The forest felt colder now.
Harry knelt beside the unconscious woman, the stolen wand still clutched tightly in his hand, the strange bracer humming faintly against his wrist. Smoke curled above the treeline, carrying the distant crackle of spellfire. The Death Eaters were still out there somewhere.
And he had a person dying at his feet.
“System,” Harry whispered, “that… tutorial’s done, right? I did the steps.”
A warm DING answered him.
[TUTORIAL COMPLETE!][Reward: 1x Standard Gacha Pull][Bonus Reward: Inventory Feature Unlocked]
Harry blinked. “Inventory? Like… a bag?”
[Like a dimensionally-compacted storage lattice. Host may store items safely without arousing suspicion from authority figures.][Especially authority figures with beards.]
Harry narrowed his eyes. “…How do you know about Dumbledore?”
[Analyzing Beard Index…][Notes: Excessive. Potential threat to secrecy.]
“Okay, stop rating Dumbledore’s beard!”
[Cannot comply.]
Harry groaned. “Fine—just give me the gacha pull.”
[Initiating Roll…]
Light swirled before him again, forming a spinning circle filled with flickering shapes—bottles, scrolls, glowing stones, small creatures, what looked like a miniature sun—and then it clicked.
A glass vial dropped into his palm with a soft, warm weight.
It glowed.
Not in a soft, magical way—but in a small flame-like pulsing that made the liquid inside swirl like living embers.
[You Received: EMBER RESIN TONIC (RARE)]
Origin: Emberforge DimensionType: Healing ElixirProperties:
Repairs moderate injuries
Restores vitality
Burns away poison or curse residue
Warm, soothing effect for trauma
Cannot regrow limbs. Please stop asking.Warning: Extremely hot to the touch for non-users.
Harry felt the vial vibrate with heat in his hand—but not painfully. More like holding a warm cup by the fire. He glanced at the woman.
“Is… is this safe for her?”
[She possesses natural heat resistance.][Vitals indicate compatibility.]
“Right then.” Harry gently slid an arm under the woman’s head and lifted the vial to her lips. “Please don’t explode,” he muttered.
[Low probability.]
“LOW?!”
Her lips parted slightly as he tilted the vial. The resin poured out in a glowing stream, fading from fiery orange to soft amber as it touched her tongue.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then—A breath escaped her chest, long and shaking.Color warmed her cheeks.The tremor in her limbs eased.The cuts and bruises on her arms knit themselves together with soft golden light.
Harry stared in awe.
“That’s… actually incredible.”
[Yes. You’re welcome.]
He rolled his eyes. “Show-off.”
[The Host may consider thanking me properly.]
“I’m not bowing to a floating box.”
[Rude.]
Before he could argue, the woman stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing unfocused light-blue irises that darted around wildly.
“Wh—where—?” Her voice was hoarse.
“Easy,” Harry said quickly. “You’re safe. Or—safer than you were.”
She tried to sit up, winced, then blinked at him in confusion.
“You’re… a child.”
Harry sighed. “I get that a lot tonight, actually.”
A rustle sounded nearby. Someone—several someones—were moving closer through the underbrush. Boots. Snapping branches. Quick, purposeful steps.
Ministry wizards?
Or more masked attackers?
Harry’s heart lurched.
The woman froze. Her breath quickened.
“Okay,” Harry whispered urgently, “System—inventory. Now.”
[Open your hand and think ‘store’.]
Harry nodded, held up the glowing empty vial, and thought it:
Store.
It vanished like a snuffed candle flame.
He blinked. “That’s… brilliant.”
[Your brilliance is noted.]
“Not me—you’re—never mind.”
The footsteps were almost upon them now.
Harry grabbed the woman’s arm gently. “Can you stand?”
She hesitated… then nodded weakly. The tonic was still working, spreading waves of heat through her veins. He helped her to her feet just as figures emerged from between the trees.
Wands drawn.Robes shifting.Voices sharp.
“Identify yourselves!” shouted a stern voice.
Relief washed through Harry. They weren't masked. They weren’t laughing. These robes were dark green—the Ministry.
“Harry Potter!” he called. “And someone who needs a healer!”
The woman swayed but stayed upright. Ministry wizards rushed forward, one casting a diagnostic charm that made the air hum around her.
“She’s stable,” the wizard murmured. “You did well.”
Harry swallowed. “I didn’t— I just—”
But he felt the bracer pulse.The empty space on his wrist where the vial had been tingled.A quiet DING whispered behind his ear.
[Quest Complete: Rescue the Injured Civilian.][Reward Pending…]
Harry closed his eyes.
Oh no.
Not again.