Chapter 86 Richard
Headless Hunt, ancient book, missing pages, clues, sounds quite interesting." Ginny looked up, her eyes brightening. "My brothers used to tell me about things like this, but they never took me with them. Su Yu! Can you take me with you... Of course, if it's inconvenient, never mind, I... I just want to go on an adventure too..."
Su Yu looked up at the little girl before him, her eyes filled with anticipation. He raised his hand and gently ruffled Ginny's soft red hair, his movements gentle and doting. The warmth of his fingertips seeped through her hair, causing Ginny's ears to turn red instantly.
"Of course you can." Su Yu's voice easily smoothed away Ginny's nervousness. "However, I don't know if the journey will be dangerous, so you must stay by my side at all times and not wander off on your own, understand?"
Ginny's eyes lit up instantly. She nodded heavily, a brilliant smile tugging at the corners of her lips: "I know! I will definitely be obedient and never hold Su Yu back!"
Watching her look of pure joy, Su Yu couldn't help but pat her head again, his tone carrying a hint of exhortation: "Just relax and follow me."
Ginny nodded vigorously, her heart filled with the excitement of an upcoming adventure. Gazing at Su Yu's gentle features, her heart was full of the pure and beautiful expectations shared between a young boy and girl.
Behind the tapestry was a narrow passage, much lower than the corridors of Hogwarts. Su Yu had to stoop to avoid hitting his head.
Ginny walked in front. On the walls on both sides of the passage hung several small portraits. The people in the paintings were all former Gryffindor prefects; some were dozing off, some were reading, and some were curiously staring at Su Yu.
"Are you from Slytherin?" A bespectacled female prefect poked her head out of the frame. "What are you doing coming to the Gryffindor Common Room?"
"I'm here to find Nick."
The female prefect pursed her lips and retreated back inside.
The Gryffindor Common Room was much warmer than Su Yu had imagined. The fire in the fireplace was burning more than twice as brightly as the one in the Slytherin Common Room. The orange-red firelight illuminated the entire room brightly. The sofas were gold and red, the armchairs were dark brown, and several huge tapestries hung on the walls.
The sky outside the window had already darkened, and the water of the Black Lake shimmered with a black luster under the veil of night.
Ginny walked quickly to the fireplace and found Nearly Headless Nick in a corner.
Nick was crouching in the pile of ashes beside the fireplace, using an iron poker conjured by magic to poke at the firewood in the air. Sparks flew up, passing through his translucent body and falling to the ground to extinguish.
"Nick!" Ginny crouched down. "Someone is looking for you."
Nick floated up from the ash pile, tilted his head, and saw Su Yu. A look of surprise appeared on his usually mournful face.
"Sean Foley?" His tone carried a sense of unreal bewilderment. "I have lived at Hogwarts for over four hundred years, and this is the first time I have seen a Slytherin student come to Gryffindor on their own initiative to speak to a Gryffindor ghost."
"Nick, do you know Richard Jackdaw?" Su Yu didn't waste words and asked straight to the point.
Nick's expression changed. His translucent face became even fainter, as if water had been splashed over it, and even the candlelight shone through it. "A terrible memory. Why are you looking for him?"
"I need to ask him a few things." Su Yu showed him the ancient book and the sketch. "These pages were torn out by someone, and I want to know the whereabouts of these pages."
Nick stared at the sketch for a long time. Su Yu couldn't say what it was, but he knew Nick was struggling. "I will take you there." Nick finally spoke, his voice much deeper than his usual mournful tone. "But you must promise me, no matter what you see, do not tell anyone."
The Headless Hunt's camp was in a ghost cave deep in the Forbidden Forest.
Deep in the Forbidden Forest, the twilight was thick and impenetrable. Tall black oaks and yews grew intertwined, their branches twisted. A few faint rays of daylight leaked through the gaps, casting dappled shadows on the wet ground.
Su Yu walked in the front, his pace steady. Ginny followed closely behind, her red hair particularly conspicuous in the dim forest. She looked around curiously, her eyes filled with a mix of vigilance and excitement.
Nearly Headless Nick floated slowly beside the two, his translucent body occasionally passing through low branches without any obstruction.
"We are almost there." Nick's voice seemed somewhat ethereal in the quiet forest. "Ahead is the ghost cave of the Headless Hunt. The Pumpkin Plaza is just inside the entrance of the cave, and Richard Jackdaw is usually over there."
Su Yu nodded slightly and continued forward. Ginny asked in a low voice: "Mr. Nick, Richard Jackdaw... what is he like?"
"A young man who loved adventure. He was a student at Hogwarts when he was alive, later became a ghost, and only recently joined the Headless Hunt." Nick's tone was flat. "His personality is a bit reckless and also very conceited, but he is polite enough."
While they were talking, the three had reached the entrance of the cave. The entrance was made of huge grey rocks, with a faint ghostly white shimmer lingering on the edges. Inside it was pitch black, with an open space vaguely visible, filled with giant pumpkins; this was the Pumpkin Plaza. On the plaza, several ghost horses stood still, and the ghosts of the Headless Hunt were either floating or standing, talking in low voices.
In the center of the plaza, near the largest pumpkin, stood a young male ghost. He had light brown hair, a handsome face, wore a slightly worn grey coat, and had a green bowtie tied at his collar. His expression carried a touch of casualness and unruliness; it was Richard Jackdaw.
He seemed to sense the movement, turned his head, cast his gaze toward the three at the entrance, and the corners of his mouth hooked into a slightly playful smile.
"Isn't this Nick? How many times do I have to tell you, you will never be able to join the Headless Hunt."
Nick floated in front of him and bowed slightly. "Richard, this is Mr. Sean Foley. He is the one who came to find you today."
"Oh! How terrible. I still remember three years ago he almost destroyed the entire Forbidden Forest. It's him, right?"
Su Yu did not stand on ceremony. He stepped forward and said directly: "Richard Jackdaw, sorry to come find you so late. We came here because we wanted to ask about the whereabouts of the missing pages of the ancient book. Do you know?"
Richard was a bit afraid of Su Yu, but he still looked up at the ancient book, as if lost in memory: "Ancient book fragments? Oh, I remember now. I took them from Peeves."
Ginny couldn't help but ask: "Then do you know where those pages are now?"
Richard's expression suddenly dimmed a bit. "I took them into a cave deep in the Forbidden Forest, and that's where I lost my life. Those pages should still be beside my remains to this day. At the very least, I saw them with my last glance before I died."
Su Yu nodded: "Do you still remember the location of that cave?"
Richard raised his hand and pointed to the forest path outside the cave. "Head north into the Forbidden Forest, follow the path until you reach a stone birdbath, recite the password 'intra muros', and the stone door will open. Inside is the tomb where I lost my life."
After saying this, he paused and added: "Be careful on the way. The cave is guarded by giant spiders and various monsters."
(A side note: Big bosses, I'm sincerely asking for book reviews. You know, the rating thing—I feel like if that doesn't happen, this book is done for, hahaha. Currently, there are only three or four hundred views a day, but that's okay. I'll keep writing anyway. After all, I don't rely on writing novels to make money; it's just that the data is so miserable, it's simply unbearable to look at.)
Chapter 87: Four Professors (Thanks to Nanshan's Little Demon for the support, thank you)
It wasn't until the three of them had left the ghost cave and Nick had returned to Hogwarts that Ginny dared to whisper.
"Richard really took his head off just now. I was standing right there, so close, oh, my god! He just took his head off and placed it on the table to talk to me. I almost lost my footing."
"I thought you weren't afraid of ghosts?" Su Yu glanced at her.
"I'm not afraid of ghosts, but... but taking his head off and setting it on the table to talk to me? I really couldn't get used to that. That... that's completely different from being afraid of ghosts!"
Su Yu chuckled and patted her head.
"Then don't stand so close next time."
"I wasn't standing close at all! He was the one who leaned his head over!"
The moon had risen high, and the moonlight bathed the path in a pale glow. Occasionally, there was a rustling sound from the bushes on either side. Kurama's ears twitched, but she didn't give chase. The wind blew through the forest, carrying the scent of pine resin and damp earth, mixed with the mist rising from the distant lake.
Su Yu looked up at the moon. "The moon is quite round tonight, but it's a bit cold. Are you cold?"
"I'm not cold at all." Ginny pulled her scarf up higher.
"But the way you're pulling at your scarf gives you away."
Ginny glared at him, and Su Yu hurriedly pulled her into his arms.
Su Yu led Ginny past the thickets of thorns and finally arrived at the entrance of the secret cave hidden within the cliff face.
The entrance was behind an old, crooked oak tree, its roots arching out of the ground to form a gap just large enough for two people to squeeze through.
The entrance was completely obscured by vines, which hung with a few unripe berries that looked blackish-purple in the moonlight.
The entrance was half-hidden by vines and gray stone, surrounded by a faint aura of Ancient Magic that ordinary Wizards would never notice. Only Su Yu could clearly perceive the ancient magical patterns flowing through the air.
Ginny subconsciously nestled closer into Su Yu's arms, her eyes filled with a mix of caution and curiosity, as he held her and they stooped to step into the cave.
It wasn't dark inside; natural fluorescent moss embedded in the rock walls cast a pale green glow, illuminating a winding stone path. Their footsteps echoed across the cold stone floor, resounding in the vast space. As they walked deeper, the surrounding magic grew increasingly dense, as if they were stepping into a secret realm sealed away for centuries.
Passing through a narrow stone corridor, their view suddenly opened up, and a magnificent circular stone chamber appeared before them.
In the center of the Great Hall, a three-dimensional magicmap floated in mid-air, rotating slowly. It depicted Hogwarts Castle, the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and the surrounding mountains and rivers.
Every tower and every window was as clear as if it were unfolding right before their eyes; one could even make out the steps in the stands of the Quidditch Pitch.
The four walls of the chamber were smooth and simple, devoid of any unnecessary ornamentation. Only on the four high walls were four massive, ancient stone slabs embedded, standing silently in the dim light.
Su Yu walked forward slowly and brushed his fingertips over the stone slab in front of him. A faint surge of Ancient Magic rippled forth. The next second, the four silent slabs suddenly glowed with a golden light. The patterns on the stone surface shifted and unfurled, slowly transforming into four lifelike, giant portraits of Wizards.
They were the four Keepers of Hogwarts Ancient Magic: Percival Rackham, Charles Rookwood, Niamh Fitzgerald, and San Bakar.
The four portraits each bore a different expression, capturing their individual temperaments. Surrounded by an aura of ancient and steady magic, they looked down quietly at the two visitors who had entered the chamber.
The portrait of Rackham in the center shifted its gaze, his aged eyes falling upon Su Yu, as if he had long recognized the special gift Su Yu possessed—the ability to perceive Ancient Magic.
Ginny couldn't help but stop in her tracks, staring blankly at the four portraits that had appeared out of thin air. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound and disturb the Chamber of Secrets and the wizarding spirits within the portraits that had been silent for centuries.
Su Yu stood in the center of the chamber, his gaze meeting the four portraits calmly. He clearly perceived the wills of the four Keepers left behind, as well as the hidden past of Ancient Magic buried deep within this cave.
The golden glow of the chamber was soft yet solemn, and the gazes of the four Keepers slowly settled upon Su Yu.
"Child, what is your name?"
"Yu-Su-Fley."
Percival Rackham spoke first, his voice steady and raspy, as if echoing across centuries. After hearing Su Yu's introduction, his gaze fell upon the faintly flickering Ancient Magic patterns on the chamber walls. His tone held a trace of imperceptible gravity: "Child, we can perceive that you have already merged with Ancient Magic. You can harness it, master it. You are the one we have been waiting for for centuries—the compatible soul."
"We no longer need to teach you how to wield this power, for we have been watching you since the very first time you touched Ancient Magic. Your soul is already in sync with it. You have done well." Charles Rookwood, on the left, nodded gently and tapped the portrait before him. The magical patterns on the rock walls rippled in response. "We stand guard here solely to protect this source of Ancient Magic, to safeguard the last remaining veins of ancient power in the world."
Niamh Fitzgerald's brows furrowed slightly, her gentle eyes filled with a hint of worry. She looked toward the depths of the cave and spoke softly, getting to the heart of the matter: "We have been watching over you; your character is commendable. However, we do not have much time left, and there is no time to test you. In recent days, the magic of this secret realm has become unstable. Strange, non-wizarding presences have been lingering at the edges of this sanctuary, constantly touching and testing the barrier of Ancient Magic, disrupting the magical order that has remained silent here for centuries."
"We do not know where that presence comes from or what race is responsible." San Bakar's gaze was sharp as he looked toward the cave entrance, delivering a final, grave warning. "That presence carries a paranoid obsession with Ancient Magic and is clearly malicious. Since you can master this power, you are the keeper of this realm. But you must remain vigilant—someone is coveting these sealed, ancient powers and is trying every possible way to break into the core of this sanctuary."
Su Yu understood instantly. The "non-wizarding, obsessed" strangers the portraits spoke of aligned perfectly with the Goblins' recent movements. The Keepers were unaware of the Goblins' existence and only reported the fact that the sanctuary was being probed. So, was the goal of those Goblins truly Ancient Magic?
"Do you have any leads?" Su Yu asked them.
"We have recently detected that deep in the North Ford Bog, north of Hogwarts, there is an ancient stone tower named San Bakars Tower. It is surging with a strange, dark magic, and this power is eroding the source of Ancient Magic remaining within the tower." Rackham, the lead Keeper, spoke in a deep voice. He tapped his finger lightly, and the blurred outline of the tower appeared in the air—it was an ancient stone tower standing in the heart of the marsh, its structure weathered by time, now wreathed in wisps of murky black smoke. "This tower is a magical relic from ancient times and does not belong to Hogwarts Castle. Now that this sudden anomaly has occurred, if you are looking for clues, I believe you should investigate it. You might find something."
Chapter 88: Walking Ginny Back
By the time Su Yu and Ginny came out of that cave, it was almost midnight. Occasionally, a frog would plop into the water from the patches of water grass on both sides. Kurama was lying on his shoulder, her tail hanging over his chest, her eyes half-closed as if she were about to fall asleep.
Ginny was also incredibly sleepy, so Su Yu had no choice but to carry her in a bridal carry, walking slowly toward Hogwarts.
In his mind, he was still replaying what the The Keeperss had said. Something about trials of Ancient Magic, and some San Bakars Tower—honestly, he hadn't even remembered the name. San-something-kar? Or Ba-ka-something?
All he knew was the common magic knowledge of the Harry Potter world, the rules of Hogwarts, and known magical secrets. He was completely unfamiliar and clueless about this ancient ruin, the so-called trials of Ancient Magic, and all the secrets within the tower. He simply regarded it as an unknown ancient magical ruin near Hogwarts.
"Do you think they might have made a mistake?" Su Yuasked, looking down at Ginny.
"Made a mistake about what?" Ginny blinked her big eyes in Su Yu's arms. She loved this feeling—the night was quiet, with no one to disturb them, and most importantly, she was being carried in a bridal carry by Su Yu, so she snuggled even closer into his chest.
"That tower, San-something Tower, have you ever heard of it before?"
"No," Ginny mumbled in his arms. "I've never heard of that name either."
"Well, there you go," Su Yu said. "It's probably just a private building built by some archmage hundreds of years ago, which was later abandoned and mistaken for some grand ruin."
Ginny glanced at him. "That's not what you said in the tower just now. You looked pretty serious when you promised them."
"They're so old and haven't seen a living person in hundreds of years. They finally caught one, so how could I not agree?" Su Yu chuckled. "Besides, it doesn't hurt to go take a look. What if we actually find something in the tower?"
When Su Yu returned to Hogwarts Castle, the torches in the entrance hall had already been extinguished. He set Ginny down from his arms, while Kurama jumped onto the floor, stretched, and followed closely at his heels as they walked inside.
Standing before the familiar portrait of The Fat Lady, Ginnystopped.
"Su Yu," she looked up, her eyes bright and earnest, her tone carrying an unconcealable anticipation as she asked straightforwardly and proactively, "What you said earlier... about San Bakars Tower, are you going to investigate it again tomorrow? Can... can I go with you?"
After saying this, Ginny's heart pounded wildly as she waited nervously for Su Yu's response.
Looking at the enthusiastic, bright-eyed Ginny in front of him, Su Yu nodded gently, reaching out to rub her head again. "Sure, I'll take you with me tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Having received an affirmative answer, Ginny couldn't help but let a sweet smile curve her lips. Full of joy, she waved to Su Yu, briskly said the password, and watched as the portrait of The Fat Lady swung open. Before stepping into the Gryffindor common room, she didn't forget to turn back with a smile to bid Su Yu goodnight, then skipped inside.
Su Yu stood in place, waiting until the common room door was completely shut before turning around to walk in the opposite direction. He navigated the winding corridors, went down the stone steps, and made his way to the entrance of the Slytherin common room. He spoke the password to the stone wall, and the cold stone slowly slid open, revealing the dark and quiet entrance to the common room.
Without a moment's hesitation, Su Yu stepped inside. The stone wall slowly closed behind him, shutting out all external sounds and completely returning to the quiet atmosphere unique to Slytherin.
He reached into his inner pocket, where a piece of parchment was folded. It had been given to him by the The Keeperss, with the location of the ancient tower deep in the swamp drawn on it. "San Bakars Tower," he muttered to himself, still finding it a mouthful, so he simply labeled it "that tower" in his mind.
By now, the common room was completely empty, with only the faint, quiet sound of flowing water echoing. Su Yutreaded lightly through the common room and returned to his bedroom. Pushing the door open, he saw Cassandraleaning against the headboard, covered in a soft blanket, holding a heavy magic book. The pages turned quietly under her fingertips; she clearly hadn't slept yet.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Cassandra looked up, closed her book, and placed it on the bedside table. Her usually cold and elegant features softened slightly in the dim light as she spoke calmly, "You're back? Did the investigation go smoothly?"
Su Yu walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, naturally pulling Cassandra into his arms. Without hiding anything, he told her the entire process of how he and Ginny had entered the underground chamber and met the projections of the four The Keeperss of Ancient Magic, word for word. After all, she was his chief strategist; asking her to analyze problems was always the right choice. Among the girls, Hermione was like Baidu—if there was something he didn't know, he'd ask her. But for analyzing problems, he had to ask Cassandra. For fights, he'd look for Farley. For logistics, he could find Daphne. As for his little secretary, well, of course, she was there for "doing secretary work when there's work, and doing other things when there isn't."
Cassandra lightly rested her chin on her fingertips, listening intently throughout. Once Su Yu finished speaking, she fell silent for a moment before helping him analyze the situation with her usual meticulous logic: "If the four The Keeperss are correct, then it's very clear. The Goblins want to rebel, and they have targeted the power of Ancient Magic. They probably first noticed a Slytherinstudent using Ancient Magic in Hogsmeade Village, which is why they kept appearing in the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade Village, even going as far as attacking Hogsmeade Village in the end. But there is still one most important point: how are they going to do it? What exactly do they want to obtain?"
She looked up at Su Yu, her gaze serious, her tone carrying a solemn warning: "Investigating San Bakars Tower is full of unknown dangers. You need to prepare in advance, act with caution, never venture deep into it alone, and you must prioritize your own safety."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll be extra vigilant," Su Yu replied softly, keeping her warning in mind.
Seeing his confident expression, Cassandra nodded gently. She reached out to adjust the bedding by her pillow, her usual coldness fading to reveal a soft, pre-sleep warmth as she gently blew out the candle.
"It's getting late. Rest early to build up your energy for what comes next."
But before long, in the darkness of the night, the sound of a girl's constantly suppressed, soft panting could be heard.
"Don't you still have things to do tomorrow? Why do you still want it so late at night?"
"I just wanted to hold you..."
"Then... then why are you rubbing against me?"
"Alright, alright, be good, don't move."
...
(Seriously, I guess it's because the rating hasn't come out yet. I'd accept even a score of six-something, but there's no rating at all... With over 300,000 words, I only make a little over three yuan a day, hahahaha, only 90 a month... I'm honestly speechless, all hope is completely gone. Oh well, I'll just write for fun. If I really had to rely on this to make a living, I'd literally starve to death...)
Chapter 89: San Bakars Tower
The next morning, because he had nearly worked hard all night again, Su Yu didn't get up until the sun was high. He had planned to skip class anyway, so he was in no hurry to get up. It wasn't until nearly noon that he finished washing up, changed his clothes, and tucked his wand into the inner pocket of his robe. Kurama lay on the table watching him pack, looking even sleepier than he was.
"Where is Ginny?" Kurama asked.
"I'm going to find her." Su Yu slung his bag over his shoulder. "We agreed to go together today."
Su Yu found Ginny in the corridor outside the Gryffindortower. She had just crawled out of the hole behind The Fat Lady portrait, ready to go to lunch, her red hair tied into a neat ponytail.
"Su Yu!" Ginny walked over, pleasantly surprised, her steps quick. "I thought you had forgotten to take me and gone by yourself!"
Su Yu chuckled. "How could that be? Am I that kind of person? Let's go, let's eat first, and we'll set off after lunch."
Ginny happily followed behind Su Yu. After eating, they went out through the side door of the Castle, mounted their broomsticks, flew across the lawn, over the Black Lake, and followed the map's guidance, flying northwest along a path almost completely submerged by wild grass.
After flying for about half an hour, the path below changed from grass to gravel, and then from gravel to mud. They had reached the edge of the North Ford Bog. Su Yu told Kurama to stay still in his arms, fearing that if she squirmed around, she might accidentally fall into the mud pits of the bog. Kurama didn't struggle and buried her face in the crook of his arm.
"This place has such a heavy, ominous aura." Ginny pulled at her scarf, covering half her face.
"Yeah." Su Yu slowed his flight speed, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The aquatic plants in the bog grew taller than a person, with some blackened leaves mixed into the withered yellow colors. The air was filled with the smell of rotting vegetation, mixed with a faint scent of sulfur.
"Do you smell that?" Su Yu asked.
"I do." Ginny's voice came from behind the scarf, muffled. "Like burnt rubber, and also like rotten eggs."
"That's the smell of Hell." Su Yu said with a frown. "Someone has used quite a bit of Hell's power here."
They flew inward along the barely visible path on the edge of the bog. After flying for nearly another ten minutes, the mist of the bog finally thinned a little. Su Yu looked up and saw the tower.
It stood on a highland deep in the bog. The grey-black stone walls were mostly covered in moss and vines. The tower was covered with cracks, from which a dull blue light emanated. The top of the tower was flat, and a few blurred outlines could be vaguely seen on it, but the mist was too thick, and Su Yu couldn't see clearly.
"Is that the tower?" Ginny's voice was very low.
"Yeah." Su Yu and Ginny landed slowly. Su Yu also casually set Kurama down from his arms. Kurama squatted on the ground, her ears pricked straight up. She stared at the tower, her amber eyes reflecting the blue light patterns on the tower.
"Stay close to me." Su Yu said.
Ginny nodded.
The tower had no door. Su Yu walked around it and found that the only entrance was on the second floor, a stone hole covered by vines, at least seven or eight feet off the ground.
He leapt up, kicked off the wall with his toes, and jumped up easily. Ginny looked up at him from below. Kuramajumped and landed steadily at the entrance. She turned and squatted at the opening, looking down at Ginny with her tail held high, as if to say, "Hurry up, don't dawdle."
After observing that there were no problems, Su Yu turned back and tapped Kurama on the head, then lifted Ginny up.
Inside the entrance was a narrow corridor, only wide enough for one person to pass sideways. Moss grew in the crevices of the stone slabs on both walls. There were no torches on the walls, but a kind of dull blue light shone through the texture of the stones, barely enough to see the way. Su Yu walked in front, reaching his left hand behind him, and Ginny nervously grabbed his hand from behind.
Kurama walked at the very front, her eyes glowing in the darkness, her golden vertical pupils reflecting the blue light on the walls, looking a bit scary.
At the end of the corridor was a circular stone door, with Ancient Magic runes carved on it. Su Yu placed his hand on it, and the door opened by itself. Behind the door was a spiral staircase. The stairs were very narrow, and every stone step had been worn smooth and shiny by countless people, with the edges heavily worn—it had been built at least several hundred years ago.
Su Yu lowered his body and walked up. Kurama followed at his feet, and Ginny followed behind him. The further up they went, the stronger the scent of Hell in the air became. By the time they reached the middle of the stairs, Su Yucould already feel that sticky sensation pressing on his skin, as if someone had plastered a wet quilt over him.
Ginny's hand tightened in his palm.
Su Yu turned his head back. Ginny's expression was calm, but the strength with which she gripped his hand betrayed her. Su Yu gently squeezed her fingers, said nothing, and continued to walk up.
At the end of the stairs was a half-open wooden door, with orange light shining through the crack. Su Yu pushed Kurama back a little and let her squat behind him. Kuramaglanced at him, didn't move, but didn't walk forward either. Su Yu gently pushed the door with one hand, and it slid open silently.
The top of the tower was a circular open-air platform.
In the center of the platform floated a huge blue crystal. The light of the crystal illuminated the entire top of the tower like daylight. Below the crystal was a complex magic circle, its patterns spreading from the base of the crystal to the entire platform, filling all the carved marks.
The edge of the platform was surrounded by a low stone wall, with withered vines growing on the top of the wall, swaying gently in the wind, making a faint sound.
Two people were standing next to the crystal.
One was a Goblin. He was wearing a dark leather armor, with a short sword and a dagger hanging from his belt. His face was very thin, and his eyes were long and narrow.
The other was a Wizard wearing a black robe, with his hood pulled very low, making his face impossible to see.
"The Ancient Magic power inside the tower is right before our eyes. You keep delaying—just how long do you intend to wait!" The Goblin's voice was rough and hurried, like sandpaper scraping on a stone slab. "Once we obtain this power, our plan can advance further; the rule of the Wizardis not to be feared at all!" He gestured in the air, pointing at the blue crystal, his eyes flashing with greed.
The robed figure's voice was the opposite of his, low and calm. "Acting recklessly will only lead to failure. The ancient barrier of this tower has not yet been broken. Taking action now will only invite trouble. Wait as I said, otherwise I will terminate our cooperation immediately."
His hands were tucked into his robe sleeves, and his posture looked unhurried.
"Wait, wait, wait! You've made me wait for three months!" The Goblin was furious. "What exactly are you afraid of? Dumbledore? The Ministry of Magic? Or that bunch of wet-behind-the-ears students?"
The robed figure turned around slowly. The shadow under the hood covered most of his face. He stepped forward, raised his hand, and precisely gripped the Goblin leader's neck, using sudden force to lift him off the ground by his throat.
The Goblin leader kicked his limbs in vain, a hoarse, wheezing sound squeezed from his throat. His face was full of panic, and he couldn't even utter a complete threat. The robed figure's fingertips tightened slightly, a daunting, cold aura permeating his body, his eyes staring coldly at the struggling Goblin leader.
"Ranrok, if you want to defy Lord Asmodeus's orders, then go ahead, but don't forget who gave you your power! You filthy thing!"
Chapter 90: Self-Destruction
"The group of wet-behind-the-ears students you mentioned, it wouldn't happen to be us, would it?" Su Yuasked.
The top of the tower fell silent instantly.
Dazzling golden Chakra suddenly surged around Su Yu, a rich and massive energy instantly spreading outwards. Layers of the Kurama Chakra Cloak covered his body, crimson patterns undulating across his skin, and an overbearing, formidable aura instantly enveloped the entire tower top.
Su Yu's left Sharingan slowly rotated, the tomoe shimmering with a faint light, while ripples appeared in his right Rinnegan. With a single step, his figure shot out like golden lightning.
The figure in the black robe keenly sensed the sudden, formidable power behind him. He turned to stare at Su Yu's face; it felt as if something was silently exploding in the air. With a casual flick, he slammed Ranrok heavily against the stone wall. Black mist surged around his body, shrouding his form, and in the blink of an eye, he dissipated into the thick fog, making a clean and decisive getaway.
Ranrok, on the ground, propped himself up to stand. The marks on his neck from being throttled were quickly covered by a layer of cold, dark red energy.
Ranrok stared in the direction where the black-robed figure had vanished, his mouth agape for a long time. Then, he turned back to look at Su Yu and Ginny.
"Who are you?"
"Just here to tour the tower."
"Passing by, just taking a look."
The Goblin leader's face flushed purple-red. Did they take him for a fool?
His eyes were filled with arrogance and malice, and a dense, extreme hellish energy suddenly surged around him.
Dark red flames wrapped around his limbs, and that cold, corrosive power spread in all directions. Wherever the aura swept, the stone bricks began to blacken, crack, and crumble.
"Then all of you can just stay here forever!"
Ranrok let out a low growl and lunged forward, his claws wreathed in hellfire, attacking with swift and vicious movements, each strike aiming for a lethal spot.
Su Yu's Mangekyo Sharingan precisely captured every one of the opponent's movements, anticipating his positioning. He dodged sideways, raised his hand to block, and then threw a powerful, charged punch. Golden Chakra and dark red hellish energy collided violently, and a powerful shockwave instantly spread outwards, sending crushed stone flying everywhere.
At the top of the tower, the two were locked in close-quarters combat. Relying on the formidable resistance of the Chakra Cloak, Su Yu withstood the onslaught, his punches and kicks direct and heavy with each strike.
Ranrok continued his wild assault using the hellish energy, his flaming claws sweeping in all directions. The stone walls of the tower were riddled with cracks, and the entire San Bakars Tower was trembling faintly.
Ginny huddled behind a stone pillar, her palms clenched tight in nervousness. She didn't dare take her eyes off the two fighting, her heart full of worry.
After several rounds of fighting, Ranrok's assault gradually lost its rhythm. The hellfire flickered, his movements slowed, and he was completely suppressed by Su Yu, forced step by step into a desperate situation. Su Yu saw his chance, charged up his fist, and prepared a heavy blow to completely defeat and capture his opponent.
But just as the fist was about to land, the supposedly defeated Ranrok suddenly stopped his movements. A cold, mocking sneer curled onto his face, showing none of the panic of defeat or capture.
"Do you really think you've won?"
His tone was arrogant and filled with heavy mockery, completely unconcerned about the current situation.
"You ruined my plan, standing in my way today—I'll remember you, kid!"
"Don't think you got the better of me this time. Before long, I will obtain the Ancient Magic I desire. When that time comes, I will personally settle the score with everyone who stands in my way, including you, and those self-righteous Wizards at Hogwarts!"
The moment his words fell, the hellish energy around Ranrok suddenly spiraled out of control and surged. The dark red light became blindingly intense, his body expanded rapidly, and a destructive explosive force instantly reached its peak.
Su Yu's heart sank abruptly. Only now did he realize that the one he had been fighting all along was merely a decoy clone.
There was no time to think; Ranrok had already initiated the self-destruction. The terrifying hellish energy surged wildly, ready to explode at any moment.
Without a moment's hesitation, Su Yu turned, pulled Ginnytightly into his arms, and mobilized all of his KuramaChakra, erecting a thick, sturdy energy barrier outside his body.
Chakra exploded beneath his feet. Holding Ginny, his figure instantly flashed backward, rushing out of the tower top's range at top speed and leaping far away from San Bakars Tower.
The instant the two were in mid-air retreating, a heaven-shaking roar erupted from the top of the tower. The violent hellish energy detonated, flames and shockwaves sweeping across the entire platform. Huge boulders shattered, stone bricks turned to dust, and billowing smoke shot straight up into the thick fog.
Su Yu landed steadily on a distant hillside, holding Ginny. He turned back to look at the ancient tower, which was shrouded in thick smoke and in ruins, his expression extremely grave.
The intense explosion gradually subsided. Only billowing black smoke remained at the top of San Bakars Tower. Broken stones continued to roll down the tower, and the ancient runes flickered in the aftermath of the explosion, having completely lost their former luster.
Su Yu retracted his Chakra Cloak and stood on the distant hillside with Ginny, gazing side-by-side at the fog-shrouded ancient tower.
After a long while, Ginny spoke slowly.
"That black-robed figure from just now was so strange. As soon as you appeared, he disappeared without saying a word."
Su Yu gave a faint hum, his gaze fixed on the ancient tower.
"It's clear that he didn't want to stay and fight face-to-face. He must have recognized me."
Ginny frowned slightly.
"And that Goblin, from start to finish, something felt off. Even though he was completely suppressed by you and unable to fight back, he wasn't flustered at all. Instead, he acted completely unbothered at the end."
"And the self-destruction at the end was too deliberate." Ginny's tone grew heavier. "It didn't look like a desperate act from being backed into a corner; it looked more like a pre-planned conclusion."
"To be able to do this, the schemes behind it must be profound. It seems this group of Goblins has a deep obsession with Ancient Magic."
Su Yu felt helpless as well. He had originally intended to capture a live prisoner, but now, one had run away the moment he saw him, and the other had turned out to be a self-destructing clone.
"The top of the tower is a mess now, and the residual energy is chaotic. Going back won't yield any clues."
Upon hearing this, Ginny didn't say anything more.
"Then shall we head back to Hogwarts? We can just report everything we saw tonight truthfully, and keep a closer eye on the movements here from now on. At the very least, we gained something this time—we know who is behind these bad intentions."
Su Yu had no other choice, so he held Ginny and used Apparition to return directly to the outskirts of Hogwarts.
He needed to tell Cassandra about the matter and have her analyze it carefully. Asmodeus, the Sin of Lust behind Ranrok and the black-robed figure, was not a Hell Lord to be trifled with. This matter looked troublesome. Why was there a Hell Lord every single year? Did they agree to line up and descend? It was just enough already.
Chapter 91: Dumbledore's Clues (Thanks to Southeast Savage for the support! Thank you!)
Returning to the twilight of Hogwarts, Su Yu first escorted Ginny back to the Slytherin Common Room, then brushed the fallen forest leaves from his robes. Without a pause in his stride, he headed straight for the office of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.
He did not go to the Principal's office, and even deliberately avoided the corridors where Dumbledoremight appear. He didn't know why, but he felt it was better to see that old geezer as little as possible; he always had a feeling Dumbledore would set him up.
The wooden door of the office was gently pushed open. Isolde Rosier was sitting at the desk, organizing course materials for the advanced Defense Against the Dark Artsclass. Her lips were painted with the brightest lipstick, and her dark hair hung smoothly over her shoulders. Between her brows remained that cold, composed demeanor. Her ten-centimeter high heels were vaguely visible through the gap under the desk—truly delicious.
Seeing Su Yu enter, she immediately put down the quill in her hand and rose to salute, her posture respectful yet measured. As Su Yu's secretary, she had always known her duties, waiting only for Su Yu to speak.
Su Yu sat in the leather chair she had just vacated, casually pulling Isolde into his arms. He gently buried his head in the softness, took a deep breath, and felt incredibly refreshed.
"I just returned from San Bakars Tower and found some clues regarding the Goblins' unusual movements, as well as traces of their secret collusion with Hell." Su Yu slowly recounted the key information he had organized, telling it all to the woman before him.
Isolde listened attentively, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the desk, memorizing every detail. However, her boss's hands were somewhat affecting her concentration.
When Su Yu finished, Isolde nodded slightly, her voice cool and calm: "I understand what you mean, Boss."
"For this matter, first report all the circumstances exactly as they are to Grindelwald." Su Yu looked up, instructing her word by word, "Leave the rest to him to negotiate with Dumbledore."
Isolde responded respectfully: "Very well, Boss, I will handle it immediately." She never spoke more than necessary, only executing orders with precision.
"Alright, the serious business is done, now it's time to do some real work." Su Yu raised his hand and turned Isoldearound.
"Right now, Boss? Isn't it a bit inappropriate here?" Isoldeknew Su Yu too well; she knew he liked this style, which was why she always pretended to be the victim.
——————
An hour later, Isolde adjusted her torn stockings and watched Su Yu's departing figure. After catching her breath for a while, she got up to organize all the information Su Yuhad provided. After confirming everything was correct, she changed her clothes and turned to head toward the secret passage leading to Grindelwald's residence. Her gait was composed, her expression steady; one could not tell at all what she had just experienced. She just felt a bit tired. Practicing yoga on the office desk—only he could think of that, right? She didn't know how those two girls from Slytherin managed every day. If this continued, she would need to sleep at least ten hours a day. It was truly exhausting, Isolde thought as she walked.
The next afternoon, in the Slytherin Common Room, the water of the Black Lake flowed slowly outside the windows, and green light spots moved across the ceiling. A few lower-year students were huddled in a corner playing chess, with occasional bursts of laughter and playfulness.
Su Yu leaned on the sofa, while Kurama was contentedly eating the afternoon dessert that Daphne had the Whiskprepare for her. Her tail swayed unconsciously, proving that she was in a very good mood at the moment.
Su Yu was flipping through a Potion Class notebook borrowed from Daphne. With exams approaching, not only did he need to review, but Daphne and the others had also grouped up to go to the library to study every day.
The door to the Common Room was pushed open. Su Yudidn't look up; he had specifically stayed in the Common Room to wait for Isolde. She was wearing a dark grey trench coat today, the collar still turned up, her hair tied back, but her stockings had been changed to fishnets. She paused at the door, scanned the room, and then walked straight toward Su Yu.
Kurama's ears twitched, and she spat at Su Yu.
Isolde stood still beside Su Yu, bending slightly to reveal a patch of snow-white skin. "Boss, Professor Graves has already spoken with Dumbledore about the things you investigated earlier."
Su Yu tucked the bookmark into the pages and closed the book.
"He spoke with him?" Su Yu asked. "What did Dumbledoresay?"
Isolde did not answer that question. She pulled a folded piece of parchment from her trench coat pocket, not unfolding it, just holding it in her hand. "Dumbledore said there is currently a clue at the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade. Lancelot's younger brother often stays there, and Madam Rosmerta of the pub is very familiar with him."
"Lancelot's younger brother?" Su Yu frowned.
"Yes, Lancelot." Isolde said. "An Ancient Magic researcher who went missing forty years ago. His younger brother, Ragnok, currently resides in Hogsmeade and often goes to the Three Broomsticks."
"Does Professor Graves mean for me to meet Ragnokthrough Madam Rosmerta?" Su Yu asked.
Isolde handed him the parchment. "Do you want me to find a time to go to the Three Broomsticks, and through the introduction of the proprietress, go meet Lancelot's brother to see if he has any news?"
Su Yu took the parchment and unfolded it. On it were a few lines of neat handwriting. The paper listed Lancelot's birth and death years as unknown, the year of his disappearance, Ragnok's current place of residence, and a small line of text: "Madam Rosmerta is informed and can be trusted."
Su Yu read through the parchment, folded it up, and put it directly into his pocket. "You don't need to go. I'll investigate this matter myself. It just so happens that Ginnywants to go on an adventure, so I'll indulge her and take her along."
Isolde nodded. Her trench coat shifted, revealing her thigh. She leaned down close to Su Yu's ear, blowing hot air as she whispered, "Then, Boss, to... today it seems none of the other mistresses are here. You... you wouldn't do anything strange to me, would you? Besides, I'm wearing red nail polish today..."
"You, come back to my dormitory with me, I have some things to brief you on!" Su Yu said with a look of righteous indignation, as if he really had some serious business. It was mainly because Isolde was just too good at this; she could even change flavors every day!
Kurama lifted her head from the cheesecake, her ears swiveling, knowing that Su Yu was up to no good!
It wasn't until nightfall slowly enveloped Hogwarts Castleand the sky outside turned completely dark, with the corridor lamps in the Castle lighting up one by one, that a black shadow limped out of the Slytherin Common Room.
Not long after, Cassandra, Farley, and Daphne walked in together. After finishing their studies in the library, they brought food prepared for Su Yu to his dormitory.
The group looked at Su Yu lying on the bed and sniffed the air, inwardly sighing that the cat stealing fish had come again. Then, the women casually found places to sit down. They didn't mind Su Yu's affairs, relaxing and chatting about trivial matters in the school, their tones relaxed and cozy.
After chatting for a while, Su Yu, lying on Daphne's lap, seized the opportunity to speak, telling them about today's events and his plans for tomorrow.
"Dumbledore said there might be clues at the Three Broomsticks pub. I'm going to find Madam Rosmerta at the pub tomorrow to meet Lancelot's brother and see if I can dig up more useful inside information."
Chapter 92: Three Broomsticks
Hogsmeade Village was still the same; the flower beds along the street were filled with colorful blooms, and bees buzzed among them. The distant mountains had turned from a wintery grayish-brown to a lush green, buds were sprouting on the trees on the hillsides, and the water of the Black Lake shimmered with tiny flecks of gold in the sunlight.
When Su Yu came out of the side door of the Castle, Kurama and Ginny were skipping along the path, chasing butterflies, and every now and then, Ginny would pick a flower and tuck it into Su Yu's hair.
In return, Su Yu wove a flower crown for her and one for Kurama, placing them on their heads. Ginny's happy laughter echoed through the woods. The sunlight felt warm on them, and the chirping of birds from the direction of the Forbidden Forest came in strings, like someone playing an endless, aimless tune on an invisible instrument.
The Three Broomsticks was in the center of the town, its brown stone exterior warmed by the sun. The windows were half-open, and the breeze puffed out the curtains. The sign at the entrance was wiped clean, depicting a Witchholding a beer mug with a kind smile.
Su Yu pushed open the door, and a wave of heat mixed with the sweet scent of butterbeer washed over him. Because of the trouble a while back, the Ministry of Magichad not yet lifted the lockdown on Hogsmeade Village. There were only a few Hogsmeade villagers left in the corner, chatting in low voices over their mugs, making the whole pub seem desolate.
Su Yu scanned the room, found an empty seat by the bar, and sat down. He ordered two butterbeers and a glass of milk. Kurama perched on the bar, lapping up the milk in small sips.
Madam Rosmerta was silently wiping glasses behind the bar. She wore a light green robe, and her blonde hair was coiled on top of her head. With only a few regulars in the shop, she was having a leisurely day.
"Mr. Sean Foley." Madam Rosmerta looked at Su Yu and set down her glass. "You're not here just for a drink today, are you? Hogwarts students aren't supposed to be able to come to Hogsmeade Village during this time."
Su Yu chuckled, not denying it. "There's something I'd like to inquire about."
"Go ahead."
"Ragnok."
Madam Rosmerta's expression didn't change, but her gaze swept over Su Yu and Ginny, pausing for a moment. Then, she turned around, took an unopened bottle of Firewhisky from the cabinet, poured two glasses, and pushed one toward Su Yu.
"Where did you hear that name?" Madam Rosmerta picked up her glass and took a sip.
"Dumbledore." Su Yu didn't beat around the bush.
Madam Rosmerta's hand holding the glass paused, and the glass clinked against the bar, making a soft sound. "That old man has never known how to rest in his life." She set the glass down and crossed her hands on the bar. "Ragnok does indeed come here often."
"Is he here today?" Ginny asked hurriedly.
Madam Rosmerta tilted her chin toward the corner.
Su Yu followed her gaze to the table in the very corner, the one near the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting a rectangular patch of light on the table.
A Goblin sat in a spot where the light couldn't reach, his back against the wall, facing the entire pub. He was wearing an old, faded robe, and his hair was gray, white, and messy. On the table in front of him sat a glass of mead, with water droplets sliding down the side of the glass.
"That is Ragnok," Madam Rosmerta's voice lowered slightly. "He comes here three or four times a week, sits there alone, doesn't say much, and occasionally nods to acquaintances."
Su Yu watched for a while longer, set down his glass, and walked toward him. Ginny followed beside Su Yu and also walked over.
Su Yu and Ginny sat down opposite Ragnok. Ragnok lifted his eyes from his glass and looked at Su Yu.
"Are you students from Hogwarts?" Ragnok's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time.
"Yu-Su-Fley, third-year Slytherin." Su Yu placed Kurama on the table. Kurama crouched down, her amber eyes staring at Ragnok for a moment. "This is Ginny Weasley."
Ragnok glanced at Ginny, nodded, and then looked back at Su Yu.
"What have you come to find me for?"
Su Yu leaned back against the chair, finding a comfortable position.
"About your brother."
Ragnok's hand froze on the side of the mead glass. There was no movement; it was a long while before he let go.
"Did Dumbledore send you?"
Su Yu didn't answer, only saying, "Then what do you know?"
Ragnok was silent for a long time, long enough for Kuramato change positions several times on the table.
Just as Ginny couldn't help but want to speak, he slowly picked up the mead and took a sip, then raised his hand to rub his brow and spoke slowly, his tone full of emotion.
"My brother and I grew up together; we should have been connected by blood, but in the end, we have become strangers."
He paused, looking out at the streets of Hogsmeade, his gaze growing distant.
"In his eyes, all Wizards are selfish. For centuries, Goblins have been suppressed and looked down upon. He was determined to break free from these shackles, even wanting to use the power of Ancient Magic to overturn the existing order and fight for so-called hegemony for the Goblins."
Withdrawing his gaze, he sighed softly.
"But I don't think that way. Wizards and Goblins are not born to be enemies. Living in peace and keeping to one's own place is the long-term path. I do not wish to see him stir up conflict for the sake of his obsession, dragging the entire Goblin race into the chaos of war."
"Later, he became obsessed with searching for the Ancient Magic repository, determined to control that power. I clearly knew many of the inside details, yet I kept them deliberately hidden, unwilling to help. I knew in my heart that if he succeeded, the peaceful world of magic would surely be thrown into turmoil."
"When he discovered that I knew but was deliberately keeping it from him, and learned that I did not agree with his radical ideas, he concluded that I had betrayed our race and our blood. From then on, he broke completely with me, refusing to have any further contact. The two of us brothers thus completely severed our ties."
"What is the Ancient Magic repository?" Ginny asked, puzzled from the side.
"The Ancient Magic repository, formally known as the Ultimate Repository, is a massive Chamber of Secretshidden deep beneath Hogwarts Castle. It was crafted by the Goblin artisan Bragbor, specifically used to store and seal away Ancient Magic—that most primitive, powerful, and untamed magical energy."
"It is the source of Ancient Magic, with power strong enough to threaten the entire world of magic. My brother wants to find it, release all the Ancient Magic inside, and use it to wage war against Wizards to take back the 'rights' of Goblins."
Su Yu asked next.
"Then how does he plan to obtain the repository?"
Ragnok lowered his voice, his tone tightening.
"He has long had plans. First, he has allied with a Dark Wizard who claims to come from hell, using the power of hell and the Dark Wizard's intelligence to help him find clues to the repository. Second, he and his Goblinsubordinates have been using a giant magical drill to dig haphazardly all over the Scottish Highlands, forcing their way to the repository's entrance—they've almost drilled right through the underground of Hogwarts. Third, he has been searching for Bragbor's journal and the key to open the repository. Unfortunately, he and that man in black already stole that journal from me a few days ago. Now, he lacks nothing. He intends to absorb all the Ancient Magic into himself and become an invincible existence."