Chapter 44: The Challenge (Part 2)
Chapter 44: The Challenge (Part 2)
After hearing Harry's words, the others also looked up at the birds on the ceiling. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the shiny objects flying around were not birds at all, but winged keys.
Suddenly, Harry exclaimed, "Got it! Look! A broomstick! We need to catch the key to that door!"
Looking at the broomstick set aside and the keyhole on the wooden door, they immediately understood the key to passing this level.
While Harry was searching for the broomstick, Liam placed a small bottle of acid from tombstone moss on the stone by the doorframe, but the stones remained completely still.
Indeed, this level was not so simple. To break through the magic on the door and walls required powerful magic and extensive knowledge. Otherwise, they would have to ride the broomsticks to chase the keys.
Voldemort, being as suspicious as he was, would never have followed the designer's plan by riding a broomstick. He would have been wary of it being a trap set by the enemy. According to Voldemort's history, he always preferred to control everything himself, so he would have used his magic to catch the key, though this would have drained his limited magic power.
This was similar to the mechanism at the entrance of the cave where Voldemort stored his Horcrux, which required blood to open. Both were designed to exhaust the enemy's strength before they reached their goal. However, Dumbledore's method was more straightforward and honorable.
By now, Harry and Ron were already on the broomsticks, while Liam and Hermione, who were not skilled flyers, stayed behind to avoid getting in the way. They stood back-to-back in the center of the hall, scanning the swarm of keys in the air.
"Our target is an antique large key—likely silver, shaped like a doorknob", Ron shouted before taking off. "It should match the style and color of the lock."
Liam watched as Harry and Ron charged into the dense cluster of keys. They tried to grab and snatch, but the enchanted keys were too quick, making them nearly impossible to catch.
As everyone grew increasingly anxious, Liam thought he had spotted the key. He yelled to Harry, "I found the key! It's in front of you to the right, higher up. The key is silver with sky-blue wings, and its feathers are all ruffled, as if it's been grabbed before."
Ron clearly saw the key before Harry and rushed over, but the key made a sharp turn, and he nearly crashed into the ceiling.
"Let's drive the key down, Liam, you guys get ready", Harry said. He and Ron then flanked the key from both sides, forcing it downward.
The key tried to escape by flying lower, but it soon realized it had flown too low and was separated from the others.
Finally, the key was cornered close to the ground. Liam jumped up and stretched out his hand, managing to catch it. (Liam: "Thanks to the mechanical and medical knowledge I've been learning recently, my hand's stability and precision have greatly improved. Otherwise, I would have been embarrassed today.")
Liam gripped the key tightly, as it struggled like a living creature. After Harry and Ron landed, they approached the door together. Liam inserted the key into the lock and turned it, and with a click, the door opened, confirming they had chosen the right key.
Releasing the key and watching it fly away, Liam turned the doorknob. The four of them filed into the next level.
Upon entering the room, it was pitch black, and Liam worried they might trip and fall. However, as soon as they stepped inside, the room was instantly illuminated, and the door behind them locked with a click.
This made Liam think of a soap opera where the female lead celebrates her birthday, but the male lead ignores it, leaving her feeling a bit heartbroken. After a tiring day at work, she returns home, only to find the lights suddenly turn on as soon as she closes the door, revealing a surprise birthday party prepared by her boyfriend and friends.
Unfortunately, what greeted Liam and the others was not a surprise party with a cake, but Professor Mcgonagall's giant chessboard.
Liam thought that if Professor Mcgonagall were Chinese, she might have conjured up a giant mahjong set instead. Seriously, he felt that these obstacles were purely meant to mock Voldemort, mocking how he had stooped so low that he was now on the same level as first-year students.
After all, the Wizarding World had only a few forms of entertainment, and Wizard's Chess was probably the most popular aside from Quidditch, with at least half of the population knowing how to play. Given Professor Mcgonagall's style, she probably resembled Hermione when she was young. Her level at Wizard's Chess was likely average, and even if the stone pieces were powerful, the skill of the player was the biggest weakness of this obstacle.
The chess pieces on the board were about the size of real people, made of black and white stone. It was clear that these pieces had high magical resistance and couldn't be easily destroyed by spells like the Crushing Curse.
More importantly, the pieces had no facial features, and the well-lit chessboard contrasted with the dark room, creating a strong horror movie vibe.
Liam couldn't help but think of the faceless, mouthless monsters from horror movies in his previous life, feeling a chill run down his spine. However, when he turned to look at Harry and the others, he saw that they were trembling, clearly more frightened than he was.
A door on the opposite side of the chessboard indicated that they could only proceed by winning the game. Worse still, each person had to play as a chess piece, and the more people there were, the more disadvantageous it became.
In the end, Liam and Ron played as knights, Hermione as the queen, and Harry as the castle. The game was to be played by Ron, who had the highest skill in Wizard's Chess.
Once the game began, Liam noticed that the pieces only knocked out other pieces when capturing them, rather than using their weapons to deliver fatal blows.
It seemed that Professor Mcgonagall's obstacle was designed to delay them while avoiding any accidental harm to Harry. If Voldemort were to use magic to force his way through, the pieces would likely not be as peaceful. Given that Voldemort, currently possessing Quirrell, would have to break through each obstacle, he would likely be left with very little magic power by the end.
Since there was no immediate danger, Liam relaxed and began to appreciate Ron's skill at chess.
Ron's skill was impressive, but he had to be cautious with Liam and the others, which limited his moves. Sometimes, he had to pay a higher price.
Liam shouted to Ron, "I learned an Armor Charm. I should be fine if they hit me, so you don't need to worry about me."
"Really?" Ron asked, and after Liam confirmed it multiple times, Ron said, "Move diagonally to the right and capture their most threatening queen. You'll be taken out by their knight afterward, but it will make the rest of the game easier."
It seemed that the more people there were, the more constrained Ron felt. Liam realized that if he could make a sacrifice, it would improve their situation.
(End of Chapter)
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