Ron leaned in, lowering his voice a little.
"Told you. Slytherin. Knew it as soon as he walked in."
Harry looked over at Lucian, who was sitting straight, saying nothing, just watching everything.
"He doesn't seem that bad."
"Yeah, well, that's how they start," Ron said. "Act all quiet and clever. Then next thing you know, they're brewing something dodgy in a broom cupboard."
Hermione frowned.
"He stopped you and Malfoy from fighting, didn't he? That was... nice from him."
Ron scoffed.
"He only did it so professor wouldn't show up and give him detention on the first night."
Harry tilted his head.
"His sister though... Daphne, right? She's got that look. Like she's better than everyone."
"She probably thinks she is," Ron muttered. "Bet they were both born knowing which fork to use at a Ministry dinner."
"I think they're just confident," Hermione said. "That doesn't make them bad."
Ron gave her a look.
"Slytherin's full of pure-bloods who think they're better than everyone. And most of the dark wizards came from there."
Harry watched Lucian for a moment longer.
"He's not like Malfoy"
"Still don't like it," Ron said. "I don't trust anyone who looks that calm their first night here."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Maybe he's just used to hiding it better than you."
Back at the Slytherin table, Lucian leaned back and thought about the Sorting Hat's strange words, the mentioning of a forgotten path, a fifth house lost to time and shadow. The idea stuck in his head like a riddle missing its final piece. Maybe it wasn't just history, but something hidden, waiting for the right person to uncover it.
His mind shifted to something closer, more tangible — Toothless, his bonded Night Fury. The connection was already strong, even though the dragon was not here yet. Questions came to his mind. Could Toothless evolve beyond the usual limits? Could he reach Titan Wing level, legendary strength and size that would make their bond unstoppable?
A sudden alert from his Great Sage interrupted his thoughts. Dumbledore's eyes briefly met his. That old man's probably trying to sneak into my mind, Lucian thought with a smirk. I should start charging him rent.
Lucian pulled up the System menu in his mind, searching for skills that could strengthen his mental defenses, something to keep his own mind safe and sharp.
The long list narrowed to a few that caught his eye:
[Psychic Shield Lv.1] (Mob Psycho 100) – 5,000 SP
An invisible barrier that blocks psychic attacks and mind reading.
[Mind Wall Lv.1] (Inspired by Kaneki Ken from Tokyo Ghoul) – 4,500 SP
A mental barrier that suppresses emotions and blocks psychic influence, building mental resilience.
[Sharingan – One Tomoe] (Naruto) – 75,000 SP
Enhances perception and reaction, allowing the user to see through illusions and anticipate mental attacks. It does not block intrusion but helps detect and respond.
Lucian stared at the SP cost and muttered, "Sharingan costs that much, but Haki and Great Sage are way cheaper. Something doesn't add up here." He frowned, thinking it over. "Maybe I'm not compatible with Sharingan like the Uchiha are, but more suited to skills like Rimuru's or Naruto's. Hmm, I really need to dig deeper into this."
Then he glanced down and looked back at his System Points. His current balance showed 2,750 SP. It is not enough for the bigger skills.
Psychic Shield was the clear contender, reliable and strong, perfect for protecting his mind from unwanted intrusion. Mind Wall promised emotional control that could prevent unseen vulnerabilities. Sharingan was impressive but a distant dream at this point.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Psychic Shield was not affordable yet, but when he could get it, it would offer stronger, more reliable protection than Occlumency. While Occlumency blocked direct mental intrusions, Psychic Shield created a barrier that could shut down attempts at mind reading entirely. It felt like the smarter long-term investment.
For now, patience was key. He would keep working on daily task and gathering System Points.
As the last bites of food were eaten and quietly settled over the Great Hall, Dumbledore rose to his feet. His calm presence immediately drew attention, and the room slowly fell silent.
"Before you leave tonight, I must say a few words," he began. "There is no need to trouble first years with too many rules, but some things you absolutely must know."
He paused, letting the silence deepen.
"First, the Forbidden Forest. It is strictly forbidden to go there alone, especially if you are new to Hogwarts. Many strange creatures live there, some friendly, some not."
His eyes twinkled behind his glasses as he continued. "And then there is the third-floor corridor. It is forbidden to all students. You will learn why in time. But I warn you, no one is allowed there."
The hall was silent as students absorbed the warnings.
"These rules exist for your own safety and the safety of the school. I expect every one of you to obey them."
He nodded once, then added, "Now, off to bed. Tomorrow is a big day for all of you."
As students began to rise, whispers of excitement and nervousness filled the hall.
A prefect from each house stood up and called out to their new members. "First years, follow me, please," one said, voice warm but firm.
He made a mental note to visit all the house common rooms eventually, just to satisfy his curiosity about what really went on behind those doors. After all, who wouldn't want to do that?
Daphne glanced at him with a faint smirk. "Ready to see what your new home looks like?"
Lucian nodded. "More than ready. Let's see if this place lives up to the rumors."
The common room doors awaited, places where friendships would be forged, secrets shared, and challenges faced.
Step by step, Lucian moved forward, ready to carve his path in this world of magic.
*Hey, if you enjoyed the chapter, why not toss a few power stones my way? 💎✨ Lucian can't level up on good vibes alone, you know! 😄 Help a wizard out so the adventure keeps rolling. You're basically the real MVP! 🚀🔥*