"???"
Rhine stared at the system's suggestion—Fall to your knees and beg for mercy—you might survive. Completely speechless.
What kind of shameless system was this?
Yuan Hong—was he really that terrifying? He himself was a disciple of the Chan Sect! Didn't that mean he had some background too? And yet the system was implying that his odds against Yuan Hong were slim to none?
But then Rhine recalled Yuan Hong's feats in The Investiture of the Gods... and begrudgingly admitted—the system might have a point.
This was, after all, the fearsome white ape who battled Yang Jian to a stalemate. With an indestructible body, mastery of shapeshifting, and profound physical cultivation… even Yang Jian needed a whole team to subdue him, and in the end, it took an Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger to finally finish him off.
A true monster among monsters—not someone a rookie like him could match.
But then... Rhine's heart began to burn with excitement.
What kind of rewards could I get if I manage to bond with Hagrid?
"Come on, system. Show me something amazing."
As he whispered in his mind, a new wave of data flooded the shimmering screen before him.
[Establishing an Acquaintance-level Bond with Yuan Hong grants: Iron Skin and Diamond Bones — impervious to blades and bullets, fire and water, immune to curses, and extends lifespan.]
[Establishing a Close Friend level with Yuan Hong grants: Master of the Staff — wield the elemental Staff of Water and Fire, capable of humbling even gods and immortals.]
[Establishing a Life-and-Death Bond with Yuan Hong grants: Eight-Nine Arcane Technique Manual — transcend the limits of the flesh, evolve Iron Skin into an indestructible body, and transform into anything in existence. A supreme path to invincibility.]
Rhine's eyes widened.
Bloody hell!
Even the lowest-tier bond would grant him Iron Skin and Diamond Bones?
Impervious to weapons? Resistant to elements? And it extends your lifespan?
That's an absolute maxed-out defensive trait!
Sure, he wasn't some supernatural white ape like Yuan Hong, so the effect wouldn't be as overpowered. But for regular dark curses? Probably nothing more than a tickle.
And more importantly—it extends lifespan!
Voldemort spent decades crafting Horcruxes in pursuit of immortality, and still died early.
If he'd known all it took was befriending Hagrid to gain a life-extending trait, his eyes would've turned green with envy, and he'd have cursed, "What in the bloody hell's the point of a Horcrux?!"
Then there was the Staff Mastery trait. That sounded pretty damn solid too.
No need for anything fancy—if it hits hard, it's a good trait.
Basilisks? Absolutely terrifying. Their magical resistance was off the charts.
But in the end? Still skewered by a second-year Harry Potter with a sword.
Nagini? Wrapped in Voldemort's enchantments.
Still got decapitated by Neville Longbottom with a swing of the sword.
The takeaway? Sometimes a good old-fashioned weapon works better than magic!
If he acquired Yuan Hong's staff-fighting trait, Rhine was confident enough to call himself undefeated in close combat.
These two traits were already incredible on their own—but the third reward?
It was a whole other league.
Rhine's gaze blazed with intensity.
The Eight-Nine Arcane Technique!
Even in the mythic realms of the Great Desolation, it ranked among the highest forms of cultivation. If he could train in that, who needed to study magic anymore?
He'd summon all four Hogwarts founders, Merlin, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Voldemort—and challenge all ten at once!
He turned to look at Hagrid, eyes gleaming like he'd just found the world's most precious treasure.
Beg for mercy?
System, go sit at the kids' table.
He was definitely going to befriend Hagrid—not even Voldemort could stop him!
Meanwhile, Hagrid was feeling a little… unsettled.
He was used to being looked at with fear or suspicion. After all, even within the magical world, being a half-giant meant strange looks were inevitable.
But the way Rhine was looking at him—Hagrid had never seen that expression before.
Was this kid… eager to become sworn brothers with him?
Suppressing the awkwardness, Hagrid cleared his throat and said:
"It was supposed to be Professor McGonagall who came to get you, but she's been swamped lately. I'm helping her out with the first-years—so I'll be the one to take you into the magical world."
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."
"Where are your parents? First trips to the magical world usually include them."
Rhine extended a hand toward him.
"I'm Rhine. Rhine Snow."
"I don't have parents—I'm an orphan."
Hagrid froze.
In his experience, kids living in estates like this, with servants and luxury, had to be from some kind of Muggle noble family.
Never did he imagine Rhine would be an orphan.
He stammered, caught off guard.
"I—I'm sorry. I didn't know…"
Rhine simply waved it off, calm and composed.
"It's fine. I grew up in an orphanage. I happened to have a bit of talent for writing, and that's how I earned enough to buy this place."
"Oh, right—Hagrid, you're the Keeper of the Grounds at Hogwarts?"
"Does Hogwarts have a hunting ground?"
Hagrid blinked, a bit surprised by the question.
Scratching his head, he replied:
"Well, it's called a hunting ground, but no hunting goes on there. Mostly, it's where the school keeps magical creatures."
"My main job is patrolling the Forbidden Forest. You probably haven't heard of it yet—it's off-limits to students. But it's home to some wonderful, furry little creatures."
The moment Hagrid finished, Rhine's eyes lit up.
"Magical creatures?"
"Are they species unique to the wizarding world?"
"Not gonna lie, I adore animals. The bigger and fiercer, the better."
"Big is beautiful. Fierce is adorable. Big and fierce is the most adorable!"
Hagrid's eyes gleamed with sudden delight—he'd found a kindred spirit!
"You think so too?"
"That's exactly what I think! Most people are scared of the creatures I raise, but I find them adorable."
Rhine's heart thudded with emotion.
Adorable? You bet they are. Eight-eyed giant spiders from the Forbidden Forest? Ron Weasley almost died of how 'adorable' they were.
Still, with the conversation flowing so well, Rhine decided to take it further.
"Hagrid, have you ever heard of dinosaurs?"
Hagrid looked puzzled—curious, even a bit eager.
"Dinosaurs?"
"Dragons?"
"By Merlin—I've always wanted to raise one! But I've never heard of a species called dinosaurs before."
A sly smile crept onto Rhine's lips.
"Dinosaurs aren't dragons. They're not magical creatures at all. They existed over 65 million years ago in the Muggle world. Used to rule the planet before going extinct—possibly due to climate change or a cataclysm."
"What's left of them today are only fossils, dug up from the earth."
"Funny thing is, I happen to have a few in my collection. Want to take a look?"