(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly.
https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Looking at the burning forest, Erwin felt a headache coming on.
How was he supposed to put out the fire?
After thinking for a long time, he drank a potion to replenish his magical reserves.
Then, pushing his magic to its limits, he channeled it through his wand and lifted it toward the sky.
With the release of the charms, a rain cloud materialized in the sky, continuously absorbing the surrounding clouds and expanding.
It didn't take long before rain began to fall, with a tendency to grow heavier and heavier.
Erwin didn't stop there.
Using the water pooling on the ground, he released several [Freezing Charms] in succession.
The fire was finally contained.
"Erwin! Erwin! Where are you?"
Harry's voice echoed in the distance.
Erwin shot another magical firework into the sky, guiding him.
Soon, Harry and Hagrid appeared before him.
"Are you all right? Why is there a fire here?"
Looking at the flames ahead, the dead serpent, and the two motionless treants beside Erwin, Harry asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I encountered the wizard who attacked the unicorn and had a fight with him."
"All of this was caused by your fight?"
Swallowing hard, Harry asked with difficulty.
Was the battle between two wizards really this devastating?
He and Hagrid had seen the flames soaring into the sky and heard the piercing cry of a bird from afar.
"Most of it was my doing. The wizard used the Killing Curse."
"The Killing Curse!"
Hagrid's terrified voice became sharp and thin, his body trembling involuntarily.
"Merlin's beard! You fought a dark wizard who uses the Killing Curse! No, I must tell Dumbledore."
Erwin shook his head helplessly.
How could Hagrid be so easily frightened?
Harry, beside him, was silent.
He knew about the Killing Curse; it had killed his parents and left the scar on his forehead.
He understood all too well the terror of that spell.
And Erwin, who had been at school for only a year alongside him, had fought that kind of dark wizard and seemingly won.
This made Harry wonder if he was utterly useless.
"All right, we shouldn't linger here. There's been quite a commotion. Let's leave first. Hagrid, please report everything to the headmaster."
Seeing that the fire was gradually extinguished, Erwin had no reason to stay.
Although he hadn't been injured in tonight's battle, he still felt mentally exhausted.
He couldn't wait to lie in bed and get a proper night's sleep.
"O-okay."
Hagrid no longer dared to treat Erwin as an ordinary first-year student and subconsciously listened to his instructions.
What kind of first-year wizard could fight a dark wizard? It was unprecedented.
Neville and Malfoy, beside them, were scared out of their wits, nearly crying with relief when they heard they were returning.
Especially Malfoy.
Originally, he had thought Erwin had underestimated Slytherin and had planned to teach him a lesson, but Erwin's excellent performance in class had made him suppress that urge.
He was deeply grateful that he had only troubled Harry and hadn't dared to mess with Erwin.
Otherwise, the grass on his grave would probably be three feet tall by now.
For a moment, his gaze toward Harry softened considerably.
The group walked out of the Forbidden Forest, with Erwin following slowly while sitting on the back of the unicorn, stroking its smooth fur from time to time.
Soon, they reached the edge of the forest.
It was time to part with the young unicorn.
Looking at the creature's reluctant eyes, Erwin found it endearing.
He quickly patted its head, feeling the softness of its silver-white mane beneath his fingers.
"There are many dangerous people out there," he said gently. "How about you stay in the Forbidden Forest for now? If you ever want to find me, just go to Hagrid's hut and he will let me know."
"Whine~"
The young unicorn let out a soft, almost sorrowful cry, its sapphire-like eyes shimmering with reluctance.
Then, suddenly, a faint gleam of light began to emanate from its horn. The glow intensified, pure and ethereal, before extending toward Erwin's chest.
A six-pointed star magic circle appeared on the ground beneath them, its lines glowing faintly with silver light. Ancient runes flickered in and out of sight as if responding to some forgotten language of the forest itself.
Erwin felt a warmth spread through his chest, followed by a strange sense of connection. It was as though a thin thread now linked his mind to the young unicorn. Through this bond, he realized, simple thoughts and emotions could be shared.
This was an ancient contract, a pact that had long disappeared from modern magical practice.
The contractor not only gained a way to communicate with their companion but would also have their magic subtly altered to resonate with the creature's natural essence.
It seemed the young unicorn had completely accepted him.
(T/N: You can consider this as AU)
Erwin smiled softly. "I will call you Celestia from now on. How does that sound?"
The unicorn tilted her head, her horn shimmering faintly, and let out a cheerful whinny.
She clearly liked the name.
After making sure Celestia was safe, Erwin did not linger.
He turned back toward the castle, walking alongside Harry and the others as the forest's mist began to thicken behind them.
Celestia quietly watched his retreating figure, her eyes reflecting the moonlight.
Only when his silhouette disappeared beyond the trees did she turn and walk deeper into the forest, her white mane glimmering faintly in the darkness.
After saying goodnight to Harry, Erwin returned to his dormitory. Exhausted from the night's events, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The turmoil stirred by what had happened, however, had only just begun.
Despite the late hour, Hagrid wasted no time. He went straight to the Headmaster's office to report everything to Dumbledore.