Chapter 4: Secret Realm Exploration

"You call yourself human!?"

Hoffa furiously grabbed Indor by the collar, roaring, "Why did you gamble away my grant money!?"

Startled, Indor frantically patted Hoffa's trembling hands, veins bulging with anger. "Hey, hey, calm down! It's not as bad as it sounds. Think of it as an alternative investment, okay? A little money like that is nothing. Come on, we're goblins—when have we ever lacked money? No need to panic."

Hoffa let go, breathing heavily, his frustration barely contained. He felt like he might explode from sheer rage.

"Are you serious?"

"Trust me," Indor said confidently, thumping his chest with loud thuds. "I promise you'll have your books and wand by sunset, as long as you follow my lead."

Hoffa shot Indor a frosty glare. No matter how he looked at this goblin, he found him insufferable. How could Dumbledore think this character was a decent goblin?

"What do I have to do?" Hoffa asked tersely.

"First, we need to head to Diagon Alley," Indor said with a grin. He extended a long, slender finger and tapped the wall in front of them three times.

The wall immediately shuddered as if alive. With a soft rumble and a scattering of dust, it parted, revealing a wide archway that led to a winding cobblestone path stretching into the unknown.

Just then, a strange sound echoed in Hoffa's mind.

Ding!

Secret Wizarding Realm detected. System activated.

This system is the Compulsory Education System.

The system exists for two primary purposes:

The host must complete the seven-year Hogwarts magical education program.(Failure to do so may result in enforcement measures.)

Assist the host in better exploring and documenting this world. Every time the host completes a secret realm exploration, rewards will be granted.

"Hiss!"

Hoffa froze for a moment, but fortunately, his heart had grown much stronger after a series of strange events. He carefully reread the information in his mind several times.

Having a system attached to him wasn't all that surprising.

The system's functionality was straightforward: complete tasks and earn rewards.

However, the system's name seemed rather odd.

The Compulsory Education System. It required him to complete seven years of magical education...

Hoffa felt something was off. Would anyone refuse to spend seven years at Hogwarts? Even someone as formidable as Voldemort obediently stayed in school for seven years before leaving. This alone spoke volumes about the school's allure.

Yet, the system even warned that if he failed to comply, it would take enforcement measures if necessary.

How ridiculous. He had never skipped a class in his past life!

Hoffa tried asking the system questions, but it didn't respond. The only noticeable change was the appearance of an empty green progress bar in his mind after obtaining the system.

Displayed on it was: [Current Secret Realm Exploration: 0%]

Looking at the empty bar, Hoffa understood. It seemed he would have to keep exploring to earn rewards. The rewards came in two forms: [Spell Fragments] and [Wisdom of the Great Sage].

For now, though, he had no idea how to use either of them.

After confirming he hadn't misunderstood anything, Hoffa exited his mental space.

…

Indor noticed Hoffa standing still for quite a while and assumed he was overwhelmed by his first visit to Diagon Alley.

After waiting for a bit, Indor gave Hoffa a nudge. "Don't just stand there, let's go! We've got plenty to do."

Having finished studying the system, Hoffa nodded at Indor.

The two stepped into Diagon Alley.

Compared to the bleak and tense atmosphere of the Muggle world outside, the wizarding world felt particularly relaxed and vibrant.

Every shop window displayed an array of materials: baskets of red feathers, shimmering blue bat eyes, and peculiar silver instruments. Hanging at the entrances were all sorts of lucky wind chimes.

These wind chimes had little mouths. Whenever someone passed by, they would jingle and sing softly.

They weren't singing sales pitches but beautiful ancient words that Hoffa couldn't understand.

Some shops were well-hidden, and Hoffa only noticed the system's green exploration bar increasing after entering them.

For instance, there was a corner shop with nothing but a small wooden cabinet for brooms outside its door.

At first glance, Hoffa nearly mistook it for a storage room. It wasn't until he stepped inside that he realized it was a wizard restaurant. The decor was luxurious, and house-elves bustled back and forth serving patrons.

Of course, the shop that left the deepest impression on Hoffa was one called [Boreas' Weather Rugs].

The golden letters on the signboard were accompanied by a smaller line of text:

(Are you troubled by adapting to new climates? Are you frustrated by irregular day and night cycles? For just 50 Galleons, you can choose your favorite weather. Perfect for cozy homes or travel! All for just 50 Galleons. What are you waiting for? Get yours now!)

Weather Rugs?

Hoffa had never heard of such a shop before, and it certainly wasn't mentioned in the original books. Naturally, he walked in out of curiosity.

As soon as he stepped inside, he was stunned. The shop really did sell weather.

On the left, a rug displayed a thunderstorm, complete with flashes of lightning and pouring rain. A small dark cloud hovered above, pouring down relentlessly.

On the right, another rug showcased a scorching desert, where tiny camels wandered across the sand dunes.

Beyond the desert lay a rainforest climate. Lush, green trees filled the area, with lively parrots hopping around. As Hoffa approached, a wave of humidity hit him in the face.

He even noticed a wizard wearing sunglasses lounging on a deck chair in the rainforest section, basking in the "sunlight."

Nearby, the shopkeeper smiled brightly as he pitched his product.

"How's that? Real enough for you? I guarantee you won't experience the joy of tropical rainforest sunshine anywhere else in Britain!"

The sunbathing wizard climbed off the deck chair.

"Not bad—just as I expected. But I think the humidity could go a bit higher. Maybe add more parrots in the middle of the forest."

"Right away!"

The shopkeeper waved his wand, and in an instant, amidst the chirping of parrots, the entire rainforest folded itself neatly into a single rug.

Satisfied, the wizard paid and left with his purchase.

Hoffa wandered around the shop in amazement.

There were rugs representing all kinds of weather: endless grasslands, icy glaciers, scenic islands, and even a rumbling volcano on the verge of eruption.

The shopkeeper approached him. "Hello! Are you here to buy a weather rug or customize your own?"

Hoffa froze awkwardly. "Oh, I'm just looking around…"

Indor, standing nearby, shook his head and covered his face.

Ten minutes later, Hoffa and Indor left Boreas' Weather Rugs. The capabilities of wizards amazed Hoffa more and more.

As he walked, the green progress bar in his mind slowly crept upward:

13%… 22%… 29%… 37%…

Indor, however, was clearly displeased with Hoffa's leisurely pace. He kept reminding him that time is money.

Finally, an hour later, Hoffa stopped in front of a fabric shop, and the green bar reached 40%.

Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

Hoffa looked up at the sign. This shop, he was quite familiar with.

After all, many years from now, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter would have their first encounter here.

As for now, it was still several decades before Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, would even be born.

Sighing quietly, Hoffa was pushed inside by Indor.

Inside, a hunched man with a hooked nose and finely tailored purple robes was sweeping his cold gaze across the shop. His narrow eyes lingered on Hoffa's worn shoes and socks for an uncomfortably long time.

Indor didn't care at all. He hopped casually to the counter and tossed a gold watch to the hunchbacked man.

"The usual, Malkin. Renting a set of robes."

Malkin took the watch, his eyes still firmly fixed on Hoffa.

"Your guest this time doesn't seem very promising."

Indor replied, "That's none of your business, Malkin. The rules stand—if I don't return in an hour, my grandfather's watch is yours."

"Hmph." Malkin stashed the gold watch under the counter and shouted gruffly, "Paulina! Get out here and do some work!"

Hoffa had no idea what they were talking about, but judging by the conversation, it seemed like this was a family-run business. He couldn't help but wonder what relation this hunchbacked shopkeeper had to the future Madam Malkin.

The answer came in the next moment.

At Malkin's bellow, a rosy-cheeked little girl popped out from behind the counter, skipping as she came.

"I'm coming, Dad! Stop yelling so loud!"

She was half a head shorter than Hoffa, looking no older than eight or nine.

Though small in stature, she was incredibly efficient. The moment she saw Hoffa, she pushed him onto a wooden stool.

"Stretch out your arms."

Hoffa obediently complied, stretching his arms out while musing, Is this little girl, Paulina, the future Madam Malkin? She certainly seems born for this line of work. Though, since she didn't change her last name, I wonder if she ever married.

Lost in his thoughts, Hoffa watched as Paulina took his measurements, asking, "A first-year? Here to order school robes?"

Before Hoffa could respond, Indor cut in loudly, "Hey, little miss! We're not here for school robes. You need to make my client look dashing—like an ancient Persian prince!"

Old Malkin let out a disdainful snort.

Paulina stuck her tongue out at Indor and made a face before whispering to Hoffa, "Why are you hanging out with him? Goblins aren't exactly trustworthy."

Hoffa sighed. "It's a long story."

Though Old Malkin seemed snobbish, his tailoring skills were undeniable. Ten minutes later, Hoffa was completely transformed.

He now wore an opulent red robe adorned with subtle golden patterns, knee-high leather boots, and neatly combed black hair. Indor even snatched a ring from Old Malkin and slipped it onto Hoffa's finger.

Standing before the mirror, Hoffa looked like the heir of a prestigious pure-blood family.

As he admired his reflection, a random thought crossed his mind: I wonder how dashing Voldemort would look in this outfit.

Indor, stroking his sharp chin, suddenly turned to Paulina and asked, "So, do you fancy him now?"

Paulina's face turned crimson. She kicked Indor hard, then covered her face and fled.

"Looks like we've achieved the desired effect," Indor said with a snap of his fingers. "Let's go, Your Highness. We've got a busy day ahead."

Hoffa folded his arms, smirking at Indor. "Let me guess—you're dressing me up to take me to Gringotts for a loan, aren't you?"

Indor stumbled back in shock, nearly falling on his backside.

Old Malkin froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. "A goblin, bested by a boy! So, how does it feel to have your little schemes exposed by a kid?"

Hoffa sneered. "You lost my scholarship fund, but that gold watch of yours has some value. How about you hand it over as compensation?"

Indor jumped as if he had springs in his shoes. "Absolutely not! There are plenty of ways to make money, but my watch is one of a kind. No way, no way!"

"Oh, really?" Hoffa said coldly. "Then tell me—what's the interest rate at Gringotts? How much were you planning to borrow with my new look? And how much will I owe when it's time to repay?"

Standing tall, Hoffa looked down at the goblin. "I trusted you because of Dumbledore's recommendation, but your actions make it hard to keep trusting you."

"By Merlin's beard," Old Malkin muttered under his breath.

Cold sweat dripped from Indor's forehead as he stared at Hoffa. "By the galloping Gorgon… Are you really just eleven?"

Hoffa loosened the tight collar of his robe and sat back on the stool. "You have two choices: hand over the gold watch or explain your plan in full detail."

Indor let out a bitter laugh, ruffling his hair.

Ten minutes later, a finely dressed Hoffa and Indor left Madam Malkin's shop, heading toward Gringotts.

Despite Hoffa's efforts to negotiate, Indor refused to part with his watch. However, he did reveal his plan in its entirety.

With tensions in Europe rising, Gringotts was expanding into other countries, seeking foreign partners. Indor intended to use Hoffa's mixed-race features to pass him off as a foreign aristocrat, allowing them to secure venture capital from Gringotts.

To Hoffa, who had lived through the information age, Indor's tricks weren't particularly clever.

Still, the goblin's boldness in exploiting loopholes in a major bank's system was impressive. Clearly, this wasn't his first attempt.

It was Indor's confident guarantee—along with his promise to shoulder any risks—that convinced Hoffa to take a chance.

After all, he did need funds for his education at Hogwarts.

(End of Chapter)

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