Chapter 3 - Why the hell did you show up now?

Thursday, 12:50, and Asmodeus was already standing in front of the orphanage, waiting for the professor.

He thought, "I wonder who they'll send to fetch me? An old bat? Maybe a catgirl who's seen better days? Or a dueling master with high-level dodging skills compensating for their short stature? Perhaps Professor Sprout? She'd probably enjoy playing Plants vs. Zombies."

His musings were interrupted by a clap, as if a rift in space had occurred. Asmodeus looked up and saw an elderly man with bright sky-blue eyes.

In his thoughts, he pondered, "What the hell? Since when does the headmaster personally recruit students?"

Then, he heard, "Asmodeus Noren Morningstar? I am Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Asmodeus was in shock, not because of Dumbledore's introduction but due to the dark golden screen hanging in front of his eyes with the message "You are in direct contact with a wizard of this world, loading the system of development and merging of worlds."

Asmodeus paid no attention to Dumbledore; all that occupied his thoughts was the screen. In his mind, he screamed with joy and anger, "Yes, my golden finger, finally, 20 years later. But I have a question for this system with bad internet—why the hell did you appear only now? I've been through the transition for the second time, and you only deigned to show up?!"

"Alright, now is not the time, especially since the system is still loading. I need to deal with the upcoming matters first," he thought, having heard Dumbledore addressing him.

"What's the matter, my boy? Are you surprised by my appearance?"

"No," replied Asmodeus, "but I don't understand why the headmaster of the school personally comes to pick up a student?"

"Ahaha, it's because of you; your situation compelled me to come personally," chuckled Dumbledore.

Asmodeus furrowed his brow, wondering what situation Dumbledore was talking about.

Dumbledore explained, "You're 12, turning 13 soon, but students at Hogwarts typically enroll at 11. There was only one incident when a student joined later, 100 years ago, but that's not the point now. You, young man, likely awakened your magical abilities later than usual, so our acceptance book couldn't register you earlier."

Asmodeus thought to himself - 'Of course it couldn't register me; I wasn't even in this world!'

But he asked, "So, what do we do now? Can I still enroll?"

Dumbledore replied, "Certainly, you can. It's not that big of a problem. You'll just be taller than your classmates."

He looked at the almost 13-year-old boy who already stood at 170 centimeters tall.

"So, shall we go?" asked Asmodeus.

"Yes, we need to buy many things today, but first, I need to talk to your guardians," said the old man.

Dumbledore headed towards the orphanage.

After 15 minutes, Dumbledore came out and assessed the boy with an evaluating look. He asked, "Young man, Miss Anna told me that you can already use magic and demonstrated it to her. Can you show me?"

Asmodeus nodded. He didn't want to hide his fire magic; he had lived with it for 20 years and was accustomed to using it as people are to their phones nowadays. However, he asked, "Professor, what if someone notices?"

"Don't worry," Dumbledore reassured, "I've cast a Muggle-Repelling Charm; no one will notice you." He gestured for Asmodeus to proceed.

Without further questions, Asmodeus began showcasing his fire magic, dancing and conjuring flames, reminiscent of the intro to the old cartoon 'Avatar: The Last Airbender.'

Dumbledore didn't conceal his amazement; he applauded and said, "Remarkable! You use magic without a wand, and it seems entirely intentional, not like the little wizards during a magical tantrum. Where did you learn this? Your movements look like you've practiced a lot."

Asmodeus replied, "I don't know; I've been able to control fire for as long as I can remember, and I've never needed those wands. As for the movements, I copied them from Bruce Lee; I saw a movie with him in it."

Asmodeus didn't expect Dumbledore to use Legilimency on everyone, unlike Voldemort, especially since he didn't display combat strength beyond what the old bee could handle.

Asmodeus knows he wouldn't be able to handle Dumbledore or Voldemort in a fight, but he's confident in facing Snape on equal terms. Currently, he revealed only a fraction of his power, saving high-level fire magic, explosion magic, or lightning magic for another time.

Alright, little pyromaniac, take my hand, get ready, it might be a bit nauseating for the first time. Dumbledore said and teleported them to a bar called Leaky cauldron.

Asmodeus stood, retching in the corner of the bar, while Dumbledore and everyone else watched with a smile.

"Damn it", he thought, "this is horrible; who came up with such inhumane magic?"