HP: Fantastic Beasts And The Right Way To Use Them

Traveling through the thick fog, a line of magical energy appeared before Evans, guiding him in the right direction.

This thick fog was prepared to shield Muggles' senses. Although the entrance to this forest was hidden within that cliff face, if there really were Muggles wanting to jump off the cliff and accidentally stumble into here, this mist enchanted with Muggle-Repelling Charms could also ensure they wouldn't enter the real Orléans Forest.

However, if they encountered some truly directionally-challenged wizards, even if unaffected by Muggle-Repelling Charms, they could very well be confused by this mist and end up not knowing where they had wandered to.

These magical guide lines were specifically designed to prevent such situations from occurring.

This design hadn't appeared after he killed that Kappa. Even before medieval times, the Orléans Forest had been shrouded in such thick fog, completely separated from the Muggle world.

Just like the Forbidden Forest, no one knew which powerful wizard had done all this.

Walking forward, the thick fog ahead gradually became thinner, and endless green appeared before Evans's eyes.

When the fog completely cleared, Evans placed his case on the ground and waited. Nana, wearing her small cloak, was the first to emerge, followed by Alice flashing to a nearby clearing. After looking around, she let out a joyful cry.

Returning to a familiar place, Nana and Alice were obviously very excited. Even the small cloak nearby was swept up in this excitement, its hem fluttering as it licked Nana once.

"Meow!"

Apparently it wasn't just swept up in the excitement.

Looking at Nana wrestling with the cloak, Evans chuckled softly and gazed around.

He had actually wanted to bring Kelly too, but Kelly's parents missed it very much, and it had indeed been away from the Red Pine Forest for quite a long time, so he hadn't brought it this trip.

Still, it had been two years since he'd returned.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, the reflected light casting the entire forest in emerald green.

Unlike the Forbidden Forest's gloomy style, the Orléans Forest's scenery was brighter. The gloom from when the Kappa had run rampant years ago had long since dissipated, and this magical forest was now full of vitality.

He believed it wouldn't be long before it would become, as it once was, the most important source of materials for the French magical community.

Following leisurely behind Alice and Nana, Evans's pace wasn't fast. Since he was already here, there was no rush for those few steps.

But no matter how slowly one walked, they would eventually reach their journey's end.

Passing through clusters of shrubs and over hills, finally a great lake that filled his entire field of vision appeared before Evans.

The lake water was so clear you could even see every movement of the small fish and aquatic plants below. A breeze stirred the reeds by the lakeside, and rustling sounds continuously echoed in his ears.

Finding a random rock by the Great Lake to sit on, enjoying the wisps of moisture brought by the breeze, Evans's mood gradually relaxed.

Sunlight hit the lake surface, scattered by the water waves into ripples. Alice joyfully rushed into the lake, flashed and disappeared, then reappeared with a small fish already in her mouth.

Hunting was just this simple for Bowtruckles. No fish would guard against a predator dozens of meters away suddenly appearing beside them. Even though the fish in this great lake were more or less magical creatures, they couldn't escape Alice's hunting.

Fortunately, she was just trying something fresh. After catching a few, she lay on the water surface, letting the current carry her into the distance.

Looking at Alice's leisurely appearance, Evans smiled and picked up Nana and the small cloak, who were lazily sunbathing nearby. He lay back, closed his eyes, and let his thoughts drift far away.

Everything could be traced back to his fifth year, that trip when he first came to France.

The main purpose of that trip had actually been Muggle France. In his previous life, he had never been to France and always wanted to see those hyped-up artworks and magnificent architecture.

However, after arriving in France and accidentally hearing about a forbidden forest with a seal that prevented people from leaving, plus a Kappa that had occupied the entire forest and killed countless people, he had completely forgotten about Muggle architecture and artworks.

A forbidden forest? A seal? A Kappa?

His DNA stirred!

But after he actually entered this woodland, he discovered he had been somewhat careless.

Since his original purpose was to visit the Muggle world, he hadn't considered combat and therefore hadn't brought his combat-capable companions.

With only Alice and Nana by his side, he had indeed suffered quite a bit in this forest.

Unlike the Forbidden Forest, the Orléans Forest at that time had been forbidden for two centuries. Without the suppression of wizards and other humanoid creature communities, the dark creatures inside had proliferated to the point of nearly overflowing.

As someone with irresistible appeal, he faced attacks from dark creatures constantly. Even worse, that seal that allowed entry but not exit meant he couldn't leave at all.

So much so that he could only gradually have his spirit worn down in the forest, falling into despair.

Until that day.

He would forever remember the water-like shadow he encountered that day. She had saved him from a forest troll's roasting spit, guided him to break the Orléans Forest's seal, and fought alongside him to defeat the Kappa that had occupied the Orléans Forest for hundreds of years and killed countless wizards who came to subdue it.

That was his most precious memory.

Even today, he could still recall that initial encounter with the water-like shadow and those light, pleasant voices.

A human wizard? It's been several years since any wizards came. Are you also here to subdue that big fellow?

You seem different from other wizards? That big fellow is very eager for you. Hmm, aside from the seasoning smell, there's indeed a very special feeling!

Me? I'm just a clone, and my main body can't beat that big fellow either. When I was born, it had already been living in the lake for many, many years.

However, given that you made a good first impression on me, I'm going to tell you a secret no one knows!

I know of a seal! On the surface it looks like a restriction preventing people from leaving the forest, but actually there's a scabbard inside, and it looks very impressive!

Want to come try it with me? If you can take that scabbard, how about we kill this big fellow together?

What's my name? Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself.

A semi-transparent arm extended forward, and the girl made of flowing water wore a smile on her face as she spoke softly.

Hello, I'm called Sothea.

"Hello, I'm called Sothea."

The fragrance of grass suddenly surrounded his nose, and a voice like clear spring water echoed in his ears. Evans was startled and slowly opened his eyes, meeting a pair of smiling eyes.

"Nice to meet you!"