting my transformation. I can finally leave the tower! However, the Ministry still restricts me to our property, claiming I pose too great a risk.
Papa argues with them constantly. They want to "study" me—as if I'm some fascinating specimen rather than a person. At least I can walk in the gardens now. The roses are blooming, and I've started helping Gabrielle with her English lessons.
What about your friends? I would love to hear more about them.
Write soon, Fleur
"Ooh, who's Fleur?" Ron peered at the signature, grinning. "Got yourself a girlfriend already?"
"She's just a friend I made in France," Harry said, folding the letter. "Her family helped me over the summer."
"Must be some friend." Ron pointed to the thick parchment. "That's fancy paper."
"The Delacours are an old family. They're quite prominent in French magical society. Apolline and her daughters are also Veela."
Ron's eyes widened. "Veela? Blimey, Harry. What's it like being around a Veela? Dad says their allure can make men do ridiculous things."
"Ron!" Hermione swatted his arm with her paper. "That's a horrible stereotype."
“It’s true,” Harry said. “But I’m fortunate enough that it doesn’t affect me.”
As they left the Great Hall, Harry's mind wandered to his godfather's words. He didn't hate Sirius—how could he, when the man had suffered so much for a crime he didn't commit? But building any kind of relationship would take time. They both carried deep scars that needed healing first.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=
Back in the library, Harry and Hermione hunched over another stack of books, searching for ways to bypass the obscuring magic. Hermione's quill scratched across her parchment as she noted potentially useful spells.
"Look at this," Hermione whispered, pushing a leather-bound book towards Harry. "The Duplicating Charm creates an exact copy of a written text. Perhaps the obscuring enchantment won't transfer properly since it's tied to the original book's magic."
"Do you really think Dumbledore didn't consider that possibility?" Harry asked. "He's not exactly known for overlooking details."
Hermione shook her head. "There are so many spells that conflict with each other in strange ways. No spell is guaranteed to work perfectly all the time. Even the most powerful enchantments can have unexpected interactions with simpler magic. What if Dumbledore doesn’t know about this spell?"
"I suppose so," Harry said, straightening in his chair. "Let's learn it."
Hermione grinned, and Harry realised this had been her true motive all along.
They retreated to a secluded corner where Madam Pince couldn't observe them directly. For nearly an hour, they practised the precise wand movements and incantation. Hermione mastered it first, but her copies came out the same. When Harry finally managed to create a complete copy of 'Magicks of the Soul', sections of previously obscured text appeared clear through the magical censoring.
"It actually works!" Hermione exclaimed, leaning close to examine the text. “How is it that your spell works but mine doesn’t?”
“Don’t know.”
It could be due to the System. Whatever the case, he wasn’t going to question it.
Harry made several more copies, each iteration revealing different sections of text. By the fourth copy, the Soul Examination Spell emerged fully readable. His initial excitement faded as he studied the spell's requirements.
"The magical power needed to cast this..." Harry ran a hand through his hair. "It requires the same amount as an average adult's full capacity. I'm nowhere near that level."
Hermione frowned, her fingers drumming against the table. "Neither of us will be able to cast this spell anytime soon."
Harry groaned, slumping in his chair. "What am I supposed to do?"
"One of the seventh-year students might have enough magic,” Hermione suggested.
Harry grinned as an idea struck him. He snatched the copied book and bolted towards the exit, ignoring Hermione's startled yelp.
"Wait, Harry! You have to return the—" Hermione's protest cut off as Madam Pince shushed her sharply.
After thirty minutes of searching and questioning several Hufflepuffs, Harry found Tonks practising shield charms in an empty classroom. She lowered her wand as he burst through the door.
"Wotcher, Harry!"
He thrust the copied pages into her hands, trying to catch his breath. "Tonks, you love me, right?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, squirt?"
Harry pointed to the Soul Examination Spell. "I need you to learn this and cast it on me. It's important."
Tonks scanned the spell description, her expression growing more serious with each line. "This is complex magic, Harry. It'll take time to master, and the power requirements are steep. What's in it for me?"
"I'll owe you a favour."
A mischievous grin spread across Tonks's face as her hair shifted to blue. "Well, how can I deny my favourite first-year?"
Harry suppressed a shudder. He'd just made a deal with the devil, but he needed that spell cast. Whatever Tonks demanded in return would be worth discovering the truth about his scar.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=
A few days later, Harry returned to Potter Isle via Gate Walker. The Griever pride greeted him enthusiastically, with Brutus nearly knocking him over in his excitement. After checking that they were adapting well to their new freedom, he set off into the forest to search for suitable materials for his new golem.
He discovered a fallen oak tree near the fairy grove, its wood saturated with natural magic from years of exposure to the fairies' presence. The trunk's rich amber colour and solid grain structure would provide an excellent foundation for his next creation.
Harry spent hours preparing the materials, using Material Enhancement to improve their quality. The Living Wood Core glowed as he infused it with magic, its properties amplifying as he shaped the golem's form. Each enhancement drained his MP significantly, but meditation between attempts restored his resources.
When he finished, Grove Version Two stood before him, its wooden frame more refined than its predecessor. The golem's proportions remained similar, but subtle improvements marked its evolution—joints reinforced with denser wood, a shield integrated more smoothly into its arm, and root channels pre-carved throughout its frame for faster deployment.
======Grove V2 | Type: Wooden Golem | HP: 300/300 | MP: 150/150
Primary Attributes: Strength: 22 | Vitality: 25
Defence: 25
Grade: Advanced
Durability: 200/200
Primary Skills
Wood Manipulation: Can manipulate wood within a five-metre radius with greater precision
Wooden Shield: Raises defensive capabilities temporarily
Nature's Resilience: Regenerates HP when in contact with soil
Root Network: Can deploy roots from any point on its body
Golem Traits
Weakness to Fire: Takes 50% additional damage from fire-based attacks.
Core Synergy: Enhanced control due to perfect core placement.
Forest's Blessing: Increased regeneration in wooded areas.
Creator's Bond: Responds to Harry's mental commands.
Description: The second iteration of Grove demonstrates clear improvements over its predecessor. Crafted from enchanted oak and powered by a high-quality Living Wood Core, this golem boasts superior defensive capabilities and more sophisticated control over its wooden abilities. Its frame incorporates dedicated channels for root deployment, allowing for faster reaction times in combat. ======
Satisfied with his creation, Harry returned to Hogwarts. As he climbed the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower, Fred and George intercepted him.
"There you are, Harry—"
"—been looking everywhere—"
"—Tonks wants you—"
"—rather urgently, we'd say."
Harry sprinted to their usual classroom, finding Tonks pacing inside. Her hair cycled through colours rapidly—a sure sign of excitement or nervousness.
"I've done it," she said as soon as he entered. "Mastered the spell. Are you sure you want to know what it shows?"
Harry nodded. "I'm ready."
Tonks raised her wand, her movements precise as she traced the complex pattern. Magic swirled around Harry, probing at his scar with spidery tendrils. A piece of parchment materialised in the air.
She snatched it before it could fall, scanning its contents. Her face paled, hair fading to stark white.
"Merlin's saggy..." She thrust the parchment at Harry. "Read it yourself.”
Harry's fingers hovered inches from the document. They wouldn't obey a direct command—they knew something his conscious mind didn't want to acknowledge.
Finally, he gained control of his hand and grabbed the document. He read the contents, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way," he breathed.
His mother was the one responsible for the scar on his forehead.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry explores another dungeon that may just have the answers he’s looking for.
Thanks for reading.
