Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 223, Section 222: Preparations for the Ceremony and the Duel Club

Some were engulfed in flames, even their heads seemed to have lost part of their skulls, with scorching flames constantly erupting from them like volcanoes, and heavy, lava-like flames burning all over their bodies. Even just as an illusion, one could feel the oppressive heat.

Based on the current shape of Angry Horn's body, Harry roughly simulated a fire elemental version of it... It was just a simulation, and he didn't know what Angry Horn would look like if it truly became a giant dragon.

"How is it?" Harry asked. "Right now you're just a fire dragon that can breathe fire, but if you receive the infusion of fire element and ascend, you will be the fire element itself, the kind that would have a place even in the world of fire elements."

Angry Horn snorted; she was somewhat tempted, but quickly turned her attention to another illusion beside her.

It's hard to tell much about dragons anymore; you can only make out the general shape of the limbs, wings, or tail. From head to tail, it seems to be made of rock, and when it runs, it looks like a moving mountain.

With a single slap, the illusion was shattered into pieces.

“Well, it seems you don’t like earth elementals,” Harry said, nodding without re-forming.

That's not surprising, after all, although Angry Horns craves greater power and is willing to pay the price and endure pain for it, she is indeed a mother dragon who loves clean and beautiful scales.

Therefore, earth elemental dragons covered in either massive, tumor-like rocks or sharp stone spikes are indeed unlikely to win the favor of Angry Horn.

Looking at the next one, it's still the ascension form that Harry imagined, except this time it's the wind element. As before, its entire body is wrapped in storms and lightning, and part of its body has also become an elemental body—just like the earth element. Without even thinking, Angry Horn denied this change, since the wind elemental ascension even lost its scales.

Needless to say, the water element was also present. The constantly flowing water surrounded the dragon's body, which made Angry Horn feel a little disappointed... It was so soft and weak. Although the Norwegian Spinosaurus could dive into the water to hunt, as a fire dragon, she didn't really like water.

He was quite picky, not even limiting himself to the four elements. Harry also chose mercury and even some magical metals as objects for ascension—except for the shiny magical metals that caught Angry Horn's eye a few more times, the others were rejected after just one glance.

It was quite fun at first, but it became a bit torturous later on. Harry was still trying to persuade her that if she chose a rare element for ascension, such as using a magical metal like adamantite, she would have to consume more adamantite to become stronger in the future. But where in the world would she find so much adamantite to eat?

Ultimately, perhaps even the Angry Horn herself was getting tired of making choices, so she went back and settled on an element that she had initially rejected—the ice element.

Ascension rituals need to be performed in places rich in the corresponding elements. However, ice element is different from the four basic elements. To be precise, this element is a mixture of water and wind elements. Even in Azeroth, they do not have their own elemental planes, but rather reside in the water elemental realm.

Given the enormous size of the Angry Horn, the amount of elemental energy required to completely transform her into an elemental being would be exceptionally large, otherwise the transformation would be difficult to complete.

Harry couldn't possibly settle for a half-hearted approach to raising the Angry Horn, since the reason he went to such great lengths was not only to fulfill the Angry Horn's wish, but also to expand his own power.

If we try to fool them now, it will be too late to regret it if the Death Knights come knocking on our door later.

Therefore, Harry chose a low-lying valley in the world of Mulgore, and then left elemental stones with engraved runes in various places in the valley to gather elements. Finally, he used a weather charm to change the weather in the valley, so that it was always shrouded in blizzards.

Given the level of elemental activity in the world of Mulgore, Harry felt that it wouldn't be long before the spirit of ice or blizzard would naturally appear in this valley. When the elemental activity level increased further, it would be the time for Wrathhorn to transform.

Things seemed to become urgent without us realizing it. Harry had only felt last year that this world was a peaceful one. Even though both Muggles and wizards had engaged in wars over the past few decades, without the strange and unusual powers of Azeroth and with the relatively weak individual strength of the people in this world, even with an ambitious figure like Voldemort, this world was still more peaceful.

At least you don't have to worry about the world being destroyed and everyone dying—even a Muggle world war or Voldemort's goal isn't to slaughter everyone.

So kind, so incredibly kind.

Harry had even prepared himself for the possibility that he would never be able to return to Azeroth and would only be able to raise children and develop the shamanic path in this peaceful world, becoming an old shaman with disciples all over the world. But before even ten years had passed, no, not even two years had passed, and signs of danger had already appeared.

He was no longer the novice who had just entered the magical world and was wary of wizarding society. Now, Harry knew that most wizards in this world couldn't even put up a fight when faced with real crises, and that he was the one who had to step up in the end.

How are we supposed to provide for our retirement like this?
What a load of crap!

Thus, Harry felt a great sense of urgency. In addition to studying wizarding spells, he also began to study the books that Nico had given him, and he even began to refine his knowledge of the elements once again.

They were extremely busy for a while.

What Nico gave him was not just a copy of "The Book of Abraham the Jew," but an entire library, albeit one located in a manor on the outskirts of Paris, France. In addition to the books Nico had collected over the past six hundred years, it also contained much of his own research. Harry had not yet had a chance to take over this treasure trove of knowledge; he had only selected a few books that interested him under Nico's guidance to bring back to Hogwarts to read.

So far, no one outside knows that Harry, the British wizard, has inherited Nico's most precious treasure; otherwise, the French wizards next door would probably have already started a commotion.

Putting aside external matters, just focusing on the internal affairs of Hogwarts, Harry had to teach apprentices as well as his own classes, including Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, and so on. With all these things mixed together, Harry felt that he was even busier than when he was in Azeroth, where he had to worry about the entire Tauren tribe. At least back then, he had many reliable helpers by his side, but now he had to do it all by himself.

Hermione and Ron, though willing to help, are ultimately just kids, only in their second year, and lack the necessary skills. Sirius and Lupin, having recovered somewhat, were kicked out by Harry; he wouldn't allow his godfather to just laze around after inheriting the family business. So, the two are now working together with the goblins, cooperating with the copper ring.

Since the end of the Christmas holidays, Harry had been so busy that he didn't even understand what the professor, who was always boasting, wanted to do when Lockhart came to him.

"The Duel Club?" Harry asked.

“Yes, Harry, the Duel Club,” Lockhart, dressed in a magnificent robe, said enthusiastically. “You know, Hogwarts hasn’t been very peaceful these past two years. Whether it was the Death Eaters last year or the Basilisk this year—well, they’re all very dangerous for the students.”

Harry nodded; he knew more about the inside story than Lockhart did.

“Right? You think so too, Harry?” Lockhart was visibly pleased to see Harry agree with him. “So, in order to let the students learn some really useful knowledge, I thought of starting such a club. Maybe they will be able to use it someday.”

“That makes sense,” Harry said after thinking for a moment.

“It would be wonderful if you could agree to be my duel assistant,” Lockhart couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve already got Headmaster Dumbledore’s approval. Since you’re willing too, Harry, then let’s meet in the Great Hall tonight?”

“Okay, see you then,” Harry agreed readily.

He certainly wouldn't object.

The Duel Club is naturally meant to teach students how to apply their knowledge in practice, which also strengthens their self-defense capabilities. Considering that the future of this world is uncertain, Harry felt that Lockhart had done a good thing.

When danger truly strikes, survival often depends solely on oneself.

So at eight o'clock in the evening, Harry arrived at the Great Hall of the castle. The four long dining tables that usually sat there had disappeared, and a gilded stage had appeared along the wall. Hundreds of candles floated in the sky for lighting, and the ceiling no longer displayed the stars overhead, but had turned into an opaque black.

Many students came; almost all the students from the four academies, regardless of their grade, were present. After all, the word "duel" was very attractive to students who were in their active years.

In our youth, who hasn't fantasized about having amazing strength, easily outmaneuvering enemies with a flurry of spells, and ultimately walking away in style?

As long as magic is a personal power, it is inseparable from comparisons of strength and weakness. Especially this year, a dangerous snake monster appeared in the school. No one knows what strange things will appear in the school in the future, so the students are extremely enthusiastic.

As Harry entered the Great Hall, he heard the students talking amongst themselves. Some well-informed students said that Professor Flitwick might teach them how to duel, after all, the professor had won the title of dueling champion in his youth. But other students said that Snape would teach them, because Snape might have actually killed people... Anyway, there were all sorts of rumors, which were quite outrageous.

The murmurs continued until a man dressed in a purplish-red robe, sparkling from head to toe, appeared on stage. Lockhart was dressed as if he were going on a blind date, radiant and dazzling—which made many students look as if they had eaten shit, wishing they could turn around and leave immediately.

But it's too late.

"Hey everyone, come here!" Lockhart waved his hands frantically. "Come to me, yes, just like that, surround me! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Great!"

Well, now not only the students, but even Harry is starting to regret it... However, considering that this is the Duel Club, and ultimately it all comes down to the weapons they have, there's no need to worry for the time being that Lockhart will turn the Duel Club back into his own self-aggrandizing fan club.

“That’s right, I think we all know that Hogwarts has not been peaceful in the last two years—for example, Quirrell the Death Eater last year,” Lockhart said loudly, “and the Basilisk this year. I have to say that even though many people say that I am the best Ravenclaw graduate in recent years, I still find it hard to imagine that there is such a dangerous creature in the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin.”

“Yes, yes, I know what your lovely little brains are thinking—didn’t the basilisk attack our Professor Potter? And it has already been killed by Professor Potter.” Lockhart shook his head with a regretful look. “The basilisk did choose to attack Professor Potter, and I’m glad there were no unexpected casualties in the whole thing… but are you really satisfied with that?”

"No offense, Professor Potter, but I must say that even if I had dealt with that basilisk myself, I couldn't have done it any better. But if you've been to the infirmary on the second floor, you'll find the empty classroom next door filled with poor, petrified ghosts—you don't want to be one of them, do you? Or worse, buried in the ground."

Although Lockhart's words still carried a tone of praising one while belittling another, they did indeed resonate with many students.

“Listen carefully, when danger comes, we can only rely on ourselves,” Lockhart said leisurely. “This is a valuable experience I gained after so many adventures, and now I’m sharing it with you selflessly.”

"In short, I am very grateful to Professor Dumbledore for allowing me to start this little club, where I can train you fully in case you need to defend yourselves one day, using the methods I have used countless times—for details, please see my published works."

Lockhart skillfully gave himself a brief advertisement before continuing:

"Of course, since it's a dueling club, there can't be a shortage of opponents—please allow me to introduce my assistants: Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall—and of course, our hottest and most popular professor right now—Professor Potter!"

(End of this chapter)