"The magic... it's tempting me to use it."
Rey's answer caught the red-haired wizard off guard.
For a young wizard using such powerful Dark Magic for the first time, feelings of accomplishment, excitement, and adrenaline were normal reactions, even if they were unsettling. As long as the user recognized these emotions as abnormal, they could build a mental defense against them and avoid falling into the abyss of becoming a Dark Wizard.
Most people, especially children, wouldn't question these strange feelings. But Rey not only recognized the abnormality but also identified the true nature of Dark Magic: it seduced the user without them even realizing it.
Recognizing the temptation meant he had already subconsciously built a defense against it.
"Very good. To have such insight beyond your years is truly rare," the red-haired wizard praised, relaxing his grip on his sword hilt.
If Rey hadn't answered, or if he had described the feelings without recognizing the danger, the wizard likely would have killed him on the spot.
Seeing the tension ease, Rey let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He had passed the test. It was a close call, relying heavily on luck.
"What is your name?" the wizard asked, looking down at Rey, who was still pinned against the boulder. His interest was piqued.
"Rey Faest. And you are...?"
Rey answered honestly. In a world of magic, especially facing such a powerful wizard, lying was the stupidest thing he could do. A simple spell could expose a lie instantly.
Better to come clean than force the other party to use magic on him.
"Godric Gryffindor." The red-haired wizard flourished his sword with his left hand, sheathing it effortlessly at his waist.
"What? Godric Gryffindor?!" Rey's jaw dropped in genuine shock. That name was legendary. The very first History of Magic lesson at Hogwarts covered the four founders. Every student knew that name.
"Whose child are you? Calling me by my full name so rudely." The wizard seemed pleased by Rey's reaction, taking it as proof of his fame. He had no idea Rey's shock was quickly turning into disdain.
This red-haired eccentric dared to steal the name of a historical giant? That was bold. If the guy wasn't so terrifyingly powerful, Rey would have retorted, "If you're Gryffindor, then I'm Slytherin."
"Hehe. Your fame precedes you. I was just too surprised. My apologies," Rey laughed awkwardly, hoping the lunatic wouldn't pick up on his internal sarcasm.
However, Rey's shift in thought didn't escape the wizard's notice. For a master wizard, reading lies in someone's eyes was as easy as breathing.
"You're a cunning little fox. I didn't want to use invasive mind magic—it's quite unpleasant, after all. But now... you've left me no choice, boy."
The self-proclaimed Godric Gryffindor stepped in close. No matter how Rey struggled, he couldn't escape the man's grasp.
"Legilimens."
With a soft incantation, the wizard stared into Rey's eyes, instantly launching a mental invasion.
---
Legilimency was a rare skill. It required immense willpower and control.
A wizard with weak willpower could lose themselves in another's memories. A wizard with strong will but poor control could shatter the victim's mind while damaging their own.
Both were essential.
For the victim, it wasn't just about having their privacy played out like a movie. The harder they resisted, the more painful it became. Unless one mastered Occlumency, resistance was futile.
Rey, terrified that his secret as a transmigrator would be discovered, resisted fiercely. And because he fought back so hard, the pain was excruciating.
It felt like a violation. Like rape. Rey had never been raped, but he imagined this was what it felt like. His mind was laid bare, his memories forced open page by page, and no matter how he struggled, he was helpless to stop it.
Memories flashed like a film reel, forcibly flipped through by the wizard calling himself Godric Gryffindor.
From his recent escape on the black unicorn, fleeing Dorry's pursuit... back to his first flying lesson... back to the self-defense killing when he first regained his memories...
And then... then came the memories of Rey's past life.
When Godric reached this point, Rey knew his deepest secret was at risk. He roared internally, fighting back with everything he had. Even if it killed him, he couldn't let anyone see this.
No one! Not anyone!
Fueled by sheer determination and resolve, Rey's mind suddenly clouded over. Godric found himself wandering in a mental fog, unable to see a single memory. Simultaneously, the fog coalesced into Rey's form and began attacking Godric's consciousness.
Occlumency!
A defensive mental art based on willpower, conviction, and resolve. Under the extreme pressure of Godric's intrusion, Rey had instinctively unlocked it.
"Impossible!"
Godric Gryffindor stumbled back in shock. Released from the spell, Rey slumped against the boulder, gasping for air. His head throbbed as if it had been inflated with gas.
Once Godric let go, the pressure receded like the tide.
"Impossible!"
Godric Gryffindor wasn't easily surprised, but staring at the panting boy, he said the word twice. That showed just how shocked he was.
Occlumency was high-level magic, usually learned through rigorous training against Legilimency. For Rey to master it in seconds meant his mental strength was formidable—and that he harbored secrets he would die to protect.
But Godric wasn't shocked that Rey learned Occlumency so quickly. He was shocked because, in that split second before the fog descended, he had seen something.
Rey was a student from a Hogwarts that existed over a thousand years in the future.
"We only decided on the name 'Hogwarts' yesterday!"
"I never imagined... today, I would meet a student from the future of Hogwarts."
Godric Gryffindor and his friend Salazar Slytherin had discussed time-travel magic. Theoretically, returning to the past was possible, but only within a range of a hundred years or so.
The danger involved was immense. Even they dared not attempt it lightly.
Yet, a simple Legilimency spell revealed that this child came from a school they hadn't even built yet, a thousand years from now.
Traveling back a millennium? It was unimaginable. Perhaps the black unicorn was the key.
"Truly incredible!"
Godric Gryffindor exclaimed again, still reeling.
---
Just as Godric stood there in amazement, the space behind the boulders began to hum with magic.
White light swirled and wove together in the darkness, forming a glowing archway. A dark-haired man stepped through. He wore black robes and an exquisite locket around his neck.
He was strikingly handsome, his features flawless. If Godric Gryffindor was the warm, radiant sun, this man was the cool, beautiful moon.
"Godric, why is your mouth hanging open? I rarely see you this surprised."
The newcomer was clearly close to Godric—a best friend, by the looks of it.
"Hey, Salazar. Remember the name we decided on for the school yesterday?"
The handsome man stepping out of the portal was indeed Salazar Slytherin. Godric, ignoring the stunned Rey, immediately brought up their recent decision.
"You always ask about things that just happened. Hogwarts. We spent ages deciding on it. Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"
Salazar Slytherin frowned slightly, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Godric scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Of course not. And you remember our discussion on time-travel magic?"
"Naturally. But what are you getting at? Beating around the bush isn't your style." Salazar felt Godric was acting strange today, like he was intentionally being cryptic.
Godric was usually brash and direct, treating everything like a duel. If Salazar didn't look out for him, he probably would have died a dozen times over. Today's behavior was definitely out of character.
"Look at this child. He is living proof..." Godric gestured toward Rey but left the sentence hanging.
Salazar knew Godric well. They were closer than brothers. Given Godric's expression and his two specific questions, Salazar quickly pieced together the implications.
But the idea was too absurd to believe easily. Salazar's gaze snapped to Rey, sharp as lightning. Rey involuntarily flinched, feeling like a viper had just locked onto him.
"Legilimens!"
Salazar didn't waste a single word. He turned and cast the mind-rape spell instantly. Godric didn't even have time to stop his friend.
Even if Godric had wanted to intervene, something this unprecedented, this impossible, needed verification. And Salazar was the type who needed to see the truth for himself.
---