After a long while, Robert finally snapped out of his daze and apologized sheepishly to Cole, "I'm sorry, Mr. Cole. I think I got a bit carried away."
"It's alright," Cole replied. "Everyone who comes here for the first time is captivated by this forest. Even Headmaster Dumbledore was no exception. Just now, a house-elf came by and mentioned they found an interesting spot. Would you like me to take you there?"
Robert nodded. "Sure, you've been here longer than I have, so you must know better. By the way, Mr. Cole, could you take a photo of me? This place is just too beautiful."
[Special map discovered and photo taken. Skill points +2.]
After thanking Cole and discreetly putting away his camera, Robert finally confirmed that the Spirit Realm could grant him 2 skill points. Perhaps the ancient tree he had paid respects to during the ancestral worship was also part of the Spirit Realm.
Ten minutes later, guided by Cole, Robert arrived at the spot the house-elves had mentioned. It was a pool filled with a pale green liquid, about the size of a bathtub. The house-elves were gathered around it, looking utterly entranced.
"What is this?" Robert asked curiously, gazing at the pool.
Cole sniffed the air for a while before saying, "I'm not sure, but it seems to contain magical energy. It might be something left behind by ancient wizards."
Nodding, Robert pulled out a few potion bottles and filled them with the liquid. To his surprise, the green liquid turned transparent as soon as it entered the bottles.
"How strange," Robert muttered, staring at the bottles. Just as he was pondering this, there was a splash—Cole had slipped and fallen into the water.
The house-elves panicked, unsure of what to do, and instinctively Disapparated on the spot.
Robert was momentarily flustered but quickly regained his composure. He pulled out his wand, transfigured a nearby tree into a rope, and threw it into the pool. Cole grabbed the rope, and Robert slowly pulled him out.
Something miraculous happened. The previously aged Cole began to change—the white hair near his ears disappeared, the wrinkles on his body smoothed out, and the dull haze over his eyes cleared. It seemed as though he had grown younger.
Robert was stunned. He frowned and instinctively stepped away from the pool.
Cole looked at his own body in disbelief, then whispered, "Mr. Leslie, do you trust me?"
Robert gave him a puzzled look. "Of course, we're friends, aren't we?"
Cole looked horrified. "This... this is so improper. How could I, a mere house-elf, be friends with a wizard..."
Robert waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, Mr. Cole, just tell me what's on your mind."
"The water in this pool is something special," Cole said seriously. "I only soaked in it for a short while, and I already feel rejuvenated."
Robert glanced at the pool, hesitating. The effects of this unknown liquid were uncertain... But then he saw the hopeful look in Cole's eyes.
Well, Cole probably wouldn't harm me, Robert thought to himself. He took off his outer clothes and sat down in the pool.
Before he could even settle, Robert felt the surge of vitality Cole had described. It was as if the magical energy from the water had flowed into his body, filling every part of him, then compressing, filling again, and compressing once more.
In a daze, Robert thought he heard Cole calling his name. He opened his eyes to see Cole's large, concerned eyes staring at him. "Thank goodness, Mr. Leslie! The water in the pool suddenly vanished, and I was so scared. I had to pull you out of the pit. I'm so glad you're okay."
The water was gone? Robert turned to look at the pool, now just a large empty pit. He began to check his body and felt incredibly refreshed, as if a great weight had been lifted.
A breeze swept through the area, carrying ghostly lights that floated above the pit like smoke or illusions. The leaves rustled, and Robert stared at the pool, where he thought he saw the shadow of a towering tree. The tree was so massive that the pool seemed like nothing more than a small pit left by its roots.
Suddenly, the shadow trembled, and the trunk and leaves shook violently before disintegrating into countless fragments that dissipated into the air.
A gentle tug on his trouser leg brought Robert back to reality. He looked down to see Cole.
"We should leave, Mr. Leslie," Cole urged. "I feel like this place is about to disappear."
Robert took one last look at the forest, still faintly glowing with pale green light, and grabbed Cole's outstretched arm. "Thank you, Mr. Cole."
With a snap of the house-elf's fingers, the two vanished.
The sensation of Apparition was as disorienting as ever, like being shoved through a tube and yanked out the other end. Robert returned to the kitchen in a rather uncomfortable state, feeling nauseous.
"Mr. Leslie, are you alright? Would you like a cup of hot cocoa?" Cole asked.
Robert rubbed his temples and nodded. The warm, sweet drink helped settle his stomach. This night had been quite eventful—he'd taken a dip in a cold pool, then Apparated back to Hogwarts. The so-called Spirit Realm was a mystery, with its extra-dimensional fireplace appearing and disappearing without a trace.
As Robert was lost in thought, several house-elves approached, carrying an enormous green book covered in vines. It was so large that it took three of them to hold it.
"What's this?" Robert asked, instinctively poking the book. It trembled and then shattered into countless tiny fragments that scattered into the air. The house-elves froze in shock, and the kitchen was filled with a fresh, grassy scent.
Robert's expression turned odd. As the book disappeared, he felt something attach itself to his body.
After comforting the frightened house-elves, Robert returned to his dormitory. His roommates were still sound asleep. He climbed into bed, the curtains blocking out all light, and in the darkness, a faintly glowing book appeared in his hands.
Though he couldn't read it, he knew its name.
Life.
(End of Chapter)