If Only I Could Snatch the Sword of Gryffindor

"Wooo—"

After waiting at the platform for a while, the train let out a melodious whistle.

The Hogwarts Express began to move.

Steam drifted backward from the chimney.

The train left the platform and sped toward the endless plains and fields.

Dylan took in the scenery outside the window. It was the season of flourishing life, and everything seemed full of vitality.

"Junior, we're heading out to find some friends."

"Yeah, you can stay here and read quietly."

"It's all your fault for being so noisy. You never stop talking."

"It's obviously your fault. I'm only carrying on from what you say."

Dylan ignored the two jokers.

The two redheads also darted out of the compartment, off to find someone to play with.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Dylan took out his young wizard's robes and put them on.

Along the way, he would occasionally look out the window at the scenery before returning to the book in his hands.

That continued until the Hogwarts Express gradually came to a stop.

Only then did the Weasley Twins return to the compartment and collect their belongings from their seats.

"Junior, is that your only backpack?"

They had finished their holiday and were returning to school for classes, so naturally they hadn't brought much.

But how could this young wizard named Dylan have brought so little as well?

"I sent the heavier luggage to the school through the Owl Post Office."

He was still just a child. Carrying so many things would only be making trouble for himself.

If something could be mailed, he certainly wasn't going to handle it personally.

In fact, if he weren't worried about exposing the fact that he possessed a system,

he would have stuffed all his belongings into the Inventory.

"I see." The Twins nodded.

The three of them walked out of the compartment and got off the train.

A cold wind immediately blew over.

The chill slipped into his sleeves.

Dylan shuddered involuntarily.

"Why is it so cold here?"

He raised the wand in his hand and gave it a gentle wave.

"Thermo Enchantia!"

Dylan cast a Warming Charm on himself.

During his time at home, he had already learned quite a few spells.

Although none of them had reached max level yet, they were still barely enough to use.

With the spell's protection, the chill around him seemed to vanish instantly. His body felt warm and comfortable.

Seeing this, George and Fred immediately crowded around Dylan.

"Hey! Junior~ Hurry, I want one too!"

"Give me one as well!"

Squeezed between the two of them and finding it a little hard to breathe, Dylan helplessly waved his wand again.

"Thermo Enchantia!"

"Thermo Enchantia!"

Two consecutive spells landed on the red-haired Twins.

The two immediately let go of Dylan.

"Thank you for being so enthusiastic... I'll head over to the First-Year Gathering Point first."

"Okay, okay."

"Go on. Remember to find us at Hogwarts so we can play~"

The red-haired Twins ran off and squeezed into the crowd, showing off the Warming Charms on their bodies.

Dylan watched their backs and shook his head helplessly before walking toward Hagrid.

"Oh, are all the first-years here? Then let's get going."

Hagrid had a massive build.

Dylan was still somewhat shocked when he saw him for the first time.

As expected of a Half-Giant. Just how tall was he? Nearly three meters, right?

He looked like he could crush Dylan to death just by sitting on him.

Dylan glanced around. It was too dark, and there were too many people, so he couldn't see where Harry and the others were.

Hagrid raised the lantern in his hand and turned toward the rear, leading the first-years onward.

The lantern in his hand couldn't provide enough light for the entire group.

Dylan couldn't quite understand it. Why hadn't they installed some Magical Lighting in this pitch-black place?

The short, chubby wizard in front had already begun stumbling as he walked and looked like he was about to fall flat on his backside.

"Lumos (Wand-Lighting Charm)!"

He waved his wand, and a gentle, non-dazzling light instantly bloomed from its tip.

The darkness around him was dispelled.

Since he was standing at the very back of the group, his presence allowed the young wizards behind him to see much more clearly.

Quite a few people let out cries of surprise before casting grateful looks his way.

Under Hagrid's guidance, the first-years passed through a stretch of forest and arrived at the shore of an incredibly dark lake.

Quite a few young wizards lifted their heads.

They looked toward the Castle on the opposite shore of the Black Lake.

Their eyes widened.

Dylan looked over as well.

From this angle, Hogwarts Castle appeared majestic and magnificent. Its towering spires seemed to pierce the clouds.

The ancient, heavy stone walls were dotted with lights shining from the Castle's windows, reflecting the stars in the sky.

Dylan had to admit that, despite being mentally prepared for it, he was still somewhat shaken at this moment.

"So this is Hogwarts. It really is magnificent..."

A somewhat timid voice came from beside him.

Dylan turned his head and saw a round little face.

"Hello, I... I'm Neville."

He looked a little embarrassed, his head slightly lowered.

"Um, your Wand-Lighting Charm helped me a lot just now. Otherwise, I might have fallen several times. Thank you so much."

Neville... The one who played with toads?

Dylan shook his head, a kind smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"It's nothing. I was only trying to light the path ahead of me."

This timid fellow seemed to be the future Sword Saint capable of drawing the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat.

But now that I'm here, I wonder if that sword can be used by me.

Recently, he had been studying how to control weapons with spells and achieve something like the Shushan Sword Immortal's style.

If he could get the Sword of Gryffindor to study, that would be ideal.

"What's your name?"

"Dylan."

"Hello, Dylan."

"...Hello."

He could tell that this chubby boy seemed to want to make friends with him, or perhaps get on his good side.

But his personality was too timid. Even opening his mouth had become difficult, and before he knew it, his round little face had flushed bright red.

Dylan was genuinely afraid the chubby boy might suffocate himself.

He quickly said, "Neville, would you like to ride in the same boat as me? You're the first young wizard I've met."

Neville's eyes immediately lit up.

"Of course! I was—I was just about to say that."

Dylan smiled.

He followed the group forward.

The Black Lake was frighteningly dark.

It gave him the feeling that falling in would mean plunging into an abyss.

The closer they got to the lakeshore, the more nervous Neville became.

Dylan was also somewhat unaccustomed to such deep water. However, since he possessed the Six Max-Level Dark Arts Spells, he wasn't overly afraid of the creatures in the water.

If anything dares to jump out and scare me, I'll spend 100 Galleons to turn the spell's color invisible and fire off an Avada Kedavra!

"It's our turn. Let's get on the boat."