57: The Bird in the Forest and the Lion in the Mountain
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Gryffindor stood beside John, settling comfortably on a tree and said, "Heh! In this forest, there is a small golden bird called the Golden Snidget. You need to find it."
"...Are you sure it's here?" John glanced at the enormous forest, which resembled the Forbidden Forest. Finding a person here would be difficult enough, let alone a bird the size of a Golden Snitch.
"Hahaha! Of course, it's here. Now don't tell me you are already feeling distressed. Ah! And one more thing, you'd better find it before nightfall, or other things will appear."
With that, Gryffindor looked like he was enjoying the show. John decided to start searching right away.
He began his search in the forest. The Golden Snidget was a very fast bird, much like the Golden Snitch, making it hard to catch.
Finding a Golden Snitch in Quidditch was already a headache, and now John felt like he was searching for a needle in a haystack.
After walking for a long time without any sign of the Golden Snidget, John decided to change his approach.
He raised his wand and aimed at a tree.
"Reducto!"
The white light hit the tree, instantly blasting it apart. The massive disturbance caused a flock of birds to take flight.
John carefully watched the flock of birds but saw no golden glimmers among them.
"In that case, let's have a bombardment," he said.
Without hesitation, John used his flying boots to ascend into the air and began bombarding in all directions.
Each Reducto spell landed on the ground, causing explosions and shaking the forest.
Even Gryffindor was taken aback by his approach, surprised that someone would choose such a direct method to find the Golden Snidget.
However, upon closer thought, John's method made sense.
The Golden Snidget was a sensitive bird with incredibly fast flight.
Before danger could arrive, the Golden Snidget would likely have already evaded by flying away.
In other words, John's approach, though seemingly reckless, was actually quite clever.
"A wise wizard, quickly spotting the most efficient method. But you're still too young," Gryffindor murmured with a smile.
"This method is indeed efficient, but it consumes a lot of magic. You can't sustain it for long."
A human-shaped bomber?
Gryffindor was ready to watch John run out of steam and fail.
However, after a while, as John's magic began to deplete, he pulled out a small bag and retrieved a bottle of restorative potion.
"Glug glug glug."
With one swift gulp, John's magical energy started to replenish.
Immediately, he began a new round of bombardments.
Gryffindor was stunned by this maneuver. "I can't believe he has more."
He couldn't fathom how someone could sustain such a relentless attack, even with potions.
As John downed one bottle after another, Gryffindor became increasingly bewildered.
"Isn't he supposed to be Muggle-born? How does he have more potions than ancient pure-blood families?"
John drank at least a dozen bottles of restorative potion, leaving the forest in ruins.
Finally, after finishing yet another bottle, a flash of gold darted out of the forest.
With his dragon blood-enhanced vision, John locked onto the golden figure and, without hesitation, activated his flying boots to chase after it.
The Golden Snidget darted through the forest with incredible speed, weaving deftly among the trees and widening the distance between itself and John.
For hours, John chased it but couldn't catch up. As night began to fall, strange noises echoed through the forest.
Suddenly, a creature with bird feathers and running on two legs burst out. It resembled a feathered dragon. John drew his wand and attacked the creature, hitting it with a precise spell that sent it flying.
However, soon more of these bird-like creatures emerged. Even when hit by blasting spells, they would get back up after a while and continue their pursuit.
"Erkling," John identified the creatures.
Increasing his magical output, he unleashed a powerful spell to create a path. Seizing the moment, he flew higher. The Golden Snidget was now just a dot on the horizon.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
He aimed spells at the Snidget's location, but the bird was too agile. Not even the best broomstick could easily catch it, especially with the interference from the Erkling.
Thinking quickly, John cast a fire spell at the forest below.
Flames engulfed a tree, then spread to the next, and the next. The fire expanded, causing the Erklings to shriek and flutter in panic as they were scorched by the spreading flames.
Some of the creatures were also overcome by the thick smoke and plummeted to the ground.
The Golden Snidget flew quickly, but with the interference gone, John could fly at full speed. He adjusted his flying boots to their maximum speed and, combined with the flames and smoke disorienting the Snidget, the bird gradually grew tired.
As its wings stopped flapping, the Golden Snidget began to fall.
John caught it just before it fell into the inferno, successfully completing the trial.
However, the forest was now engulfed in flames, causing Godric Gryffindor to frown.
"Aguamenti!"
John summoned a huge water ball and directed it toward the fire.
Seeing this, Gryffindor's frown finally eased.
"He may use drastic measures to achieve victory, but he also takes steps to remedy the aftermath," Gryffindor thought to himself.
John controlled the fire and landed in front of Gryffindor, holding out his hand where a small golden bird was attempting to stand.
"You have completed the trial of the Golden Snidget in the forest."
Gryffindor nodded and waved his wand, dispersing the forest scene.
[Ding, challenge task triggered: Gryffindor Legacy Phase Two, Lion in the Mountains, reward: +1 AP, Blessing: Heavy Strike]
Gryffindor said, "A lion does not lack courage or strength. The lion in the mountains must be stronger than the others. You need to prove to me that you have sufficient power."
"I want you to climb the mountain."
After speaking, Gryffindor waved his wand again.
A towering peak rose up, transforming the Room of Requirement into a mountainous landscape.
Gryffindor pointed his wand at several of John's alchemical items, removing his protective amulet and flying boots.
"Your alchemical skills are excellent, but you won't need them now."
Climbing the mountain with flying boots would be cheating.
John was speechless. How could his alchemical skills not count as his own strength?
Looking at the towering mountain, he took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, his breath turned white.
"Is it getting colder?"
He glanced around in surprise, noticing snowflakes drifting down. John realized that if he didn't speed up, he might not complete the trial.
Reaching the foot of the mountain, he began his ascent step by step.
The snow grew heavier, accompanied by howling winds. John felt his body freezing.
At first, he could still see the path, but as time went on, everything in front of him turned white.
John struggled forward.
On the way, he encountered a white-furred yeti.
The yeti roared and charged at John. If it hit him, John would be out of commission for a while.
With a stern expression, John dodged the yeti's charge at the last moment. Without hesitation, he drew his wand and cast a spell at the yeti's head.
The yeti tumbled down the mountain, forming a giant snowball.
John thought it was over, but when he turned around, he saw a whole group of white-furred yetis.
"You call this a test?"
John's lips moved, but he refrained from cursing.
John cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, intending to sneak around the yetis.
However, he underestimated their sense of smell. As he passed by, one of the yetis detected him.
The yeti opened its mouth to roar, but John's piercing gaze stopped it in its tracks, activating his intimidation.
The white-furred yeti froze, and John had already drawn the Sword Iron Wick.
"Ego sum draco." (A/N: I changed the rune enchantment - "I am the dragon" to its Latin translation)
Flames ignited along the blade, and John slashed through the yeti's body.
The yeti fell, its wounds engulfed in fire.
"It seems intimidation works on these Yetis."
John's eyes narrowed dangerously. A group of yetis blocked his path, and he decided not to hold back any longer.
Gripping the sword with both hands, he shouted, "Come on!"
His intimidation activated, causing every yeti he looked at to freeze.
With the Sword of Iron Wick continuously slashing, the number of yetis visibly dwindled.
In the end, there were no snowmen standing next to John.
He held the sword tightly and walked towards the top of the mountain step by step.
Gryffindor also saw this scene. He climbed to the top of the mountain and the snow stopped.
Gryffindor was already waiting for him here, and now there was only one last test left.
The brave sword.
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