Witcher at Hogwarts

Read up to 25 chapters ahead on Patreon - patreon.com/Dark_sym

-----

Ethan shrugged off the monster clinging to his shoulders, letting it collapse to the ground.

A rune flared to life in his hand, and moments later, a purple glow from Arden's rune illuminated the space beneath his feet. The moment the canines entered the glowing circle, their movements slowed as if time dragged them down.

Without hesitation, Ethan charged into the midst of the canine's battle formation.

Sword flashes, spells, bombs, and crossbow bolts crisscrossed the small, chaotic battlefield. Before long, a thick carpet of canine corpses surrounded Ethan, the bodies piled high at his feet.

But even a single sword struggles against a barrage of claws, no matter how sharp. New gashes opened on his arms and torso with every clash, each one a reminder of the sharp claws and deadly teeth that had found their mark.

Wounded and weary, Ethan leaned on his long sword, taking a moment to catch his breath. His stamina was nearly depleted. With a shaky hand, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a vial of Swallow Potion. He uncorked it and drank.

As the elixir coursed through him, the bleeding wounds on his body began to knit together, gradually closing. But the respite was brief. The relentless canine horde had not abandoned their assault. They continued to spring from the ventilation shafts from every corner, lunging at Ethan with vicious intent.

Gritting his teeth, Ethan surveyed the chaotic scene, eyes blazing with determination. Finally, he flicked his wrist, and his wand snapped into his palm.

"Fiendfyre!" Ethan bellowed.

A searing, blinding white flame burst forth from his wand. As it spread, the fire seemed almost alive, swelling as it consumed the canine corpses littering the ground. The small flames rapidly grew, twisting and writhing like serpents, until they formed the gaping maw of a monstrous entity. It roared to life, ferociously charging toward them.

Ethan kept his wand raised, directing the Fiendfyre with precise movements. He knew the risk—this was no ordinary spell.

Fiendfyre was perilous and notoriously difficult to control. Even the slightest mistake could lead to the flames turning against their caster.

The inferno swept through the room, engulfing the remaining canines in its wrath. The fiery maelstrom created a deafening roar, blending with the panicked, agonizing screams of the creatures as they were consumed.

It wasn't long before the screams faded, leaving only the crackling fire. But with no more enemies to devour, the flames grew restless, their violence unchecked. The Fiendfyre surged, seeking new prey—its gaze turning toward Ethan, the only living being left in the chamber.

Realizing the danger, Ethan's heart pounded. He raised his wand once more.

"Finite Incantatem!" he shouted.

The advancing flames halted, frozen in place for a breathless moment. Then, with agonized shrieks, the fire began to shrink, twisting in on itself as though protesting its containment.

Reluctantly, it retreated until finally, with a deafening crack, it vanished, leaving behind only thick, black smoke and the sickening stench of charred flesh.

The stone chamber was now eerily silent. The canine's bodies were reduced to smoldering husks, their twisted forms fused together in grotesque shapes by the intense heat.

Still wary, Ethan kept his eyes trained on the ventilation shafts, ready for another assault. But after several long minutes with no movement, he allowed himself a small sigh of relief.

Exhausted, Ethan sank to the ground, his long sword resting beside him. The fight had drained not just his strength but his magic as well. Now, at last, he could rest.

Ethan needed a moment to recover. Despite the thick, suffocating smoke that filled the stone chamber, he found a corner and sat down, uncorking several potion bottles and quickly downing their contents. The potions worked fast, replenishing his strength. He leaned against the cold stone and rested.

After about ten minutes, Ethan stood up again, feeling the restorative effects of the potions. His energy was nearly fully restored. He glanced around the chamber and began to explore again, stepping carefully over the piled canine corpses as he made his way toward the far end.

There, a large stone door stood ominously without a handle. Ethan placed a hand against it and pushed, but the door didn't budge. It was firmly shut, seemingly immovable. As he pondered how to open it, his finger brushed against the Ouroboros ring he wore, which then grazed the door.

The moment the ring made contact, it vibrated ever so slightly. At the same time, the stone door emitted a soft "click" and slid open silently, revealing a dark, deep passage beyond.

Ethan peered into the shadowy corridor but saw nothing of note. He proceeded down the tunnel with no other options, each step echoing softly. The passageway was long and engulfed in darkness, making time feel distorted.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the silence.

"Stop! Who are you? Why are you here?" The clear, high-pitched girl's voice startled Ethan.

"Who's there?" Ethan called back warily.

"I've been here all along," replied a gruff male voice, causing Ethan's confusion to deepen.

"Are there more people ahead?" he asked loudly.

"No! It's just me," answered a woman's voice, adding to the mystery.

Perplexed but determined, Ethan had no choice but to continue down the tunnel. As he walked, the narrow passage widened, opening into another vast stone chamber, similar to where he had fought them.

However, this room held a different scene. In the center sat a giant, at least three meters tall. His skin was rough and gray, his limbs thick and sturdy. The giant was playing idly with a canine skull, seemingly amused by his game.

"Hello?" Ethan called out cautiously.

The giant flinched, startled by the sound and quickly turned his head. His features were comical and menacing—small, beady eyes, a large, bulbous nose, and an exaggeratedly wide mouth.

"Oh, hello!" the giant said, his voice unexpectedly cheerful and childlike, a stark contrast to his intimidating size. "You got here fast!"

"Uh... hi," Ethan replied hesitantly. "Do you live here?"

The giant nodded enthusiastically, his voice acting more innocently despite his fearsome appearance. "Yes! Gaga has always lived here! No one ever talks to Gaga! Gaga gets so lonely. Sometimes, Gaga has to talk to herself!"

Ethan glanced around the room and noticed a heap of canine bones piled in one corner, shattered and gnawed clean. The sight made his stomach churn. It was clear this giant possessed not only strength but a brutal hunger.

"That's... unfortunate," Ethan said, keeping his tone calm while his mind raced. He knew this creature's strength could be deadly if provoked.

The giant—Gaga—pouted, his large face scrunched in exaggerated sadness. "Yes! Gaga's very lonely!"