Chapter 79

The day after Christmas, Harry, Luo En, and Neville decided to try to explore Avalon. Luo En was full of expectations for what might exist in the hidden realm, while Harry felt he was mainly accompanying Luo En to have fun.

The three stood on the edge of the Black Lake, looking at the small island that suddenly appeared in the center of the lake. Now the mist had basically dissipated, leaving only a thin layer, no longer able to block their sight.

A small boat was parked by the lake. It is said that Fred and George tried to row to Avalon, but they rowed from this side of the lake to the other side and never saw the entrance to Avalon.

"Then, let us try." Luo En held a wooden sword in his hand, "Let's see if we can attract Avalon's attention using swordsmanship."

"Good." Neville also held his wooden sword, and the two practiced the swordsmanship stroke by stroke.

Harry noticed with surprise that as they rowed, the mist began to surge, and white light spots began to precipitate from the tips of their swords, slowly drifting forward. Finally, when all the movements were finished, a magic circle appeared in front of the three. The thirteen circles of the magic circle all flickered with fluorescent white light spots, only the light spot in the middle flickered, as if it were about to go out.

This was probably Merlin's role, Harry thought. He took out his wand and walked up, gently pointing at the center of the magic circle.

"Lumos." He chanted.

As the light spot in the center was artificially lit, this magic circle suspended in the air began to take effect. In a rotation, it gradually turned into a glowing doorway.

Harry believed Deng Buliduo wouldn't maliciously set up any terrible traps. He stepped into this doorway first. What surprised him a bit was that behind the door was a white mist space like the afterlife.

A bad guess floated in Harry's heart. He took out his wand and tried to chant a spell, then he discovered that magic was also ineffective in this "Avalon".

"Where is this, Harry?" As soon as Luo En entered this place, he began to ask questions.

"I don't know." Harry didn't dare to say. He was also worried at this moment: could this be the afterlife?

Deng Buliduo shouldn't let students take such a big risk. It is more likely that the design of Avalon referred to the afterlife. After all, as a place in Celtic mythology, it is understandable that there are some similarities.

After Neville also came in, he looked around at the mist and said: "It seems this is the outer edge of Avalon. Let's walk inside."

Seeing Neville start walking forward directly, Harry and Luo En hurriedly followed. After walking a few steps, they saw a figure from afar.

This feeling was too familiar, and Harry couldn't help but think too much, but he still didn't say anything. Because since he decided to keep the secret of the afterlife for Zhang Qiu, it would be very difficult to explain if he said it now, and even telling Luo En and Neville wouldn't have any positive effect on the matter, just barely relieving his own anxiety.

Walking closer, the figure appeared. It was a beautiful woman wearing an evening gown. Harry felt she was unrealistically beautiful.

"Outsiders, what identity do you want to enter Avalon with?" The woman's ethereal voice drifted over.

"I want to enter Avalon as an inheritor of the Round Table Knights to seek instructions from my predecessors." Luo En said.

"Then you will play Percival." After the woman finished speaking, a set of neatly stacked armor appeared on the ground, along with a gorgeous sword.

"I want to play Merlin to assist my friend in completing his goal." Harry followed closely and said.

"Okay." With the woman's agreement, a wizard hat appeared on the ground. Harry picked up the hat and put it on his head. He found there was also a wand on the ground. He held the wand in his hand, and a powerful force instantly connected to his arm. Harry could use magic again.

He examined this wand with many knots and began to suspect whether this would be the Elder Wand. Deng Buliduo very likely possessed the Elder Wand because he was the strongest person in the world, and only those who were already powerful could safely possess the powerful Elder Wand.

Perhaps it was just a counterfeit, he told himself.

"I won't play anyone; I am just myself." Neville said with a hint of provocation.

"Then you will play the nameless Tarnished." The woman said calmly, and a gray long sword appeared in front of Neville.

Neville picked up the sword and swung it twice without caring, saying with a smile: "Not bad."

At this time, Harry was busy helping Luo En put on his armor. First, put on the heavy chain mail as a lining, then put on the hard plate armor outside. This procedure really took a lot of effort.

The woman didn't speak. Her eyes were always on Luo En. After he was dressed neatly, put on the cloak symbolizing strength, and took the sword and shield, she spoke again.

"Go and try. By passing the tests of your predecessors, you can get guidance. If you fail, you will lose the qualification to enter Avalon forever."

After the woman who looked like a guide finished this sentence, the thin mist around began to become thick. Harry couldn't see anything in the mist and could only reach out with one hand in the direction of his memory, but he didn't catch anything.

After the thick fog became thin again, the woman was gone. Harry found that he had changed his position and was now standing behind Luo En. Beside him was another wizard wearing a hat.

He didn't rush to manage who the newly appeared wizard was, but looked around and asked: "Where is Neville?"

Luo En turned his head, and he immediately took a step back, putting the shield in front of him. Through the face mask, Harry couldn't see his expression. Just as he wanted to speak, he suddenly heard an ethereal voice.

"The Tarnished has his own path to become a king. Now walk forward and try to see King Arthur."

"Oh alright, Luo En, did you hear that?" Harry said, "There is a voice telling us to walk forward."

"I heard it too. Let's set off." Before Luo En could speak, the wizard wearing the hat spoke. Harry felt this voice was a bit familiar. When he looked at the wizard's face, he was also startled.

He finally knew why Luo En would be vigilant and retreat, because now there were two Harrys in front of him, looking exactly the same, and even their movements were very similar.

"Harry, tell me." Luo En's voice trembled, "What is the Christmas present I gave you."

"Quidditch Through the Ages, I like it very much." The fake Harry answered first.

"Last year you sent the tight wool sweater your mother knitted, and this year she sent it again." Harry added.

"Why are you—let me think, you have to say something only the two of us know." Luo En said anxiously.

If this person was part of Deng Buliduo's test, then he might not necessarily know things outside the school.

"Your family's car is a Ford Anglia, and when you came to Tang Dun, it was parked next to a green Bentley Turbo-R." Harry said.

"The license plate of the Ford car is 7790TD, and the license plate of the Bentley car is 2580MR." The fake Harry added.

Luo En began to fall into confusion.

"Luo En, I suspect this magic copied my memory." Harry said calmly, "Let us follow the guidance to pass the level first. If one of the two Harrys does something to obstruct the task, it means he is fake. That's right, isn't it?"

"You have been looking worried since you came in. Is there something you are hiding from us?" The fake Harry said.

"If I find out which of you attacks the other." Luo En put the sword back into the scabbard, "Then I can conclude that the person who initiated the attack is fake. Now let's walk forward first."

Harry looked at the person beside him who looked exactly like him, and he couldn't stop his mind from running wild. Is it possible that the other Neville who appeared on Halloween night was also related to this Avalon magic?

"I don't know if you heard it, but I think I should tell you." The fake Harry said, "That voice told me that Neville was teleported to another place to accept the test alone because he chose a different path."

"But I want to know what the Tarnished means." Luo En said while walking.

Harry heard that voice again. It told Harry that in the ancient Wizarding World, firm belief would change the color of the eyes, so the Tarnished refers to those who no longer believe in King Arthur.

He was just about to tell Luo En this news, but he was worried that knowing too much would cause Luo En's misunderstanding. After all, the original Harry might not know this information.

The fake Harry explained the meaning of the Tarnished exactly. Luo En nodded noncommittally. He admitted he couldn't hear that voice; perhaps only Merlin could hear it.

The three walked silently on the soft grass. Harry was still wearing the school wizard robe, at most adding a hat, but Luo En was wearing full plate armor. He couldn't help but worry about Luo En's physical strength.

Fortunately, they didn't walk far before they saw a river. On the other side of the river was a forest. They were already very close to the center of Avalon.

There was a small boat by the river, and that voice sounded in Harry's ear again.

"This boat can only carry two people at a time."

Harry said this information. Luo En pondered for a moment, and he said: "This means we need to cross the river three times, and someone needs to sit on the boat all the time. I don't trust the two of you to get on the boat. Let me send you over one trip at a time."

"I think this is a good idea." The fake Harry said.

Luo En sent the fake Harry to the other side first. Along the way, Harry was really worried about whether that person would be unfavorable to Luo En. Fortunately, he seemed to be immersed in playing Harry, and apart from talking, he didn't do anything else.

In Harry's expectant eyes, Luo En rowed the boat back. Harry noticed that he lifted his face mask, and there were beads of sweat on the tip of his nose, looking a bit tired.

"I'll row." As soon as he got on the boat, Harry took over the oars, "He wouldn't give you this set of armor for nothing. There might be a battle later, so you have to save your strength."

"Makes sense." Luo En said. He seemed to be pondering.