Chapter 3: The Witch in the Castle, A Gift for Enrollment

Ian Prince.

That was his name in this life.

To be honest, he had no idea how long he had been in this world.

Unlike those who closed their eyes and found themselves in another world instantly, Ian's transition wasn't so straightforward. In his previous life, he had been a college student who died unexpectedly. However, instead of reincarnating immediately, he experienced a long period of drifting—a time of fragmented memories, where he seemed to be flying endlessly, witnessing countless things he could never fully recall.

Looking back now, Ian couldn't quite explain that experience. It wasn't as if he were searching for something lost, nor did he feel guided toward a specific goal. It was more like aimless wandering, like a spirit without a home.

Until he saw the light.

He had flown toward it.

And that was when he opened his eyes and found himself in this new yet strangely familiar world.

As a transmigrator, Ian possessed—a cheat-like ability that many in his situation had. Besides his status panel, it seemed that he had also retained a unique talent: the ability to traverse the boundary between life and death.

Every week, in his sleep, Ian would find himself in this strange place—a place the innocent little girl before him called the Ethereal Realm.

Yes, the Ethereal Realm. The land of the departed in the wizarding world. Some said it was a passage to the afterlife, while others believed it to be a limbo between existence and oblivion.

From what little Ian knew about Harry Potter—mostly from the movies and a handful of fanfictions—this place was where Albus Dumbledore appeared after his death, resembling a train station waiting for the journey beyond.

Ian suspected his ability to visit this place was due to his unique nature—being someone who had died and been reborn, carrying the wisdom of two lifetimes. Perhaps he had glitched into a loophole of this world's system?

If he had known he'd end up here, he would have studied Harry Potter lore more diligently in his past life. He definitely would've become an expert—one of those so-called Potterheads.

Then again, even Potterheads might not know much about this realm. Otherwise, it wouldn't have remained one of the most mysterious locations in the original story.

"You look a little shaken."

The girl before him tilted her head, her blue eyes filled with concern.

Despite not knowing how long she had been here, Ariana still retained the innocence and childishness of someone far younger.

She was one of Ian's few friends in this place.

To Ian, the Ethereal Realm was a treasure trove. Normally, young wizards only had first-level magic control when their abilities awakened. But he? He had reached level four.

The reason? He had studied here.

Of course, not with Ariana.

She was just a regular girl who had never learned magic. Ian had another friend who taught him to control his magic.

Though, that friend refused to teach him actual spells. You're too young, they always said.

"It's because of a creepy old man. A terrifying one."

Ian emphasized the words, his expression serious.

"Why do you call him terrifying?" Ariana asked, her curiosity piqued.

The two of them strolled along a quiet riverbank, butterflies flitting around them. A small rabbit peeked out from beneath a tree, watching them with twitching ears. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow over everything.

"He doesn't look terrifying," Ian admitted. "In fact, he's quite refined. But… he's a voyeur. At least, that's what I heard."

Ariana blinked in confusion.

"A voyeur?"

Ian smirked. "A notorious one. He came looking for me, Ariana. Aren't you curious why?"

The girl thought for a moment.

"Did he want to spy on you while you bathed?"

Ian nearly choked on his own breath.

"No! He came to invite me to Hogwarts!" Ian declared proudly. He crouched by the river, letting his fingers skim the cool water. "Ariana, I'm officially a wizard with a proper identity!"

In his past life, he had been young. Though he had wandered for a long time in a dazed existence, he was essentially just a ghost—perhaps only a little more self-aware than Ariana.

Maybe that was why they had become friends.

Something about them was alike.

"Hogwarts?" Ariana's face lit up with excitement. "I remember Hogwarts! It's the best wizarding school in the world! And it's the safest place, too!"

She beamed at Ian, eyes shining with joy.

"If you ever run into trouble there, you can ask my brothers for help! They both went to Hogwarts, and they're really kind."

Her enthusiasm was infectious.

But Ian's expression turned wry.

"Oh, I'll definitely run into trouble," he muttered, lying back onto the grass. "Ariana, just how strong do you think your brothers are? They're students, right? No offense, but there's not much they can do."

He sighed.

"This year… or maybe next year… our school is about to be terrorized by Noseless Freak."

Ariana frowned, puzzled. "Noseless Freak?"

Ian nodded.

"Yeah, a big bad villain who's about to make his grand return."

He had no intention of getting involved with the Chosen One's destiny, but Hogwarts was unpredictable. What if he got caught in the crossfire? Who in their right mind would believe it was really the safest place?

"My brothers are strong, Ian." Ariana's tone was serious.

Curious, Ian sat up.

"Wait… are they twins?"

For a moment, he thought of the Weasley twins. But Ariana's hair color was off, and as far as he knew, the Weasley family never had a lost little sister.

Could it be another wizarding family?

One of the Sacred Twenty-Eight?

The thought nagged at him.

"You don't remember your last name, do you?" Ian asked.

Ariana shook her head, looking a little downcast.

Ian frowned. "Then how am I supposed to find your brothers for help?"

"My brothers…"

Ariana's expression grew distant, as if reaching for memories just beyond her grasp.

"I know they love me very much. I know they're waiting for me."

Her voice trembled slightly.

Then, after a long pause, she whispered, "I think… I'm starting to forget my past."

Her eyes dimmed, lost in sorrow.

Ian felt a pang of sympathy.

In the Ethereal Realm, souls remained because of lingering attachments. When those attachments faded, they would move on—to the afterlife, to reincarnation, to whatever lay beyond.

"It's not necessarily a bad thing," Ian said softly.

But Ariana's eyes welled with tears.

"…But my brothers…"

Her voice broke.

Ian hesitated. He had no idea how to comfort her.

After fumbling through his pockets, he finally pulled out a piece of chocolate and placed it in her hands.

"Here. Consider yourself lucky. I was planning to eat this myself."

He had long since bought the chocolate in advance and tucked it safely into his pocket—it wasn't that he'd forgotten it.

"You're so kind, Ian!" Ariana exclaimed at the sight of it.

Her sorrow began to fade as a smile broke through her tears. After taking a small bite, she confessed, "I really wish I could see my brothers again."

Scratching his head and glancing at her profile, Ian replied, "I'll ask around. Perhaps I can learn of a family that lost a daughter. Who knows—if you remember, you might have the chance to stay here a few more years."

"People always die eventually," he continued earnestly. "If we just wait long enough, time will wear them down, and when they're gone, you'll be reunited with them."

Ariana's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "Thank you for trying to cheer me up, Ian. But promise me—you won't actually go out and murder them just so I can see my brothers again!"

Internally, Ian mused, Well, that's certainly a new idea… before rolling his eyes in amusement.

"Do you really think I'm some kind of villain?" he asked with mock innocence.

Ariana laughed. "Oh, come on! That witch in the castle said you have a bit of that in you."

At the mention of the castle, Ian's gaze drifted toward the hidden fortress deep in the forest—a place he had only heard whispers about. The enchanted mists of that realm made it nearly impossible for him to explore further.

Then, a cool sensation brushed against his palm. Turning, he saw Ariana had taken his hand, her smile warm and reassuring. "Ian, thank you for your kindness. Consider this a congratulatory gift for your enrollment," she said.

"I have something for you," she added.

As she spoke, Ian felt a gentle warmth radiate from her hand. Looking down, he noticed a vibrant streak of red flowing from her skin into his. A delicate, intricate pattern blossomed briefly on the back of his hand before fading away.

"What is this?" he asked, wonder evident in his voice.

No sooner had the words left his lips than the surroundings blurred into a dreamy haze—the figures around him growing indistinct.

He understood immediately: it was time for her to leave. Without resisting, he let the surreal moment carry her away.

"See you next week," Ariana called softly as she waved goodbye.

"See you next week," Ian replied with a gentle smile.