Chapter 51: Defeating Magic with Magic

Soon, Ron and Harry had their positions on the board assigned.

Ron was buzzing with excitement.

He felt that this level had been specially prepared for him.

Well, it actually had been... Ron, who had been constantly overshadowed and unable to stand out, could finally prove himself.

However, his beautiful fantasy was immediately shattered by Erwin.

"[Duplicating Charm]!"

"[Duplicating Charm]!"

Erwin pointed out that although he couldn't play wizard chess, he was still a wizard, right?

As a wizard, one must naturally learn to defeat magic with magic.

After several copying spells, the number of black chess pieces on the field suddenly multiplied several times over.

Erwin still felt it wasn't enough, so he cast another layer of protective shields on each pawn.

After a few minutes, everyone watched as each white piece was kicked around in a circle, surrounded by three or five black pieces.

They fell into silence.

Harry and Hermione looked at Erwin admiringly, mentally noting the strategy for future use.

Ron, on the other hand, wore an expression of complete devastation, muttering to himself, "This isn't wizard chess. It shouldn't be like this."

He seemed utterly broken by the display.

After all the white pieces on the field were violently swept off the board by Erwin's forces, the door behind the white king's position opened immediately.

As if desperate to send these troublemakers away as quickly as possible, it swung open without hesitation.

The group filed through to the next level.

The room they entered was empty.

An unpleasant smell lingered in the air.

Hermione analyzed the situation:

"This should be Professor Quirrell's level. It was probably the troll, but Erwin already dealt with it."

Harry and Ron nodded mutely.

Sure enough, they still hadn't been useful.

They might as well be silent and play the role of supportive bystanders.

Then everyone proceeded to the next room.

Just after they entered, flames of two different colors rose, blocking both the way forward and the way back.

There was only a table in the middle with seven bottles of various shapes arranged on it, along with a piece of parchment.

Hermione stepped forward, picked up the parchment, and examined it.

"This appears to be a logic puzzle we need to solve."

Erwin naturally wouldn't undermine the young witch's enthusiasm.

Since she wanted to decipher it, he'd let her try.

After reading it several times and walking back and forth in front of the row of potion bottles, Hermione finally selected a small black bottle.

"This one will help us pass through the flames and reach the next room."

Harry looked at the black medicine bottle and saw that it contained barely enough for one person.

He decided to drink this bottle of potion himself and break into the next level.

"I'll go in with you. I have a way to pass through the flame, but I can only take myself through."

Erwin spoke up.

Of course, he had many methods to pass through the flames or even extinguish them directly.

But they were about to face Voldemort, and he didn't want to be distracted by protecting Hermione.

Harry, as the protagonist, would be fine, and he needed to be the one to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone.

After hearing this, Harry felt reassured.

With Erwin around, he had some confidence.

After drinking the potion, Harry resolutely walked into the flames before him, with a sense of solemn determination.

Just as Erwin was about to follow, Hermione suddenly rushed over and grabbed his hand.

"Please protect Harry and be careful. I'll go find the Headmaster."

After a few seconds, Hermione, blushing, let go of Erwin.

Erwin agreed softly.

"Don't worry. I know what I’m doing, we’ll be fine."

After speaking, he turned and walked toward the flames.

As Erwin stepped forward, a flash of fire appeared from behind him.

"Screee!"

With a melodious cry, a noble and gorgeous phoenix materialized behind Erwin. It was Velora.

Erwin kept walking, and with the phoenix as his backdrop, his entire presence became sacred and solemn, filling Hermione and Ron, who stood stunned beside the flames, with a sense of reverence.

Velora's body burned with golden flames that wrapped around Erwin protectively.

Remarkably, the flames didn't harm Erwin in the slightest.

He passed through the barrier smoothly and disappeared from their view.

****

"Why you?!"

Harry stared in shock at the figure waiting in the final room.

"It's me." Quirrell's voice was drastically different from usual, carrying a hint of darkness and twisted malevolence.

"I was wondering if I would meet you here, Potter."

"But I thought it would be Snape,"

Harry clearly couldn't believe that Quirrell, usually so submissive and constantly bullied by Snape, was the one truly plotting to steal the Philosopher's Stone.

"Harry, I told you long ago not to let prejudice cloud your judgment."

At that moment, Erwin, guarded by phoenix flame, materialized in the room.

"Quirrell, we meet again. You were quite fortunate last time in the Forbidden Forest."

"However, you won't be running away today."

"And the same goes for you, Voldemort."