Hogwarts Raven (Harry Potter)

And how perfectly it aligned with the first day of his second year at Hogwarts.

"Being able to return is a good thing, no matter what."

Even though he hadn't landed in the familiar area he remembered, returning to the Twilight Zone still meant a lot to Ian.

Even if he got "lost" again, he could always find his way back to the castle and town next time. And when that time came, he'd once again meet familiar people and see familiar places.

That was enough.

"What I'm curious about now is, where exactly is this area? And why did I come here?"

After a short moment of adjustment, Ian started walking, following a quiet path.

Without looking back, he headed into the distance. Amid the dense forest, a winding trail led onward. At the end of the path was a towering mountain with no signs of civilization.

"Forget Smurfs, there's not even a single Gargamel here!"

You could hardly blame Ian for complaining. He climbed over the mountain. And what was on the other side? More mountains.

That's not a joke, it was the plain truth… there was mountain after mountain.

Faced with endless ranges, Ian finally had enough. He pulled out his magic cloak and took off into the air on the spot.

It was definitely the right decision.

In fact, he should've given up on trekking through the forest and hills way earlier. He'd held onto hope for too long.

"If I kept walking on foot, I'd probably need three days and nights just to get out of these cursed mountains." Ian didn't even know how many moderately tall peaks he'd flown past.

He only knew that he had pushed the "throttle" to the max, so much so that he flew past even the measurement unit of "Mach", and flew for several hours before he finally saw a change in scenery. What appeared before his eyes was an endless field of golden wheat waves, crisscrossed with small rural paths and tall waterwheels.

It was clearly inhabited. Or rather, inhabited by souls.

As he went a bit farther, Ian saw a peaceful city. The classical architectural style exuded a sense of age and history, as if the city were quietly telling stories from the past.

The outline of the city gradually became clear before Ian's eyes. Tall and solid stone walls seemed capable of withstanding the storms of any age. On either side of the gate stood two imposing towers. Banners fluttered atop them, faded in color,

but still radiating the glory and splendor of a bygone era.

"There are people!"

"Wizards?"

"Heavens! And it's even a rare male wizard!"

...

The guards at the city gates were nearly fully armed. Spears in hand and sharp-eyed,

they looked up and saw Ian appearing in the sky. Although they seemed somewhat wary, they were not particularly surprised.

"A kingdom in the Twilight Zone where wizards still exist?" This was the first time Ian had seen such a flourishing city within the Twilight Zone.

From above, he could see that the city was far from empty.

There were rows upon rows of houses, some thatched, some made of stone, some wooden, with bakeries, mills, blacksmiths, and tailor shops scattered throughout.

"Honored young wizard, have you also come in response to the bounty posted by our beloved king?" As Ian landed, the guards immediately approached and asked cautiously.

"Of course, I've come because of that." Ian had no idea what bounty they were talking about, but since he was already here, he might as well explore this mysterious realm.

"Please come in! Let us escort you to the palace in a special carriage!"

The guards showed no suspicion, after all, to them, Ian had literally descended from the sky like a proper wizard. He clearly looked like someone with real magical power.

And his youthful appearance? Well, that might just be the mark of an especially powerful sorcerer.

"No problem." Ian responded crisply.

Though his wand was hidden in his sleeve and he remained somewhat alert, none of that showed on his face, he looked calm and composed.

"This way!" The guards led Ian into the city but not through the bustling downtown. Instead, they guided him to a luxurious carriage parked near the city's edge.

The elegant carriage rolled steadily into the city, its wheels clicking softly against the cobblestone road, creating a subtle rhythm that harmonized with the lively sounds of the city.

Outside the carriage window, a vivid and lively scene unfolded like a painting.

Street vendors lined both sides of the road, selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to exquisite handicrafts. They shouted loudly, trying to draw attention from passersby.

Children ran and played among the crowds, occasionally bursting into silvery laughter, bringing more life and joy to the city.

In the distance, towering buildings came into view. The spire of a cathedral pierced the sky, shining gold in the sunlight.

The church, whose affiliation Ian couldn't identify, actually looked even more magnificent than the royal palace.

A radiant golden wheel adorned its façade. He had no idea which faith or order it belonged to.

The carriage continued forward and eventually came to a stop before a grand palace,

a structure built of massive stone blocks, majestic, solemn, and resplendent.

At the gates, two attendants in ornate uniforms had been waiting for quite some time.

They seemed to have been notified in advance. As soon as the carriage stopped,

they stepped forward and gracefully opened the door for Ian.

"Honored guest, welcome from afar. We are grateful that you have responded to the king's call." Their voices were gentle and respectful, as if they were truly honored by Ian's arrival.

Ian wanted to ask just how "welcoming" they were being, but that felt a little too cheeky. After all, he was playing the role of a deep and mysterious wizard right now.

"I can't wait to claim your bounty."

In the end, Ian chose a relatively decent yet confident-sounding response. As expected, his words immediately pleased the attendant, who cheerfully led him into the royal palace.

On the plaza before the palace, fountains gushed and flowerbeds bloomed, everything looked so harmonious and beautiful.

Under the attendant's guidance, Ian passed through the palace gates and stepped into the royal interior. Lavishly decorated, the place glittered with gold and jade. Every piece of art revealed the artisan's exquisite craftsmanship and pursuit of beauty.

It wasn't just artistic bacteria; it had evolved into artistic cells, that kind of beauty.

"Feels like being inside a fairy tale." Ian sighed inwardly.

He entered the grand hall.

Inside the palace's great hall, the King and Queen were already awaiting Ian's arrival. They sat high atop their thrones, wearing ornate royal robes and dazzling crowns that exuded majesty and grandeur.

"So this is the wizard who arrived amidst the 'Roar of the Sky,' carried by a mighty wind?" The King's gaze was fervent. Clearly, neither he nor his people understood what a sonic boom was.

"That's not a bad title." Ian was quite pleased with the praise.

"Honorable wizard, welcome to my kingdom." The King's voice was deep and powerful, full of dignity and sincerity. He even descended from his throne to personally embrace Ian.

"I'm here for the bounty." Ian hadn't forgotten what the gatekeeper had said.

(To Be Continued…)

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