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The confrontation with the Slytherin students quickly became the subject of rumors and speculation, most of which worked in my favor. Students saw and talked about how I returned to the common room with hardly any injuries, while nearly all the Slytherins who had set a trap for me ended up in the hospital wing. That must mean something, they thought, and they weren’t wrong.

 

As a result, I earned respect from all the houses, even Slytherin. Students from aristocratic families, or those close to such circles, knew well that if they clashed with me, they’d be in for a rough time. I thought so too, but I wasn’t going to become an arrogant jerk who could be taken down with a few clever curses. So, I remained vigilant, expecting some sort of retaliation from Matthew Travers.

 

Matthew Travers, after taking a beating and spending time in the hospital wing, held a deep grudge against me. I could feel it whenever we crossed paths in class, during meals, or even in the corridors. He wasn’t the only one, of course, since many had felt my wrath. But another fifth-year student stood out, radiating pure hatred.

 

“Timothy Jody,” called a familiar seventh-year student, the last one who had managed to stay on his feet during the fight. Waving his hand, he gestured for me to come over.

 

It wasn’t a problem, so I approached.

 

“Kid,” he began. “I hope you’re not holding a grudge against me for what happened in the corridor.”

 

Was I surprised? Yes, I was.

 

“Matthew just wanted to scare you, not start a fight,” he continued. “He asked me to help, and I did. So, I hope there won’t be any bad blood between us.”

 

“And how much did your help cost?” I asked.

 

“Two Galleons for the evening,” he replied immediately.

 

“So, you’re a mercenary?” I inquired.

 

“Not a mercenary, just someone with a bit of extra responsibility,” he corrected me.

 

“Sounds interesting,” I nodded. “Alright, I get it.”

 

“Good,” he said, extending his hand. I shook it without hesitation. “By the way, my name’s Albert Fifequid.”

 

“Timothy Jody,” I nodded back. “But you already knew that.”

 

We parted ways after that. The exchange of contacts was successful. Do I hold a grudge against him? No. That would be the right answer. Why be angry at a mercenary? No matter what he calls himself, in this situation, Albert played the role of a mercenary.

 

Aside from personal reputation, another consequence was that everyone now thought Isolda was my girlfriend. Somehow, people had come to the conclusion that the conflict was probably over a girl, rather than because I reacted to the guy’s aggression. This led to her having to stick close to me much more often; otherwise, most of the school would look at her with disapproval. It’s surprising how the attitudes of teenagers can be influenced, especially when supported by teachers.

 

“Timothy,” Isolda addressed me. “Did you sign up for Apparition lessons?”

 

“Yes,” I replied. “I can’t not sign up for such an important class. By the way, do you still need help with your Transfiguration essay?”

 

“Dorsani does,” she said, shaking her hair.

 

Dorsani mostly stayed silent during our conversations, only answering when directly asked. Her studies were going well, but there were subjects she struggled with, one of which was Transfiguration. So, I occasionally helped her find answers and literature. Isolda also joined in and got some additional information.

 

“Then after the Apparition lesson, we’ll see what needs to be done,” I said, leaning back into the soft chair.

 

The Apparition lessons were held in the Great Hall. At the entrance, each student was checked before being let in. The presence of several Ministry wizards, Headmaster Dumbledore casting spells, the heads of houses, and Madam Pomfrey, ready to assist in any situation, caught my attention.

 

I immediately felt a change in the atmosphere when Dumbledore finished his spell. Now, Apparition was possible in this place, but only in the Great Hall. At the same moment, the illusory sky on the ceiling changed to a twilight sky with light clouds. When all the sixth-year students who met the age requirement and the seventh-year students who hadn’t taken the class the previous year were gathered, the doors of the Great Hall closed.

 

“Ahem,” a short, slightly chubby wizard from the Ministry of Magic cleared his throat. I had read in the papers that there were heated debates about the educational reform introduced last year, which affected the number of sixth-year students at Hogwarts. Some say the idea was a failure because it harmed the students’ potential. “Good evening, dear students. I hope you’re all mentally prepared to begin learning the art of spatial movement from one point to another.”

 

The wizard spun around and Apparated to the opposite wall of the Great Hall.

 

“What you just witnessed is called Apparition.”

 

He Apparated back to the center of the room, drawing the attention of every student. I carefully observed his movements and what happened to the space when this magic was activated. Knowing the theory is one thing, but seeing and experiencing it in practice is something else.

 

“Starting today, we’ll have lessons once a week where you’ll learn this art,” the man said. “Afterward, you’ll take an exam and receive a license. This license can be used in other countries as well. Headmaster Dumbledore has kindly provided the Great Hall for your training. Thank you, Headmaster.”

 

Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgment. Meanwhile, other Ministry representatives began setting up circles in two lines, just enough for all the students.

 

“Oh yes, I forgot to introduce myself,” the man chuckled. “You can call me Elgee Longbottom. I’ll be your instructor for this period, and I’ll try to pass on my skills in Apparition. On your part, I expect you to listen carefully and be eager to practice while you’re here.”

 

He looked around at all the students. It seemed like nothing could escape his keen gaze.

 

“As you can see, besides me and my assistants, whom you’ll meet during practice, there are professors and your school nurse here. Together, we’ll ensure the training is as safe as possible,” Longbottom continued. “For your information, my team consists of professionals in dealing with Splinching. Who knows what Splinching is?”

 

Several hands immediately shot up.

 

“Please, miss…” Longbottom said, pointing to a Ravenclaw girl. She was in her seventh year.

 

“Annette Podolsky,” she said. “Splinching is a phenomenon that can occur if Apparition is unsuccessful. In most cases, it can be easily corrected, but sometimes it can lead to fatal outcomes.”

 

The mention of fatal outcomes particularly piqued my interest. As long as Travers didn’t try to get revenge, I wouldn’t bother him. But if he crossed the line, maybe I could ensure his Splinching turned fatal.

 

“In reality, the theory isn’t that complicated,” the Ministry representative continued. “I’m sure you all read the pamphlet?”

 

The pamphlet titled “Apparition: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them” was an interesting read. But compared to the information I got from a book on Spatial Magic, it was critically lacking. Still, I’m sure it’ll be a big help to the students.

 

“Silence means consent,” Longbottom chuckled. “Then let’s have a brief theoretical blitz. When a wizard is about to Apparate, they must follow the rule of the three Ds. Destination. Determination. Deliberation. You must clearly picture where you want to go. Without this, any Apparition attempt will either fail or result in Splinching. That’s Destination.”

 

The wizard took a few steps and waved his wand. One row of circles lit up. Then the second.

 

“Second. You must want to get there. Without this, Apparition is impossible. That’s Determination. And lastly. Better to do it slowly and correctly than quickly and get health problems. That’s Deliberation.”

 

The wizard stepped into one of the circles.

 

“So, here’s the circle! This is where I need to Apparate. I want this very much. A light spin and… voila.”

 

He spoke the last word as he was already standing in the second circle. A round of scattered applause followed. The wizard smiled and took a few bows.

 

“Now it’s your turn,” the wizard said. “Pick a circle and stand in it. You need to Apparate to another circle and then back. And again, remember. Destination. Determination. Deliberation.”

 

These three words flashed in the air so that everyone could remember them or refer back to them if they forgot. The students immediately started picking circles for themselves. Everyone tried to stay close to their own housemates, so the usual division by colors occurred. Standing in a circle, I looked around. No one was doing anything yet; they were waiting for a signal from Elgee Longbottom.

 

“Well, my friends,” he said. “Start when you’re ready.”

 

And he clapped his hands. I half expected to hear the sound of Apparition immediately. But no… the only sound was the thud of bodies falling from failed spins. But alright, that doesn’t concern me. I pushed those events out of my mind and focused on the circle. The space around me was calm, almost inviting me to slip through it to reach the desired point.

 

I focused on the spot, gathered a bit of magical energy, and spun around. In the next second, I felt myself being pulled into the now familiar vortex. The space squeezed me from all sides, but it was over in an instant. I was in the center of the target circle.

 

The looks from the others were on me. They were surprised and intrigued.

 

“Well done, mister!” Longbottom exclaimed. “A perfect first Apparition with no Splinching. Simply excellent. Keep up the good work, and if you continue to do well, I’ll make your training a bit more challenging.”

 

“Alright,” I nodded at him. I’m not afraid of a challenge. I turned back to the first circle from where I had started. I focused, gathered magical energy, and spun. A second later, I was back in the first circle.

 

“Keep practicing,” he nodded and moved on to other students who were struggling and getting nowhere.

 

I continued to Apparate from one circle to another, trying to fully grasp the process. With each attempt, my basic understanding of Space Magic grew. For example, I started to notice small details, like how magical energy interacts with space, how it protects during the actual teleportation, and during the exit. Understanding these processes made me better.

 

Besides, I tried to speed up, as Apparition can be used in combat, but it’s a rather difficult skill.

 

“You’re showing excellent progress,” Longbottom said after I performed four quick Apparitions. “But now, let’s make it a bit more challenging. You won’t have the circles. You can Apparate freely around the Great Hall.”

 

“Alright,” I replied.

 

The instructor’s assistants removed the circles, leaving me without them. A slight nervousness crept in. I closed my eyes for a few moments to calm myself down. Only then could I attempt to Apparate from one place to another. I focused, gathered energy, and spun.

 

This time there was a slight difference. The pressure was a bit stronger. But it didn’t matter, as I successfully Apparated. Afterward, I continued doing what I had been doing before. The only difference was that I was now moving around the entire Great Hall, improving my skills. It felt incredibly satisfying to sense the envious glances. Even the professors were pleased and proud. This was especially true of McGonagall. Seeing my achievements, the professor walked around with her head held high.

 

“Ah, Merlin and Morgana!” exclaimed a sixth-year girl. At the same moment, her hair changed to almost every color of the rainbow. Oh, that’s Nymphadora Tonks. “Why isn’t it working for me?!”

 

“Calm down,” one of the instructor’s assistants said. “Don’t get so frustrated if something doesn’t work. Just relax and concentrate.”

 

I Apparated away from her to a far corner of the Great Hall to calm myself down a bit.

 

“Mister Jody,” addressed me Headmaster Dumbledore, whom I hadn’t noticed immediately. Or maybe he had approached so quietly. I need to be more vigilant. “You’re doing an excellent job!”

 

“Thank you, Headmaster,” I replied. “Honestly, I didn’t expect Apparition to come so easily to me.”

 

“Oh, nonsense,” the old wizard said, exuding an incredible aura of power and danger. “You have a great talent. I’m very glad that you’re a Hogwarts student.”

 

“Thank you,” I said, grateful for the compliment. And also for those few interesting books I managed to download into my Archive while sitting in his office. They weren’t large in size, but the information inside was incredibly interesting and fascinating. For example, a modification of a Transfiguration spell with all the author’s calculations and thoughts, or a combat spell from the Black family that’s highly effective in storming magically fortified places like Hogwarts or goblin strongholds.

 

“Tell me,” the headmaster asked. “Would you like to participate in the Transfiguration Olympiad?”

 

“Olympiad?” I was surprised. I’d never heard of it before.

 

“Yes,” the headmaster nodded. “It’s a competition between students from magical schools in a particular discipline, an opportunity to meet other talents, and just to make a name for yourself in the world. The reward for the winners is also quite worthy.”

 

“Overall,” I began after a moment of reflection. “I’d like to test myself against students from other schools.”

 

“Excellent,” the headmaster’s face lit up with a kind smile. “In two weeks, I’ll personally test your knowledge of Transfiguration. That should give me a clear idea of whether you’re truly ready. After that, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Olympiad.”

 

“I understand, Headmaster Dumbledore,” I nodded to the wizard.

 

He nodded back and continued walking around the hall, observing how the students were doing with Apparition. Let’s just say, there weren’t many results yet. The instructors reassured the more nervous students, saying that it’s normal for most people not to succeed on their first try.

 

At the end of the lesson, the instructor said:

 

“Well, my friends, that was our first Apparition seminar. The next one will be next week. See you then.”

 

The headmaster restored the ban on Apparition in the Great Hall. This was immediately noticeable because the space became incredibly thick and difficult to pass through. However, I also noticed that there were loopholes that could be used to bypass the ban. For now, it’s out of my reach, as my understanding of Space Magic is still at a fairly low level.

 

“Amazing,” Isolda said as we walked back to our house common room. “You managed to Apparate on your first try! Come on, admit it, you already knew how to Apparate before these seminars, right?”

 

“No,” I shook my head. “Until today, I’ve never performed solo Apparition. I’ve only been part of a side-along Apparition… If that matters, of course.”

 

“Then can you explain to me how you’re doing it?” she asked.

 

“Well,” I thought for a moment. “Let’s say I agree. What are you willing to offer in return?”

 

Isolda pondered for a moment. It was indeed an important question, as knowledge in this world is incredibly valuable, especially personal experience in using a particular spell or skill. Dorsani remained silent the entire time, saying nothing.

 

“Well, the price can’t be too high,” she said. “After all, we’re studying Apparition in the seminars. And besides, I’ll be able to get even more information at home later. So this information isn’t worth more than five Galleons.”

 

“Heh-heh,” I chuckled. “Alright… let it be five Galleons.”

 

The information I’ll give her for those five Galleons won’t be any great revelation. It won’t include spells or anything about Space Magic. If she had offered a different price, she would have received more information and knowledge. But she just doesn’t realize that.

 

“Alright then…”

 

For about thirty minutes, I told Isolda and Dorsani, who was also listening in, the basics. I didn’t reveal any secrets or even semi-secrets, just general facts and information they could have found in books if they’d decided to dig around. But in the end, I decided to give a little hint.

 

“If you want to learn more about this art, I recommend reading one of Emil Alhazar’s books.”

 

“Emil Alhazar?” Isolda asked. “Alright. I’ll remember that.”

 

She quickly pulled out her purse and counted out five gold coins. I pocketed them with satisfaction. It might be small change to her, but to me… five galleons are five galleons.

 

***

 

Isolda was writing a letter to her father. He had asked her to keep him informed about interesting events at school. In return, she would receive advice on how to handle various situations, whom to approach, and other guidance.

 

In this letter, she asked her father to find books by a certain Emil Alhazar. Neither the General Section nor the Restricted Section had any books by this author. One might think that her classmate had played a silly prank on her. However, some books aimed at a better understanding of Apparition referenced this wizard. This meant that such a wizard indeed existed and had actually worked on Apparition or related fields of magic.

 

“Dorsani,” she called her maid after finishing the letter. “Take this letter to the owlery.”

 

“Right away, my lady,” the maid replied.

 

Dorsani carefully picked up the sealed letter and left the room. Isolda continued to ponder over her classmate, Timo Jody. Until the OWLs, he hadn’t shown any remarkable results that could have drawn any attention to him. In some magical disciplines, he was clearly lagging behind. But then the OWLs happened, and Timothy became a Hogwarts scholar.

 

It was surprising and incredibly intriguing. After speaking with him, she realized that the boy was not as simple as he seemed. And this year, it was as if he had lifted the veil that had hidden his skills and personality. First, he defeated a group of wizards, some of whom were more experienced and stronger than him. That was the first signal. Then came the Apparition lesson, where her classmate utterly outclassed all the students who considered themselves excellent wizards, not just by a little, but completely. Even she felt uncomfortable knowing that someone could Apparate so effortlessly.

 

She had to wait a full two weeks for her father’s reply. The owl arrived during lunch break. Instead of reading the letter immediately, she tucked it into her robe pocket. She only opened it later when she was back in her own room.

 

What she read in the letter astonished her. Her father wrote that obtaining a book by Emil Alhazar was impossible. Only four copies were known to exist, and one of them had gone missing on the Red Fields during one of the bloodiest and largest battles of the Goblin Wars. He also mentioned that if she had met someone who had studied this book, she could offer them any amount of money for lessons.

 

She had always known that her father was an incredibly practical man who saw her as a valuable asset to the family, something that could be used to strengthen their position. He had instilled this way of thinking in her as well. If he was willing to offer a substantial sum for the knowledge of this Emil Alhazar, then it must be of great importance.

 

If her classmate had somehow gained access to this book, it would mean that her understanding of the world was quite flawed. After all, how could she have failed to notice a successful and talented wizard for five years?

 

***

 

Two weeks flew by like wind through the clouds. The lessons, in general, weren't very interesting because the material we were covering was already familiar to me on a deeper and broader level. I think I could have taught some of the lessons myself, thanks to the Archive Magic.

 

In addition to this, I continued uploading various books into my Archive and analyzing them in my free time. One particularly interesting book I acquired was The Art of Illusions. It was a thick tome filled with incredibly fascinating and complex information. To improve my understanding, I had to upload additional books on Mental Magic. Illusions here are a form of magic that emerged at the intersection of two magical disciplines: the first being Transfiguration, and the second Mental Magic. In short, this art is an incredibly complex subject that I certainly won’t be able to fully master by the end of this school year.

 

Another intriguing book I uploaded was Advanced Magical Duels. This book was interesting because it demonstrated and explained various tactics for battling wizards and other magical creatures. Overall, it was a captivating read.

 

Aside from that, I was preparing for Dumbledore’s assessment. It would be great if I could actually go to this Olympiad.

 

During breakfast, a small note landed on my table. After checking it with a few spells, I opened it. It instructed me to come to the headmaster’s office at five o’clock in the evening. There was also a password and a wish for a good day.

 

“What’s that?” asked Isolda, who had also just received a letter. She quickly tucked it into her pocket, as if afraid someone might see it.

 

“An invitation to visit the headmaster’s office today,” I replied calmly.

 

“Ah,” she nodded. “Alright then.”

 

There were still a few lessons before five o’clock, which I sat through without issue. By five, I was already at the headmaster’s office. The large gargoyle looked at me disapprovingly. It seemed like its eyes might start moving judgmentally at any moment.

 

“White chocolate with red pepper was yesterday’s breakfast,” I recited the password.

 

The gargoyle stood still for a few seconds, then reluctantly began to move aside, revealing the staircase. I waited for the passage to fully open before stepping in. It immediately began closing behind me.

 

I ascended the spiral steps to the headmaster’s office, where he was already waiting for me.

 

“Come in, Mr. Jody,” he said, pointing to a chair. “Please, have a seat.”

 

“Good evening, Headmaster,” I greeted him.

 

“Well then, are you ready for the assessment?” the old wizard asked, his half-moon glasses gleaming in the light.

 

“Yes, Headmaster,” I nodded.

 

“Then let’s not pull a kneazle by the tail. They don’t like that,” he joked.

 

The assessment he gave me was grueling. The headmaster truly demonstrated that he is one of the most powerful wizards in England, and possibly even on the planet. The questions ranged from the simplest, at a first-year level, to ones where I had to search the Archive for answers. We spent two hours discussing various topics related to Transfiguration, and it was all pure theory.

 

“And now, I think we should move on to the practical part,” the headmaster said, standing up. “I’d like to conduct the practical assessment outside of the school grounds. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to harm you.”

 

“Alright, Headmaster,” I exhaled.

 

I approached him, and in the next moment, he extended his hand. I took it and waited to see what would happen next. His phoenix flew over, and in the following second, I felt myself being transported through space. For a brief moment, I saw flames around me, which then disappeared.

 

We found ourselves in a large clearing by the ocean. It was quite chilly, as it was well into autumn and not summer. Halloween was tomorrow. A gust of wind blew our robes around. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs was deafening at times. Without hesitation, I cast a warming charm, as the cold was quickly seeping through my robe and clothes. I extended the charm to the headmaster, who nodded appreciatively.

 

“You didn’t have to, Mr. Jody,” the headmaster said. “You’ll need your strength later.”

 

I just shrugged. What else was there to say?

 

“Then let’s begin the practical part,” he said.

 

The practical tasks, let’s just say, were even more grueling than the theoretical ones. I did all sorts of things. Creating an ice figure with full human anatomy, then Transfiguring it into a table with food and a cat jumping around, and finally turning it into a house? No problem. Transforming fire into water, then into stone that didn’t burn, and finally into a chest? Sure thing. Making a stone fish figure, animating it, and making it behave in the air as it would in water? Done. Transfiguring grass into tens of thousands of sand particles and then turning each one into a drop of water? That too.

 

I don’t know if this was an assessment or if the headmaster was just torturing me, but there were moments when I had to stretch my mind like never before. Did my skills improve after this test? I’m 100% sure they did. When night fell, we had to stop the practical assessment.

 

“Well,” the headmaster said. “I think it’s time to head back.”

 

We teleported again using the phoenix. The second time, I managed to understand the process a little better. But to fully grasp it, I’d need at least a thousand such teleports. I don’t think I’ll get them.

 

“What can I say,” Albus Dumbledore began as we reappeared in his office. Two cups of hot tea and some sweets were already on the table. I wasn’t opposed to a snack right now. “Theoretically, you’re fully prepared to compete in the Olympiad. Practically, you need a bit more practice, but overall, you’re ready.”

 

“Thank you, Headmaster,” I nodded. Having my skills and abilities confirmed by someone like him was already a significant achievement.

 

“The Transfiguration Olympiad will be held in Zurich,” he said. “The opening is on December tenth. The closing ceremony and award presentation will be on the twentieth.”

 

Zurich has long been considered one of the centers of magical thought. The city has the highest concentration of guild buildings. It’s also home to one of the four magical universities, which only accepts students after they’ve achieved the rank of master in one discipline. It’s an expensive endeavor but highly rewarding. Graduates of these universities are considered the magical elite, with whom everyone wants to work.

 

“The Olympiad will be held in two stages,” the headmaster continued after taking a sip of hot tea. “The first stage is theory. The second is practice. I don’t know what the questions and tasks will be. Only the examination committee knows. Prizes are awarded to the top three places. Third place receives two thousand Galleons and a month of training with a guild master. Second place receives three thousand Galleons, a month’s access to the Zurich library, and training with a master. First place receives the honorary rank of Transfiguration apprentice, five thousand Galleons, a month’s access to the library, and a month of training with a magister.”

 

“Wow,” I couldn’t contain my surprise.

 

“Yes, the Transfiguration Olympiad has always been an incredibly tough and even brutal competition between wizards,” the headmaster said. “So, I’ll ask you again. Do you want to participate?”

 

“Yes, Headmaster,” I replied. “I’d like to do it.”

 

“Excellent,” he nodded and smiled. “Then I’ll start the paperwork. You’ll have to sign a few forms, but don’t worry too much. Hogwarts will cover all the costs. By the way!”

 

Dumbledore waved his hand, and a few books appeared in front of him. It was an impressive display of his magical skills. Wandless magic is a high-level skill. I’m not even close to attempting that yet. He handed the books to me.

 

“These are the books I used to prepare for the Olympiad when I was a student,” the headmaster said. “I think you should dive into them and study the material.”

 

“Thank you, Headmaster,” I replied respectfully. I was truly grateful for these books. Just one look at the titles was enough to understand that finding them in the Archive would be incredibly difficult. For example, the title The Troll’s Feet doesn’t immediately suggest it’s a book on Transfiguration.

 

I said goodbye to the headmaster and went to rest. Isolda intercepted me in the common room.

 

“Hey, Timothy,” she called out. “I’d like to ask you something.”

 

“Yes?” I nodded and headed over to the table where she was sitting with Dorsani, working on an essay.

 

I managed to answer her question almost immediately. Compared to the questions the headmaster had asked, answering this one was a breeze. Isolda quickly jotted down my answer in her draft.

 

“By the way,” she said. “You mentioned Emil Alhazar.”

 

“Well, yes,” I nodded. Could she be interested in the book and want to discuss it?

 

“You know how hard it is to get,” she began. I continued listening carefully, showing no emotion that might make her think I wasn’t familiar with the book. I am familiar with it, but I’ve never seen it in reality. It was uploaded when I was on a mission with Brock in the Red Fields. “That’s why I wanted to ask if you could help me study it. What do you say?”

 

“Overall, it’s an interesting proposition,” I nodded and leaned back in the soft chair, adding a bit of confidence to my posture. “But you understand that it’s not that simple…”

 

I made a small circling motion with my hand, hinting at something. Isolda nodded understandingly.

 

“Let’s say,” she began, “if I were to offer you five hundred Galleons for the lessons… would you accept?”

 

“Five hundred per chapter?” I asked her. “Is that what you mean?”

 

“Yes,” she replied after a moment of thought.

 

“Great,” I nodded. “For five hundred, I’ll guide you through the first chapter, including exercises and assignments. How does that sound?”

 

“Alright, that works,” Isolda said after a bit of consideration. “When will the first ‘lesson’ be?”

 

“This Saturday,” I nodded, then added, “When we go to Hogsmeade.”

 

“Is this an invitation to a date?” she smirked.

 

“If you want to think of it that way,” I chuckled in response. “But for the first, as you call it, ‘lesson,’ we need to leave the school. Hogsmeade is perfect for this.”

 

On October thirty-first, the school was ready for Halloween. Pumpkins and other decorations were hung throughout the halls. Miniature skeletons wandered the floors, occasionally scaring students. The ghosts also contributed to the atmosphere.

 

I analyzed the books I had received from the headmaster and could say they covered topics I had never heard of or even considered. They were a great addition to my Archive. The books took their rightful place. Of course, the analysis would take some time, but that’s not a problem for me.

 

“Hi there, Timothy,” Myrtle greeted me.

 

“Oh, Myrtle,” I nodded at her. “How’s the afterlife?”

 

“Still the same… ghostly business,” she replied. “By the way, would you like to visit the baths again tonight?”

 

“Oh,” I was surprised. “What’s the occasion?”

 

“Hehe,” she floated up and performed a few aerial acrobatics. “It’s a secret! After all, today is Halloween.”

 

“Alright then,” I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

 

And indeed, after slipping out of the Great Hall unnoticed, I grabbed a few things from my room and headed to the baths. As always, it was dimly lit, with windows displaying magical images. I quickly filled the bath with hot water and added some bubbles. Then I slipped in and relaxed.

 

After a few minutes, I felt the familiar chill on my lower regions. Myrtle’s head surfaced, looking at me with a playful smile.

 

“You came,” she said. “I’m so glad.”

 

“Well, you did invite me,” I chuckled, enjoying the cool sensation.

 

At that moment, Myrtle floated up a bit and almost straddled me. Her gaze locked onto mine, as if trying to burn a hole through me.

 

“Do you know that Halloween isn’t just a holiday for fun?” she asked suddenly. “It’s a day when the veil between the world of the dead and the living thins, allowing the spirits of the deceased to appear. The ghosts who were in the living world before Halloween gain the ability to experience some physical pleasures.”

 

“Is that so?” I was surprised. I had heard something like that but never paid much attention.

 

“But you know,” she continued, ignoring my words. “You’re different… not like other wizards. Even on regular days, I feel things with you that I’ve only felt on Halloween. And now… I feel so alive!”

 

She placed her hand on my chest. Of course, it felt cold, but not unpleasant. Besides… her hand didn’t pass through me; I felt pressure. It seems my rebirth did something more than I ever suspected.

 

“I won’t let you go anywhere tonight,” she whispered, pressing closer. In the next moment, magic happened. And not just any magic. No… Myrtle’s robe disappeared. “Your presence on Halloween allows for things like this… I’ll show you everything!”

 

The proximity of a female body could not help but affect me. Myrtle moved her hips and slowly pressed herself. Her hand slid down and incredibly softly and carefully grabbed my penis. Having adjusted it as needed, she began to lower herself slowly.

 

A light wave of pleasure washed over me. A little cool, but narrow and incredibly pleasant. This is how Myrtle could be described at that moment. When she adjusted herself, she sharply pushed herself down, completely lowering herself onto my excited penis.

 

“E-eeh,” she moaned. I hugged her, allowing her to calm down and relax a little. Her body was incredibly tense. To somehow dilute the whole act, I worked on her nipples. They were hard and a little cool… “Now I’m going to start moving.”

 

And she really did start moving. Up. Down. Up. Down. With each such movement, Myrtle accelerated. At one point, I got tired of sitting and doing nothing. I wanted to do something. I picked her up and walked out of the bathhouse and laid her on the floor in a doggy-style position. A moment later I drove her all the way in.

 

"Oh! Yes!" Myrtle screamed. Her womb squeezed especially hard around my cock, and then relaxed. At the same moment, I felt a strange wave pass through my body and disappear somewhere deep inside. Not paying attention to this, I began to work with a jackhammer.

 

Myrtle screamed with pleasure, not holding back her own voice. The mermaids who were in the images watched everything that was happening with mild interest. Of course, I am not a soulless piece of metal. That is why, when a wave of orgasm covered me, I drove harder and finished inside the girl. Only now did I notice that silver ghostly blood was running down her thighs.

 

"That was something," Myrtle said, sitting on my cock, when we returned back to the bathhouse. I was ready for the next round. Myrtle leaned over and kissed her. Not to disappoint her, I kissed her back. But very soon she ran out of air and pulled away. "Thank you, Timothy Jody. You made my dream come true, and so I want to thank you with something incredibly dear and important to me as a former sorceress."

 

With a slight surprise, I noticed how her eyes glowed with a light, ghostly blue color.

 

"I give you my magical gift and magical power," she said.

 

A moment later, a small chain appeared from her chest, which connected with the chain that appeared from my body. Some bluish energy flowed from Myrtle's chain and disappeared inside my chain. This continued for a minute, and then everything disappeared. The chains disappeared, Myrtle's eyes became normal, but somehow sad. Only now she really was transparent, and with each second the transparency increased.

 

"I say goodbye to you, my dear Timothy," she said incredibly quietly and distantly. "Live to the fullest! Live as I have never lived!"

 

The next moment Myrtle was gone. She dissolved like fog as if she had never been here. Even the remnants of the phantom blood were gone. I looked at my hands and realized I did not desire to be in the bathhouse. A slight sadness flared up inside... It seemed that Myrtle, Weeping Myrtle had left this world forever.

 

I returned to my room and fell into the deepest sleep, as I had never before.