Harry Potter: A New Player.

The Gryffindor common room was unusually quiet for a change, the fire crackling softly as Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat huddled around the Serpent's Fang Dagger. The silver blade gleamed under the warm light, its snake-shaped hilt cool to the touch.

Ron shook his head in disbelief. "I still can't believe we found Slytherin's relic… and actually got out of the dungeons alive."

Harry smirked. "Barely."

Hermione, flipping through The Founders' Hidden Trials book, suddenly gasped. "Listen to this," she whispered. "'The final trial of the Four Founders is not one of intellect, endurance, or cunning—but of heart. Only the bravest may claim the Lion's Mark.'"

Harry's Quest Log pinged with an update.

[Main Quest: The Founders' Trial]

• Hufflepuff's Chalice ✔

• Ravenclaw's Riddle ✔

• Slytherin's Secrets ✔

• Gryffindor's Valor (0/1)

Reward: Legendary Ability Unlock

Harry rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Gryffindor's trial… it's got to be somewhere in the castle. But where?"

Hermione frowned. "If we're looking for bravery, there's only one place that comes to mind."

Ron paled. "Oh no. Please tell me you're not thinking—"

"The Forbidden Forest," Hermione finished with a triumphant grin.

Harry grinned back. "Then that's where we're going."

Ron groaned. "Why is it always something dangerous?"

The Forbidden Forest at Night

Sneaking out of the castle at night had become second nature by now, but the Forbidden Forest still sent chills down Harry's spine. The dark trees loomed over them, casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. Every rustle of leaves or distant hoot of an owl made Ron jump.

"Alright, keep close," Harry whispered, leading the way past the edge of the forest.

[New Quest: Trial of the Lion]

• Enter the Forbidden Forest (0/1)

• Face Gryffindor's test of bravery (0/1)

Reward: +200 EXP, Gryffindor's Valor Skill

As they moved deeper into the trees, an unsettling silence fell over them.

Suddenly, a soft growl echoed through the forest.

Hermione gasped. "What was that?"

Ron gripped his wand tightly. "Probably something that wants to eat us."

Harry took a deep breath, his courage bolstered by the sense of adventure. "We keep going."

They soon stumbled upon an old, vine-covered statue of a lion with ruby eyes that glowed faintly in the darkness. At its feet was a worn plaque with an inscription:

"Only those who stand in the face of fear shall earn the lion's gift."

Before Harry could read further, a loud snarl came from the shadows, and a massive creature emerged—a spectral lion, its glowing red eyes fixed on them.

[New Challenge: Face the Guardian of Courage]

• Stand your ground (0/1)

• Defeat the spectral lion (0/1)

Reward: +150 EXP, Legendary Ability Unlock

Hermione gasped. "It's testing us!"

The lion roared, charging forward.

"RUN!" Ron yelled, already bolting.

Harry grabbed his shoulder. "No! This is Gryffindor's trial. We have to stand our ground!"

Ron stopped mid-sprint, gulping as the lion drew closer.

Harry steeled himself and stepped forward, wand at the ready. "We're not afraid of you," he declared firmly.

The lion halted, gazing at Harry with an appraising look. A moment of tense silence passed before it let out a deafening roar and pounced.

"Protego!" Hermione shouted, casting a shimmering shield just in time to block the impact.

Harry's pulse raced, but he held his ground. "Alright, let's do this."

The Trial of Courage

The lion circled them, testing their reactions with swipes of its claws. Harry dodged instinctively, feeling his Dexterity skill kick in.

[Skill Activated: Dexterity Lv. 6]

+10% chance to evade attacks.

"Ron, try a Stunning Spell!" Harry yelled.

Ron pointed his wand shakily. "Stupefy!"

The spell struck the lion, making it stagger for a moment before it let out another roar.

Hermione flipped through the tome. "It says here that the key to this trial is not to fight—but to endure!"

Harry realized what they had to do. He stepped in front of his friends and took a deep breath.

"We're not backing down," he said firmly, staring the lion straight in the eye.

For a moment, the spectral beast hesitated. Then, as if satisfied, it let out one last roar and slowly faded into mist.

[Quest Completed: Trial of the Lion]

Reward: +200 EXP, Gryffindor's Valor Skill Unlocked

A golden glow enveloped Harry, and a notification appeared.

[Skill Unlocked: Gryffindor's Valor (Lv.1)]

When faced with overwhelming odds, your courage will bolster your strength and resilience.

+10% resistance to fear effects, +5% strength when in critical danger.

Ron collapsed onto a tree stump. "I think I've lost ten years of my life."

Hermione beamed. "Harry, you did it!"

Harry stared at his hands, feeling a new surge of confidence. "Yeah… I did."

The Final Revelation

After making their way back to the castle safely, Harry checked his Quest Log one last time.

[Main Quest Completed: The Founders' Trial]

• Hufflepuff's Chalice ✔

• Ravenclaw's Riddle ✔

• Slytherin's Secrets ✔

• Gryffindor's Valor ✔

Reward: Legendary Ability Unlock – The Founders' Gift

A new window popped up, displaying his newly acquired legendary ability.

[The Founders' Gift]

You have proven yourself worthy of the legacy of the Hogwarts Founders.

• Unlocks hidden potential within you.

• Enhances all House-related abilities.

• Grants access to ancient spells locked within Hogwarts itself.

Hermione gasped as she read over Harry's shoulder. "Harry… this means you have access to magic that hasn't been used in centuries."

Harry swallowed hard, realizing the weight of it. "I guess that means our adventure is just getting started."

Ron groaned. "Brilliant. Just brilliant."

End of Chapter 12