Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 163, Section 162: The Agreement and Trials with the Centaurs
The primitive worship of elements by the centaur tribe seems to focus more on the elements of fire and earth, and the various decorations and symbols that have recently appeared throughout the tribe also confirm this.

As for the water and wind elements... Harry only saw totems related to these two elements inside Triton's tent.

“The Elements say…we can ask you for guidance,” Triton said softly, looking into Harry’s eyes. “You are a pioneer, a guide, and…a prophet.”

That unsettling feeling from the bottom of his heart made Harry increasingly uncomfortable, but his reason kept telling him that everything was different now.

“You are deeply loved and trusted by the Elements, Harry Potter,” Ferrenze said, bending his front knee in a gesture of respect. “In our conversations, the Elements have repeatedly mentioned your existence—they are willing to share their power with us, which is truly a kind of magic never before seen.”

“But we also need to prove our worth,” Triton added. “The elements want to become stronger, so they need helpers, and you need helpers, Potter kids.”

"Elemental Revival," Harry nodded and said, "It seems they really did tell you everything."

“The celestial phenomena have become chaotic,” Ferenc said, lowering his head. “Prophecies have also become incredibly obscure. Not only is it difficult to arrive at an accurate prophecy, but even interpretation is impossible—everything has become unfamiliar.”

“The Elements have told us a lot, the things you said when you were teaching those ponies, the future of the Elements’ resurgence… We are like another group of apprentices you have never met,” Ferenze sighed rather melancholically. “Please forgive us for stealing your knowledge, Mr. Potter.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Harry shook his head and said, “It’s a good thing that the shamanic way can spread. If the elements relay what I once said to you, then you should know that the revival of the elements is not something that I can achieve by my own efforts alone.”

“But even so, the changes you have brought have been of great help to us,” Triton said loudly. “More than a decade has passed, and this is the first time that the centaurs have defeated those spiders and driven back their claws that were expanding beyond their territory.”

“Spiders?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Do you know this amazing creature, the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider?" Ferenze turned his head and asked.

"I know, it's very intelligent, even able to talk to people, and can grow to be almost the size of an elephant," Harry recalled the knowledge from the book, and then added in his mind—also Ron's nightmare.

Harry then realized what the appearance of the eight-eyed spider in the Forbidden Forest really meant.

This spider is native to the rainforests of southeastern Asia. Simply put, it shouldn't be found in such a remote place as Britain. As a Class XXXXX dangerous magical creature as classified by the British Ministry of Magic, the venom of the Octopoda is extremely valuable, and equally dangerous and deadly.

Since Triton has already used the word "territory" to describe it, and even said it with a great sense of accomplishment that the centaur tribe had defeated the eight-eyed giant spider for the first time... this means that this spider has become a dominant force in the Forbidden Forest.

This is not good news for most of the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest. The eight-eyed giant spider is a carnivore, especially fond of large prey, which means that the centaur is an ideal target in their eyes.

The giant eight-eyed spider is incredibly prolific, laying over a hundred eggs at a time, and they only take six to eight weeks to hatch. Most importantly, while possessing high intelligence, they are also extremely ferocious and untamable.

Given the centaurs' physical structure, Harry was quite certain they weren't very good at dealing with swarms of tiny spiders; as the saying goes, "many ants can kill an elephant."

“It was the elements that helped us,” Ferenze said with a happy smile. “The fire element set those abominable spiders on fire, making them retreat—it was a great victory.”

"Congratulations," Harry said sincerely. "May I ask how many shamans you have now?"

“If by shaman you mean centaurs who can communicate with the elements and borrow their power, then including myself and Ferenze there are only seven,” Triton said frankly. “That’s why we ultimately retreated when facing the Eight-Eyed Spider.”

“I understand,” Harry nodded and said, “Given the habits of the eight-eyed spiders, it’s not a good thing to let them expand their population in the Forbidden Forest. After all, there will always be some daring students who will venture into the Forbidden Forest… I will pass this on to Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Even with the protection of ritual magic, it is extremely dangerous to let such an untamed and ferocious creature as the eight-eyed spider live around the castle. Now that he has become a professor at Hogwarts, Harry feels that he should be responsible for the safety of his students.

“In the past, we would bring the foals that accidentally approached the territory of the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider to the outside of the Forbidden Forest, but now…” Treton shook his head slightly, not finishing his sentence.

The centaur tribe has now moved to a place far away from Hogwarts.

“I understand,” Harry said, recalling what had happened last time. “But since centaurs have a pact with Hogwarts that they can’t harm young wizards, does the Octopod also have a corresponding pact as part of the Forbidden Forest?”

This also explains why such a dangerous and magical creature exists in the Forbidden Forest, yet over the years there has never been any news of the eight-eyed giant spider harming anyone.

“They don’t!” Upon hearing this, Triton immediately showed an angry expression. “They are outsiders! Intruders! They suddenly appeared in the Forbidden Forest more than fifty years ago, and many centaurs have died by their fangs!”

As creatures that also inhabit the Forbidden Forest, each centaur tribe and the eight-eyed giant spider share a deep-seated hatred.

“It was probably one of the students’ pets,” Harry sighed. “It was released into the Forbidden Forest, or it escaped on its own.”

“Perhaps,” Triton shook his head and said, “Then what is the purpose of your visit here today, boy of the Potter family, messenger of the elements?”

“I came with good intentions,” Harry said earnestly, “because I found traces of centaurs at the edge of that altar, and because the centaurs have their own shamans.”

“We pose no threat,” Frenzer said softly. “We are part of the Forbidden Forest, and also part of Hogwarts. Centaurs will not harm ponies.”

“Of course, I already know that,” Harry nodded. “Just as you know a great deal about me, the elements have also told me a lot about you along the way—I have no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the centaur tribe.”

“As long as you do not stray from the shamanic way, do not distort the will of the elements, or do not use the power of the elements to do whatever you want, then we will be… companions.”

As he finished speaking, Harry took a deep breath—he really couldn't believe he was saying the word 'companion' to a creature that looked so much like a centaur.

“…Of course,” Triton said solemnly, giving Harry a deep look. “The centaurs should dedicate their strength to the revival of the elements, as we promised to them.”

“That would be perfect,” Harry suddenly laughed. “As fellow travelers, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take on a few centaur apprentices so you don’t have to learn shamanic knowledge through elemental transliteration.”

"At the same time, I am also willing to provide you with the recipe for the Spirit Pact Potion, so that you can have more shamans—you should know what the Spirit Pact Potion is, right?"

“I know that potions can turn ordinary centaurs into shamanic priests, but—why?” Triton stared in astonishment, his mouth agape.

The help Harry offered was so generous that he could hardly believe it.

“Don’t rush to say that, I also have conditions,” Harry shook his head and said, “My first apprentices have reached the stage where they can try to come into contact with the second element, but before they can try, they need to go through a trial.”

“A trial?” Triton asked.

The old centaur breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Harry say that his help came with conditions.

“They are too naive, and their student status prevents them from experiencing many things,” Harry shook his head and said. “I will let them rely on their own strength to cross the Forbidden Forest and reach your tribe, and in the process, they will gain a lot.”

“Go through the Forbidden Forest?” Triton frowned. “That’s too dangerous. Dumbledore won’t allow it.”

“I will persuade Dumbledore, but before that, I want to persuade you first,” Harry said frankly. “I noticed earlier that you built a fire elemental altar high on the cliff.”

“Yes, the Holy Fire,” Triton acknowledged. “That is where the great fire elemental first revealed its existence, and it is also the new sacred place for our tribe.” “That is exactly what I need,” Harry said with a smile. “When my apprentices arrive here, weary from their journey through the Forbidden Forest, they will drink the Flame Pact Potion before the Holy Fire, and those who have already gained some understanding will establish a connection with the fire elemental.”

“Bane will be unhappy,” Ferrenze said abruptly after hearing Harry’s words. “There’s also a small group of centaurs who don’t want any wizards to come near our new territory…not even ponies.”

“Only a small part,” Harry tilted his head and asked Triton, “What do you think?”

Triton remained silent, lost in thought, without immediately responding.

“The centaurs can’t hide in the Forbidden Forest forever,” Harry said calmly. “Especially now that you’ve mastered the elemental powers, the Ministry of Magic will notice you sooner or later when the elements are revived.”

“…Wizards…forbid other races from using wands.” After a long silence, Triton said softly, “Even fairies have been deprived of the right to use wands; they are no longer allowed to use certain spells.”

“I agree,” Triton said wearily, letting out a long sigh. “Centaur… Elemental resurgence… Yes, we do need more…”

"Thank you," Harry said, standing up. "The trial is tonight, but they should arrive in the middle of the night."

“I will be ready,” Triton nodded and said.

Led by Ferrenze, Harry walked out of the centaur tribe. The centaur warriors watched Harry leave, but no one rushed up to provoke him.

By four o'clock in the afternoon, Harry had returned to the castle and was sitting in Dumbledore's office.

"...You mean you want to take your apprentices through the Forbidden Forest to the centaur tribe?" Dumbledore asked, adjusting his glasses with a complicated expression.

“To be precise, it should be them. I won’t show up in public unless they encounter a deadly crisis,” Harry explained.

"Still at night?"

"Tomorrow is Saturday, so they can catch up on their sleep."

“That’s not the point, Harry,” Dumbledore said with a speechless expression. “Trials, I never thought I’d hear such an ancient…tradition in this day and age.”

“That’s necessary,” Harry explained earnestly. “If they want to master a new power, they must at least prove that they have the character to be worthy of it.”

"During this trial, they will gradually understand the meaning of the fire element's existence, and they will also understand what the fire element is like—this is very important."

"...If Minerva knew, she would think I'd gone even crazier," Dumbledore chuckled self-deprecatingly, "because I suddenly realize I have no reason to stop you now."

"So, what's your answer?" Harry asked.

“You are a full professor now, Harry,” Dumbledore said without looking up, glancing back at the parchment on the table in front of him. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

This means agreeing.

The waiting time always seemed to pass slowly, but as darkness finally began to fall, Harry's group of apprentices eagerly arrived at the shamanic altar to wait.

“I think you’ve all eaten your fill, right?” Harry asked after looking around. “I can tell you in advance that your trials will be very physically demanding.”

“Of course! Mentor! I ate two big pieces of bread!” Katie Bell said eagerly. “As you requested, I even took a nap this afternoon to make sure I have plenty of energy.”

Her words were met with a chorus of agreement. Having been kept in suspense all day by Harry, everyone was eagerly anticipating the trial—the trial!
The word itself is exciting, very formal, and very solemn.

“Very good,” Harry said as he walked past his apprentices, occasionally patting them on the shoulder and giving them a tug on their muscles.

Overall, I'm quite satisfied.

Thanks to Harry's teachings, even the students at Hogwarts who weren't shamans knew that shamans needed a strong body. Especially after experiencing some of Harry's special demonstrations, these apprentices had developed the good habit of running around the Black Lake every morning.

Therefore, even without deliberately developing strong muscles, these apprentices were indeed quite strong compared to the other young wizards in the castle—which was one of the reasons why Harry believed they could complete the trial.

Otherwise, it would be too unrealistic to expect a bunch of little creatures who get out of breath after just a few steps to traverse the Forbidden Forest.

“Now that you are all ready, let’s begin the trial.” Harry looked up at the sky again and announced, “From the time I announce the start, you have half an hour to search this area and make a torch for yourselves. Everyone has to.”

“After you finish making it, you will need to take this torch into the Forbidden Forest and follow the route to the centaur tribe.” As he said this, Harry looked to his side.

The churning earth there sculpted a stone figure almost as tall as an adult, which let out a low growl in response to Harry.

"Mesali will guide you and prevent you from going to some random place—but I must warn you that unless you encounter a danger that endangers your life, or suffer irreversible injuries such as losing an arm or a leg, do not expect any help from Mesali."

Harry said with utmost seriousness.

“And if any of you receive help from Mosaly, it means that person has failed the trial. I will then use another method to bring them out of the Forbidden Forest, understand?”

There was no answer. The group of apprentices seemed dumbfounded, their mouths agape in disbelief.

"Can I ask you something, Master?" Hermione asked, raising her hand tremblingly, "Where is the centaur village located? Is it far from the castle?"

“It’s actually quite far,” Harry said after thinking for a moment. “You should know what happened last time, Hermione. Those centaurs have moved to a deeper part of the Forbidden Forest.”

As Harry spoke, droplets of water condensed in the air, forming a delicate and beautiful map on his right.

“You’re pretty much in this spot now,” Harry said, pointing to a castle-like location on the map. “You’ll be heading out from here in a bit, heading towards the main river, and you’ll eventually run into the centaurs around this spot—don’t worry, I’ve already told them beforehand that they won’t hurt you.”

Gulu.

As Harry drew a long line on the map, Neville swallowed hard enough to be heard several steps away.

There is no doubt that this is absolutely frightening.

“…Merlin’s stockings,” Roger Davis couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is almost halfway through the Forbidden Forest, and it’s still nighttime—I can’t believe I’ve ever had a day like this?!”

Even though it wasn't completely dark yet, the apprentices only glanced in the direction of the Forbidden Forest and already felt that it was dark and gloomy, and wondered what might be lurking there.

(End of this chapter)