Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 167, Section 166: The Trial Ends and Harry's Teachings
What to prepare?
Of course, this is preparation for establishing a connection with the fire element.

If the apprentices before didn't have any particular feelings about this, at most they just felt that they were about to master a new element, and their hearts were filled with novelty, and that was all—but now it's completely different.

The long night, the pitch-black journey, the helpless predicament, the sense of security brought by flames and light, especially when the eight-eyed giant spider attacked, the image of those densely packed little spiders fearing only the firelight was deeply etched in everyone's memory.

No matter how dissatisfied Harry was with the difficulty of this trial, compared to this trial, the process by which these apprentices established a connection with the earth element was far too simple—they simply drank the potion and then closed their eyes to search.

There wasn't even a concrete sense of it, and by the second year, some people's memories of how they found the earth element were already a bit hazy.

But no one will forget what happened tonight.

“Drink up,” Harry said, handing out bottles of Flame Pact Potions to each apprentice. “Take your insights and let them flow with your emotions—go and find the existence of the fire element.”

Without even needing a second prompt, each apprentice eagerly unscrewed the bottle and drank the potion.

They also wanted to manipulate the power of fire like that centaur named Ronan, not just using fire to burn things like the "Blazing Flames" spell, but to use the power of fire more freely and safely—even to wear fire like clothing, so that those disgusting little spiders couldn't get close to their bodies.

It must be said that Ronan's actions at the time left a deep impression on these apprentices, and the sense of security brought by the flames made them yearn for that power.

Before this enormous bonfire, the apprentices closed their eyes, trying to find traces of the fire element—a process that required careful observation and understanding.

The centaurs hummed their ancient songs softly. Harry couldn't understand the songs sung in their unique language, but he could feel the beauty of the music—an ancient beauty conveyed through the melody.

“I think such trials can perhaps be passed down as a ritual,” Triton said softly, looking at the solemn expressions on Harry’s apprentices. “In contrast, Frenzer and Ronan will go to your side as representatives. They will obey your orders and learn from you.”

“I have no objection,” Harry said calmly. “What do you think, Headmaster Dumbledore?”

"why not?"

With those words, a figure suddenly appeared in the previously empty space next to Harry.

Wearing a dark purple robe, perhaps the most understated of all Dumbledore's clothes for an evening, he dispelled the Disillusionment Charm on himself and looked at the apprentices before him.

There was no need for even the slightest doubt; Dumbledore was protecting these apprentices throughout their journey.

From the very beginning, he used the Disillusionment Charm to conceal his presence and followed behind the apprentices, observing them. This was not because he did not trust Harry; in fact, it was impossible for most professors to approve a course that allowed a group of students of different ages, the youngest of whom was only a second-year student, to traverse most of the Forbidden Forest at night—for example, if Lockhart were to apply for such a course, he would only be subjected to a furious scolding from Professor McGonagall.

Dumbledore was just a little worried and wanted to check on the safety of Harry's classroom and the students' reactions... well, maybe even the centaurs.

“Even if I’m reluctant to admit it, Triton, I’m getting old—and you’re getting old too,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. “I remember when I first met you, you weren’t the chieftain of your tribe, and your beard wasn’t this long, nor was it this white.”

“I was still very young then, Dumbledore,” Terry said with a sigh. “But I remember it very clearly, you already had a thick head of white hair and a white beard back then.”

"Thank you for reminding me that so much time has passed," Dumbledore said humorously. "Time flies by too fast, and changes too quickly. At least last year, I didn't have to think about what elements were, or what elements would bring us or what they would affect."

“The stars change every day, and the centaurs have lost their ability to predict the future,” Triton sighed deeply.

"The stars are changing? The centaurs have lost their prophetic abilities?" Dumbledore's smile vanished; he frowned and asked, "Why?"

Because of his past experiences, Dumbledore believed in prophecy.

“It’s just like what you heard, Dumbledore—we can’t see the stars anymore,” Terry said with a worried expression. “After hearing the voice of the elements, I’ve done many divinations for the tribe, and many centaurs have also been observing the stars with me, hoping to get guidance, but all we see is darkness.”

Without speaking, Dumbledore simply pondered in silence.

“Divination is just a guide. We still have to live even without divination,” Harry shook his head and said. “As the elements continue to resurface, more and more wizards will appear, and Muggles will no longer turn a blind eye to the anomalies in their lives.”

"Even the most foolish person would realize something is wrong when they see the milk in their bowl suddenly jump up and run away—this is something the memory erasure team simply cannot handle in the future."

"Wizards and Muggles," Dumbledore said with a sigh, "This question has troubled many people for decades... In any case, it is a good thing that the centaurs can re-establish their connection with the wizards through the elemental connection, which may allow you to find a new place in the changing future."

"I have established an organization called the Earth Circle." Realizing that Dumbledore was unwilling to discuss the issue of wizards and Muggles, Harry did not ask further. Instead, he said to Triton, "It is not affiliated with any faction or politics. This organization will only accept shamans as members, and we will maintain a neutral stance towards everything from the outside world."

"To revive the elements, maintain the balance between them, and repair the damaged world—this is the mission of the Earth Ring—would you like to join?"

"Neutral attitude," Triton pondered the word for a moment before laughing. "The centaurs are willing to dedicate their strength to such a noble goal, and I am also willing to help persuade other centaur tribes to spread the shamanic way."

"Thank you," Harry nodded.

Just as the group was talking, suddenly, a flame appeared in front of Ron, and he opened his eyes, staring intently at the flame floating in his palm, feeling its heat, which was different from the huge campfire at the front.

"I did it, Harry!" Ron exclaimed excitedly, forgetting that he should now call Harry his mentor. He looked around to make sure he was the only one who had summoned the flame, while everyone else still had their eyes closed. "I'm the first! Harry! I'm the first!!"

Ron was so excited that even his red hair looked redder than usual, and he was even trembling with excitement.

I, Ronald Weasley, was the first shaman apprentice at Hogwarts to establish a bond with the elemental fire!!

His face was glowing!

“Congratulations, Ron,” Harry said with a smile. “It seems the fire elementals really like you.”

Around the same time as Ron, Luna also opened her eyes, but unlike Ron, she didn't shout excitedly. Instead, she continued to talk with her new friends.

“Yeah, it wasn’t easy, really not easy,” Ron was even a little moved and wanted to wipe away his tears. “I thought fire elementals would be like earth elementals. Last year, it took me a whole year to see an earth elemental… That year was tough…” Thinking about how he could only watch his friends play with or practice spells with earth elementals while wearing bull horns last year, and how those nasty guys in the castle were gossiping behind his back that they hadn’t seen an earth elemental either, but had managed to get into the shaman club thanks to Harry—Ron now felt like his hard times were finally over.

At least the fire element didn't make him wait a whole year, which was truly touching.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, what are you doing here?” Wiping away the tears of joy from the corners of his eyes, Ron finally noticed the old man who was looking at him with a smile.

“Oh, I’m here to witness all of this,” Dumbledore said, turning to the huge campfire behind him. “Everything that has happened tonight is certainly memorable, isn’t it, Mr. Weasley?”

“That’s right,” Ron nodded vigorously. “I’ll never forget what happened tonight—it was so cool!”

Ron wasn't the only one with this thought. Before long, Harry's apprentices opened their eyes one after another. They had all established a connection with the fire element and were now touching the small flames floating in front of them with the curiosity of children who had received a new toy—excuse me, this is really disrespectful.

It's more like a child finding a new friend... Hmm, that's right.

It was a very strange feeling. They were quite certain that the small flame burning in front of them was a normal flame, meaning it was hot and could burn them. But they were also surprised to find that even if they put their fingers directly into the small flame, their fingers did not feel any pain and their skin was completely unharmed.

This was a novel experience that the Flaming Spell could not provide; no wizard would be foolish enough to use a Flaming Spell on themselves.

"Don't do anything foolish." Seeing his apprentices laughing foolishly, Harry had to remind them, "Establishing a connection with fire elementals doesn't mean you're immune to fire damage. Look closely, your fingers aren't actually touching the fire; they're avoiding you."

“…It really is!” Padma Petil blinked. “They bent themselves, avoiding our fingers.”

Don't play with fire!

After Harry's stern warning, the apprentices dispersed the fire elementals that had gathered in front of them—this was different from the earth elementals they had encountered before; it wasn't usually convenient to carry them around as companions, and their current good temper was only because of their status as shamans.

It would be troublesome if you accidentally burned something valuable.

"...You have successfully established a connection with the fire element, which is excellent," Harry said loudly. "In this era when the elements have not yet been revived, as the earliest pioneers, there is no doubt that you have a unique talent in the shamanic path that far surpasses that of others, but this does not mean that you can be arrogant and complacent because of it."

Like any teacher, Harry also taught his apprentices to maintain a humble heart.

"...Just as I have always told you, everything has a different face. Even fire, the most active and volatile element, does not simply mean destruction and chaos," Harry taught earnestly. "Yes, a forest fire is indeed a disaster for the animals and plants that live in it."

"But do you know what? The land burned by the fire will become more fertile, and the regrown forests will be healthier and full of life."

“Fire removes dead wood and decaying leaves; it is also a force of life and creation. This is a truth you need to understand with your hearts,” Harry said with a smile. “All I can teach you are some basic knowledge. The way of shamanism is so profound that it takes a lifetime to learn and comprehend it.”

“Remember, everything in the world is interconnected. They repel each other, but no force can survive without its opposite,” Harry said, calmly sharing his long-held insights. “The four elements—and not just the four you are familiar with, including wizards and humans—everything wants to eliminate the force that opposes it.”

"But you must remember one thing: everything can only show its meaning in this kind of confrontation—just like light and shadow, fire and water."

"Never forget this."

As Harry finished speaking, his apprentices and the centaurs who had been listening attentively from the beginning all bowed slightly in respect, for the knowledge he had shared and the beliefs he had held.

In particular, the last part about balance resonated with many people in the country.

He truly deserves to be called the savior of the world!
In any case, Harry's apprentices finally completed their first trial—a trial that Harry was not entirely satisfied with, and which was conducted under close surveillance.

After the ceremony, Harry summoned a giant wind elemental to send his apprentices back to Hogwarts. He could tell that Dumbledore had been hesitant to speak since the beginning, but the old man managed to hold back and didn't say anything.

But now it works.

“Theoretically speaking, the headmaster of Hogwarts shouldn’t interfere with each professor’s teaching plan—theoretically,” Dumbledore emphasized, standing next to Harry. “After all, each professor has their own ideas, and magic doesn’t have a fixed method. But in any case, making ‘hunting the eight-eyed giant spider’ a homework assignment is still a bit…too unusual.”

“What’s wrong?” Harry looked at Dumbledore with surprise. “I think it’s perfect. The giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest have been cleared out, other creatures have room to breathe, and the Hogwarts students don’t have to worry about accidentally trespassing into the Forbidden Forest and being attacked and killed by giant spiders.”

"My apprentices get plenty of training in the process. They improve their knowledge, willpower, and combat skills. They can even sell their spoils for money. A pint of octopus venom is worth a hundred gallons," Harry said with great satisfaction. "This gives them pocket money and also fosters their independence, gradually teaching them to be self-reliant—it couldn't be more perfect."

Dumbledore: "..."

He realized that in Harry's mind, this homework assignment was a perfect plan that killed six birds with one stone—and even Dumbledore himself had to admit that if everything went according to Harry's plan, the student would indeed be trained.

“I admit there’s some truth to what you’re saying, but Harry, have you considered this?” Dumbledore said with a hint of exasperation, “They’re just children, and the giant spiders are extremely dangerous; even many adult wizards are no match for them.”

“Then they can start hunting those small giant spiders,” Harry said calmly. “From the moment they became my apprentices, they were no longer ordinary wizards—they had their own mission to fulfill.”

“Of course, I won’t force them if they don’t want to. They can just leave my classes,” Harry reassured Dumbledore. “You know, shamans have the power to change the world, and I can’t give that power to those who are not virtuous enough or unable to take responsibility.”

“At least for now they can hone themselves by protecting their environment,” Harry said with a smile. “The eight-eyed giant spider is a good target, with both strong and weak ones, enough for them to slowly transform—don’t worry, I’ve considered the safety issues.”

Based on the target size, apprentices can start by fighting small giant spiders, then medium giant spiders, and finally fully grown giant spiders—well, progressing step by step, becoming more proficient with each step.

Adventurers in Azeroth are very skilled at leveling up by defeating monsters.

“…You’re not treating them like professors, Harry,” Dumbledore sighed after staring at Harry for a few seconds. “You’re turning them into warriors.”

(End of this chapter)