Hogwarts' Golden Glory

Bain's voice echoed between the twelve stone pillars.

"Long time no see, Bane."

Kane responded to the other person while observing the surrounding space.

Three older female centaurs sat around a stone bench on the west side (you can imagine how they sat, I can't).

They are knitting clothes that they can wear.

The most eye-catching figures are the three elderly people standing on the other side of the astrolabe.

The oldest-looking one had a crystal on his forehead.

However, the other person only glanced at Kane before continuing to look at the star map in the sky.

And the companions who had been beside Bane earlier also gathered around.

They all appear to be warriors from this tribe.

In the corner, two female centaurs responsible for looking after the foals saw Kane.

It was also an instinctive reaction to shield the little horseman behind him.

However, they relaxed after seeing the strange thing about Kane.

Ferenze stepped out from behind Kane at that moment: "High Priest, the person you are looking for has arrived."

Upon hearing Ferenz's words, the oldest centaur also stopped observing.

He turned his attention back to Kane.

"Hello, I am Xing Tong, the high priest of the centaur tribe."

Old Man Ma's voice was like the rustling of dry leaves, "Actually, since the night you were born, Lyra has had an extra companion star."

Suddenly, an image of the night sky was projected onto the astrolabe beside him, showing a star chart for July 1980.

Kane narrowed his grey-blue eyes slightly: "So?"

Xing Tong stomped heavily on the ground with his front hooves!

The ground in this space suddenly became transparent, revealing a vast illusion of a starry sea below.

Countless silver lines spread out from Kane's feet, connecting the various constellations.

"The centaurs never take sides. We only believe in celestial phenomena!"

Old Man Ma gasped, his beard trembling, "But the revelation the stars have given us this time is undeniable—we must support you. And of course..."

Bane suddenly interjected, "The condition is that you must secure a habitat for the centaurs in the future, based on the Ministry of Magic's decision regarding them."

Then he tossed out a scroll of contract woven from spider silk, the runes on it oozing blood.

Kane raised the contract with his wand, a cold smile appearing on his lips: "Using astrological prophecy to exchange for political leverage? It seems you're not as detached as the legends suggest."

"But before I sign this contract, let me tell you—what can you do for me?"

The air in the space suddenly froze.

Bain's tail thrashed irritably.

"You think we're begging you?" he growled.

Its forehooves slammed heavily on the ground, kicking up a ring of luminous stardust.

Ferenze stepped forward at the opportune moment, his blue eyes calm as still water: "Not just our territory. Every nest of the Eight-Eyed Giant Spider, you could say, is part of the entire Forbidden Forest—"

He paused, then added, "None of it escaped the centaurs' eyes."

Kane raised his eyebrows slightly.

He strolled over to the astrolabe, tapped his wand lightly, and caused one of the silver grains representing Sirius to float into the air.

"The intelligence is indeed quite good."

He said casually, "But that's not enough for me to fight for an entire habitat for you at the Ministry of Magic."

Old Ma's beard suddenly moved on its own without any wind.

"Young man," his voice suddenly became unusually clear, "you think this is all we have?"

Suddenly, the crystals on the twelve stone pillars lit up simultaneously, projecting an ancient star chart into the air.

A human wizard stood at the intersection of star trails, his body wrapped in silver magical threads.

"See those silver threads?" Star Pupil asked breathlessly. "Those are rituals left behind by our ancient centaur ancestors. We can... permanently increase a wizard's maximum magic power."

Kane's fingers suddenly tightened.

However, this action revealed the turmoil in his heart.

"Permanently?" he asked softly, his voice carrying a dangerous calm.

"Aren't there any side effects?"

Such a magical ritual is definitely not easy to perform.

If a wizard of Dumbledore's caliber were to undergo such a ritual, wouldn't he be perfectly capable of defeating Voldemort?

"Yes," Ferenc said, "but for you... you won't be affected at all."

Bain reluctantly added, "A person can only use it once in their lifetime. And the price is—"

"—The caster's lifespan," Star Eyes continued, the light in the crystal dimming slightly. "The more magic power one wants to increase, the more lifespan the centaur must consume."

The stone chamber fell into a deathly silence.

Kane's gaze swept back and forth between the three centaurs, finally settling on the floating contract.

The blood that had seeped from the edges of the parchment woven from spider silk had congealed into eerie runes.

"An interesting suggestion."

Kane suddenly laughed, a laugh that made Bane's mane stand on end.

"But how do I know this isn't a trap? What if you tamper with the ritual..."

The crystal on Xing Tong's forehead suddenly emitted a soft sound, slowly detaching from his forehead and hovering in front of Kane. The galaxy flowing inside the crystal shimmered with a faint light, as if it were breathing.

"Take it." The old centaur's voice was hoarse and weary. "This is our most sacred star covenant. If we keep our promise, you will return this crystal after the deed is done. If we break our oath..."

The crystal suddenly trembled violently, and the light inside dimmed abruptly.

Kane reached out and took the crystal, feeling a cold energy flowing in his palm.

Ferenze removed his necklace from his neck and gently placed it on the astrolabe.

"We can show you a part first," he said, "so you can feel the magic."

Kane pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

The moment his palm touched the astrolabe, all the crystals in the space simultaneously hummed.

A strange warm current flowed into his arm along the star chart.

Bain grunted and staggered back two steps.

"Enough!" he growled. "Any more and the full ritual will be triggered!"

Kane withdrew his arm, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He flexed his fingers, feeling the unfamiliar magic flowing through his body.

"Indeed...unusual."

He spoke softly, his voice carrying a rare hint of admiration.

"Now," Xing Tong gasped, extending her hand, "your answer?"

Kane's gaze swept back and forth between the contract and the centaur.

He suddenly waved his wand, and the blood-written words on the parchment began to rearrange, adding a new clause at the bottom: "If the centaurs breach this agreement, they will permanently lose the right to observe Lyra."

"make a deal."

He stated bluntly that the wand branded a silver-green serpentine mark onto the contract.

Bain let out a long sigh of relief, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.

Ferenze looked at Kane thoughtfully and said softly, "Our preparations will take some time. I'll have Hagrid inform you when the time comes."

Kane nodded; after all, such a ceremony did require careful preparation.

"Okay, I'll wait for your message."