Reborn into Chaos:The Dark Wizard’s Chat Group

Silence crept into the corridor after the creature's collapse, broken only by Aiden's heavy breathing. His heartbeat pounded in his ears like a war drum, adrenaline still flooding his veins. The faint glow from the magical screen hovered persistently beside him, as if it were alive, waiting for his next move.

What the hell is this world?

The chat buzzed again.

[Dumbledore's Army Reborn - Group Chat]

• HarryPotter96: "Good job not dying. That's step one."

• HermioneG91: "You need to move. That wasn't the only one."

• Neville_Lion: "Head to the Great Hall. There's something waiting for you there."

• LunaLuvGood: "Or someone waiting to kill you. Either way, fun!"

Aiden rolled his eyes. "Great. Helpful people. Exactly what I needed."

Still, standing around wasn't an option. He didn't know what that thing was, but if there were more of them, he wasn't eager to find out how well he'd fare against the next one. Without hesitation, he took off down the dark corridor, his footsteps echoing off the ancient stone.

As he ran, fragments of knowledge from the unlocked "Basic Spell Knowledge" flooded his mind: incantations, defensive maneuvers, even the correct wrist flick for spellcasting. It was like muscle memory for muscles he never had.

So this is magic, huh? he thought, smirking slightly. I could get used to this.

Turning a corner, he stumbled into a massive doorway, its towering arches marked with faded carvings and symbols. Beyond it was an expansive hall—the ceiling enchanted to mimic the night sky, filled with swirling constellations and streaks of magical auroras. Floating candles hovered in the air, their flames casting an eerie glow over the long, dust-covered tables.

But Aiden's attention snapped to the center of the hall, where a large pedestal stood, and hovering above it was a radiant orb pulsating with golden light.

The chat buzzed again.

• HermioneG91: "That's the Legacy Orb. It'll unlock more of your potential."

• Neville_Lion: "Think of it like… an upgrade station. Only more magical. And dangerous."

• HarryPotter96: "Touch it. Don't think, just do it."

• LunaLuvGood: "Or don't. Maybe it explodes. Who knows?"

Aiden snorted. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Cautiously, he approached the orb, its glow intensifying with each step. His reflection shimmered on its surface, distorted like ripples in water. He hesitated for just a moment, then reached out.

The moment his fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy exploded through him, sending blinding light cascading across the hall. Aiden's body seized up, his mind assaulted by visions—memories that weren't his.

Flashes of battles fought with wands blazing like swords. Spells he couldn't name splitting the earth. Faces—some kind, some terrifying—staring back at him. Names whispered in languages he didn't understand. Magic, raw and untamed, coursing through his very soul.

Then darkness.

[Legacy Orb Activated.]

You have unlocked:

• [Bloodline: Blackthorn (Dormant)]

• [Skill: Shadowstep - Rank D]

• [Spell: Protego - Mastery Level: E]

• [Memory Fragment Acquired: Combat Training Basics]

Aiden collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. His body felt different—stronger, sharper. Like his senses had been cranked to eleven. He could hear the faint creak of wood from the floating candles, smell the dust hanging in the air, and feel the pulse of magic under his skin like a second heartbeat.

"…Whoa."

The chat exploded again.

• HarryPotter96: "Told you it'd work."

• HermioneG91: "Your bloodline's interesting. Blackthorn… That's rare."

• Neville_Lion: "You'll feel disoriented for a bit. It's normal."

• LunaLuvGood: "Or maybe you're dying. Hard to tell."

Aiden groaned, dragging himself to his feet. "You really have a thing for bad news, don't you, Luna?"

Before he could catch his breath, the hall's massive doors creaked open, and shadows spilled in like ink. Figures in dark, tattered robes stepped through, wands raised, their faces hidden beneath skeletal masks.

Not good.

Aiden's instincts kicked in. His hand shot out, fingers curling as he focused. Protego!

A translucent, shimmering barrier materialized just in time as the first curse slammed into it, crackling with dark energy. The force sent Aiden skidding back, but the shield held.

"Guess it's showtime," he muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth despite the danger.

He flicked his wrist, summoning another spell.

"Expelliarmus!"

A beam of red light shot from his hand, striking one of the attackers square in the chest, sending him flying backward. Aiden didn't pause. He darted forward, weaving between spells with newfound agility, his body reacting faster than his mind could process.

[Skill Activated: Shadowstep]

In an instant, Aiden vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind one of the masked figures. His fist connected with the man's jaw before the attacker even realized he was there, dropping him like a sack of bricks.

The remaining attackers hesitated, clearly unsettled by his sudden movement.

Good, Aiden thought, his grin widening. Fear makes people sloppy.

He capitalized on their hesitation, launching spell after spell—Stupefy, Petrificus Totalus, Expelliarmus—each word rolling off his tongue like he'd been doing it for years. In minutes, the hall was littered with unconscious bodies.

Breathing heavily, Aiden surveyed the aftermath.

The chat buzzed again.

• HarryPotter96: "Not bad for a newbie."

• HermioneG91: "Your magic's unstable, but you've got potential."

• Neville_Lion: "You'll need more than luck next time."

• LunaLuvGood: "I liked the part where you almost died."

Aiden chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, me too."

But as he stood there, victorious yet exhausted, a nagging thought crept into his mind.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

[End of Chapter 2]