From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 622 Gray Army Battalion

Gladion is a vast world, inhabited not only by outer planes almost identical to Faerûn, but also by intelligent life forms that have created different civilizations.

The android 5 and the technological alliance behind her are another thing that greatly interests Ivy, following the fragments of the demon lord Hishod's soul.

However, this research-oriented android, who is skilled in music, seems to possess considerable autonomy and does not adhere to the commands of other intelligent beings or its creators.

But as long as there is desire, there is the possibility of being controlled. And Ivy believed that the android's boundless curiosity was enough to push her into the vast halls of knowledge in Streihaven.

However, all of this will have to wait until after we have fully explored this abyss space created by the fragments of Hishad's soul, and the demonic invasion taking place in the Holy War Kingdom of Montevi also greatly interests Ivy.

If the lower planes have invaded the material world and even deployed top-tier forces like the Demon Lords, then the gods sitting in the upper planes seem to have a reason to face their fate.

Observing and assessing the power struggle between gods and demons in this world could undoubtedly give Ivy some new ideas for pursuing divinity. Although he certainly didn't intend to be trapped in a specific world as a god representing the sun, he didn't think it would be a bad thing if he could gain more divine power under certain conditions.

"Excuse my intrusion, Lord Doom."

As Ivy prepared to fuse the two fragments of Hishod's soul and then pull the one from the body of the angel Stallma, the angel herself asked a question.

“I just overheard your conversation with that android. You seem to be researching artificial life, and it’s related to the soul…” The scarred angel was cautious, her face showing a careful scrutiny.

“Oh, it’s not some research that needs to be kept secret.” Ivy decided to “tell the truth.” “In short, not long ago I rescued a group of souls from a demon in hell. Since they were all people who had made pacts with the demon in their previous lives, simply breaking the pacts wouldn’t completely save them. If I simply set them free, these souls, tainted by the power of the lower planes, would eventually drift into the River Styx, becoming one infernal creature after another on its banks. Therefore, I decided to create new bodies for them, and golem-like constructs were my first choice. However, I haven’t yet found a way to achieve a perfect fusion between these souls and the constructs. That’s why I was so—excited—after seeing the perfect androids.”

“This is an act of unparalleled goodness! To save souls from the clutches of evil and then guide them back from their misguided ways—I have never heard of such a noble story before.” Shane’s angel had no more doubts, only a longing for her regained freedom.

And so Ivy's purification ritual began soon after.

The two fragments of Heathcoat's soul merged within the silver cage, transforming into a larger ice crystal. Meanwhile, the third fragment, residing within the angel Stallma, stirred as the first two fragments fused, struggling to break free from the divine essence of the angel.

What Ivy needs to do is simply accelerate this process with psionic magic, amplifying the attraction of the larger fragments to the smaller ones. The soul fragments of Hishad that can temporarily manifest independently are no different from the principle of creating Horcruxes, except that the souls of demon lords are far more resilient than those of normal humans.

It can corrupt mortals independently without the protection of powerful dark magic, but when it encounters angels, this ability to quickly resurrect Heathcliff becomes a burden.

The two influenced each other within the angel, turning the angel into a wounded and weary prisoner, while simultaneously subjecting the fragment of Heathcliff's soul to the constant torment of the angel's divine essence. Had this glacier not belonged to Heathcliff, providing the fragment of the angel's soul with considerable power, it would likely have long been forced to relinquish some of its power and deeply merge with the angel in order to survive.
Just like the fragment of Voldemort in Harry's head, only a powerful host can counteract the host; otherwise, one can only surrender their magical talents.

However, it was thanks to this strange balance that Ivy's projected psionic tentacles were able to sever the connection between the two and completely extract the third fragment of Heathcoat's soul.

As countless tiny ice crystals flew out of Stallma's body and coalesced into a third crystal at the center of the magic circle inscribed by Ivy, the shivering angel finally showed a relieved expression. Like a traveler who had trekked through icy wilderness for a long time and finally returned to the warmth of a fireplace.

“It’s been too long… I’ve been tormented by the evil power of Heathcliff for far too long…” The frostbite on the angel’s body had completely disappeared, his stiff wings had unfurled again, the tattered feathers were beginning to fall off, and new feathers were sprouting. “We should use the connection between these fragments to find them through those portals and eradicate Heathcliff from this world completely!”

“It’s not too late to let our friends rest before proceeding,” Ivy gestured to the angel Stallma to calm down. “Right now, the material world of Gladion is suffering another demonic invasion. Compared to Hisod, who has not been resurrected for many years, the demons emerging from the world’s calamity are the real threat.”

"Good heavens! I almost forgot there was a battle going on in the tavern!" The dwarf warlock, who was engrossed in admiring the magical runes Ivy left in the air, suddenly shouted, "The only good people left in Kanaburi are there! We absolutely cannot let the demons and their lackeys destroy it completely!"

"Professor Doom, Cavalry Captain, you are both rare benevolent people in this world. Please help the Crusaders fight against the demons emerging from the World's Tragedy... or at least, help us open a portal... and send us back to the battlefield!" Judging from Little Elephant's notes, the demon-born Resca wasn't exactly a man of few words, but when it came to seeking help, he was certainly not very adept. He couldn't even finish his sentence, which sounded a bit like moral blackmail.

Angel Stalmah had been watching over this glacial abyss for who knows how long, spending countless days and nights in solitude, while Ivy was a professor who had come to save his student. Neither of them had anything to do with the Crusaders or their war against demons. Moreover, Resca didn't feel that he had anything to offer them that warranted their sacrifice, so the words had already completely taken a turn for the worse halfway through.

“I will offer all the help I can!” Angel Stalmah responded to the demon’s invitation almost immediately. “Although the Blazing Cavalry are not usually allowed to leave their posts, I have not performed my duties for many years, so a little absence won’t be a big deal. But I’m afraid that after resolving the defenses of Cannabri, I will have to return to the heavens and report everything about Hiscot and the World’s Tragedy to the Radiant Shane.”

"Expelling chaos and restoring order to the wounded land is one of my personal hobbies. However, I'm afraid I must first send Little Kun back to Stryhaven before I can join this holy war." Ivy decided to wait and see, at least to find out if the benevolent gods of Grallion were truly willing to take action, rather than just watching from the heavens.

“Professor Doom!” Quintor, the little elephant, suddenly raised a hand. “Can I stay in Kanaburi?”

“Explain your reasoning.” Ivy raised an eyebrow, not surprised by the elephant’s unexpected reaction. He was a college student, after all; it was understandable. Even college students studying magic were like that, always acting on a whim. Especially since Kuntori was a Planeswalker who had just ignited his spark.

"Uh...you know, I haven't submitted a decent report for my semester evaluation yet...I was just busy discussing Constance cookies and raisins with my mentor, Chenyu..." The little elephant looked a bit embarrassed. "The culture and customs here are completely different from those in Strychwen, and there's a major event happening that could affect the whole world. If I, as a Hengjian student, miss this opportunity, Dean Pag will definitely expel me! If I can finish that journal, maybe I can even have a portrait or sculpture of its author left inside Hengjian Academy!"

"You won't be expelled, Kun. Have you forgotten how you got to Kanaburi? Your discovery of the lost city of Zantafa is enough for the two deans of Hengjian Academy to exempt you from all evaluations for the next four years. In addition, the academy is planning to give you a special scholarship to encourage your contributions to Hengjian Academy." Ivy responded lightly to the reason that the little elephant had racked his brains to come up with, as skillfully as a teacher who was used to students lying and forgetting their homework.

"Uh...but...but..." The little elephant stammered for a long time, unable to get the rest out. "Enough, Kuntori." The demon-born Reska stopped the little elephant. "You are not from this world. You shouldn't sacrifice your life for a war that doesn't belong to you. Go back to your magic academy. I'm very happy to have a friend like you."

“Professor Doom! I can’t abandon my friends! I can’t just run back to Streihaven! I don’t want to be a deserter anymore!” The little elephant ignored Resca’s advice and instead pleaded with Ivy with righteous indignation.

"Even if Streihaven fires you because of this?" Ivy asked sternly, "You should know that you won't be able to play much of a role in this battle between demons and humans."

The little elephant hesitated for only a moment before nodding firmly: "Even if this is a battle destined to be lost, I will record the heroic resistance of the Crusaders and use it to inspire other people in Grallion who still have hope!"

"Alright, let's treat this as a field study activity and complete a book that is destined to go down in history."

Ivy's nonchalant answer confused the little elephant, who thought that this powerful professor would recklessly capture him and take him back to Strelhaven.

"I have only one additional requirement: in the event of danger, prioritize your own life. And you must guarantee that you will use all your knowledge and abilities to do so." Education is never about forcing a cow to drink water, but about guiding it according to its nature and individual needs. Ivy didn't intend to let this newborn Planeswalker, Little Elephant, become estranged from her; after all, there was always the possibility of needing to use him to travel to other timelines in the future. Making things too ugly wouldn't benefit either of them. Giving him more means of survival was far better than capturing him and bringing him back to the safe haven of Strelhaven.

“I promise, Professor Doom.” The little elephant snapped out of his daze and nodded vigorously. “Now, can we set off to rescue Kanaburi?”

Every young person seems to dream of saving the world.

Ivy shook her head helplessly: "Alright, get ready, I'm about to open the portal to the Iron Guardian Ambition Tavern. I'll take you out the same way you were brought in. As for the explanations to the officials, I hope we helpers won't have to handle that."

"An explanation? Your golden scales, shining like the sun, are the most powerful testimony!" Angel Stalmah looked in high spirits, raising his greatsword. "I am delighted to fight alongside such a magnificent dragon as you!"

The reputation of the entire metal dragon race seemed to be gaining momentum. Ivy didn't say much, but simply waved her hand in the air in front of her.

A golden portal opened before them, revealing the dark basement of Iron Guard's Ambition.

"Where are the refugees hiding in the basement?" Resca leaped into the portal, but the basement was completely different from when they left. The refugees hiding by the wall had disappeared, and more than half of the various supplies were gone.

“We’ll know once we go up and take a look.” Ivy looked at the stairs leading upwards. “But I didn’t sense any demonic aura. Perhaps the tavern defense has already been won.”

Just as Ivy had said, there was no ongoing battle upstairs, and there weren't even many Crusaders there.

"The team has already set off," the tavern owner said. "Target? The Grey Camp, of course. It is said that the Guardian Stone, which was originally in the Kite Tower, was thrown to the Grey Camp by the Demon Lord, so in order to take it back, Commander Tirabard led all his men to launch an attack there."

"This is a military secret! And you just blurted it out?" Resca's eyes widened. "How do you know there aren't any devil's henchmen in the tavern?"

"Are you the devil's lackeys?" the tavern owner retorted sarcastically.

“Of course not!” Sendri shrieked. “In fact, we are about to do our part for the Crusaders in their fight.”

"Then you're too late. Commander Tirabard couldn't wait to set off after announcing the objective in front of everyone." The tavern owner shrugged. "Unless you can find a way to get through streets teeming with demons, there's absolutely no way you'll make it to the battle."

"Damn it!" Resca slammed his fist on the bar, spilling some of the drink on the table. "Are we just supposed to sit here like this?"

“Or pray for their safe return?” Sendri offered another, less-than-constructive suggestion.

“It seems I must go first,” Ivy said to Stalma, the angel whose wings were covered by a large cloak. “Hopefully, I can still make it to the battle.”

“It’s a pity my wings haven’t fully recovered their ability to fly yet, but I will try my best to go and provide support.” Stallma nodded solemnly. “The demons will definitely not let their guard down on the Guardian Stone, so be careful, Lord Doom.”

"You'd be better off worrying about those demons."

The massive golden dragon, carrying countless points of light, took off from the Iron Guard's ambitious courtyard, leaving a trail of shimmering light in the dark night sky, and flew towards the city center, towards the dilapidated military camp that faintly exuded divine power.

"Good heavens... my tavern has hosted another dragon!"

(End of this chapter)