Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

The early morning light filtered through the clouds, spreading golden warmth. Transparent droplets of dew clung to the emerald leaves, remnants of the previous night's torrential rain. Standing at the mouth of the cave, Loki gazed into the horizon where sunlight met the clouds, sighing softly.

"Does the disappearance of these students trouble you so much? There's no need to worry excessively. If you ask me, it's nothing more than a poorly-planned adventure by a few thrill-seekers," Thor remarked, stepping up beside Loki, his gaze fixed on the drifting clouds.

"Indeed," came Lilian's cool voice from behind. "For us, finding them is merely a formality. People must take responsibility for their actions. If those six aspiring adventurers are so fond of exploring, why not let them have their way?"

Loki chuckled faintly, a hint of gloom flickering in his amber eyes. "Even if it's just a formality, the risks involved are undeniable when you look closer. Merely standing at the cave entrance last night was enough to send chills down my spine. If it weren't for those six fools, I'd never risk myself in such a place."

Lilian's face betrayed a flicker of surprise. She was well aware of what it meant to be a mid-level mage. For someone of Loki's caliber to consider the cave dangerous hinted at threats far beyond the ordinary. Venturing in unprepared might indeed be recklessly overconfident.

"No matter the risk, this venture into the cave is inevitable," Thor said, his deep blue eyes steady and calm.

Inside the cave, Hermione had gathered everyone to plan their next move meticulously.

"Judging by the terrain outside the cave and the path within, the endpoint is undoubtedly underground. The question is whether it leads to an underground river or another burial chamber. Both are possible. From the footprints we've observed, it's clear these six individuals were not forced in—they entered voluntarily. However, the spacing and patterns of the prints suggest they didn't go in together. There's a considerable time gap between each person's entry," Hermione noted thoughtfully, rubbing her forehead before continuing. "This raises an important question: if they weren't coerced and didn't conspire among themselves, what drove them, one by one, to enter the cave's depths? Clearly, there's an unknown factor at play. In my analysis, temptation and manipulation are the most likely causes."

"What are you implying?" Cho asked, her face pale.

"I mean it's highly likely that a supernatural force is at work in this cave," Hermione stated with measured calm.

Fred's eyes narrowed, a faint, knowing smile curling his lips.

Neville shuddered, cold sweat trickling down his round face. He coughed nervously, his voice trembling. "Supernatural forces? So... you mean..."

Hermione cast a casual glance at Ron and replied, "In simpler terms, what Ron called ghosts—or perhaps vengeful spirits."

At this, an eerie chill seemed to creep into the cave, the air growing heavier. Faces turned pale as everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes now avoiding direct contact as though suspecting each other of harboring some hidden evil.

"What nonsense is this!" Malfoy's expression twisted in disgust. "Even if what you say is true, announcing it to everyone now only serves to demoralize us and breed mistrust. If there is some so-called vengeful spirit, I'd say you're the most suspicious one here."

As soon as Malfoy spoke, several girls standing near Hermione instinctively stepped away, putting distance between themselves and her.

Hermione let out a small, unconcerned laugh. "I'm merely pointing out the most plausible explanation to ensure we're prepared. That way, when we encounter this supernatural presence—if it exists—it won't catch us off guard or disrupt our morale. By then, it might be too late to act."

Cho nodded slightly in agreement. "Hermione has a point. Knowing our enemy in advance is better than facing the unknown blindly. And if these six classmates were indeed lured by spirits, we'll need to adjust our approach. Conventional magic likely won't work against such entities. We must devise countermeasures now to avoid chaos later. Even spirits have weaknesses, and understanding them will increase our chances of success."

Everyone nodded in agreement. For most, the fear of supernatural forces stemmed from their mysterious nature. Discussing them openly seemed to diminish their ominous aura, reducing them to just another type of adversary.

"I think these kinds of vengeful spirits," Harry mused aloud, "share traits with Dementors in terms of their power and weaknesses. They likely exist in a form beyond physicality, so conventional spells and physical attacks may have little effect. If we end up fighting them, I believe the following spells will be most effective.

"First and foremost, light magic. Naturally, this would have the strongest suppressive effect on dark creatures." Hermione nodded at this, being the only one skilled in light-based spells.

"Second, lightning magic. Its power over soul-based entities shouldn't be underestimated," Thor agreed with a slight nod.

"Finally, the Patronus Charm. Even if these spirits differ from Dementors, they're still dark entities, and the Patronus Charm might work effectively against them," Harry concluded, offering the group a sense of reassurance.

"Enough discussion," Loki interjected, cutting off further deliberation. "Regardless of speculation, we must head into the cave to verify the situation and locate our six classmates. There's no time to waste. Move out now."

For most, this was their first encounter with such a situation—entering a cave believed to harbor supernatural forces and facing an unseen enemy. While strategies and theories flowed freely during discussions, the reality of the situation left many uneasy. The prospect of confrontation with the unknown was daunting for students accustomed to a peaceful life.

Loki observed their apprehension but knew that words of encouragement would do little. Letting out a soft, derisive laugh, he took the lead, stepping into the shadowy path ahead. His figure gradually disappeared into the encroaching darkness.

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