Helga Hufflepuff

This discovery didn't make Tewell recoil; on the contrary, his lips stretched into a wide grin.

This was the first time he had smiled so happily since arriving at Hogwarts.

Because he had sensed the secret of the Forbidden Forest—

It was an Untraceable Expansion Charm!

Someone had cast an unbelievable Untraceable Expansion Charm on the Forbidden Forest!

You see, this spell is usually used in relatively confined spaces, as only such spaces offer the potential for expansion.

But the caster of the Forbidden Forest had forcibly expanded this vast area.

This is also why, although the Forbidden Forest is merely a visible forest, it can give people an unfathomable feeling.

This immense power only fueled Tewell's curiosity even more.

He pulled out his badge, feeling the will it guided above, also making it easier for him to correct his direction.

However, the path ahead was somewhat strange, with sparse and dense areas coexisting. You could see desolate sandy areas like deserts, but there would also be lush vegetation nearby.

It was as if the Creator were playing a creation game, sowing seeds and then removing unwanted parts.

But compared to the area he had just passed through, this place was much livelier and more peaceful. Occasionally, some ordinary small animals would scurry around, and a little rabbit would stare blankly at Tewell, as if it had never seen a biped before.

There were also more bird calls and insect sounds, which seemed very harmonious and melodious, causing Tewell to relax completely.

Suddenly, an arrow shot out fiercely and landed in the empty space in front of him.

The feathers at the end of the arrow were still trembling violently, indicating the tremendous force behind the shot.

Tewell dispelled the Ironclad Spell in his hand and looked toward the direction of the chaotic footsteps.

Before long, two horses appeared before him, each with a person on top.

More accurately, the lower half of a horse and the upper half of a person were spliced together, and the upper bodies were not wearing clothes, with quivers tied behind them and bows in their hands.

The centaurs, rumored to have migrated to the Forbidden Forest, seemed to be them.

The one on the left, with its black mane and rugged appearance, had a stubble beard and looked wild and proud, with a fierce temperament, glaring angrily at Tewell.

The one on the right was much more pleasing to the eye, handsome with striking blue eyes and shiny platinum blonde hair. Not only was the upper part of his body attractive, but the lower half was also a silver body with a silver horse's tail, displaying an extraordinary beauty.

Compared to the one beside him, one couldn't help but marvel at the disparities among centaurs.

Tewell took the initiative to question, "Who are you? Why are you attacking me?"

The handsome centaur took two steps forward.

"Human wizard, this is centaur territory. Please leave as soon as possible."

The ugly-tempered centaur interjected rudely, "Leave immediately, or my arrows won't hesitate—"

Tewell frowned and glanced at the ugly centaur, silencing him.

"I don't know about any centaur territory. All I know is that this is within the boundaries of Hogwarts. As a professor of the school, I have the right to traverse the Forbidden Forest."

However, judging from the arrow just now, the centaurs didn't seem as weak as rumored. On the contrary, there was still magic lingering on the arrow, indicating that the strength of these two might surpass many adult wizards.

The handsome centaur looked at his companion in surprise, realizing that the professor in front of him was much stronger than he had imagined.

"Well, Professor, I am Ferenze, and this is Bain. We did not mean to offend you, but we centaurs have an agreement with Hogwarts. Without permission, wizards cannot enter our dwelling places."

Ferenze declared politely but firmly to Tewell.

"I am Tewell Fawley, just passing through, not interested in where you centaurs reside."

Tewell didn't want to conflict with the centaurs, as it didn't fit his current persona.

"No, Bain suddenly spoke up, "I've seen too many of your kind pretending to pass through but actually spying on us wizards!"

Seen too many?

Except for desperate wizards, no one would want to live in the Forbidden Forest, right?

"I'm curious, how many wizards have you seen?"

Bain suddenly became tongue-tied, his face under the beard turning red.

Originally a bluff, Tewell thought amusedly.

"Since you know about Hogwarts, I assume you wouldn't want to engage in conflict with us. Besides, I'm just passing through,"

Bain remained speechless, but Ferenze took the lead, slowly approaching Tewell.

"Professor Fawley, I need to understand the purpose of entering the Forbidden Forest. As far as I know, except for Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn, other professors do not venture into the Forbidden Forest casually, especially its depths!"

He maintained a gentle, friendly demeanor, but his gaze turned sharp.

But Tewell suddenly realized a problem.

The centaurs lived in the Forbidden Forest, so perhaps they had already sensed the forest's situation?

So he decided to probe the centaurs' attitude.

"I'm curious, who has the power to cast such advanced magic on the Forbidden Forest and come in to explore?"

As expected, Bain's face suddenly changed, showing a mix of surprise, fear, anger, and other complex emotions.

Ferenze, who had previously been smiling, furrowed his brow even more. "Professor, since you can perceive the profound magic of the Forbidden Forest, why not leave now to avoid angering that person?"

"Which person?"

Tewell's eyes flickered with a glimmer of light, but his Legilimency spell failed!

Ferenze erupted in anger, stringing his bow, ready to attack Tewell immediately.

Behind him, Bain, seeing this scene, was so surprised that he didn't stop his hands, completing his attack preparations in an instant.

Unexpectedly finding himself in a predicament with the centaurs, Tewell waved his wand helplessly.

"Soul Departure!"

The two centaurs froze in place, their eyes filled with confusion.

He knew that it was difficult to use Legilimency on wizards who had practiced Occlumency.

It was like a battle between spear and shield, only the battlefield was on the defensive side, so Occlumency of the same level was superior to Legilimency.

But at Tewell's level, being blocked by two centaurs was honestly unexpected.

"Have you practiced Occlumency?" Tewell asked straightforwardly.

The two under the control of the Soul Departure Curse were somewhat clumsy, but they shook their heads simultaneously.

"We don't even know what Occlumency is, how could we have practiced it?"

Tw...

Tewell felt like his brain wasn't enough. Now even centaurs who hadn't heard of Occlumency could resist his Legilimency?

"Then who was the person you just mentioned?"

Ferenze's expression twisted, as if trying to break free from the Soul Departure Curse's control, but his mouth still involuntarily opened:

"H... Helga Hufflepuff!"