Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw-Chapter 108: Mahoutokoro

"Time for class, Nero," Mu said, his voice ever composed but carrying an underlying amusement. "Let's see if Mahoutokoro can surprise you for once."

"Indeed. I look forward to seeing how Mahoutokoro teaches its students," replied Nero with a small smile.

"That's the spirit. And remember, if you have any trouble, you can ask Ayaka and Mio.

They are mischievous, but they are good kids."

"I will keep that in mind."

With that, Nero stepped towards the Torii gate.

The ancient structure, standing tall with intricate kanji inscribed upon its wooden beams, pulsed faintly with magic.

As he stepped through, a wave of energy enveloped him.

Unlike Apparition, which twisted space around the traveler, this transition was seamless.

It felt as if the world had momentarily ceased to exist, only to be reconstructed around him a heartbeat later.

And in that heartbeat, Mahoutokoro revealed itself.

Suspended high above the volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima, Mahoutokoro was a breathtaking sight.

Built atop a colossal floating rock, its architecture blended seamlessly with nature.

Pagoda-style towers stretched toward the sky, their roofs gilded with gold and adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes.

The main hall, standing at the center, radiated an aura of timelessness, its wooden beams polished by centuries of wisdom.

Around him, students arrived in various ways.

Some emerged from other Torii gates, appearing in flashes of ethereal blue light.

Others soared through the skies on enchanted storm petrels, their robes billowing in the wind. freёwebnoѵel.com

A few raced across winding bridges that connected the floating sections of the school.

Others would race ahead riding their brooms.

Even first-year students, rode upon enchanted shikigami constructs shaped like cranes and dragons, as they glided toward the entrance.

Nero glanced down at his attire.

He wore the traditional Mahoutokoro uniform, a kimono-style robe.

Nero's own robes gleamed with a deep midnight blue, signifying that he was a third-year student.

A small silver embroidery of an eagle was etched onto the sleeve.

As a foreign student, he had the right to pick a distinctive mark.

Awaiting him at the main gate was a tall man in a jet-black kimono.

His hair was neatly tied into a low bun, and his sharp eyes held both wisdom and scrutiny.

"You must be Nero. I am Professor Arata Kazehara," the man introduced himself with a short bow.

"Muzen-san has entrusted me with overseeing your integration.

You are the only exchange student among the third years this term, so I hope you are prepared for some unique experiences."

Nero returned the bow politely. "I appreciate the guidance, Kazehara sensei."

Professor Kazehara nodded approvingly before gesturing toward the school grounds.

"Here at Mahoutokoro, we do not use houses like Hogwarts.

Instead, students choose a specialty path at the start of their third year.

Their chosen discipline is marked on their robes with an emblem representing their path.

There are five primary path:"

"Five Paths. Five philosophies. Each one shaping a different kind of magician."

"First, The Onmyōji Path."

Kazehara drew a single stroke in the air with his finger, and for a moment, the space between them shimmered with an unseen force.

"Balance. Protection. Harmony.

Onmyōji study the flow of energy itself, ensuring that all things remain in equilibrium.

You will learn further Onmyōdō, the art of yin and yang, and Barrier Mastery, the ability to create shields, wards, and seals so powerful they can hold back curses, spirits, or even time itself.

Those who walk this path become guardians, mediators, and masters of unseen forces."

He let the energy dissipate and continued.

"The Fūshikiden Path."

He tapped a scroll on his belt, and instantly, a fox-shaped shikigami unfolded from the parchment, floating lazily beside him.

"Seals and constructs. Fūinjutsu will teach you how to bind, trap, and enhance magic through inscriptions, while the Shikigami Arts will allow you to create spiritual extensions of yourself.

This path requires precision, intelligence, and patience.

A single stroke too many on a sealing script, and your spell is worthless.

A single stroke too little, and the magic devours you instead."

The fox flicked its tail and vanished back into the scroll.

Kazehara's gaze sharpened as he moved to the next.

"The Hoshiden Path." He exhaled, and for a brief moment.

The space around them darkened.

"The celestial. The spiritual. Hoshiden students walk where others cannot, between worlds, across dreams, into the presence of kami themselves.

Kami Invocation teaches you to call upon divine beings for power and wisdom, while Astral Projection allows you to leave your body behind, exploring realms unseen.

The strongest Hoshiden magicians do not fight with spells. They fight with fate itself."

Then, with a flick of his wrist, the light returned.

"The Tenkūden Path."

His lips curled into a faint smirk.

"This is the path of movement. Of speed. Of mastery over the elements.

Sky Magic teaches you how to fight where gravity no longer binds you, to move faster than the eye can follow, to strike from above before your opponent even knows you are there.

And Elemental Convergence will teach you how to combine elements into something more than the sum of their parts.

Water and fire into steam. Lightning and wind into storm. Earth and air into sandstorms that strip flesh from bone.

If you wish to be untouchable, to dominate the battlefield with power and agility, then this is your path."

Finally, his smirk faded. Kazehara squared his shoulders, his stance rooted in something deeper.

"The Bujinden Path."

The air around him shifted, not with magic, but with sheer presence.

"The warrior's path. Those who choose it do not fight with spells alone.

Martial Spellcraft will teach you to turn your own body into a weapon, using wandless magic to enhance your strikes and counter enemy spells in the heat of battle.

And Kenjutsu & Wand Combat will teach you the art of the blade, not as a separate tool, but as an extension of your magic itself.

This is the path of those who refuse to stand still, who refuse to let an enemy's spell reach them at all."

Kazehara stepped closer, his gaze steady.

"Each path is a commitment. They will not simply change what spells you learn, they will shape who you become.

You will have 2 weeks to decide about it. Choose wisely, Nero.

For this path may define your magic forever."

Nero summarized in his head.

Onmyōji: The Path of Balance and Protection

Fūshikiden: The Path of Seals and Constructs

Hoshiden: The Path of the Heavens and the Mind

Tenkūden: The Path of the Sky and Elements

Bujinden: The Path of the Warrior-Mage

"Interesting. Thank you for the explanation Sensei".

Professor Kazehara studied Nero with interest.

"Given your background, you may find certain aspects of our curriculum vastly different from what you are used to. But I suspect you will adapt quickly."

He handed Nero a scroll. "This is your timetable. Your first class, Onmyōdō, begins in fifteen minutes. I will accompany you to ensure you find your way."

Instead of walking, the professor led Nero to a floating platform, where a series of Shikigami constructs in the form of paper cranes, dragons, and foxes waited.

Students casually stepped onto them, murmured their destinations, and the creatures instantly carried them off.

Kazehara gestured for Nero to follow suit.

Nero stepped onto a paper crane, feeling the surface shift and solidify beneath his weight.

"Library Wing," Kazehara commanded, and the Shikigami came to life, soaring effortlessly through the air.

Unlike broom travel, this was smooth and controlled, the magic flowing through the construct with precision.

Below them, the school unfolded, revealing training dojos, serene Zen gardens filled with floating lanterns, and towering libraries brimming with ancient scrolls.

Nero's eyes gleamed with intrigue.

Within moments, they reached the Library Wing, where the Onmyōdō classroom was located.

Kazehara stepped off first and turned to Nero.

"This is where I leave you. If you require any assistance, you may find me in the Eastern Pavilion."

Nero inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Sensei."

Kazehara gave a final nod before departing, his robes fluttering with the wind.

Nero took a deep breath as he stood before the entrance of his first class.

Ancient calligraphy adorned the sliding doors, each kanji pulsating with contained power.

He muttered under his breath,

"Balance and control through the concepts of Yin and Yang... Eastern magic is truly interesting."

A small smile played on his lips as he stepped inside, ready to embark on his first lesson at Mahoutokoro.

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