Chapter One: A Fraud No Longer
Ow. My head.
I blinked against the golden glow filtering through satin curtains. This room was ridiculous. Velvet armchair. Mahogany desk polished to a shine. A bed that looked like it belonged in some noble's estate—except I had just cracked my shin against its corner.
And then—like a jolt—the rush of memories hit. Memories that weren't mine.
Hair products. Signing books with absurdly long quills. Smiles that never reached the eyes. And most of all… lies. Piles upon piles of them.
I groaned. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm… that fraud?"
[System online. Would you like to receive your starter pack?]
I spun. No one was there. Just the voice in my head, clear as a bell.
"Uh—yes. Yes, I would."
[Very well. Host will receive:
→ Mordo (Marvel) Template 100% — includes Staff of the Living Tribunal and Boots of Baltorr.
→ Makarov (Fairy Tail) Template 10%.
→ Item: Card of the Fool (Akashic Records).]
I grinned so wide it probably would have scared the portraits on the wall if they weren't snoring. "Ha! I'm no fraud now. Once I max out Makarov, I could take Dumbledore no sweat. Even without that card."
A thought struck me. "Uh… system? How do I complete templates?"
[Host has two months before teaching at Hogwarts. To advance, embark on real adventures. The system provides a Dimension Key to Fillory (from The Magicians). Fillory's kingdom is under attack by an undead army—unkillable unless their four dark crystals are destroyed. If successful, host will gain +10% Makarov Template, unlocking Gigantification magic.]
The glowing key shimmered into my palm. Sleek, silver, humming faintly. Bound to me. Always retrievable.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
[Optional Bonus: Bring along the Ministry inspector instead of altering their memory. If they survive, host gains an Animagus form: a giant eagle, twice normal size, summonable at will.]
I snorted. "That's cooler than tempting, but… better than frying someone's brain. Not my style anyway."
(Knock knock knock.)
Right on cue.
I straightened my robes, flicked my hair in that obnoxiously perfect way my body seemed to remember, and opened the door.
A young woman with bubblegum-pink hair stood there, shifting her weight on one foot, clipboard tucked under her arm. Her eyes scanned me, sharp but playful.
"Well hello there. You must be the inspector," I said with all the pomp of a man introducing himself at a book signing.
"Yes," she said briskly. "Nymphadora Tonks. This is really a formality. We get lots of concerning rumors, but since you're teaching at Hogwarts, the Ministry thought it best I shadow you for a few days."
"Ah, Tonks! Delightful. Quite all right, I assure you." I leaned closer conspiratorially. "As a matter of fact, I was just on my way to my next adventure. Would you care to join me?"
Her eyes lit up. "I'd be honored! I love your books. What are we hunting this time—a werewolf? A Yeti?"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Afraid not, my dear. We'll be venturing to the mystical land of Fillory. Recently gained entry myself. According to legend, it's a sight to behold."
Her jaw dropped slightly. "Fillory? That doesn't sound like your usual fare. Trying new things?"
"Not really," I said with a shrug. "I merely tone down my adventures in my books. People struggle to believe the actual stories. But with you as a witness… perhaps it's time the world learned the truth."
Tonks grinned, her youthful enthusiasm shining. "Then let's go."
I raised the silver key. It pulsed with a quiet heartbeat, then—
Flash.
The world twisted. The corridor of Lockhart's townhouse dissolved into a swirl of color, a rush of wind tugging at our robes. And then—
We stumbled onto soft grass.
I blinked. Fillory stretched out before us like a dream. Towering trees with silver leaves shimmered in the breeze. Rivers glowed faintly as if starlight had spilled into their waters. Unicorns grazed calmly in the distance, their horns catching the sun. The air itself smelled fresher, cleaner, like spring bottled into every breath.
Tonks let out a low whistle. "Bloody hell. You weren't exaggerating."
"Quite." I couldn't help but puff my chest. This world practically begged for a grand adventure.
And then—
A scream.
We turned. Down the dirt path, a farm girl tore through the grass, skirts flying, eyes wide with terror. Behind her, a rattling chorus of bones—three skeletal warriors, swords and shields clattering, chasing with unnatural speed.
"Undead," I muttered.
"Skeletons," Tonks corrected, drawing her wand. "Undead skeletons."
The girl spotted us, desperation twisting her face. "Please! Help me!"
I twirled the Staff of the Living Tribunal into my grip, its golden head glinting under Fillory's sunlight. "Tonks, my dear—shall we make this an entrance to be remembered?"
She grinned fiercely. "Oh, I was hoping you'd say that."
The skeletons clattered closer. Beyond them, looming on the horizon, the spires of a castle glimmered—our next destination. The kingdom of Fillory. The queen awaited.
And our adventure had just begun.