Chapter 65: Standing Alone to Intercept

After settling Alcyone in place, Siwen cradled the kitten in his arms and rushed outside the entrance courtyard, seeking out a secluded spot devoid of people.

Because he often visited Professor Kettleburn, he was quite familiar with the time it took to walk from the castle to the Forbidden Forest. He knew that if he could reach the forest's edge immediately, he might get there before Professor Lore and intercept him before he entered the forest!

"Kitten, Professor Kettleburn has said that both clouded leopards and zou-wu are highly intelligent creatures, so I suppose you’re no exception. Can you understand what I’m saying?" Siwen lifted the kitten to his face and spoke to her.

The kitten tilted her fluffy, round head, gazing at him with wide, innocent eyes—adorably clueless.

Unfortunately, Siwen had no time to appreciate her cuteness. Hastily, he asked, "Can you take me to the entrance of the Forbidden Forest?"

The kitten blinked in confusion, seemingly not understanding his words.

Just as Siwen was feeling disappointed, she suddenly stretched out her tiny legs and leapt onto his shoulder.

With the kitten’s jump, Siwen saw a shimmering curtain of light appear around them, deep blue in hue and flecked with golden-red sparks, like some strange tunnel through time and space.

At the same time, a strong sense of weightlessness made him lose his balance and fall heavily backward to the ground.

As the deep blue light faded, the kitten landed contentedly on Siwen’s shoulder and nuzzled his chin with her small head.

Siwen scooped her into his arms, stood up, and surveyed his surroundings.

This was indeed the very entrance to the Forbidden Forest he had used when following Professor Kettleburn!

"Kitten, you’re amazing!" Siwen, thrilled, lifted her to his face, wanting to plant a kiss, but the kitten disdainfully pushed him aside with her paw.

Feeling awkward, Siwen began to consider where Professor Lore might enter the forest.

He immediately ruled out his own location, as it was near Professor Kettleburn’s hut. If Lore wished to avoid risking an early return from Kettleburn, he wouldn’t dare enter the forest here.

He also dismissed the southeastern entrance, which was close to the greenhouses overseen by Professor Birley. Many students liked to sneak off and explore that area, so the risk of being discovered there was high.

The northwestern edge was too far from the castle and would take too long to reach. To avoid unforeseen complications, Professor Lore would most likely enter the forest through the relatively deserted area between Kettleburn’s hut and the southeastern entrance.

If he stationed himself at the center of this stretch, there was a good chance he’d spot Professor Lore.

Without hesitation, Siwen placed the kitten on his shoulder and hurried to his chosen spot, carefully concealing himself behind a tree.

He fixed his gaze on the empty meadow ahead, his eyes gradually becoming as clear and luminous as crystal.

...

At the forest’s shadowy edge, the withered grass stretched in a brittle carpet across the ground, rustling indifferently when stirred by the autumn wind.

By November, the Scottish Highlands were bitterly cold, and the winds were fierce, especially along the forest border where warm and cold currents collided, giving rise to a relentless howl.

Siwen had not stood there long before he began to shiver in the chill, but he dared not relax, his gaze locked on the withered grass before him.

All at once, he noticed an unnatural depression in the grass extending southeast, moving steadily toward the forest.

His eyes sharpened; through the all-seeing eye’s perspective, he discerned subtle distortions in the light above that patch of grass.

Found you! Siwen recited the incantation without hesitation, aiming at the incongruous spot.

"Stupefy!"

The figure in the distance was not someone to be taken down by a single sneak attack; with ease, he deflected Siwen’s Stunning Spell.

Siwen had not expected to succeed in one strike. Even as he cast the Stunning Spell, he raised his wand to the sky and swiftly uttered two more incantations.

"Ruddy Sparkle!"

"Ascendio!"

A dazzling red light shot from Siwen’s wand, soaring high into the darkening sky and bursting into brilliance.

Even as he cast, Siwen watched the shifting distortion with unblinking focus, noting that Professor Lore had quickened his pace, attempting to circumvent him and dash into the forest.

"Stop hiding, Professor Lore! You won’t get into the Forbidden Forest without going through me!" Siwen shouted, firing a series of spells to block Lore’s path.

"Protego."

Reluctantly, Professor Lore cancelled his Disillusionment Charm and blocked Siwen’s attack with a Shield Charm.

"You’re using the spells I taught you quite well," Professor Lore remarked with feigned lightness, flashing Siwen a wry smile. "Seems you’re full of secrets—seeing right through my Disillusionment Charm."

"Thanks to your instruction," Siwen replied evenly, deliberately slowing his speech. "Professor, from your conduct in class, it’s clear you genuinely care about your students’ safety. Why, then, are you endangering the castle now?"

But Professor Lore immediately saw through his ploy, his tone amused. "Trying to stall for time until the other professors arrive? Clever, but I won’t give you the chance."

Even as he finished, he whipped out his wand and leveled it at Siwen; a violet beam shot from its tip.

"This is how you truly cast a Stunning Spell, Rosier!" Professor Lore said.

The spell hurtled toward him too swiftly for Siwen to dodge. By reflex, he instantly summoned the Ring of Laggedor before him, barely managing to block Lore’s Stunning Spell.

"Another spell I haven’t seen before? Fascinating," Professor Lore remarked, eyeing the golden-red ring before Siwen with interest. "Let’s see what else you’ve got up your sleeve!"

He waved his wand, and the trees beside Siwen suddenly came to life, transforming into a monstrous wooden hand clawing toward him.

Siwen gritted his teeth. He knew he could no longer afford to hold anything back.

Without hesitation, he pressed his palms together and drew forth the orange-red Vishanti’s Sacred Sword, slicing through the oncoming wooden hand. The cut was smooth as glass, and orange flames immediately consumed the wood.

"We’re nowhere near finished, Rosier!" Professor Lore declared, brandishing his wand again. The severed halves of the hand transformed—one into a giant crab, the other a massive scorpion, which attacked Siwen with their claws and stingers.

Simultaneously, more trees twisted into grotesque hands, reaching for him.

Siwen had no time to think. He wielded his wand, using Transfiguration—newly mastered—to transform the withered grass into ropes that wound around the two monstrous beasts. The ropes would soon snap, but the abundance of dead grass on the ground meant numbers could make up for lack of strength.

His transfiguration slowed the beasts long enough for the Vishanti’s flames to consume them.

But before Siwen could catch his breath, yet more fearsome, misshapen wooden hands closed in on him.

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