READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Web of Shadows
The torches lining the damp corridors of Hogwarts flickered, casting distorted shadows on the ancient stone walls. Arlen Blackthorn moved quietly, his footfalls muffled by a charm he had mastered with Orenthus's guidance. Tonight was not a night for caution but for action. The System had issued a new directive, and Arlen could feel its urgency pulsing in the back of his mind:
"Retrieve the Codex of Shadows hidden within the Restricted Section of the library."
This Codex, according to Orenthus, contained forbidden spells and secrets that would amplify his abilities and allow him to deepen his connection with the System. It was no ordinary text—it was alive with dark magic, protected by Hogwarts' most intricate enchantments. Arlen knew the risks were high, but the reward was worth it.
As he approached the library's entrance, he muttered a spell under his breath. The heavy wooden doors creaked open just enough for him to slip through. The air inside was cool and still, filled with the faint scent of parchment and ink. By day, the library was bustling with students, but now it was a labyrinth of silence.
The Restricted Section lay at the heart of the library, its iron gate sealed with an intricate magical lock. Arlen crouched before it, his wand tracing the runes carved into the gate. His breath fogged the air as he whispered the incantation Orenthus had taught him. A faint purple light emanated from the gate, the lock uncoiling like a serpent and retreating into the metal frame.
The System's voice hummed in his mind: "Progress achieved. Beware of detection."
Arlen slipped inside, the atmosphere growing heavier with each step. The books on these shelves radiated power; their bindings seemed to pulse faintly as if aware of his presence. His eyes scanned the shelves until they landed on a volume bound in black leather, its cover embossed with a single silver rune.
"The Codex of Shadows," the System confirmed.
Arlen reached out, but the moment his fingers brushed the book, the room shifted. The air grew cold, and a low growl echoed from the darkness. A guardian—a spectral beast bound to protect the Restricted Section—emerged, its translucent form shimmering like smoke. Its glowing eyes locked onto Arlen.
Orenthus's voice boomed in his mind: "This is your trial, Master Blackthorn. Face it and prove your worth."
Arlen tightened his grip on his wand, his mind racing. The beast lunged, its claws raking through the air with unnatural speed. Arlen dodged, barely escaping its swipe. Summoning his courage, he channeled the System's power, activating one of his new abilities.
"Shadow Manipulation: Constrict!"
Tendrils of darkness erupted from the floor, wrapping around the beast's limbs. It howled in rage, thrashing against its bindings. Arlen could feel the strain of maintaining the spell; the creature's strength was immense. He needed to end this quickly.
Drawing upon his growing reserves of magic, he cast another spell: "Soul Link!"
A tendril of energy connected him to the beast, and for a fleeting moment, Arlen felt its essence—a fragmented mind bound to its duty. He saw its weakness: a sigil etched into its chest, the source of its power.
Breaking the link, Arlen raised his wand, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Incendio Ignis!"
A jet of fire struck the sigil, and the beast let out a final, mournful wail before dissolving into smoke. The room fell silent once more, the oppressive air lifting as the guardian's presence faded.
Panting, Arlen approached the Codex, his hands trembling as he lifted it from the shelf. The System's voice resonated in his mind, calm and satisfied: "Task complete. Codex acquired. Knowledge awaits."
As he slipped the book into his bag, the faint sound of footsteps reached his ears. His heart leaped. Someone was coming.
He ducked into the shadows, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room. A figure emerged, cloaked and hooded, their movements deliberate and unhurried. Arlen could not make out their face, but their presence was unsettling. Whoever they were, they did not belong here.
The figure stopped before the now-empty shelf where the Codex had rested, their head tilting as if sensing the disturbance. Arlen held his breath, willing himself to remain unseen.
"I know you're here," the figure said, their voice smooth and cold. "You've taken something that does not belong to you."
Arlen's mind raced. He could not afford to be caught, not now. He activated "Shadow Concealment", melding into the darkness as the figure's gaze swept the room. They lingered for a moment longer before turning and vanishing into the depths of the library.
Only when he was certain they were gone did Arlen move, slipping out of the Restricted Section and back into the safety of the corridors. The Codex was his, but the encounter left him uneasy. The figure's words echoed in his mind, a reminder that his actions were not as secret as he'd hoped.
Back in the solitude of his dormitory, Arlen opened the Codex, its pages filled with arcane symbols and cryptic text. As he began to study, the System's voice spoke once more:
"New pathways unlocked. Prepare for the next phase, Master Blackthorn. The shadows grow deeper, and your enemies draw near."
A shiver ran down his spine. The stakes were rising, and he was no longer certain who he could trust. But one thing was clear: his journey had only just begun, and the darkness was both his greatest ally and his greatest threat.