Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Harry fights a demon but it has some unexpected consequences.
Chapter 14
Harry wandered through the village. The mountain air carried hints of pine and woodsmoke.
Silence followed him like a shadow—villagers ducked into doorways or turned down side paths at his approach, their whispered conversations dying mid-sentence. Even the children training in the courtyard scattered at the sight of him.
"Something feels off about this village," Harry said. "Beyond the obvious human sacrifice issue. Maybe they are just shy."
Kaze's form rippled. "The Earth King would never allow such barbarity. Hiroshi valued life above all else."
"You seem troubled."
"Because I am. This village reeks of something foul." Kaze's form darkened to a stormy grey. "How did they devise such a method to keep the demon sealed? Why not just find a way to kill it?"
"What do you know about demons?" Harry asked. "Are they really that powerful?"
"Little is known about them. They're the strongest form of Yokai—supernatural creatures drawn to Japan like moths to flame. If not for clans like the Kannagi, they'd overrun these islands."
"What about the magical community? Don't they help?"
"I can't say for sure. I don't know anything about them."
A pebble skittered across the path behind them, the sharp sound cutting through the unnatural quiet. Harry spun, catching a glimpse of movement ducking behind a stone pillar. Someone tailed them and rather poorly at that.
With a thought, Harry wrapped the wind around himself, vanishing from sight. He crept behind their stalker—a small girl with long black hair tied back in pigtails that swayed with each cautious step. Her traditional kimono, patterned with silver cranes, looked several sizes too big for her small stature. The sleeves rolled up multiple times to free her hands.
Harry directed a playful breeze to tug at her hair. She whirled around, eyes wide, searching the empty air.
"Why are you following me?" Harry asked, letting his invisibility drop.
The girl shook her head, taking a half-step back. "I'm not following you."
"Uh-huh. What's your name?"
"Ayumi." She tilted her chin up, summoning a spark of defiance. "You're the stranger who invaded our village."
"Also known as Harry." He studied her face—she couldn't be older than twelve. "Everyone else in the village is avoiding me. You're the only one who isn't."
"Everyone avoids me too."
"Why would they avoid you?"
"Because I was created to be the sacrifice to appease Zenon." Her tone remained flat, matter-of-fact, like discussing the weather rather than her death. "There's no use getting close to me because my days are limited."
Harry's stomach lurched. The casualness with which she discussed her impending death chilled him more than the words themselves. Memories of his walk into the Forbidden Forest flickered through his mind.
"Aren't you scared?"
Ayumi tilted her head. "Why should I be scared? I shouldn't exist in the first place. I'm happy I got to live for at least three years."
"Three years? You must be at least ten—"
"Because Ayumi has grown to her current size in only a short amount of time." A new voice cut through their conversation. "She's a clone."
Harry turned to find a teenage girl approaching. Her furisode kimono, deep blue with white chrysanthemums, whispered against the ground.
A boy in an immaculate butler's uniform trailed three steps behind her. The resemblance between her and Ayumi struck Harry immediately—like looking at before and after photos separated by a few years. The older girl had the same delicate features and amber eyes, but her gaze lacked Ayumi's lively spark.
"You shouldn't speak to outsiders without permission," the older girl said.
Ayumi shrugged, rocking back on her heels. "Kureha doesn't let me speak to anyone, Mayumi. What's the worst she can do to me? She needs me for the ritual."
Mayumi's eyes widened at the sharp response.
The butler's face flushed red as he stepped forward, hand raised. "How dare you speak to Miss Mayumi in that manner—"
Wind slammed into his chest with the force of a battering ram, shoving him backwards. His shoes scraped against stone as he stumbled, then lunged forward until Mayumi's arm blocked his path.
"Stop, Yuuji." Her command cracked like a whip.
"You've got guts," Harry said. "Trying to hit a little girl."
"Ayumi should know her place," Yuuji spat, straightening his jacket.
Harry shook his head. "This village is so peaceful, yet can't hide the savagery beneath the surface."
His eyes locked onto Mayumi. "Let me guess. Ayumi is your clone? Created to replace you as the sacrifice?"
Mayumi nodded stiffly. "My father didn't want me sacrificed."
"Yet Ayumi faces mistreatment even though she is making the ultimate sacrifice. You should show more gratitude."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Yuuji snapped.
"I understand perfectly. I was raised as a sacrifice too." Harry's hand drifted to his chest where the Killing Curse had struck. "The only difference is I survived."
Ayumi stared up at him, her eyes wide. Her small hand reached toward him before dropping back to her side.
Kaze materialised beside Harry, startling them. "Girl, what happened to the Earth Spirit King, Hiroshi?"
"How do you know about Hiroshi?" Mayumi asked, taking an instinctive step back from the spirit's imposing form.
"We're old acquaintances. Answer the question."
"Hiroshi was gravely injured fighting Zenon," Mayumi said. "After helping the Patriarch seal the demon, he fell into a deep sleep. He hasn't awakened since."
"No wonder I couldn't sense him," Kaze muttered.
"Where exactly is Zenon sealed?" Harry asked. "Can I see him?"
"Access is forbidden to outsiders." Mayumi's voice regained some of its earlier authority.
"There's that word again. Since when has anything 'Forbidden' stopped you?" Kaze asked Harry.
"Never."
"I can show you!" Ayumi bounced on her toes.
A distant rumble shook loose stones from the mountainside, sending them clattering down the paths. The ground trembled beneath their feet as if the mention of Zenon's name had stirred something ancient and malevolent. Several villagers hurried inside their homes, sliding doors snapping shut behind them.
In the sudden silence that followed, Ayumi's bright smile seemed to challenge the mountain's ominous warning.
The tunnel air grew warmer as they travelled further into the heart of the mountain. Harry followed Ayumi through the gloom. Shuffling steps reached his ears, indicating they were being followed.
"We shouldn't be here," Mayumi said. "The elders say Zenon's presence corrupts the weak-minded."
Harry glanced back, surprised she hadn't raised the alarm. The two guards he'd ambushed lay unconscious near the entrance. Aside from a bad headache, they wouldn't experience any long-term effects.
After walking for several minutes, the tunnel split into a fork.
"That right path leads to Hiroshi," Ayumi said. "Zenon's down the left path."
Harry nodded. "We'll check on Hiroshi after seeing Zenon."
A tremor rocked the tunnel, loosening rocks from the ceiling. Harry thrust his hands up, the wind forming a protective barrier around them, bouncing the rocks off it.
"It seems Zenon is getting closer to breaking the seal," Harry said, dismissing his barrier.
Ayumi's shoulders tensed, her oversized sleeves trembling.
"Or Mt Fuji is about to erupt," Harry added, cursing himself for upsetting her.
"Impossible." Mayumi shook her head. "Two months remain before the seal weakens. The cycle repeats every thirty years, without fail."
"Nothing stays unchanged forever," Kaze said. "Perhaps you've overlooked something."
Twenty minutes later, the tunnel opened into a vast chamber that stretched into darkness. Harry's breath caught at his first glimpse of Zenon. The demon appeared as a massive turtle, its shell a deep, dark black-like volcanic rock. Massive stone chains, thick as tree trunks, anchored it to the ground, where an intricate sealing formula spread across the floor in precise strokes.
"What powers does this demon possess?" Harry asked.
"Gravity manipulation," Mayumi said, keeping her distance. "It could crush most people to paste without any effort. The chains are infused with Hiroshi's power."
Harry and Kaze exchanged concerned looks. The power to manipulate gravity matched Kureha's abilities perfectly—too perfectly for coincidence.
Ayumi gasped, causing Harry to glance up. One of Zenon's eyes had snapped open, blazing crimson in the dimness. Harry tensed, but the demon remained still, its gaze fixed on them.
Wind currents shifted behind him. Harry dove sideways as purple energy blasted past, leaving a crater in the wall. Yuuji attacked with burning eyes, gravity magic swirling around his hands like violent storms.
"Yuuji, stop!" Mayumi shouted, her voice bouncing off stone walls.
"Demon tricks," Kaze spat, his form darkening. "It's controlling him."
"Get your sister out," Harry called to Mayumi, wind gathering around his body.
"Sister?" She hesitated, glancing at Ayumi's terrified face.
"She's part of you, regardless of how she came to be."
Mayumi grabbed Ayumi's hand and retreated into the tunnel.
Yuuji launched purple spheres of compressed gravity that distorted the air around them. Harry dodged, feeling their pull as they passed—a single touch would multiply his weight exponentially. Wind blades sliced through the chamber, but Yuuji deflected them with expertly timed gravity barriers.
They traded blows across the chamber, their powers carving new scars into the ground. Yuuji's attacks grew wilder and less controlled, his butler's uniform torn and stained with sweat.
Harry waited for an opening, reading the air currents around his opponent. When Yuuji overextended on a gravity blast, Harry struck. A concentrated blast of wind caught him in the chest, slamming him into the wall with a sickening crack. He crumpled unconscious, the purple light fading from his eyes.
"Any more tricks?" Harry asked Zenon.
The demon's eye tracked his movement, intelligence burning in its gaze.
Footsteps thundered down the tunnel. Kureha burst in, dragging a struggling Ayumi, her ceremonial robes flowing behind her. A dozen figures in matching attire followed.
"Leave now," Kureha commanded, fingers digging into Ayumi's arm. "We must perform the ceremony before it's too late."
"It's too soon," Mayumi protested, following them into the chamber.
The robed figures surrounded Harry, bodies tensed for combat.
"You'd sacrifice a child for your safety?" Harry asked.
"A necessary evil," Kureha said, lifting her chin. "Zenon's too powerful. Maintaining the seal prevents it from rampaging across the country. This is our duty, passed down through generations."
"The Tsuwabuki clan has turned into craven cowards," Kaze sneered, his form expanding with rage. "Three centuries to find another way, yet you cling to this barbarism."
"Don't question our methods." Kureha's eyes narrowed. "Leave before my patience ends."
Harry watched tears stream down Ayumi's terrified face, her earlier brave facade crumbling completely. The wind around him stirred as his eyes blazed azure blue. "I refuse. Let's try another way."
Wind blades flashed like lightning, severing the chains before anyone could move. The massive links crashed to the ground, their impact shaking the entire chamber.
"No!" Kureha screamed, releasing Ayumi as a massive tremor struck them. "What have you done?"
Power erupted through the chamber as Zenon broke free. The demon's massive form cast dark shadows across the walls, waves of crushing gravity rippling outward. Harry's wind barrier strained against the onslaught, protecting those behind him. The air grew thick and heavy, making each breath a struggle.
The Earth Practitioners linked hands, forming a circle as their power flowed between them like an electric current. Only Kureha remained apart, her eyes glowing purple as Zenon's influence took hold.
The demon's gravity slammed into Harry with the force of a freight train. He poured more power into his shield, gritting his teeth as sweat beaded on his forehead. Even with his wind abilities, Zenon's raw strength threatened to overwhelm him. Each attack felt like mountains pressing down, trying to grind him into a paste.
Across the chamber, Kureha unleashed waves of concentrated gravity at her former allies. The Earth Practitioners raised stone barriers, working in unison to counter her attacks.
Harry focused on Zenon, probing for weaknesses. The demon's shell deflected his wind blades harmlessly, centuries of dormancy doing nothing to weaken its defences. Direct attacks proved useless—he needed a different strategy. He circled the massive form, testing different angles while avoiding the crushing waves of gravity.
A violent tremor rocked the chamber. Cracks spider-webbed across the floor, orange light seeping through fresh fissures. The acrid stench of sulfur filled the air as lava bubbled up through the gaps.
"The demon's gravity is destabilising the volcano!" Kaze's voice cut through the chaos. "It's going to erupt!"
"Bloody wind," Harry muttered, dodging another gravity blast.
Harry didn't have time to consider the consequences of his actions. How was he supposed to know the demon would cause Mount Fuji to erupt?
He circled higher, wind currents carrying him above Zenon's massive form. If he couldn't penetrate the shell directly, perhaps he could find a weak point in the joints.
Each assault drained more of his strength. Zenon seemed to have endless reserves of power. The chamber grew hotter as more magma seeped in, superheating the air.
Movement caught his eye. One of the Earth Practitioners—an older man with a long beard—shoved Ayumi forward, using her as a human shield. Kureha's attack struck the girl square in the chest. Her small body crumpled to the ground, a cry of pain echoing off stone walls.
Darkness exploded through Harry's mind. His vision tunnelled, rage burning away conscious thought. A black wind howled around him. With a gesture, he slammed the cowardly earth practitioner into the wall. Bones cracked on impact, the man's body sliding limply to the floor.
The Black Wind surged through Harry's veins like liquid nitrogen. He turned back to Zenon, unleashing his full power. Wind blades compressed to razor-thin edges, slicing through gaps between scales. The demon roared as Harry systematically dismantled its defences, methodically stripping away its armour.
"Everyone out!" someone shouted as more lava poured into the chamber.
Through the haze of fury, Harry glimpsed Mayumi hesitating between Ayumi's still form and unconscious Yuuji. Indecision warred across her face before she scooped up her sister and fled, leaving the manservant behind.
Harry pushed harder, darkness feeding his strength. Wind spiralled into deadly funnels that bored through Zenon's weakened shell. The demon's gravity attacks grew desperate and wild, pulverising stone columns into dust. One final surge of power—wind compressed to a molecular edge—severed its head. The massive body crashed to the ground, shaking the entire chamber.
Victory came too late. The chamber groaned as magma burst through widening cracks, turning the floor into a deadly maze.
"You need to get out of here!" Kaze roared.
Harry cursed, wrapping wind around Yuuji's limp form. He shot through the entrance moments before it collapsed, tons of rock thundering down behind them.
The mountain's fury chased them upward, super-heated air singeing Harry's clothes. The tunnels became an inferno as volcanic gases sought escape routes. His wind barrier strained to keep the deadly fumes at bay while maintaining enough speed to outrun the destruction.
They emerged into chaos as villagers evacuated the settlement. Ash rained from darkening skies while Mt Fuji prepared to unleash its wrath. The once-pristine buildings already showed signs of damage from the tremors, cracks spreading through the walls like spiderwebs.
The Earth Practitioners worked to stabilise escape routes. But without Kureha's leadership or Zenon's chains anchoring the mountain's power, their efforts seemed futile against nature's fury.
Harry stumbled as exhaustion hit, the aftermath of using the Black Wind taking its toll. The darkness receded from his vision, leaving bone-deep weariness in its wake. But there would be time for rest later—right now, he needed to find a way to stop the eruption.
It would only be a matter of time before the rest of the country noticed the commotion. This was his fault. He needed to—
Kaze's voice cut through his thoughts. "It's Hiroshi!"
Harry gaped as a massive stone giant climbed from Mt Fuji's caldera, each movement sending tremors through the earth. Hiroshi's form dwarfed everything around him—a colossus of living rock that reached nearly fifty metres into the sky.
The Earth Spirit King raised his enormous fists. Raw power radiated from his form as he slammed them down into the volcano's heart. The impact shook the entire mountain. Waves of golden energy pulsed from the point of contact, spreading through the rock like ripples in a pond.
Steam exploded upward as Hiroshi's power met the rising magma. The ground buckled and heaved as he forced the molten rock back down, compressing it with the weight of mountains.
Harry held his breath, watching the titanic struggle between spirit and mountain. Lava flows slowed to a crawl, then solidified altogether as Hiroshi's power drained the heat from them.
With a final surge of power, Hiroshi sealed the last volcanic vent. The earth's rumbling subsided to a distant grumble, then silence.
Hiroshi stood motionless for a moment, as if ensuring his work would hold. Then he descended back into the volcano's depths.
"We should go meet him," Kaze urged.
Harry shook his head, spotting the evacuees at the village edge. His heart clenched at the small figure lying motionless on the ground. He shot towards them, landing beside Mayumi as she tended to Ayumi.
He placed Yuuji on the ground and crouched down beside Ayumi. The girl's skin had turned chalk-white, her breathing shallow and laboured.
"What can we do for her?" Harry asked.
Mayumi shook her head, lips trembling.
Harsh laughter drew Harry's attention. Kureha lay several metres away, blood staining her ceremonial robes. Her once-proud bearing had crumpled into something broken.
"She was never meant to live long," Kureha spat between coughs. "Even without the sacrifice, her days were numbered. The cloning technique was flawed, but it served its purpose. My father got his puppet."
Harry's fists clenched. "He did this to save his real daughter?"
More laughter. "Father cared for no one but himself. Ayumi existed solely to help him steal Zenon's power."
Mayumi's head snapped up, colour draining from her face.
"Surprised?" Kureha's smile turned cruel. "You believed he made Ayumi to save you? I was his first victim. He sealed my Chijutsu abilities and cursed me with Zenon's power instead. I never fell under that demon's control. I lived as an outcast, ashamed because I couldn't wield the clan's abilities like the other children."
She drew a ragged breath. "But I got my revenge. Killed the bastard myself. I planned to finish his work and use Ayumi to claim all of Zenon's power for myself. Father was brilliant, but he never imagined how deeply I'd come to hate him..."
Her voice trailed off as her head lolled to the side, eyes glazing over.
Harry turned back to Ayumi, holding her tiny hand as her life ebbed away. Mayumi sat beside them, tears tracking silently down her face. Around them, villagers gathered in clusters, pointedly avoiding looking their way.
"Heartless bastards," Kaze muttered. "Treating her death like an inconvenience."
Heavy footsteps silenced the murmuring crowd. Harry looked up to find Hiroshi approaching—now human-sized but still impossibly dense, each step leaving deep impressions in the ground. His skin looked like polished granite, shot through with veins of precious metals.
The Earth Spirit King stopped beside them, gazing down at Ayumi.
"What has my clan become," he rumbled, "to permit such atrocity?"
"You slept too long, old friend," Kaze said.
"You're one to talk, child."
Hiroshi brushed Ayumi's dark hair from her face with surprising gentleness. "I can think of a fitting punishment for the clan."
"Are you ready to leave?" Ayano asked.
Harry rose from placing flowers on the grave. The morning breeze rustled through the grass, carrying the scent of incense from nearby shrines.
"Yeah. I got what I came here for."
He raised his hand, revealing a faint crest etched into his skin. Power surged through his arm as he summoned his new weapon. A longbow materialised, formed from shimmering air currents. Only the subtle distortion in the air revealed its presence.
Drawing back the invisible string, an arrow of pure compressed wind formed between his fingers. He released it, watching as the projectile split into multiple smaller bolts mid-flight, curving around trees before striking their targets with pinpoint accuracy. The wind arrows could track moving targets, pierce steel, or deliver gentle stunning blows depending on his intent.
The bow's versatility impressed him. While the weapon lacked the raw destructive force of his wind abilities, it offered unprecedented precision. Perfect for stealth and surgical strikes without collateral damage.
He studied the bow, understanding why Kaze had chosen this weapon. Ancient and elegant, bows had evolved alongside humanity without losing their deadly effectiveness. The weapon's ability to channel wind aligned perfectly with his powers—as if Kaze had crafted it specifically for him.
But he wasn't the first. Kaze had revealed the bow's history. He'd forged it for another contractor, though the spirit grew quiet when pressed for details. The pain in Kaze's voice warned Harry not to dig deeper into that particular wound.
He dismissed the bow with a thought.
"The magical authorities finished cleaning up," Ayano said. "You dodged a bullet. If Mt Fuji had truly erupted, Japan would've faced disaster."
Harry nodded, following her through the village. Repair work continued around them, as the villagers mended the damage caused by the tremors.
"Even with the risks, killing the demon gave these people a fresh start," Ayano continued. "They're free now—no more sacrifices to keep Zenon sealed. No more living under its shadow."
Harry's lips twisted. "At least something good came of it."
The village worked closely with magical authorities to contain the incident. Between the brief eruption and sightings of Hiroshi's massive form, damage control proved essential. Ayano's clan arrived shortly after to assist, their connection to the Tsuwabuki smoothing diplomatic tensions. Teams of wizards modified memories and created cover stories about minor seismic activity.
Harry rolled his shoulders. The Black Wind's toll lingered two days later, leaving him drained and sore. His wind abilities had been affected as well. Kaze had warned him not to use them for several days.
Rumbling footsteps approached as they neared the village edge, each step leaving small craters in the stone path.
"Big brother!" Ayumi's sweet voice called out. "Leaving without saying goodbye?"
Harry turned, smiling. "Three goodbyes weren't enough?"
Though still small, Ayumi had undergone a complete transformation. Her features now mirrored Hiroshi's stone-like appearance—a young spirit in training. When her mortal form failed, Hiroshi's spirit bestowal gave her new life as his successor. One day she would inherit his full power, becoming Earth Spirit Queen of the mountain and clan.
Harry smirked, noting the nervous glances from villagers sweeping the streets. Though Ayumi showed no interest in revenge, her newfound position left many anxiously seeking her favour. He'd caught several elders attempting to curry favour with extravagant gifts.
"Don't forget me," Ayumi warned, crossing her arms in an attempt to look stern. The effect was somewhat ruined by her childish pout. "I'll be very angry."
"Never," Harry promised. "I'll visit often."
She waved once more before running off.
Kaze materialised beside him. "Hiroshi passing his power to the girl is unprecedented."
"Well, you did call him ancient," Harry said. "Probably wants a permanent break. Maybe you'll choose a successor one day. How about Zephyr?"
"Don't even joke about that," Kaze growled. "That troublemaker would destroy the world."
The Kannagi estate sprawled across several acres, its traditional buildings connected by covered wooden walkways that wound through meticulously maintained gardens. Stone lanterns lined the paths, their shadows lengthening in the late afternoon light.
"Home sweet home," Ayano said, leading Harry through the main gate. Two stone guardian statues flanked the entrance, their weathered faces frozen in eternal vigilance. "Try not to cause any trouble."
"No promises."
A group of children practised in the courtyard, focusing intently as small flames danced between their palms. Their instructor, a stern-faced woman in a formal kimono, barked corrections at their form.
"Basic fire manipulation training," Ayano explained. "We start young."
"Miss Kannagi." A man in his fifties approached, bowing deeply. His grey hair was pulled back in a traditional topknot and his dark kimono bore the clan's flame crest. "Your father requests your presence in the main hall. And your guests."
"Thank you, Kocho."
They followed wooden corridors past sliding paper doors and tatami rooms. Servants bowed as they passed, though Harry caught several shooting glances at him. News of his abilities had preceded their arrival.
The main hall's doors slid open to reveal a vast room with polished wooden floors. Intricate tapestries depicting spirits and flame-wielders adorned the walls. At the far end, Jugo Kannagi sat on a raised platform, a small table with tea implements before him.
"Welcome home, daughter." His deep voice carried warmth despite his imposing presence. "And welcome, Harry Potter. Please, join me."
Jugo spoke English, which meant Harry didn't have to rely on the translation spell.
They knelt on cushions as a servant poured tea. Harry studied Ayano's father—his face bore laugh lines around the eyes that softened his otherwise stern features. Power radiated from him like heat from banked coals.
"Has everything in the village been taken care of?" Jugo asked.
"The Tsuwabuki situation has been resolved," Harry said.
Jugo nodded. "Word travels fast in our circles. The Earth King's awakening caused quite a stir."
"He had good timing," Harry admitted. "I don't know if I could have stopped Mount Fuji from erupting."
"There are few that could contain nature's fury on that scale," Jugo agreed. "There are also few that can kill a demon with Zenon's power."
Harry shrugged. "I got lucky."
"Perhaps."
Movement in the garden caught Harry's attention. A teenager practised martial arts forms, golden flames wreathing his arms like silk ribbons. Shoulder-length brown hair and delicate features gave him an almost feminine appearance that belied the raw power he commanded.
"My nephew, Ren," Jugo said, following his gaze. "One of our most promising talents."
"He's like my little brother," Ayano added, her voice softening with obvious affection. "Though he'd probably curse me for calling him little these days."
Ren spotted them watching and walked over, his formal training clothes somehow remaining immaculate despite the workout.
"You must be Harry Potter," Ren said, bowing politely. "Ayano's letters mentioned you."
He straightened, meeting Harry's gaze directly. "Is it true you killed a demon?"
"Cut his head right off," Harry confirmed.
Ren nodded. "You must be powerful. I would love to spar with you if the opportunity arises."
"It sounds like fun," Harry said. "Do you have a fiery personality like Ayano? Should I fear for my life?"
Ayano scowled.
Ren grinned. "Even among the clan, Ayano is known to be extra spicy."
"That I can believe."
"The golden flames are his speciality," Jugo explained with clear pride. "They possess extraordinary purification properties."
"He's already mastered abilities that take most practitioners much longer," Ayano added.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what that means but it sounds impressive."
"They love to exaggerate," Ren said, before leaving to continue his practice.
"You must want to freshen up," Jugo said. "We can discuss matters further tomorrow. Ayano will show you to the guest room."
Ayano led Harry through the corridors. "Your room's this way. Though I should warn you—"
A blur of movement interrupted her as several young girls rounded the corner at full speed. They froze at the sight of Harry, eyes widening.
"It's him!" one squealed. "The wind user!"
They swarmed around Harry, firing questions faster than he could process them.
"Can you really fly?" "Is it true you fought a demon?" "Are you dating Ayano?"
"Enough!" Ayano's hands blazed with crimson flames. The girls scattered like startled birds, though their giggles echoed down the hallway.
"Junior practitioners," Ayano muttered, rubbing her temples. "I tried warning you. News of your arrival spread through the compound like wildfire."
"Uh-huh." Harry glanced around the empty corridor. "Any other surprises?"
Before she could respond, a man stepped in front of them. Tall and lean, with long dark hair tied back in a traditional style. His formal hakama bore the crest of a wind spiral.
"Ryuya," Ayano said, tension creeping into her voice.
Ryuya's bow held perfect courtesy, but his smile never reached his eyes. "The famous Harry Potter. Your reputation precedes you."
"The Fuga clan serves the Kannagi family," Ayano explained. "They're our wind specialists."
"How fascinating to meet another wind practitioner," Ryūya said. His gaze fixed on Harry with unsettling intensity. "Perhaps we could compare techniques sometime."
"Maybe."
Ryuya's smile widened fractionally. He bowed once more before continuing past them.
Kaze materialised beside him. "Something's not right with that one. Where do his wind abilities come from?"
"No one knows," Ayano replied. "Some believe the Fuga clan gained their abilities by conspiring with a powerful wind demon. But it's only a rumour. They have served the Kannagi clan for a long time."
"If you have wind practitioners," Harry said. "Why is your father seeking an alliance with me?"
"Because he fears the Fuga Clan will betray the Kannagi Clan. Their recent actions don't exactly inspire confidence. But they are integral to the clan's strength. We cannot just get rid of them carelessly."
"So he needs a replacement."
Ayano nodded. "Then he will kick them out."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry learns more about the Kannagi Clan's internal matters and reaches a new level of power.
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