In the days following the Daily Prophet and Wizard Weekly reports, the wizarding world erupted in disbelief and mockery. The once-feared Death Eaters—Marcus Flint, Lord Nott, Lord Parkinson, and others—had died in what was being called the most foolish infighting in dark wizard history. The great pure-blood families connected to them began to lose their political influence, mocked in social gatherings and shunned by the Wizengamot.
Roy, however, paid no attention to the chaos. The decline of their houses was of no concern to him; his eyes were already on his next challenge.
Back at the Valvas Mansion in England, Roy devoted himself to a new form of mastery—coating his sword with Conqueror's Haki. Day after day, he trained relentlessly in the courtyard, his aura so intense that even the mana around him seemed to bend under its weight. Each swing of his blade resonated with invisible pressure, shattering nearby stones and bending the air itself.
It took him a full month to gain perfect control—able to channel his Conqueror's Haki seamlessly through his sword, merging willpower and spirit into an unstoppable force. When he finally succeeded, the blade shimmered faintly with an invisible glow—a weapon that carried the force of his soul.
With his training complete, Roy prepared for another year at Hogwarts.
At Platform 9¾, he stepped through the barrier, his calm gaze sweeping the bustling crowd. Students waved, parents hugged their children goodbye, and the red steam engine roared to life. Spotting familiar faces, Roy boarded the train and found Hermione, Cassandra, Daphne, Astoria, and Cho Chang already chatting inside a compartment. Beside them sat Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood, the newest addition to their circle.
"Room for one more?" Roy asked lightly.
The girls looked up with smiles, and Hermione shifted over. "You're always welcome here, Roy."
The journey was filled with laughter and warmth. Roy recounted lighthearted stories from his summer, careful to omit anything that hinted at the chaos he had orchestrated. The girls listened intently, their expressions softening between amusement and admiration.
As the train slowed, the familiar voice of the conductor called out, "We're approaching Hogwarts! Prepare to disembark!"
Stepping onto the platform, Roy and the girls walked together toward the Great Hall, the night alive with the chatter of returning students and the anticipation of a new term.
Inside, candles floated high above, the golden plates gleaming under their soft light. Roy took his seat at the Slytherin table as Dumbledore rose to address the crowd.
"Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts!" the headmaster began, his voice carrying over the hall. "This year will be one of unity and challenge, for Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event—the Triwizard Tournament!"
Gasps and whispers filled the Great Hall as students turned to each other in excitement and disbelief.
But before the noise could settle, the doors opened, and the sound of a wooden staff echoed against the floor. A scarred, grizzled man entered, his magical eye swiveling independently from the other.
"Allow me to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Dumbledore announced with a smile. "Alastor Moody—Auror, veteran, and one of the bravest wizards I know."
Roy's eyes narrowed slightly.He could sense something off—not Moody's power, but a faint trace of another's will lurking beneath it.
As applause filled the hall, Roy simply leaned back, a faint smile on his lips.
"So it begins," he murmured softly to himself, unseen beneath the candlelight.