Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

"Mr. Xavier?"

Professor McGonagall looked at Xavier, who had just run over and stopped them, with a serious expression.

"You should now return to the common room with the other students. If you can't give me a proper reason—"

Clearly, if he couldn't persuade this older catgirl, he was in for a period of confinement.

Unfortunately, the other professors must have gone to other places to patrol, and Xavier only encountered three professors: Snape, McGonagall, and Quirrell.

You could say that Xavier ran into the last person he wanted to see at that moment—Quirk, or rather, the person with the missing nose on the back of his head.

"Professor McGonagall, you know—"

Xavier steadied his breathing, trying to make his voice sound calm enough.

"I'm a little different, so I can sense some kind of presence."

Some students probably didn't go back to the common room, but instead went to the basement—the direction the trolls were supposed to be.

With a thought, two white antlers sprouted from his head, his ears became pointed, and his hair turned slightly white.

The torchlight shone on the antlers, giving them a pale golden glow.

Professor Quirrell seemed to have been stung by something, and he took a half step back, then awkwardly moved back.

Professor McGonagall suddenly realized that this must be Xavier's magical creature bloodline ability.

But she was conflicted and undecided; she wanted Xavier to get back to the common room as soon as possible.

Professor Snape floated over like a large black bat, staring at Xavier expressionlessly.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the antlers on his head, then moved to his eyes.

Those eyes gleamed with a faint golden light in the torchlight.

As a wizard proficient in extrasensory spells, he didn't actually sense anything, but he still chose to believe Xavier.

"I hope you won't really lose your judgment like an animal. Lead the way!"

Professor Quirrell, meanwhile, secretly glanced at Xavier from a corner where no one was watching, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

Xavier, who was showing great promise, pursed his lips.

Snape was indeed awful, both as a teacher and as a human being.

Xavier's horns emitted rings of golden light as he sensed Harry and the others' location, then led them underground.

-

Xavier walked at the head of the group, his antlers emitting an almost invisible golden halo that spread outwards like ripples.

This was the first time he had demonstrated his abilities in front of others, but he had no energy to think about it—a nauseating stench was already faintly permeating the air in the underground corridor.

"Turn left," he said.

The corridor was empty, with only the crackling of torches against the walls.

The basement level houses Potions classrooms and storage rooms, while further down are the kitchen and Hufflepuff's common lounge.

The smell grew stronger. "The smell of a troll," Snape confirmed expressionlessly.

Professor Quirrell followed at the very back, and a faint rustling sound seemed to emanate from under his headscarf.

Xavier's sharp ears caught the sound, but he didn't turn around or show any unusual behavior.

"It's just ahead." He stopped and gestured to the corner at the end of the corridor.

The stench was so strong it was almost suffocating.

Professor McGonagall drew her wand, and Snape gripped his ebony staff tightly. Professor Quirrell trembled violently, but still raised his wand with shaky steps.

A giant stood not far ahead, about twelve feet tall, with dark gray skin, wearing a tattered leather vest, holding a thick wooden stick in his hand, tilting his disproportionately small head, seemingly studying the door lock.

Further down the corridor, three small figures pressed themselves against the wall, motionless.

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger.

None of the three looked too good—Ron's face was flushed, Hermione's eyes were wide open, and Harry was gripping his wand so tightly his knuckles were white.

Fortunately, they have not yet directly confronted the trolls.

"They'll all be petrified!"

Professor McGonagall made the first move.

A beam of light struck the troll's back, causing it to freeze for a moment. However, its magic resistance was unexpectedly high—the petrification effect lasted only two seconds before the troll roared, turned around, and charged at the professors, brandishing its wooden club.

He collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious!

Professor McGonagall delivered the finishing blow, the red light striking the giant's head, finally silencing it with a muffled snore.

The giant crashed to the ground, shaking the earth.

The stick flew out of his hand and rolled to Xavier's feet. Xavier glanced down at the stick, which was thicker than his thigh, and silently took two steps back.

The whole process took only a few seconds.

Adult wizards are far more efficient than students; their magic is clean and efficient.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."

Professor McGonagall put away her wand and strode towards the three students. "Please explain why you are here."

Harry opened his mouth, glanced at Ron, and then at Hermione.

Hermione's eyes were slightly red, clearly from crying earlier, but she bit her lip and remained silent.

Ron's ears turned bright red, and he whispered, "We heard Hermione didn't come back, so we—"

"So you ran out on your own without notifying any professors?"

Professor McGonagall raised her voice, "Do you know how dangerous this is?"

"Ten points for Hufflepuff," she said, "for Mr. Xavier's calm judgment and timely request for help."

Xavier was slightly taken aback. Bonus points?

"As for the three of you—" Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and the others, "Fifty points deducted from Gryffindor, each of you. Come to my office tomorrow night."

Ron's face fell instantly, and Hermione's tears finally fell, but she was the kind of person who shed tears silently.

Harry's expression didn't change much; he simply pushed up his glasses and gave Xavier a brief look—a look that held a quiet gratitude.

Snape remained silent throughout, seemingly satisfied with Professor McGonagall's handling of the situation. He turned and left, his black robe billowing behind him like wings.

Professor Quirrell followed, glancing back at Xavier before he left—or rather, glancing at his antlers.

Xavier felt a slight unease; he realized that Voldemort seemed to have taken some interest in him.

——Hufflepuff Common Room——

The students had just begun lining up to enter the common room, and no one noticed Xavier sneaking in.

"I wonder if the professors have caught the troll yet..."

"I've heard that trolls are stupid and ugly, but incredibly strong."

"Do you think it might run here? We're so close to the kitchen..."

"Don't scare me!"

About twenty minutes later—maybe longer—the door to the common room opened again.

Professor Sprout walked in, her round face showing a hint of fatigue, but her smile remained warm.

"Alright, children, you can relax now." She clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"The troll has been subdued, and no one was injured. You can go back to your dorms and rest. Classes will proceed as scheduled tomorrow."

A sigh of relief rippled through the common room.

"Professor, where do trolls come from?" a student asked.

Professor Sprout shook his head: "This matter is still under investigation. The most important thing right now is that everyone is safe. Now, go back to sleep; it's very late."

He followed the crowd into the dormitory corridor and returned to his own dormitory.

He walked to his bedside, lay down in the covers, turned over, and closed his eyes.

There's a potions class tomorrow.

Professor Snape doesn't become more amiable just because it's Halloween.