CHAPTER 62 - The Opening of the Spirit Realm  

It must be said that the twins have quite the knack for business. For young wizards, mysterious figures like Voldemort are mere background noise—what truly matters are the pimples that appear unexpectedly every morning! 

After lunch, Robert hurriedly grabbed his textbooks and rushed to the second-floor History of Magic classroom. Professor Binns' class was as dull as ever, and Robert found himself dozing off. Thankfully, the energizing effect of peppermint candies saved him from collapsing onto his desk in a deep slumber. 

Curious about how the professor had returned, Robert asked him after class. 

"You see, Mr. Leslie, ghosts always have their secrets," Professor Binns said mysteriously. "It seems your trip to the East went well." 

"Yes, Professor, it was a rare experience," Robert replied thoughtfully. "But I heard this year's ancestral worship ceremony is different?" 

"Indeed," Professor Binns said leisurely. "Though we hold ancestral worship every year, such a large-scale ceremony only occurs once a decade. Especially at the end of the century, it carries... special significance." 

Robert was intrigued. What could that mean? 

"For the living, it symbolizes a new beginning or a new journey," Professor Binns explained with a chuckle. 

"And for ghosts?" Robert asked. 

Professor Binns laughed and turned away. "Well, Mr. Leslie, it's time for our second class." 

Robert wanted to ask more, but the professor resumed his monotonous lecture. 

"These guys never explain things clearly," Robert muttered in frustration, but he didn't press further and quietly waited for class to end. 

After dinner, with some free time before bed, Robert borrowed notes to catch up on the half-month he had missed. Cedric was a great help, his notes neatly organized, and Robert copied them diligently. 

"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor seems decent, huh? He talked a lot about wilderness survival. Is he an expert?" Robert asked while flipping through the notebook. "What's the textbook this year?" 

"'The Origins of Magic,'" Cedric replied. "It mainly covers wilderness survival and how to discover the Spirit Realm. And by the way, it's "she" not "he"!" 

"The Spirit Realm?" Robert was shocked. He had asked the twins about it last semester, and now it was being taught? And by a witch? 

"Yes, you weren't in the UK this summer, so you missed it. Several small Spirit Realms suddenly opened here. Pure-blood families tried to cover it up, but with so many opening at once, even the Ministry couldn't suppress it and had to make it public," Cedric whispered. "Rumor has it there are many valuable things inside, and many countries are interested." 

Robert lowered his voice. "What kind of valuable things?" 

"Not sure, but magical artifacts are the most likely. Or maybe genuine grimoires," Cedric said. 

"You mean grimoires? Those powerful, magic-infused books? Merlin, they actually exist!" Robert's interest was piqued. "The magical world is about to get lively." 

Grimoires were akin to legendary divine weapons in Flower Country—relics of immense power that granted strength to their wielders. They were said to require vast amounts of magic to sustain; if the magic waned, the books would self-destruct, leaving no time for preservation. 

Given the current magical energy levels in the UK, it was unlikely any grimoires remained. Entering the Spirit Realm to find one seemed the most direct way to obtain such a treasure. 

Suddenly, Robert froze. 'Wait, if grimoires are unearthed, wouldn't Voldemort be stirred? What if he gets so excited he leaves the Albanian forests?' 

Robert felt a wave of unease, as if the world had just donned a mysterious veil. 

As he pondered, someone tapped him. "Robert, can you take me to the Weasley twins?" 

Robert snapped out of his thoughts and blinked. It was Stebbins. 

"Stebbins?" Robert asked, confused. "Oh, sorry, I was daydreaming. What's up?" 

Stebbins hesitated before finally saying, "Their candies are really effective. I want to buy some more..." 

"Candies?" Robert was puzzled for a moment before remembering the fast-acting candies he had bought from the twins during lunch. 

Stebbins pointed to his cheek. "See? The pimple's gone..." 

Robert glanced at the spot but couldn't see any difference. 

However, Stebbins proudly boasted, "This morning, there was a red bump, and now it's gone! Their candies really work! I need to stock up! Adolescence is such a long journey!" 

Robert mentally reviewed the details of Bubotuber pus and tactfully said, "Eating too much candy isn't good. You'll get cavities..." 

"No problem!" Stebbins said confidently. "I'll only eat them when I get pimples!" 

Seeing his determination, Robert reluctantly led him to the eighth-floor tower. 

"Wow, is this Gryffindor Tower?" Stebbins' eyes widened. "I've never been up here." 

They stood in an eighth-floor corridor. At the end hung a portrait of a plump woman in a pink nightgown. 

"Students from other houses visiting so late?" the Fat Lady seemed annoyed. "I won't let you in! Absolutely not!" 

Stebbins was intimidated and looked to Robert for help. But Robert's gaze was fixed on the other end of the corridor. 

A strange clanking sound echoed through the hall. 

"What's that?" Stebbins' voice trembled. "I think I saw a suit of armor moving!" He looked like he was about to faint. 

"Good evening, Peeves," Robert greeted, waving. 

At his words, the armor stopped, and Peeves' irritated voice came from within. "You interrupted me, you brat! I waited all night for someone to pass by!" 

"Come on, don't be mad. Come out," Robert said, pulling Peeves from a hidden compartment in the armor. "I just got back from Flower Country and brought some local treats. They said you might like them." 

(End of Chapter)