Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw-Chapter 98: The Debt of a Lifetime

The morning light filtered through the paper walls of Muzen's house, casting soft golden hues across the wooden floor.

The air carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms, and the gentle rustling of trees outside created a serene ambiance.

Nero sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, absorbing the tranquility around him.

He had woken early, his mind already focused on the day ahead, yet his body was still adjusting to the time difference.

A deep voice broke the morning stillness. "Have you rested well?"

Nero turned to see Muzen standing in the doorway, his imposing figure silhouetted against the morning light.

"Yes, thank you, Muzen," Nero replied, bowing slightly in gratitude.

"Very good. Let us have breakfast. After that, you will follow me to the dojo."

"Yes."

Muzen led Nero through the hallways of the traditional home, past wooden pillars and sliding doors that revealed breathtaking views of a stone garden.

The air smelled of miso and freshly cooked rice, and soon, they entered a spacious dining area.

A low table was already set, adorned with small dishes of grilled fish, tamagoyaki, miso soup, and neatly arranged pickled vegetables.

A pot of green tea steamed gently in the center.

"Sit," Muzen said simply, motioning to the cushion opposite him.

Nero took his place, following Muzen's lead as he picked up his chopsticks.

The first bite of warm rice mixed with the savory fish was comforting, grounding him further into this new world.

They ate in silence for a few moments before Nero finally spoke.

"Muzen, if you don't mind me asking... How do you know Dumbledore?"

For the first time since their meeting, Muzen's normally stern face softened, and a rare smile ghosted his lips.

He set his chopsticks down, contemplating the question before answering.

"I owe my life to Albus Dumbledore," he said simply, his deep voice carrying a note of reverence.

Nero leaned forward slightly, intrigued.

"When we were young," Muzen continued, "Dumbledore and I competed to find a treasure hidden within ancient ruins in Italy. We were both brash, talented, but reckless. We rushed through the ruin, dismantling traps and dispelling dark magic as if we were invincible."

He took a sip of tea, his expression growing distant as if reliving the past. "It was exhilarating. Every ward we broke, every hidden passage we uncovered, we felt as if we were unstoppable."

Nero listened intently, captivated by the story.

He could almost picture the two young wizards, both prodigious in their own right, racing through forgotten halls filled with danger.

"But then," Muzen's tone grew somber, "I made a mistake. A fatal one." He paused. "I was too eager, too confident. I didn't notice the construct waiting in the shadows. A guardian, crafted from enchanted metal, designed to protect the final chamber."

Nero's eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

Muzen exhaled slowly. "It struck me down. Its magic paralyzed me, and I could feel my body shutting down, my blood escaping my body... I knew I was going to die."

His gaze hardened. "The construct loomed over me, its massive form ready to crush me beneath its weight.

Dumbledore was already ahead of me. He could have reached the treasure first.

But instead of claiming victory, he turned back.

His spell, beautiful, mesmerizing, lit up the ruins, a brilliance so dazzling that for a moment, even in my fading consciousness, I couldn't look away.

And then, impossibly, it stopped the construct's attack, both the crushing force of its limbs and the magic that had paralyzed me.

He fought the construct alone. Destroyed it. And then carried me out of the ruins himself."

Nero swallowed. "He gave up the treasure to save you."

Muzen nodded. "To Dumbledore, my life was worth more than any prize. He saved me when he had no obligation to do so. That is a debt I can never repay."

His piercing gaze met Nero's. "And so, I honor that debt by ensuring his grandson receives the best training I can offer."

Nero felt a swell of gratitude.

He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Muzen. I won't waste this opportunity."

Muzen nodded approvingly before finishing his tea. "Good."

Once breakfast was done, Muzen rose. "Come. It is time."

He led Nero back to the dojo, the vast training hall where they had first met.

The space felt even larger in the daylight, the polished wood reflecting the morning sun.

Muzen stepped into a small side room and returned moments later, holding a neatly folded set of dark blue training clothes.

"Wear this," he said, handing them to Nero. "It will be easier to move in than wizard robes."

Nero took the outfit, unfolding it carefully. The fabric was lightweight yet sturdy, clearly designed for rigorous activity.

Muzen continued, "At Mahoutokoro, students learn a discipline called Magic Martial Integration, MMI. It is a hybrid style that blends hand-to-hand combat with spellcasting, allowing fluid transitions between physical and magical attacks."

He crossed his arms. "I do not expect you to learn or master it. But dojo etiquette demands that you wear proper attire."

Nero examined the clothes in his hands, already sensing that this was just the beginning of a very different kind of training than he had ever experienced before.

He gave a determined nod.

"Understood."

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Muzen gestured towards a changing area. "Then prepare yourself, Nero Ravenclaw. After that, I will tell you my story with the Void Principle."

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