I Swung a Sword at Hogwarts

Gryffindor stood beside John, landing comfortably on a tree branch and saying, "In this forest, there's a golden bird called the Golden Flyer. You need to find it."

"...Are you sure it's here?"

John glanced at the massive forest, which resembled the Forbidden Forest. It was hard enough to find a person here, let alone a Golden Flyer, which was only the size of a Golden Snitch.

Gryffindor said with a half-smile, "Of course it's here. Also, you'd better find it before nightfall—other things come out after dark."

With that, Gryffindor looked amused, like he was watching a show. John thought for a moment and decided to start searching.

He stepped forward and began exploring the forest.

The Golden Flyer was an extremely fast bird, just like the elusive Golden Snitch.

Finding a Snitch in Quidditch was already frustrating enough—this felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.

After a long time walking, he still didn't see any trace of the bird.

So, he raised his wand and aimed at a tree.

"Reducto!"

A white light exploded against the tree, blowing it apart. The loud blast startled a flock of birds into flight.

John stared closely at the birds—no golden glint among them.

"In that case, let's go with a full-scale bombardment."

John wasted no time. He used his flying boots to lift off and began launching spells in all directions.

One Reducto after another struck the forest floor, causing tremors throughout the woods.

Even Gryffindor was stunned—he hadn't expected someone to use brute force to find the Golden Flyer.

But after thinking it over, he realized John's method actually made sense.

The Golden Flyer was a sensitive bird with incredible speed.

It could easily escape before danger even reached it.

So although John's tactic seemed reckless, it was actually quite clever.

"A sharp-minded wizard, quickly spotting the most efficient method. But... you're still too young."

Gryffindor smiled faintly. "This method may be effective, but it drains your magical power quickly. You won't last long."

A human-shaped bomber?

Gryffindor was ready to watch him run out of steam.

But a moment later, as John's magic began to deplete, he pulled a small pouch from his robe and took out a bottle of recovery potion.

Gulp gulp gulp.

After chugging it, his magical energy began to restore.

Then he launched into another round of bombardment.

This stunned Gryffindor. "No way he has more."

Surely there had to be a limit to how many potions someone could carry, right?

But John drank bottle after bottle.

At least ten recovery potions in, the forest was unrecognizable.

Finally, after finishing another bottle, a flash of gold shot through the air.

Thanks to his dragon-blood-enhanced vision, John locked onto it and immediately gave chase using his flying boots.

The Golden Flyer was incredibly fast and agile, weaving through trees and putting distance between them.

John chased it for hours without catching up. As the sky darkened, strange howls echoed through the forest.

A creature with bird feathers and running legs charged out—it looked like a feathered fire dragon.

John immediately pulled out his wand and launched a spell, hitting the creature squarely and sending it flying.

But more followed.

Even direct hits from Reducto only temporarily stunned them—they soon got back up and resumed the chase.

"Bird-shaped man-eaters."

Realizing what he was facing, John unleashed a powerful blast to create a path through them.

Seizing the chance, he flew higher, spotting the Golden Flyer as a distant glimmer in the sky.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

John shouted, targeting the area ahead of the bird, firing spell after spell behind it.

But the Golden Flyer was just too fast and nimble.

Even the best broomstick wouldn't guarantee a catch—especially with these bird-monsters interfering.

John's mind raced.

He cast Incendio into the forest.

One tree after another caught fire, the flames quickly spreading.

The man-eating birds screeched and flapped, some fleeing, others collapsing from the smoke.

With fewer distractions, John poured everything into the chase.

His flying boots at max speed, and the smoke now interfering with the Golden Flyer, it began to slow.

When the bird's wings finally stopped flapping and it began to fall, John swooped in just before it hit the fire and caught it.

The trial was complete.

But the cost was an entire forest in flames, causing Gryffindor to frown.

"Aguamenti!"

John summoned a massive sphere of water and sent it toward the blaze.

Seeing this, Gryffindor's frown relaxed.

"He may use ruthless tactics to win, but he knows how to take responsibility afterward."

As Gryffindor thought this, John finished putting out the fire.

Landing in front of him, John opened his palm to reveal a small golden bird struggling to stand.

"You've completed the Bird in the Forest trial."

Gryffindor nodded and waved his wand, dissolving the forest scene.

[Ding! Challenge Triggered: Gryffindor's Legacy Phase Two — The Lion in the Mountains. Reward: 1 Attribute Point, Bonus Effect: Heavy Strike]

Gryffindor said, "A lion lacks neither courage nor strength. But the lion of the mountains must be stronger than all others. You must prove to me that you possess enough power."

"I want you to climb a mountain."

With a wave of his wand, a mountain sprang from the ground—the Room of Requirement instantly transformed into a towering peak.

He tapped John's alchemical gear—his protective charm and flying boots were stripped away.

"Your alchemy skills are impressive, but they won't help you now."

Climbing a mountain with flying boots would be cheating, after all.

John was speechless. Wasn't alchemy a part of his own strength?

Looking up at the peak, he took a deep breath. As he exhaled, his breath turned white.

"Is it getting colder?"

Snowflakes began falling around him. John knew that if he didn't hurry, he wouldn't complete the challenge.

Reaching the mountain base, he began his climb step by step.

The snow grew heavier, and the wind whipped fiercely. His body felt frozen.

At first, he could see a path, but soon everything was just a white blur.

Still, John pressed on.

On the way, he encountered a white-furred yeti.

It roared and charged—if it hit, John would be out cold for sure.

He dodged low, right past its feet, and without hesitation aimed a spell at its head.

The yeti went tumbling down the slope, becoming a giant snowball.

John thought that was it—until he turned around and saw an entire horde of white-furred yetis.

"You call this a trial?"

He moved his lips but stopped himself from swearing.

Casting a Disillusionment Charm, John tried to sneak around them.

But he underestimated their sense of smell—one yeti sniffed him out.

As it opened its mouth to roar, John gave it a sharp glare—Intimidation activated.

The yeti froze. John drew the Sword of Trewick.

"I am the fire dragon."

Flames erupted from the blade as John slashed through the creature.

The wound ignited, and the beast collapsed.

"Looks like intimidation works."

John's eyes narrowed dangerously. The snow beasts blocked his path—and he wasn't holding back anymore.

Gripping the sword in both hands, he shouted, "Come on!"

Intimidation triggered again—any yeti he locked eyes with froze in place.

With Trewick's flaming sword, he slashed his way through them.

Soon, no snow beast remained standing.

John tightened his grip on the sword and climbed toward the mountain peak.

Gryffindor watched from above, where the storm had stopped.

He waited on the summit—only one trial remained:

The Swordbearer of Courage.